Scaly-sided mergansers have arrived as expected to winter in Lvlin Town, Hubei Province, in central China, conservation monitors report. This season, 43 individuals were observed—eight more than last year.

Along the Fushui River, three birds skimmed like black streaks, followed by small groups that preened and dived for food. Within about half an hour, the scene grew lively, with 22 mergansers seen playing and feeding in the clear water while others gathered along the banks.

The scaly-sided merganser is a national first-class protected species and is globally rare, with fewer than 2,000 individuals remaining. Highly sensitive to habitat quality, these ducks winter only in clean, food-rich waters and are often called natural indicators of healthy rivers.