Rare birds first overwinter in Guangzhou's Zengcheng district

In addition to lychee and Simiao rice, the natural environment of Guangzhou's Zengcheng district has also become its claim to fame to attract people, even birds, to come. Recently, a national first-class protected animal, yellow-breasted bunting, has been spotted to overwinter in a Simiao rice modern agricultural industrial park in Zengcheng. 

(Photo: Zengcheng Convergence Media Center)

This phenomenon was observed by volunteers from the Guangzhou Nature Observation Association. They have been recording since October 2021.

The yellow-breasted bunting, also known as Emberiza aureola, is a small songbird that likes to eat plant seeds. The adult yellow-breasted bunting can grow to about 15 cm. Its most iconic feature is the bright yellow plumage on its chest, which is very conspicuous. 

(Photo: Zengcheng Convergence Media Center)

"The improvement of Zengcheng's ecological environment and the residents' increasing awareness of loving birds and protecting wild animals are main reasons for attracting birds such as yellow-breasted buntings," said Luo Haiyan, a volunteer of the association.

"Meanwhile, the large-scale Simiao rice planted in the agricultural park in Zengcheng also provides sufficient food for yellow-breasted buntings," she added.

(Photo: Zengcheng Convergence Media Center)

It is the first time that the yellow-breasted bunting has been found overwintering in Guangzhou. In the past it would only transit through the city during the migration season. Every October, the bird will migrate from northern Asia to southern China. The Pearl River Delta, Hainan province and Leizhou Peninsula are their most common terminals.

In recent years, the yellow-breasted bunting has dramatically declined. In 2017, the International Union for Conservation of Nature rated the yellow-breasted bunting as a critically endangered animal. 

The Guangzhou Nature Observation Association stated that in the future, it will hold weekly voluntary protection activities for yellow-breasted bunting, and organize people to go to Zengcheng to continuously observe the population of and risk factors for the bird.

The next activity will be held on February 26. You can contact Zhen Jun, the person in charge of this activity, to apply for it.

Activity name: 2022.2.26增城朱村黄胸鹀保护宣传及护飞志愿活动

Tel & Wechat number: Zhen Jun (甄军) 13600005635

Author | Ariel

Editor | Wing, Monica, Jerry