(CN) Competition stirs love for feathered friends

May 30, 2001

by QIN CHUAN

05/30/2001

You may be bored by slogans that preach to you about the protection of

birds, which are considered to be friends of humankind.

So, what about going to watch birds in nature by yourself to see if they

deserve your protection?

Currently there are more and more bird watchers in China, who always bring

binoculars with them so they can observe the birds without disturbing them.

Earlier this month, 11 teams of such bird watchers gathered in Qinhuangdao

in North China's Hebei Province to take part in a competition to see who

could spot the greatest number of different bird species.

The contest, the first of its kind in China, was organized by the China Wild

Animal Conservation Association with the aim of encouraging people to love

birds, which are both beautiful to look at and often beautiful to listen to

as well.

Many people, who are interested in birds, were also watching birds together

with the contest participants.

Some of them were excited at seeing so many species of birds for the first

time in their life and said that they would also like to take part in such

an activity.

After 24 hours of searching, the teams found many species of birds, with the

most successful team spotting 92 species.

Qinhuangdao, a harbour city on the shores of the Bohai Sea, is an important

stop for migratory birds in China. According to statistics, over 400 species

of birds stop here to rest and feed.

World bird experts say Qinhuangdao is one of the best places in Asia for

bird watching.

In recent years more and more people, including professors, students and

workers, as well as foreigners, come to Qinhuangdao in April and May to

observe birds and the inflow has helped boost tourism in the city.

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