55 bird species nested at Napa Lake in China this summer — ECNS
This summer, 55 species of wetland birds bred at Napa Lake in Shangri-La, in China’s Yunnan Province. In total, more than 2,000 birds nested there, local conservation authorities reported, according to ECNS.
Wetlands
The seasonal lake is located at an average elevation of 3,260 meters above sea level and is part of the Napa Lake Nature Reserve, established in 1984. The reserve covers 2,400 hectares, of which 2,083 hectares have the status of wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
According to conservation authorities, long-term measures to preserve the area have improved the ecosystem’s condition. The reserve, previously a bird wintering site, has also become a breeding habitat for them.
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Black-necked cranes
The number of black-necked cranes, which have the status of a state-protected species in China, increased from 61 individuals in 1984 to a record 573 in 2026. Some of these birds now remain at the lake throughout the year.
Wetland birds breeding at the lake in large numbers were first recorded in 2019. Since then, the number and diversity of species nesting in the area have continued to grow. Authorities plan to continue monitoring bird populations, limit human impact, and strengthen patrols to protect the wetlands.
