Recently, the reporter learned from the Taishan Mountain Scenic Area that in 2020, 13 species of wild birds were added to Mount Taishan, of which 2 were new records in Shandong Province, and the number of wild birds in Taishan increased to 346.
△ Diphtheria spotted buzzard. Photo by Li Wenqing
According to reports, the new 13 species of birds in Taishan are the white-throated spotted buzzard, the burgundy suzaku, the small coastal sandpiper, the great sandpiper, the small-billed crow, the gray curly-tailed, the northern short-winged locust warbler, the spot-backed big-tailed warbler, the reed bunting, the gray spotted plover, the red-bellied red-tailed partridge, and the vulture. Among them, the white-throated spotted buzzard and the wine-red suzaku are also new records for birds in Shandong Province. To date, the total number of wild birds in Taishan has reached 346 species, nearly 200 more than the 148 species recorded in 1995.
△ Spot-backed large-tailed warbler. Photo by Zhao Zhen
△ Northern short-winged locust warbler. Photo by Liu Zhaorui
△ Red-bellied red-tailed Plover. Photo by Liu Zhaorui
Since the beginning of winter, the temperature has gradually decreased, in order to ensure the safety of birds in the scenic spot, recently, the Taishan Mountain Scenic Area Forest Defense Station and the Bamboo Forest Management Area have carried out the activity of hanging artificial bird nests between the forests. In order to ensure the suspension effect, the forest defense station invited Liu Zhaorui of the Taishan Bird Love Association to do technical training on how to scientifically make and hang artificial bird nests. The training focuses on the specifications of the bird's nest, material selection, hanging location, height, orientation, angle, density, tree species selection and other aspects. Through on-site teaching, each technician has mastered the production method and hanging standard of the bird's nest, expanded the knowledge of "treating insects with birds", and improved the level of business. This time, a total of 1,200 artificial bird nests will be hung in the forest before the arrival of the bird breeding season, providing a habitat for more birds.
Wild birds are the music of the sky, the dancers of the earth, the treasures of nature, the friends of mankind, and have a unique place in the biodiversity of Taishan, and play a pivotal role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. According to the staff of the forest defense station, the artificial bird's nest can provide breeding and habitat for a variety of wild birds such as large and owls, which is the best way to attract birds, and in order to improve the occupancy rate of the artificial bird's nest, it is necessary to hang the artificial bird's nest in an appropriate position in the forest before the wild bird breeding period, which is generally best before the end of February every year. In addition, in order to help the birds survive the winter safely in an artificial way, Taishan Mountain Scenic Area will continue to carry out other bird-loving bird protection activities, such as releasing bird food, which will be completed by the end of March.