Zhejiang University: Bird-watching in green campus
How many species of birds choose Zijingang campus as their summer or winter resorts? The answer is probably exclusive to ZJU’s bird-watching fanciers. Birding or bird photography has become a trendy hobby in recent years. PENG Chen, a graduate student in the Zhejiang University College of Animal Sciences, is one of the birding fanciers who come to birdwatching almost every day. Let’s zoom in on fabulous birds under PENG’s lens.
It is first seen this winter in the leafy twigs in Nanhua Garden on campus, where the Daurian redstart, a red-tailed winter bird, is cozily preening its plumage after a long journey from afar. But the other summer birds here, if not all, due to the sharp drop in the temperature in upcoming January, are preparing to take on a journey to warmer regions for their vacation.
Such scenes are familiar to PENG, who has kept the hobby of birdwatching for more than 1,400 days. Under the lens of his binoculars and camera, PENG has observed more than 130 species of birds on Zijingang campus, and photographed 119 species of them. To share his birdwatching, PENG opens an online account and compiles the photos into a delicate atlas for students who love bird watching.
Birdwatching is a journey full of surprises, since one never knows what he is going to get. “You have a good chance of meeting a rare bird someday somewhere, but also possibly meeting none at the same place in the following days. It’s hard to predict where they would pop up, for the birds always burst through the leaves,” said PENG.
“Very surprised, I have never seen it before!” Speaking of Asian barred owl, PENG is imbued with excitement. “It is a small owl with brown horizonal spots all over its plumages, which looks like a plump snowman.” During the days of their appearance in Zijingang campus, PENG would squeeze some time to take their pictures. “Just watching them silently sleeping at noon, or appreciating them flying at dawn, I can get endless joy from birding,” PENG expressed his affection for these lovely creatures.
Recently, PENG added a new bird species to the atlas, the lesser white-fronted goose. These two little geese are found near the lake, characterized by white forehead and golden eye rims. As the national second-class protected animals and global vulnerable species, the lesser white-fronted goose are the rare birds, and the increasing sightings of them also indicates the environmental improvements in this green campus.
“Along the way from Nanhua Garden to Qiushi Auditorium, every piece of land on Zijingang campus is overflowing with vigor, it is no less than a natural park. With bushy stretches of land and ponds, the campus is an ideal habitat for birds,” said PENG. This green campus never fails to input sustainable energy and inspiration into faculties and students. Going for a stroll in the campus and watching lovely birds, one can free himself from working and derive much invigoration. “Especially after the exam week, a birdwatching journey with friends is quite relaxing,” PENG added.