A big cloud of birds hovers over Hangzhou Bay National Wetland Park, Qianwan New Area, Ningbo. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

After years of ecological protection and restoration, Hangzhou Bay National Wetland Park in Qianwan New Area, Ningbo, has become a haven for wild birds and insects to thrive.

In 2008, the Hangzhou Bay wetlands, currently Hangzhou Bay National Wetland Park, started construction. The wetlands covering an area of 3.33 square kilometers opened to the public in 2010.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), the park's second phase of the ecological restoration project was launched, with a total investment of 550 million yuan ($75 million). The reservation area of the wetlands was expanded to 70 square kilometers, making it the most extensive coastal wetlands on the southeast coast of China.

The efforts of ecological protection and restoration pay off.

Up to now, 303 species of birds have been recorded in the park and surrounding areas. Twenty-one is included on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and 62 on China's Endangered and Protected Species.

And it has been an important stopover for migratory birds and attracted many bird watchers.