8 Good-Looking Birds to Spot in Beijing This Spring
advertisement
As the crowds rush outside this time of year to take endless selfies with cherry blossoms and tulips, it may be that we neglect to take in another, lesser-appreciated site of Beijing spring: the city's lively migrating bird population. Just as the capital's parks are awash with endless varieties of pink, orange, and yellow flowers, there's a multitude of wildlife up above to enjoy, if you know where to look.
The Beijing swift has been associated with the capital since it moved in to make its nests in the original city walls in the 1400s. It spends almost all of its life in the air, eating, drinking, and sleeping on the wing, only landing to lay its eggs and feed its young. An incredible traveler, this bird will leave the capital in late July and spend the northern winter in southern Africa before returning the following April and during that time it will probably remain airborne for nine months!
Where? Tiananmen Square, Yonghegong, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven Park.
When? Mid-May until September.
Where? Any urban park or large garden with mature trees. Often sings at night.
This charismatic bird is often seen running along the ground, wagging its tail furiously as it catches insects. Often associated with water, it is a summer visitor to the capital and has a sparrow-like "chirp" call.
Where? Anywhere with water, such as park lakes and rivers.
Yellow bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis, 黄苇鳽 huángwěijiān)
The size of a small heron, this secretive bird arrives in late May when its favorite habitat – reedbeds – have grown high enough for them to hide. Often seen perched low down in reeds waiting patiently for an unsuspecting fish to swim too close. Also seen flying low over reeds when commuting from its nest to feeding grounds.
Where? Olympic Forest Park, Agricultural Exhibition Center Park.
When? April and again in September and October.
Where? Any park or large garden or even residential compounds.
A common resident in Beijing in urban areas but most obvious in spring when it sings and calls frequently. You can usually the bulbul perched high in trees to feed on fruit, insects, or even nectar from blossoming flowers. The size of a small thrush.
Where? Any park, garden, or area with shrubs and trees.
Owls migrate? Yes, this tiny owl arrives in Beijing in mid-April and a few pairs stay to breed in the larger parks and university campuses. Listen for its call at dusk and dawn and, if you are lucky, maybe you can spot one roosting during the day.
Where? University campuses or larger parks such as Yuanmingyuan or Summer Palace.
The daurian redstart is a summer visitor that breeds in the hills and mountains around Beijing. They can be seen in parks and gardens in spring and autumn as they make their way to and from their breeding grounds. The males (above left) and females look different but behave in the same way – often perching low in a tree or bush and bouncing down to the ground to collect insects, quivering their tails.
When? April to October, occasionally in winter, too.
Where? Parks, gardens and, in summer, the hills and mountains around Beijing.
You can read more about Beijing's vast and varied birdlife via Birding Beijing's website at www.birdingbeijing.com or Twitter feed @birdingbeijing.
READ: An Interview With Terry Townshend, the One-Man Force Behind Birding Beijing
Images courtesy of Birding Beijing
advertisement