Graceful storks animate early winter wetlands along the Yangtze River

Photo taken on Nov. 29, 2025 shows a flock of oriental storks — a national first-class protected species — resting and foraging on a natural sandbar along the Yangtze River in Guichi District of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. As early winter arrives, the river's wetlands provide vital seasonal habitat for migratory birds, illustrating ongoing conservation efforts that help safeguard biodiversity along the Yangtze River Basin. (Rao Zhiguo/Guangming Pictures)

Photo taken on Nov. 29, 2025 shows a flock of oriental storks — a national first-class protected species — resting and foraging on a natural sandbar along the Yangtze River in Guichi District of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. As early winter arrives, the river's wetlands provide vital seasonal habitat for migratory birds, illustrating ongoing conservation efforts that help safeguard biodiversity along the Yangtze River Basin. (Rao Zhiguo/Guangming Pictures)

Photo taken on Nov. 29, 2025 shows a flock of oriental storks — a national first-class protected species — resting and foraging on a natural sandbar along the Yangtze River in Guichi District of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. As early winter arrives, the river's wetlands provide vital seasonal habitat for migratory birds, illustrating ongoing conservation efforts that help safeguard biodiversity along the Yangtze River Basin. (Rao Zhiguo/Guangming Pictures)