More than 50 migrating birds, including two white swans, were discovered dead at a wetland in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province Wednesday, Wuhan Evening News reported.

A poisoned white swan floats on the water at a wetland in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province, Feb 8, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

Bags containing Carbofuran, one of the most toxic carbamate pesticides, were found lying around the bodies at an islet used as as rest stop by thousands of birds who fly from the north to the wetland every winter, suggesting the cause of their tragic deaths.

Dozens more were stranded along a lakeside beach in the vicinity of the islet – they were stuck in bird traps that had been set up by unknown sources.

The wetland management performance has been inadequate in recent years, said the newspaper.

The local forestry department launched a probe into the birds' death on Thursday.

White swans are under national second class protection in China.