North China wetland sees 70,000 migratory birds

Beidagang wetland nature reserve in north China's costal city Tianjin has seen more than 70,000 migratory birds this year.

The wetland, covering 34,887 hectares, is a stop for birds migrating from Inner Mongolia to Bohai Gulf in east China. It is a key component of one of world's eight bird migration routes.

Since early November, birds including swans, wild geese and about 100 endangered oriental white stork, have arrived at the wetland, said Yang Jiwen, director of the Beidagang Wildlife Protection Station.

According to Yang, over one million birds of 200 species stop over in Beidagang wetland every year.

About 500 volunteers are working with the station to feed the birds and protect them from poaching.

Wang Jianmin, a volunteer, told Xinhua they haven't found illegal hunters. "We will cast fish fries to make sure the birds have enough food for winter."