Recently, a total of 68 black-necked cranes came to winter at the Zhaotong Dashanbao National Nature Reserve. The birds, which are as rare as pandas, were joined by thousands of other migratory birds including coots, gray cranes, bar-headed geese and red-headed ducks. In autumn and winter, the weather is usually fine at the Dashanbao National Nature Reserve, and provides a paradise for bird watchers and photographers.

In the early morning, black-necked cranes rise with the first rays of sunlight. With loud trumpeting calls, they begin to forage in family groups. Soon they are joined by bar-headed geese, red-headed ducks and other migratory birds. The otherwise serene wetlands, meadows and valleys are immediately bustling with life.

 “Dashanbao is a paradise for birds, as well as birdwatchers and photographers!” said a staff member of the Dashanbao National Nature Reserve Management Bureau. He told us, based on years of observation,when a variety of migratory birds arrive at Dashanbao at the same time, it means more wintering birds are on their way. Over the next few days, the number of black-necked cranes at Dashanbao will rapidly grow until it hits peak level, ushering in a busy tourism season for watching and photographing birds. In December, more than 1,000 black-necked cranes, and tens of thousands of other waterfowl, will gather at the beautiful nature reserve.