I am a person who loves nature and animals. I have two like-minded friends, Gregary Whyet and Regan Aldridge. We often go to different places together to observe various kinds of birds and appreciate their beauty and freedom. Last month, we decided to visit Poyang Lake in Jiangxi, China. This is the largest wintering habitat for migratory birds in Asia, where hundreds of thousands of migratory birds from all over the world spend their cold winters. We brought our cameras and Wildguarder owler1 night vision binoculars, ready to enjoy the beauty of birds during both day and night.
Poyang Lake is located in the north of Jiangxi Province, China. It is the largest freshwater lake in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and an internationally important wetland. Poyang Lake has abundant aquatic plants, fish and benthic organisms, providing sufficient food resources for migratory birds with different feeding habits. Poyang Lake also has obvious hydrological rhythm changes, forming diverse habitats such as the main lake area, shoals, and dish-shaped lake, providing suitable habitat environments for migratory birds. According to statistics, Poyang Lake has recorded 462 species of birds, 76 families, and 20 orders, accounting for 31.97% of China’s 1,445 bird species. Among them, there are 23 threatened species, such as the white crane, Oriental stork, and tufted duck. We saw many amazing bird scenes at Poyang Lake, such as groups of cranes flying in the air, elegant and sacred; tens of thousands of Oriental storks foraging in the water, agile and beautiful; flocks of swans on the rippling lake, gentle and lovely. We used the Wildguarder owler1 night vision binoculars to observe some nocturnal birds such as owls, night herons, and otters. This night vision binoculars allowed us to see the form and action of birds clearly in the dark, and also to take photos and record videos, so that we don’t miss any exciting moments.
In addition to watching migratory birds, we also visited some scenic spots and participated in some activities around Poyang Lake, experiencing the natural scenery and cultural characteristics of the local area. We visited the Jiangxi Poyang Lake National Nature Reserve and Jiangxi Poyang Lake Nanji Wetland National Nature Reserve, learned about relevant knowledge and measures for bird protection, such as monitoring the number and species of wintering waterbirds, banning fishing and hunting, and restoring and improving habitat. We also participated in some volunteer service activities, such as helping to clean up garbage, planting moss, and promoting environmental protection concepts, creating a better home for migratory birds. In addition, we also went to places such as Jiujiang Wucheng International Migratory Bird Town and Baihe Town to experience the local folk customs and cultural characteristics, such as watching bird-themed light shows, appreciating bird sculptures and murals, and tasting bird-themed food, feeling the locals’ love and respect for migratory birds.
At Poyang Lake, we also tasted some local cuisine, such as lotus root powder, glutinous rice cakes, shaomai, and steamed glutinous rice with pork ribs, which allowed us to eat heartily. Lotus root powder is one of the specialty snacks in Jiangxi Province, made from lotus roots, refreshing and fragrant, and can be served cold or hot. Glutinous rice cakes are one of the traditional foods in Jiangxi Province, made from glutinous rice, soft and sweet, and can be dipped in white sugar or sesame sauce. Shaomai is one of the famous snacks in Jiangxi Province, a small steamed bun wrapped in meat or vegetable filling, soft and juicy, and can be dipped in chili oil or vinegar. Steamed glutinous rice with pork ribs is one of the specialty dishes in Jiangxi Province, made from glutinous rice and pork ribs, fragrant and delicious, and can be paired with dried radish or pickled vegetables.
