On June 17, 2024, on the banks of the Yongding River in Beijing, it was an ordinary day in the growing years of Yasha swallow chicks, but it was an extraordinary day for many people who cared about their fate. On that day, the relevant comprehensive river basin treatment project was in full swing, and in the roar of the excavator, the home of Yasha Yan was in danger......
In Beijing, about 300 meters to the south, there is a fine sand cliff, there are about 150 round holes on the cliff wall, and there are fluffy little heads squeezed in them, and these round holes are the nests of the cliff sand swallow.
The sand swallow belongs to the "three haves" terrestrial wild animals, and this cliff is the largest habitat of the sand swallow in Beijing.
There are nearly 200 swallow nests on the earth cliff on the bank of the Yongding River. (Photo/Daxing District Landscaping Bureau)
At around 9 o'clock in the morning on June 17, ecological photographer Han Xiaolin sat at his workstation and saw the news of the WeChat group of bird lovers, and his heart sank suddenly.
Originally, the nesting area of the sand swallow is just in the Yongding River Basin, within the scope of the comprehensive treatment project, according to the original plan, the project will slow down the earth cliff to resist the flood, and it is the breeding season of the sand swallow, according to the observation of bird friends, at least 1/3 of the nestlings have not yet come out of the nest, nearly 100 small swallows are in danger.
On June 17, 2024, an excavator on the nest of the sand swallow prepares for river treatment and flood control dredging works. (Photo/Bird Friends)
Han Xiaolin was anxious, his unit was far away from the swallow's nest, and he couldn't get to the scene for a while, so Han Xiaolin forwarded the news of Ya Shayan's distress to nearly ten WeChat groups, calling on everyone to take immediate action, for a while, the "12345" hotline was "blown up" The operator said that many people came to reflect the same thing, on the other hand, everyone posted on social media and tried to contact the media and the competent authorities.
The good water environment and lush vegetation of the Yongding River have attracted the cliff swallows to come here every year to raise their broods since 2022.
Many people and bird lovers said that such a community is relatively rare in Beijing, and they said that they hope to protect the place, and it would be great if protection and water management could be combined.
At about 11 o'clock, volunteer Sun Leijian rushed to the scene and found that there were several official cars, and the staff on the cars came from the water department, the garden department, the construction unit and the relevant departments of the local government.
Sand swallows. (Photo/Han Xiaolin)
Sun Leijian introduced the living habits of Ya Shayan to the staff, and showed the photos and videos he took, and the on-site personnel quickly decided to stop work urgently! And scheduled to convene relevant departments to discuss the next plan in the afternoon of the same day, Sun Leijian hurriedly sent the good news to the group, and the birders were temporarily relieved.
At about 12 o'clock, the construction unit received a notice, "there is a bird habitat in the construction area, and protective measures should be taken", 10 minutes later, the construction stopped, and at about 1:40 p.m., the engineering team and machinery and equipment withdrew from the site.
In the autumn, after the young birds learn to fly, the whole family will leave Beijing together, and after discussion, the construction team is ready to wait for the sand swallow to move away before construction, which will not destroy the habitat of the sand swallow.
Sand swallow is brooding. (Photo/Takamatsu Shigeru)
At half past two o'clock in the afternoon, the meeting to discuss the protection measures of the sand swallow began, and the staff and volunteers of various departments, under the high temperature and scorching sun, first checked the nest of the sand swallow, and then stood on the edge of the river embankment to start discussing, and everyone quickly reached a consensus.
First of all, the construction of the sand swallow breeding area will be suspended, and secondly, fences and reminder signs will be laid around the perimeter, and a special seminar will be held in the follow-up, inviting representatives of all parties to participate, and formulating a construction plan that takes into account the engineering function and protects the habitat of the sand swallow, at this time, it is about 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
Sand swallows. (Photo/Han Xiaolin)
In 2021, in order to protect the sand island where the sand swallow lives, the bridge across the river was moved 40 meters westward, and in 2022, a park under construction in Shangqiu, Henan, in order to protect the home of hundreds of sand swallows, the project set up a protection area, re-planned the construction time and area, this time, the birders also hope to keep this habitat permanently, so that the sand swallow can visit every year.
According to the latest news, with the efforts of government departments, experts from scientific research institutes and animal protection organizations, this largest habitat of sand swallows in Beijing will be preserved for a long time, and is expected to build a nature education base, build an eco-tourism industry integrating protection, education and bird watching, and drive regional economic development.
Sand swallows. (Photo/Netizen)
From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to stop construction and study protection measures, it took only 7 hours, and with the joint efforts of people, the home of the little swallows was saved.
I wish these little ones a happy life all the time.