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Chinese spot-billed ducks are spotted in Nanbei Lake scenic area, Haiyan. [Photo by Gu Yueliang for Tide News]

Haiyan county in Jiaxing, East China's Zhejiang province, is strengthening its coastal ecosystem to support southbound migratory birds, with workers providing food for wintering species on Nov 29. Along the nearby 8.4-kilometer coastline, newly planted willow shelterbelts are being maintained to improve coastal resilience and offer safer resting sites.

The county lies on the East Asia-Australasia migratory flyway but has long faced challenges, including invasive Spartina alterniflora, wetland degradation, and habitat loss. Conditions began to improve after the launch of the marine ecological restoration program in 2023, under which Haiyan allocated 11.5 million yuan ($1.6 million) for rehabilitation work. The project is progressing steadily and is expected to finish by the end of 2026.

Environmental specialists noted that effective restoration requires integrated planning across marine waters, tidal flats, and coastlines to build a more resilient nearshore ecosystem.

The improved environment has already attracted rare species such as Dalmatian pelicans, Chinese spot-billed ducks, and white-naped cranes, with Dalmatian pelicans now wintering in Haiyan for the fourth time. As of Nov 29, the county's biodiversity monitoring network has recorded 204 bird species, including 19 newly added ones, and 21 species listed as nationally protected wildlife.

To safeguard these habitats, Haiyan has established a dedicated ecological protection station for migratory birds, bringing together forest rangers, bird wardens, scenic-area staff, volunteers, and public-interest groups to form a coordinated protection network.