A pair of whooper swans glides across Taiji Lake in Yongjing county, Gansu province. [Photo/Gansu Daily]

Yongjing county's Taiji Lake in Gansu province's Linxia Hui autonomous prefecture welcomes distinguished guests in the heart of winter — whooper swans and smews, both second-class nationally protected bird species. These migratory birds have chosen the lake as their wintering ground, bringing vitality to the serene winter waters.

To accurately monitor the status of these overwintering waterbirds, Yongjing has launched the 2026 synchronized waterbird monitoring initiative, systematically documenting the species, population numbers, and habitat distribution of waterbirds within the county. The data collected will provide a crucial scientific foundation for mapping local wintering bird resources, establishing robust monitoring records, and informing the development of targeted conservation strategies.

The arrival of whooper swans and smews is ecologically significant. As environmental "indicator species", they have stringent requirements for water quality, climate, and food resources in their habitats. Their presence is a direct testament to the success of Yongjing county's ecological restoration efforts and reflects the sustained health of its river and lake ecosystems.