As autumn deepens, migratory birds are flocking to Qilihai Wetland in Tianjin, marking the peak of the southward migration season. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Monitors have recorded more than 50,000 migratory waterbirds passing through the reserve this autumn. The flock includes over 140 Oriental Storks and eight White-naped Cranes, both national first-class protected species, as well as more than 1,400 Eurasian Spoonbills, a national second-class protected species. Spot-billed ducks, red-billed gulls, swans and geese also forage and rest here in large groups.

Decades of ecological restoration work, including reed management, water quality control and biodiversity surveys, have steadily improved local habitats. Rangers rely on an integrated sky-air-ground monitoring platform for regular patrols and limit human disturbance along the migration corridor, experts said.