Tibetannet

Water birds fly over Lalu wetland in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, March 20, 2016.

As spring is drawing near, groups of waterfowl are floating serenely on water, while a few naughty Eurasian coots occasionally ride along the torrents, and several black-headed gulls screech from the air above… this is a day of life in the Lalu Wetland, located in southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region

"From last month, we receive more and more migratory birds! Every day I see a new type of bird. It is so exciting that I do not feel tired with the work,” Jampa, a patrolman of Lalu Wetland told the reporter.

According to incomplete statistics, there are about ten thousand migratory birds in different types currently dwelling in Lalu Wetland, from the commonly spotted bar-headed goose, ruddy shelduck, and Eurasian coot to the rarer black-necked crane, brown-headed gull and fishing gull.

In late November last year, three black-necked cranes flew into the Lalu Wetland, which were the only group of cranes of this kind coming during the winter of 2016, and they have not left since coming, seeming to have made this place their “home”.

"Black-necked cranes are timid and afraid of humans, so we cannot get too close to them. We can only find ways to provide a safe habitat for them.”

In order to protect the migratory birds, patrolmen of the Lalu Wetland feed them 1.5 kilograms of rice and barley every day. At present, there are six patrol stations on the edge of the wetland, and the patrol officers provide 24-hour "escort” for them.

Two water birds chase each other at Lalu wetland in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, March 20, 2016.