Rare migratory birds, most notably smews, have been spotted at Chaoyuan National Wetland Park in Yakeshi City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, as they make stopover on their southward journey to wintering grounds.
Staff at the park recently recorded eight smews swimming and foraging on the water, while other migratory species -- including whooper swans, common cranes, and Eurasian spoonbills -- were also seen resting in the wetland.
The Chaoyuan wetland boasts favorable hydrological conditions and dense aquatic vegetation, providing an excellent habitat for fish and water insects and, in turn, a rich feeding ground for birds in transit.
September and October mark the peak of the autumn southward migration, when birds stop at the wetland to rest and build up their energy for the long journey ahead.
Rare migratory birds make stopover at north China wetland park
Malaysia has been grappling with sustained cross-border haze for weeks -- despite repeated rainfall, the polluted air shrouding Kuala Lumpur shows little sign of dispersing, with the national weather agency cautioning that a clear timeline for relief remains elusive.
In the capital, air quality readings have held at unhealthy levels for a fortnight, with neighboring districts faring no better as passing showers leave the smog largely intact.
"The rain that is occurring in Malaysia is not going to help in total to reduce the haze because the source is still there so the wind keeps on coming from that direction to our country," said Ambun Dindang, the deputy director general of the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET Malaysia).
That assessment from the country's weather agency points across the border, where forest and land fires have been burning in multiple parts of Indonesia in recent weeks, sending smoke drifting into neighboring countries. The persistent haze has since taken a toll on a range of industries in Kuala Lumpur.
Open-air food stalls are a hallmark of the city, but the hazy weather has kept diners indoors, leaving many such businesses noticeably quiet.
"Because we're outdoors, some customers and tourists don't want to sit outside. [Due to the haze] our customer traffic also decreases," said a local restaurant operator.
Daily life is bearing the strain beyond the food business as well, from school scheduling to commutes. Local governments and schools must adjust class arrangements based on official forecasts, and whether classes will be suspended has become parents' top concern, with some schools already closed as the pollution persists.
Authorities have reminded the public to monitor official air quality bulletins and weather updates, and to adjust their outdoor plans accordingly.
As to when the haze might finally lift, MET Malaysia says no definitive timeline can yet be offered, with any improvement contingent on a shift in wind direction.
Cross-border haze lingers over Malaysia as clearing timeline remains uncertain
