A land development project in Dongba, Chaoyang District was recently suspended after concerns arose that it was disrupting herons' breeding times. The woodland, located adjacent to the Second Airport Expressway, serves as a habitat for several heron species, including little egrets, grey herons, and black-crowned night herons. Every May and June, large numbers of migratory birds arrive here to nest and raise their young before departing in autumn. After residents noticed that trees that fell due to the project had left some nestlings without shelter, they reported the situation to the relevant authority in charge.

Artificial nests set up by the contractor 

Upon receiving the report, the staff from the Chaoyang District Forestry and Parks Bureau immediately conducted an on-site inspection which resulted in the pause of the project. All necessary documents and procedures have been completed for launching the project, yet the contractor had not anticipated the project's impact on the birds' habitat. The contractor has since set up artificial nests on the surrounding trees and rescued fledglings that had fallen out of nests. The removal and relocation of the remaining trees have been postponed to autumn and winter this year. The rest of the project will be carried out in compliance with regulations after the young birds fledge and are able to fly away. Furthermore, Dongba Township plans to designate a wildlife conservation zone on the east bank of the Ba River, 2 kilometers away from the site. Access to this area will be restricted to create a dedicated new habitat for birds.

(Source: The Beijing News)