A total of 17 newly hatched rare black storks have successfully left their nests in Beijing under the protection of conservationists over the past few days, making the largest number of black storks leaving nests in Beijing in a single year since records began in 2007.
The last one of the 17 baby black storks left its nest on Friday, marking the end of nest-leaving for all the 17 young black storks born this year in Beijing.
As the annual flood season in Beijing has not come to an end, the flow of water in rivers in the city is still rapid with high sediment, which makes the foraging areas for black storks more scattered, and also makes it more difficult for the birds to find food.
"We've set up a few feeding areas in many puddles or gentle places. We also use underwater cameras to monitor their health status in finding food, and to check whether the food beneath water is sufficient and whether the water surface environment is safe," said Li Li, staff member with China Wildlife Conservation Association.
Monitoring results indicate that the baby black storks are all in good health and are doing better and better in catching food.
Black stork is a migratory bird species under first-class national protection in China. Only around 3,000 left worldwide, with about 1,000 remaining in China. The number of the bird in Beijing has grown to from 50 to 60 a few years ago to about 100 now.
Beijing sees largest number of newly hatched rare black storks leaving nests
