Preparing to "get married and have children", one female and one male, the first recorded pink tern tern in Shanghai Dongtan | Nature Reserve | Shanghai Dongtan First Record
Shanghai, July 27th (Xinhua) - According to the Shanghai Greening and Urban Appearance Management Bureau, researchers have recently observed two pink terns in the Dongtan Nature Reserve located on Chongming Island at the mouth of the Yangtze River. This is the first time this species has been recorded in the Dongtan Nature Reserve.
"The pink tern has a smaller body size, a straight beak, and a swallow shaped tail. During the breeding season, their breasts are pink. As adults, their tails are deeply forked, their heads are black, their wings are pearl colored, and their feet are red." Researchers explained that the two pink terns recorded this time were one female and one male, staying on a small island in the ecological restoration area of the protected area. This pair of pink terns have started courting and have chosen their nest site, and are expected to lay eggs and reproduce in the ecological restoration area.
Dongtan Nature Reserve is located at the mouth of the Yangtze River and is a national nature reserve for birds. There are abundant mudflat and wetlands here, which are the "gas station" on the migration channel of East Asia - Australasia. Because most migratory birds can't fly all the way at once, they need to stay for food for a short time on the way, store enough energy and then fly to the destination.
The Shanghai Greening and Urban Appearance Management Bureau stated that the ecosystem of Dongtan has been damaged by the invasive species of Spartina alterniflora. In recent years, Shanghai has continued to carry out measures such as the management of invasive alien species, precise management of migratory bird habitats, patrol law enforcement, and crackdown on poaching, striving to protect bird habitats and biodiversity.
Whether the ecology is good or not, birds use their wings to vote. Data shows that since its establishment, the ecological restoration area of Dongtan Nature Reserve has attracted waterfowl such as common terns, black billed gulls, anti billed sandpipers, and black winged long footed sandpipers to build nests and breed. "The recording of the breeding behavior of the pink tern once again confirms the effectiveness of ecological restoration work in the protected area," said the researchers.