Dozens of endangered black-faced spoonbills have been spotted at the Guangdong Neilingding Futian National Nature Reserve in Shenzhen, marking the arrival of peak bird-watching season in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), according to Flybirdworld.com.
Panoramic cameras at the reserve recently captured footage of the graceful birds resting by a fishpond at dusk, their white plumage glowing softly in the evening light.
The black-faced spoonbill—also known as the inspiration for Macao’s tourism mascot, Mak Mak—is considered a key indicator of wetland health. Its presence suggests clean water and abundant food sources. Each winter, these migratory birds travel south and can often be seen across parts of the GBA, including Hong Kong and Macao.
The Shenzhen Bird Watching Society notes that the best months for birdwatching are from November to February, when nearly 100,000 migratory birds representing more than 200 species pass through the region.
Popular viewing spots include the Neilingding Futian National Nature Reserve, Shenzhen Bay, and OCT Wetland. In addition to spoonbills, bird enthusiasts may catch sight of Eurasian curlews, pied avocets, terek sandpipers, and grey herons.
Experts recommend visiting early in the morning for the best chance of sightings. Visitors are reminded to remain quiet, keep a respectful distance, and avoid feeding or disturbing the birds. Tide levels between 0.5 and 1.2 meters offer optimal viewing conditions—particularly at Shenzhen Bay, when the mudflats are exposed.
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