Migratory birds spotted along China's lush shores and clear waters

As autumn sets in and temperatures drop, migratory birds begin their journey southward across China. Local governments have stepped up their conservation efforts, in a bid to foster pristine environments to ensure safe passage for these winter visitors.

Black-headed gulls were seen playfully interacting with visitors at Dianchi Lake in Kunming, Yunnan. Egrets made a brief stop at the Hunhe River in Shenyang to refuel before continuing their journey south. In Zhangjiakou, Hebei, the golden hues of sunset conjured up a fairytale scene, with migratory waterbirds frolicking in a lake and soaring in the sky. And the stunning sight of a wave of grey geese arriving at the Heihe Wetland National Nature Reserve in Gansu reflected the spectacle of nature in motion.