Shenzhen has set up eight bird monitoring stations, weeks before the expected arrival of a large group of migratory birds.

The stations have been located in major bird habitats in the city, including the mangrove reserve, Shenzhen Reservoir, Houhai Bay, Xili Reservoir, Tiegang Reservoir, the Overseas Chinese Town wetland, Bao'an west coast and Meilin Reservoir.

Migratory birds are usually expected in the weeks before and after the Spring Festival, said Zhong Jinfang, director of the administration of Futian mangrove reserve. The administration has been monitoring the health of birds twice a week since October, Zhong said.

Last month fences were set up in the mangrove reserve to separate tourists and bird watchers from the birds for fear of a bird flu outbreak.

The district governments of Bao'an and Longgang have banned wholesale poultry markets from importing ducks and geese from other provinces.

The city's farmers' markets have not banned the sale of live poultry, with the exception of Futian Agricultural Produce Wholesale Market, where more than 20 live poultry booths suspended business from last Thursday.

(Shenzhen Daily November 30, 2005)