A rare sighting of a red-crowned crane was reported recently in the Yellow River wetlands of Shizuishan city in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, adding a precious stroke to the region's ecological landscape.

Local photographer Chen Xiaozu, initially aiming to capture images of grey cranes, set out along Binhe Avenue on Nov 20. Though grey cranes are usually abundant, this year was different. Undeterred, Chen drove 40 miles to Pingluo county's forest farm but still saw no sign of the cranes.

When he returned, Chen's persistence paid off. As he stepped into the forest, he was greeted by the sight of many grey cranes and bean geese soaring through the sky, with various birds resting peacefully on the mudflats. Hiding among the reeds, Chen was able to photograph a flock of bean geese.

An elegant red-crowned crane stands gracefully. [Photo/Ningxia Daily]

The next morning, while looking through his photos, Chen was excited to find a striking bird with a red crown and white feathers among a flock in flight. After careful online research, he confirmed it was a red-crowned crane, a species usually found in Northeast China and the Yangtze River Basin. He returned to the wetlands, where he finally saw the crane in a rice field. 

To avoid disturbing the rare visitor, Chen stealthily approached and took clear pictures from a distance. Although the crane flew away when he was distracted by grey cranes, he eventually moved it closer to the Yellow River mudflats and finished his documentation.

The presence of the red-crowned crane emphasizes the ecological improvements in Shizuishan. The crane's appearance not only adds to the region's wildlife records but also highlights the area's growing reputation as a "safe haven" for migratory birds.