As cold air brings rare migratory birds from the far north to Wenzhou, the city has emerged as a hotspot for birdwatching.

Wenzhou, situated on the East China Sea coast, has abundant wetlands and is a key node on the migration route of East Asia-Australasia migratory birds.

Many rare birds now can be seen in Wenzhou's coastal and inland wetlands, including red-breasted geese, Chinese Mergansers, and oriental white storks.

Wenzhou Bay, Yueqing Bay, Longgang Coastal Wetland, and Tongxi in Rui'an stand out as perfect havens for birdwatching enthusiasts. Over the last couple of years, Longgang Coastal Wetland has experienced a surge in popularity due to the ongoing exploration and documentation of rare bird species. This area has rapidly evolved into a prominent hotspot for birdwatching within the Wenzhou region.

Wenzhou is home to more than 500 species of wild birds, accounting for 33 percent of China's total, including 26 species of national first-class protected birds and 93 species of national second-class protected birds. Among them, there are about 170 species of waterfowl, making Wenzhou a bird paradise.

Every year, more than 100 species and more than 100,000 wintering and migratory waterfowl are recorded in Wenzhou, including many rare and protected birds.

Migratory birds rest and forage in the Longgang Coastal Wetland, Wenzhou. [Photo/Fang Minghe]

Oriental white storks are spotted in the Longgang Coastal Wetland, Wenzhou. [Photo/Fang Minghe]