Over Xiyu Reservoir in Pinggu District, Beijing, two majestic white-tailed sea eagles, each with a wingspan of almost 2 meters, can be found soaring gracefully. These animals, which are under national first-class protection in China, have now made up a lively winter scene in Beijing's suburbs, attracting lots of attention. Pinggu has been monitoring the arrival of white-tailed sea eagles for wintering since the 1990s.

Known as the "Sky Tigers", these eagles have extremely high requirements for the water quality and food chain integrity, preferring habitats with low levels of human disturbance. The population of this species monitored in Pinggu has remained stable at 7 to 9 over the past few years, even at one time reaching a peak of over 10. This winter, monitoring data shows that the highest single-day count reached 5, increasing slightly compared with the same time last year.

Every year, hundreds of birdwatchers and photographers from across China are drawn to Pinggu by these charming predators. Given that photographers have to wait outdoors for long periods, the local governments of Dahuashan Town and Zhenluoying Town, located near Xiyu Reservoir, have taken several proactive measures for better services, including setting up eco-friendly mobile toilets, managing surrounding traffic, and launching "birdwatcher discount packages" for accommodation and dining. These efforts have helped the "birdwatching economy" take shape.

The steady return of rare birds of prey is a direct result of Pinggu District's efforts on systematic ecological conservation and restoration. According to statistics, in 2025, the number of wild bird species recorded in Pinggu increased by 34 compared with the previous record published in 2022. As of December 2025, the total number of species has now reached 312, making Pinggu one of the most promising and popular birdwatching destinations in Beijing.

(Source: CRI Online)

[Photos by Liu Tong]