When UK conservationist Terry Townshend tells his friends that his favorite place to watch birds is Beijing, he is often met with disbelief. Known internationally as a bustling metropolis, few realize that China’s capital is also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and a crucial stopover for migratory birds.
“Beijing’s wild side is poorly known,” says Townshend, who has lived in the city for over a decade. “When I first arrived, people thought I was crazy for bird-watching here. They’d say, ‘There are no birds in Beijing!’ But as I explored, I discovered an incredible diversity.”
With over 500 recorded bird species, Beijing surpasses capitals like London, Washington D.C., Paris, and Berlin in avian diversity. It ranks second among G20 capitals, trailing only behind Brasília. The city’s secret lies in its strategic location along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, a major migratory route.
“Beijing acts as a ‘service station’ for birds on this expressway,” Townshend explains. “Migratory birds stop to refuel on their long journeys south. Some spend the winter here, others continue to South China, Southeast Asia, or even as far as Australia and New Zealand.”
The city’s varied habitats—including mountains, wetlands, grasslands, and forests—make it a five-star stopover for these travelers. One remarkable resident is the Beijing swift, a small bird that spends almost its entire life in the air, eating, drinking, and even sleeping while flying.
Until 2015, the swift’s migratory path was a mystery. Through a collaboration between Chinese and European scientists, tiny tracking devices were fitted to swifts at the Summer Palace. The data revealed that these tiny birds fly all the way to southern Africa, crossing over 30 countries and likely remaining airborne for nine months straight.
This discovery inspired Beijing’s residents, especially its youth. Schools began building nest boxes for swifts, and one eight-year-old student took the initiative to contact real estate developers, urging them to design bird-friendly buildings. Impressed by their passion, a company’s chairman acknowledged, “For 20 years we’ve been making buildings to make people’s lives better, but now I realize we should be making buildings not only for people but also for nature.”
Townshend believes that connecting people with nature is the first step toward conservation. “In the end, everyone wants to protect what they love, but they can only love what they know,” he quotes Senegalese conservationist Baba Dioum. “As we destroy nature, we undermine our economy and our future. Biodiversity loss isn’t just sad; it presents tremendous risks to humanity.”
During his time in China, Townshend has witnessed what he calls an “environmental awakening.” Government initiatives, strengthened environmental laws, media interest, and a surge of local environmental NGOs have all contributed to a growing awareness. However, he emphasizes that much work remains to be done to meet global biodiversity goals.
“We must integrate nature into everything we do,” he asserts. “Every decision—whether about infrastructure, agriculture, or energy—must consider the value of nature. Everyone can do something, no matter how big or small.”
He encourages individuals to take action in their communities, schools, and workplaces. “If all of us do something, we can bend the curve of biodiversity loss. What happens next is up to every one of us.”
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
