New World Heritage sites in China help migratory birds

Staring out to sea, a wall of shorebirds suddenly rises from the shallow muddy surface. Together, the birds move gracefully in a flock. There are few places elsewhere in East Asia where you can see so many migratory birds in one place. These are the recently designated UNESCO World Heritage Migratory Bird Reserves of the Yellow Sea-Gulf of Bohai in China.

Dr. Ding Li Yong, the Regional Flyways Coordinator in Asia, tells of a recent trip to these places: “I had the opportunity to visit the Dandong Yalu River Estuary a few years ago and was amazed by the huge flocks of migratory birds swirling around the mudflats. I remember seeing easily 50,000 Great Knots!”

On 26 July 2024, five of these extraordinary migratory bird sanctuaries were awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. This prestigious recognition demonstrates the critical importance of these wetland habitats for migratory birds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF).

Every spring and autumn, millions of birds migrate along the EAAF, from the northern parts of Russia, across the Asian continent, all the way to Australia and New Zealand. Birds such as the critically endangered spoon-billed sandpiper and the Siberian crane, and the endangered Far Eastern curlew stop in these Yellow Sea wetlands to rest and fuel up for their long journeys.

All along the flyway, large wetlands like these tidal flats and salt marshes are rapidly disappearing. Development and sea level rise are compressing the wetlands at both ends, making it difficult for birds to find food and rest during their journey. These UNESCO-designated sites along the Yellow Sea will help ensure that species can reach their destinations safely.

BirdLife International warmly welcomes the listing of these migratory waterbird sites. BirdLife has been working with the Asian Development Bank and the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership to raise the profile of conservation management for these sites as key sites in the Regional Flyway Initiative (RFI). This initiative aims to protect ecologically connected wetlands across the continent that are important to birds and people using innovative financing and conservation techniques.

In addition to feeding millions of migratory birds, the diverse wetlands around the Yellow Sea are extremely valuable to people. A 2023 analysis of the situation in the Yellow Sea, prepared with support from BirdLife International, highlights this value: ‘Tidal wetlands in the Yellow Sea are of immense value to human communities, providing billions of dollars a year in ecosystem services, including blue carbon sequestration, and protecting one of the world’s most densely populated coastal areas from the impacts of storms and sea level rise.’

These five newly listed Migratory Bird Sanctuaries expand Phase II of the existing Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf (Phase I) World Heritage sites that were listed in 2019. This ongoing effort demonstrates the Chinese government’s commitment to protecting important wetlands for both migratory birds and the communities that live around them.

BirdLife recognises this timely contribution to China’s long-term plans to protect its wetland ecosystems,

“The designation of five new World Heritage sites is great news for migratory birds, as it will raise both their profile and their protection. In addition, these sites will help in the fight against climate change, as the sites will sequester more carbon while providing essential services for people. Congratulations to China and all those who worked so hard to secure these designations, and to highlight the importance of the Yellow Sea to the entire East Asian-Australian Flyway.” – Martin Harper, CEO, BirdLife International