Recently, the Lingchuan County Forestry Bureau reported that in early summer, hundreds of slender grey herons with sleek gray plumage have settled near the Shangjiao Reservoir in Lutown, Lingchuan County. They stand motionless on branches, appearing utterly content; or spread their wings to soar, their feathers skimming the water's surface and stirring shimmering ripples; or playfully chase one another, darting through the green canopy. This marks the first recorded sighting of a grey heron colony in Lingchuan County.
Grey herons, also known as common herons, are classified as a Class II nationally protected species and are also a key protected wildlife species in Shanxi Province. They primarily inhabit shallow waters such as rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds. Most breed in northern regions and migrate south for winter. Grey herons are exceptionally selective about their habitats, earning them the reputation as “environmental indicators.” Their first discovery in Lingchuan County not only fills a gap in biodiversity records but also directly attests to the county's clean waterways, intact food chains, and healthy ecological spaces.
Staff from the protected area of the Lingchuan County Forestry Bureau reported that recent monitoring shows a stable population of over 200 grey herons here, forming a permanent habitat. They migrate south each winter and return to nest in the spring.
Beyond the grey heron, rare species like the leopard cat, black stork, and rhesus macaque have increasingly appeared in recent years. Their presence stands as compelling evidence of Lingchuan County's continuously improving ecological environment and significant achievements in biodiversity conservation. To date, Lingchuan County has recorded three nationally protected Class I species: leopard cat, black stork, and musk deer; and 21 species of national Class II protected animals, including macaques and golden pheasants.
The grey herons' settlement here is no coincidence—it stems from Lingchuan County's relentless efforts to strengthen its ecological foundation. In recent years, the county has deepened its practice of the “Two Mountains” philosophy, innovatively implementing a series of measures for biodiversity conservation while waging battles to secure clear waters, blue skies, and clean soil. By continuously enriching its ecological foundation, a beautiful Lingchuan characterized by ecological harmony and coexistence has taken shape. Moving forward, Lingchuan County will persist in ecological monitoring, comprehensively utilizing technologies such as infrared cameras and drones to strengthen wildlife habitat protection, enhance public awareness of ecological conservation, fortify the county's ecological security barrier, and jointly build a beautiful Lingchuan where humans and nature coexist in harmony. (Xue Jianying)