22 predatory bird species found in Wuxi

Bird observers brave bad weather to chase migratory birds in Wuxi. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]

More than 50 volunteers found 22 predatory bird species in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province, over the 59 days from Aug 27 to Nov 18.

Over the period, they spotted a total of 4,380 individual predatory birds. In 2021, the figures were 18 species and 1,715 individual birds, respectively, while in 2022, the figures were 20 species and 2,213 birds.

A Chinese sparrowhawk is found in Wuxi by a bird watcher nicknamed Camel. [Photo to wuxi.gov.cn]

Statistics show that there were seven days over the period when the volunteers observed more than 100 predatory birds. Red-footed falcons, Falco subbuteos, Japanese sparrowhawks, and crested honey buzzards were the main predatory bird species that stopped over during their migration.

A peak migration of red-footed falcons occurred this year. From Oct 25, swarms of the wildlife species were found foraging on the city's Guanzhang Mountain and Junzhang Mountain and in Hongsha Bay.

A Falco subbuteo is found in Wuxi by a bird watcher nicknamed Maidong. [Photo to wuxi.gov.cn]

They would fly in flocks at daytime and rest on high-voltage lines at night. A combined 2,598 red-footed falcons have been spotted by local bird watchers this year.

Black bazas were also found hovering in flocks for a long time in Yixing, which is the first time that this predatory bird species has ever been spotted in the city.