PHOTO / CHINA
Migratory birds pictured in Shahu scenic area in NW China
By Xinhua Published: Apr 19, 2026 01:40 PM
Baby herons are seen at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 18, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems. In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. Photo: Xinhua

Baby herons are seen at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 18, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. Photo: Xinhua


Eurasian spoonbills rest in Shahu Lake in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 18, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems. In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. Photo: Xinhua

Eurasian spoonbills rest in Shahu Lake in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 18, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. Photo: Xinhua


Herons fly over reeds at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 17, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems. In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. Photo: Xinhua

Herons fly over reeds at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 17, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. Photo: Xinhua


An aerial drone photo taken on April 18, 2026 shows nests of herons at the Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems. In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. Photo: Xinhua

An aerial drone photo taken on April 18, 2026 shows nests of herons at the Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. Photo: Xinhua


Herons return to their nest at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 17, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems. In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. Photo: Xinhua

Herons return to their nest at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 17, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. Photo: Xinhua


A heron flies among reeds at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 17, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems. In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. Photo: Xinhua

A heron flies among reeds at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 17, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. Photo: Xinhua


Cormorants fly over reeds at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 17, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems. In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. Photo: Xinhua

Cormorants fly over reeds at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 17, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. Photo: Xinhua


A baby heron is seen at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 18, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems. In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. Photo: Xinhua

A baby heron is seen at Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 18, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. Photo: Xinhua


Red-crested pochards fly over Shahu Lake in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 18, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems. In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. Photo: Xinhua

Red-crested pochards fly over Shahu Lake in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 18, 2026. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. Photo: Xinhua


An aerial drone photo taken on April 18, 2026 shows the Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems. In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. Photo: Xinhua

An aerial drone photo taken on April 18, 2026 shows the Shahu scenic area in Pingluo County of Shizuishan City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. From March to October each year, the Shahu scenic area serves as an important breeding habitat for migratory birds, featuring vast expanses of water, abundant plankton, fish and shrimp, and a variety of ecosystems.

In recent years, the area has continuously advanced the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, restored lakes previously used for aquaculture, converted farmlands back into wetlands, and improved both water quality and the overall ecological environment. The number of birds species in the area has grown from 178 in 2011 to 216. Photo: Xinhua