File photo of the oriental white stork

The rare oriental white stork has been observed along the ancient course of the Yellow River for the first time, according to workers at the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve.

The oriental white stork, a large white bird with black wing feathers, is listed as a national Class A protected species. It is seriously endangered with just 3,000 left in the world.

But since early 2003, these birds have been seen in areas along the Yellow River estuary, and the Yellow River Delta has once again become a breeding site for the rare birds.

So far this year 18 pairs of oriental white storks have successfully built nests and produced chicks in the Yellow River Delta. In 2005 there were just two pairs. Experts believe the storks are returning following the ecological restoration of the wetlands of the Yellow River Delta.

The Yellow River Delta, with its temperate climate, is an important transit point for birds migrating from northeast Asia and the western Pacific. More than 4 million migratory birds spend the winter and breed in the area.

In recent years measures taken by the local government, such as returning farmland to forest and enclosing wetlands, have increased the number of species visiting the area.

Today, nine national Class A protected species use the Yellow River Delta, including the red-crowned crane as well as the oriental white stork. 41 Class B protected species, including the common crane and the white-naped crane, also live there. In the last ten years the number of species seen in the reserve has increased from 187 to 283.

(China.org.cn by Wang Wei, December 4, 2008)