Migratory Birds Paint Skies Over Yellow River’s Melting Ice

In a scene straight out of a nature documentary, thousands of migratory birds have turned the icy stretches of China’s Yellow River into a temporary runway this week. The breathtaking aerial ballet unfolded in Dongying City, Shandong Province, where drifting ice floes created a silvery stage for the feathered performers.

Since February 7, over 400 kilometers of the river—from Taian City to its estuary—have been dotted with ice sheets. But it’s Dongying’s section that’s stealing the show, as birds like swans and cranes pause their epic migrations to rest on the glittering platforms. Local ecologists call it a \”climate paradox\”: rising temperatures melt the ice just enough to create perfect pit-stop conditions. →

\"It’s like nature’s version of a layover lounge,\" says Zhou Mei, a wildlife researcher. \"The birds refuel here before continuing north—their next flight could take them as far as Siberia.\"

This spectacle isn’t just Insta-worthy (though #FrozenFlight is trending!). The Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve, where the river meets the Bohai Sea, is a critical habitat for over 300 bird species. As climate patterns shift, scientists are closely watching how species adapt their migration routes.

Pro tip for travelers: Dongying’s ‘bird seasons’ (December-March and September-November) are becoming bucket-list moments for wildlife photographers. Just don’t forget your zoom lens!

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Migratory birds glide over melting ice in Yellow River

cgtn.com