Black-winged Stilts return to CHEC’s Saudi Sedra Project site

Black-winged stilts, a protected species in China and an important indicator of wetland health, have nested for a second consecutive year at the Sedra project site built by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) in Saudi Arabia.

The site contains both natural wetlands and seasonal riverbeds. CHEC adopted low-impact construction practices and established wetland protection boundaries to preserve the area's natural hydrology. The project, located near Riyadh's main airport, uses prefabricated construction and operates one of the Middle East's largest prefabricated production bases.

Components are precast off-site and assembled on site, reducing construction noise to below 60 decibels, compared with over 80 decibels using conventional methods, while also cutting dust, light pollution, waste, and water use. The use of heavy machinery near wetlands is suspended during peak bird breeding seasons.

An ecological fence includes passages for small wildlife such as hedgehogs and lizards while keeping stray dogs out. Construction plans were also revised to protect bird foraging areas. The project combines green buildings, low-carbon transportation, and smart community management to meet ESG and sustainability goals.

The stilts' return for a second consecutive nesting season indicates that the site remains a suitable habitat for the species.

The Sedra project site built by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) in Saudi Arabia. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Sedra project site built by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) in Saudi Arabia. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Sedra project site built by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) in Saudi Arabia. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]