Poyang Lake is located on the middle reaches of the Yangtze River in Jiangxi Province, China, and is considered to be one of the most important wetlands in the world.
Poyang LakeBird Species
In a subtropical humid monsoon climate, Poyang Lake extends over 22.4 sq. km (8.6 sq. mi.) of wetland during the summer rainy season. It is the largest wintering spot for cranes, geese, ducks, swans, and other water fowl in Asia.
With an abundance of fish, shrimps, mussels, snails, and large areas of ice-free water, the national Poyang Lake Nature Reserve is an ideal wintering place and the largest spot in the world for the Siberian white crane.
Storks, swans, and rare species of birds also go there and 95% of the world’s white cranes can be observed there. 313 bird species have been found in the reserve and 116 of them spend winter in the Poyang Lake area.
Poyang Lake is a paradise for some rare cranes and other birds. Over 95% of Siberian white cranes, 60% of white-naped cranes, 80% of Oriental storks, 30,000 swan geese, and over 25,000 tundra swans spend winter at the lake.
Baer's PochardTravel Essentials
Best observation times: October to March. If it's not too cold, November is considered an excellent observation time.
Recommended visit: 4 to 5 days
Best observation places: the reserve base in Wucheng, Dahuchi (Xiaoshuigou, Lajidui, and Zhuquanniupeng for cranes), Meixihu (Meixi Lake), Changhuchi, Zhonghuchi (especially for swans), Zhushihu, Shahu, and Benghu
