A state nature reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province has become a winter home for 377 species of birds, including cranes and bustards.

A recent survey indicates that more than 200,000 birds are now spending the winter at the 453,300-hectare Yancheng Rare Birds Nature Reserve between the mouths of the Yangtze and Yellow rivers.

Among these birds, are more than 1,000 red-crested cranes, one of the most endangered bird species in the world.

Yancheng is part of a major migrating route between Northeast Asia and Australia for millions of birds.

Since the nature reserve was set up in 1983, measures have been taken to better protect the habitat of wading and migratory birds.

A massive project was carried out to improve the environment of the marshes and lakes of the nature reserve over the last few years.

In 1992 the nature reserve became a member of the World Biosphere Network of UNESCO.

(People’s Daily 01/17/2001)