Migratory birds pictured in Shahu scenic area in NW China

Baby herons are seen at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 18, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Eurasian spoonbills rest in Shahu Lake in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 18, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Herons fly over reeds at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 17, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 18, 2026 shows nests of herons at the Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

A heron rests at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 17, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

An Eurasian spoonbill holding a reed in mouth flies over the Shahu Lake in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 17, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

Herons return to their nest at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 17, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

A black-winged stilt forges in Shahu Lake in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 18, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

A heron flies among reeds at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 17, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

Herons are pictured among reeds at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 18, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

A heron flies among reeds at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 17, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Cormorants fly over reeds at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 17, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

A baby heron is seen at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 18, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

Eurasian spoonbills fly over Shahu Lake in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 17, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Red-crested pochards fly over Shahu Lake in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 18, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 18, 2026 shows the Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

A heron flies over reeds at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 17, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

An Eurasian spoonbill forges in Shahu Lake in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 17, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

Herons rest among reeds at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 18, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

A heron returns to its nest at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 17, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)