The fairy by the water, whose light dance brings spring all year round, what an elegant bird is she?

A bird's eye view of science

Quanzhou Association for Science and Technology

Quanzhou Bird Watching Society

Editor's Note

The ecosystem is like a grand and exquisite symphony. In this song of nature, birds, with their agile posture, colorful feathers and pleasant singing, have become one of the most eye-catching notes. Popular science protects the green home. Quanzhou Association for Science and Technology, together with the Quanzhou Birdwatching Society, has launched a new special science column "Bird's Eye Science", which publishes bird science knowledge from time to time, selects and broadcasts student essays and paintings, guides the public to participate in ecological education, pays attention to bird protection and research, and jointly maintains ecological balance. There are carefully drawn bird paintings, which outline their beautiful contours with artistic brushstrokes; there are high-definition and realistic bird pictures, showing them flying, foraging, and playing in the forest, interpreting the vitality and agility of life. Let us walk into the bird world full of wonders and surprises and explore their unique value in the ecosystem.

Middle egret Photographer: Cui Qiyan

Middle egret Photographer: Cui Qiyan

Middle egret Photographer: Cui Qiyan

Cattle Egret Photographer: Zhang Siyu

Essay appreciation. "Spring in the Ancient Bridge Embracing Nature"

2023 Luojiang District Essay and Painting Competition

Author: Huang Jiahao

Class 501, Luojiang District Experimental Primary School

/ Instructor Liu Xiaolan/

I live near Luoyang Bridge, so watching egrets has become a daily routine. Walking on Luoyang Bridge, the morning breeze blows on my cheeks, and a cool feeling comes over me. All around me are the rushing Luoyang River and the lush mangroves. The breeze blows, and the river ripples. Suddenly, a few white dots come into view, like white flowers blooming among the green trees. Why are the little flowers moving? I look closely, oh! It turns out to be a group of naughty egrets.

"How many springs have the erythrina flowers bloomed, how many years have the East and West Towers faced each other, how many people have walked across the Luoyang Bridge, how many ships have sailed out of Quanzhou Bay, and now it is my turn to walk on the bridge..." After reading this article by Grandpa Yu Guangzhong, I closed the book, but those words are still lingering in my mind. With my curiosity and longing for the Luoyang Bridge, accompanied by the sunset that had already dyed the sky light crimson, I walked along the Luoyang Bridge with my family, savoring the nature and beauty of the Luoyang Bridge.

The wind brings the warmth of spring, blowing slowly, and the water surface is like a sleeping child; the lights are on, the moon is bright, and the stars are sparse, and a full white moon is looming on the water surface. What comes into view is the statue of Cai Xiang standing by the Luoyang Bridge. In this gaze spanning a thousand years, it seems to be guarding the surrounding residents, giving people an inexplicable sense of security. There is a big old banyan tree at the bridge head. Its trunk is very thick and its branches are lush, like an evergreen umbrella, covering this ancient bridge with a long history, making people stop to appreciate, sigh and enjoy the gift of nature.

When the river water recedes, you can see many oysters densely surrounding the piers of Luoyang Bridge. The fishermen's boats are gradually stranded. A group of oyster collectors are picking up oysters at low tide. They wear rubber gloves and skillfully chisel oysters. Looking along the river mouth, there is a lush mangrove forest, which is as tall and straight as a modest gentleman. Mangroves have good ecological benefits. They can prevent wind and waves, protect embankments, purify water quality and air, and provide an important habitat for fish, shrimps, crabs and birds. Therefore, they are listed as a nature reserve. Several egrets are walking leisurely on the gray mudflats, occasionally fluttering and flying, chasing and singing for food, and they are not afraid of the busy people on the boat next to them. It is a peaceful and quiet scene, showing the harmony of friendly coexistence between man and nature.

People taking a leisurely stroll on the long stone bridge may look down at the raft-shaped bridge piers, or gather in groups to talk about the story of Cai Xiang building the bridge, or hold up their mobile phones to take pictures of the mottled ancient bridge, or gaze at the tall buildings rising from the ground in the distance. This little beauty away from the hustle and bustle of the city makes people forget the busyness and unhappiness of the day.

What a beautiful Luoyang Bridge! As the saying goes, "Mountains of gold and silver are not as good as green mountains and clear waters." We must take care of our homeland and cherish and protect Quanzhou's ecological civilization together. This is the responsibility and obligation of every Quanzhou citizen!

Painting. "Blue Quanzhou Bay - A Paradise for Migratory Birds"

2023 Luojiang District Essay and Painting Competition

Author: Lin Nuoxin Luojiang District Experimental Primary School Class 304

/ Instructor: Jiang Shanni/

Popular Science Extension : Intermediate Egret Scientific Name: Ardea intermedi

Pelecaniformes Ardeidae

The exposed part of the eye of the middle egret is yellow-green, the iris is yellow, the beak is yellow with a black tip, the mouth is not wider than the eye, the feet and toes are black, and males and females are the same color.

During the breeding season, the Intermediate Egret has ruffs on its chest and back, a cluster of ruff-like ornamental feathers on the back and lower part of the front neck, extending backwards and longer than the tail, and an inconspicuous crest on the occipital bone. During the non-breeding season, there are no ornamental feathers on the back and front neck, and no crest on the occipital bone.

The middle egret often lives and moves in shallow waters of rivers, lakes, estuaries, seashores and ponds, and also in swamps and rice fields. It mainly feeds on aquatic and terrestrial insects and larvae such as frogs, small fish, shrimps, locusts, loaches, and mole crickets, as well as small invertebrates, lizards, and small snakes. Sometimes it will stand still in shallow water or on the shore waiting for prey to arrive.

In Quanzhou area, egrets are migratory birds and pass through Quanzhou during migration in spring and autumn.