As wetland area constantly increases and environment constantly improves, by now Qingdao has registered 19 orders, 58 families, 114 genus, and 393 species of birds. Qingdao not only has national level II protected animals such as big swans, grey cranes, goshawks, hobby falcons, eagle owls, and egretta sacras, but also 11 species of national level I protected birds such as red-crowned cranes, storks, black storks, golden eagles, and larus relictuses. Qingdao is the city with the most bird species and richest bird resources in Shandong province.

    “Qingdao has both sea and mountain, abundant trees, diversified wetlands, rich bird resources. It is a key stop of the immigration line for birds in the Asia-Pacific region. In particular, in forest and in coastal mountains in the eastern part, the Jiaozhou Bay, the Dagu river, the ink river in Chengyang, and the white sand river wetland, millions of immigrate birds stop here for rest every spring and autumn,” Qingdao Municipal Wild Life Protection Station director Sun Daqing said.“These birds play an irreplaceable role in protecting and keeping bio diversity in Qingdao eco system and beautifying environment of Qingdao.” (Lu Bo) [Plover snipe bird shot in Jiaozhou Bay. By Wang Zhenzhao]