Greater flamingo spotted at Wuliangsu Lake after long absence

In a momentous revelation from the Wuliangsu Lake Wetland Nature Reserve Authority in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, great red storks have graced the waters of Wuliangsu Lake recently, marking the first sighting of this avian species in recent years at the lake.

Also known as the greater flamingo, the great red stork thrives in both saline and freshwater habitats, displaying a penchant for communal living. Primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions, this species has been rightfully recognized and listed in the national catalog of beneficial or economically and scientifically valuable terrestrial wildlife under protection.

Wuliangsu Lake stands as the largest wetland lake in the Yellow River Basin, playing a crucial role in regulating water levels, purifying water quality, and providing essential flood control measures along the Yellow River.

In recent years, as the ecological environment continues to flourish, the diversity of avian species inhabiting the wetlands of Wuliangsu Lake has seen a steady rise.

From 185 species in the year 2000, the count has now surged to 260 species, encompassing 16 species classified as nationally protected birds of primary importance.