Source: People's Xiongan Network
Xiong'an, Jan. 11 (Liu Shihao) -- In the bird monitoring and survey jointly carried out by the Anxin County Natural Resources Bureau of Xiong'an New Area and the ornithology research team of Hebei University, two national first-class key protected wild animals - white-tailed sea eagles were observed and recorded. This discovery is also the first empirical record of the Baiyangdian Sea Eagle in the Baiyangdian Watershed since the establishment of the Baiyangdian Provincial Wetland Nature Reserve.
White-tailed sea eagles found in Baiyangdian (on the ice). Photo by Tian Zengrui
According to reports, the white-tailed sea eagle is a large bird of prey of the bird family, eagle family, and sea eagle genus, with a body length of 84 cm - 91 cm, mostly active in the swampy area near rivers and lakes, mainly feeding on fish, often flying at low altitude on the surface of the water. The white-tailed sea eagle has been listed in China's List of Wild Animals under National Key Protection (February 5, 2021) and is also Poland's national bird.
White-tailed sea eagles found in Baiyangdian. Photo by Tian Zengrui
In recent years, the number of wild birds in Baiyangdian has increased year by year, including many wild animals under national key protection. In order to do a good job in protection, Anxin County has continuously strengthened the protection and construction of Baiyangdian bird habitat, installed the "Baiyangdian Bird Habitat Intelligent Inspection System", set up a Baiyangdian bird habitat patrol team, and regularly inspected bird habitats and surrounding areas. At the same time, it has repeatedly organized natural resources, public security, agriculture and rural areas, market supervision and other units to carry out joint law enforcement actions to crack down on illegal hunting, eating and transportation of wild birds.
White-tailed sea eagle in flight. Photo by Tian Zengrui
At present, the number of wild birds in Baiyangdian has increased to 248 species, an increase of 42 species compared with before the establishment of Xiong'an New Area, including 10 species of wild animals under national first-class key protection, 45 species of wild animals under national second-class key protection, and 193 species of birds under national "three haves" protection and other levels.
White-tailed sea eagle in flight. Photo by Tian Zengrui