Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, may be locked in frigid winter, but dozens of swans still choose to live around its suburban reservoirs and lakes.
The area around Wulabo reservoir, 13 km from downtown Urumqi, is covered in snow, but local residents delight in the sight of seven or eight swans loitering there each day searching for food.
Many more of the graceful water birds endure the chill in and around two other lakes near the city, Xinhua news agency reported.
Wulabo staff and villagers treat the swans as distinguished guests. Hao Jianxin, for one, spreads corn or wheat around the reservoir three times a week to feed the swans and the mallard ducks that keep them company.
Observers say there are a large number of swans that have decided to stay on in the northern parts of the Eurasian continent. Normally, they would fly to lower, warmer latitudes for the winter.
Experts believe they have flown south from Siberia and the Altay area, Xinjiang's far north, but have chosen Urumqi, still at a comparatively high latitude, for their new alternative winter habitat, probably because of global warming and the city's much improved environment.
(eastday.com January 22, 2002)
