Old Iron Mountain in 2021
Autumn raptor monitoring efforts
It ended recently
According to preliminary statistics, a total of 26 species of raptors and more than 40,000 times were monitored, of which 24 times of "thousand fierce days" were recorded, and more than 2,800 raptors were recorded in the most concentrated hour, which was very spectacular.
Laotieshan is an important station on the migration route of migratory birds in the Yellow Bohai Sea, and tens of millions of migratory birds migrate here every year. Birds of prey are the most representative migratory group in the Old Iron Mountain area, and every autumn, the eagles on the Old Iron Mountain circle and are spectacular. In order to grasp the migration rules of raptors, starting from 2018, the Liaoning Snake Island Laotieshan National Nature Reserve Management Bureau launched the Raptor Survey Project in the Laotieshan Area, and from September 1 to November 10 every year, an observation team was organized to conduct all-weather observations on the sea crossing channel where birds migrated.
▲ Golden eagle
On September 9, 2021, the observation team recorded the migration of more than 1,400 birds of prey across the sea, and the first "Thousand Days" came earlier than ever (click on the link for details→ the first "Thousand Days" in Dalian this autumn!). ), so that researchers are full of expectations for the next observations.
Sure enough, as they wished—
▲ Black eagle
Snake Island Old Iron Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration
Wang Xiaoping, Chief of the Scientific Research Information Section:
On September 14 and September 21 this year, the recorded number of raptors exceeded 4,000, which is very rare. Especially at eight or nine o'clock in the morning of September 14, we saw a lot of black spots floating in the sky, took the telescope to observe, identified as mainly red-bellied eagles, row after row, this group of more than 300 quickly passed, and after a few minutes more than 500 flew over, continuously, accumulating more than 2800 in an hour, which is rare in other parts of the country. Even in old Iron Mountain, there are only one or two times a year.
▲ White-tailed sea eagle
This year's bird of prey migration, almost a week earlier than in previous years, the number of "Thousand Days of FierceNess" records is the highest in the calendar year, up to 24 times, the maximum number of birds of prey recorded in a single day is 4779, of which the maximum number of crested bee eagles recorded in a single day is 3700, the maximum number of ordinary eagles recorded in a single day is 2600, and the maximum number of red-bellied eagles recorded in a single day is 3600. A total of 26 species of raptors and more than 40,000 birds of prey were recorded throughout the observation season.
▲ Goshawk
▲ Peregrine Falcon
This year, monitors not only recorded rare birds of prey, such as golden eagles, white-shouldered eagles, short-toed eagles, boot falcon eagles, snake eagles, white-tailed sea eagles, etc., but also recorded a group of 10 black eagles, which is difficult to see in other parts of the country. In addition, eastern white storks, black storks, white-headed cranes, giant swans, gray cranes and other national key protected birds have also been monitored.
▲ Eastern White Stork
Wang Xiaoping:
I also accidentally photographed harriers rolling over this year, both eagles and falcons can be harriers, and they often make chest-up, backstroke-like slides when flying, especially when fighting. Although the action is common, it is not easy to be ingested into the lens.
▲ The red-footed falcon plays "Harrier Turning" in the air.
Why monitor birds of prey?
Birds of prey are at the top of the bird food chain and are an important part of maintaining bird diversity. Old Iron Mountain is the place with the highest concentration of raptor migration in Chinese mainland, and it is of great significance to study the migration law and quantitative changes of raptors for maintaining bird diversity conservation. It is reported that the raptor survey in the Old Iron Mountain Reserve will last for at least 20 years, leaving comprehensive data for migratory bird research.
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Dalian release (WeChat: dl-fabu)
Source: Liaoning Snake Island Laotieshan National Nature Reserve Management Bureau
Text: Wu Yaohui
Image: Wang Xiaoping
Editor: Zhang Xin
Edit: Qin Long
Proofreader: Ju Chuanqiang Meng Ying
Editor-in-Chief: Shan Miao
Producer: Song Wei