Wetland Protection and Restoration in the Qinghai Lake
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Bird Island
Wetlands
Waterspout
ice-broken

Bird Island

 






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Birds Islands on Qinghai Lake is one of the eight birds reservein China, and also the important bird inhabitant area in Asia. It was authorized as the national nature reserve in Aug, 1975 and national beauty spot in 1994. The Birds Islands consist of two different islands- one on the east, the other on the west. These two islands are both on the northwest of Qinghai Lake-the estuary of Buha River

Birds Islands are famous for millions of migrant birds living there. The western island, which is four km away from estuary of Buha River, is called “Xiaoxi Hill” or “Haixi Hill”. The shape of Haixi Hill is like a hump. The original area of this island is only 0.11sq.km.. With falling of water level, the top of the island is twelve meters above the water surface. There are about 80,000 to 90,000 birds on the island, in which Larus ichthyaetus, Anser indicus Latham and Larus brunnicephalus occupy most part. Every spring, birds migrate here and make nests for laying eggs. As the island is filled with nests, this island is called Dan Island.

The eastern island is called Haixipi, as it is high in east and low in west, which is like a springboard. The area of this island is about 5 sq.km., which approximates to 5 times of western island. On the way to Haixipi, we can see a sculpture named “Life”. The maker is Wang Qiyue. It was finished in Aug, 1996. The president of Qinghai Province-Yin Kesheng gave the name of this sculpture. The shape of sculpture base is like Qinghai Lake. There are round stones on it to symbolize bird eggs. The theme of the sculpture is feather, which means that birds are human’s friends.Top

It's flat on Haixipi, where grows plants like legumina and shallot. On the east of the island, it is cliff; on the west, it is a slope, which is connected to Haipi Hill. Haixipi is called the kingdom of Common Cormorant, as the nests of these birds are closely linked. It is like ā?the castle of these birds. Top

Birds Islands can be ideal home of birds lies to its special geographical condition and natural environment. The flat ground, mild temperature, humid environment, and plenty of float grass meet the need of these birds. They choose here as their temporary home.Top

Most birds here are migrants. Every spring, they come from south to Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. As soon as they arrived here, they began to construct their nests. At this time, the whole island is a noisy, busy and happy world. Thousands of birds fly up and down from morning to the night. In April and May, they begin to lay eggs and feed their babies. In Jun and Jul, the baby birds have the ability to fly. Their parents take them to find food and enjoy the beautiful nature. The noisy island becomes a little quiet. When Siberian cold snap comes, birds fly to southern countries like India, Thailand, Singapore and etc.Top

The beautiful Birds Islands are the paradise of birds and a wonder of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The special scenery attracts many travelers. Some main migrants are introduced in the following paragraph.Top

National vocational schools in Gangca County, Qinghai Province