Crescent Island Wetland Park in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province is now welcoming flocks of migratory birds, as glistening waters meet dancing silhouettes in a serene winter tableau.

The lake teems with overwintering birds. Cormorants swim in groups, take flight, or skim the water’s surface, creating a striking contrast with the sparkling lake. Nearby, dark-feathered coots with pale crowns huddle together to conserve warmth.

Egrets, spot-billed ducks, swan geese, and mandarin ducks also inhabit the wetlands—some wading in the shallows, others gliding across the water or soaring above it. At sunset, light and shadow blend across the lake, layering distant views with nearby details and merging water, land, and wings into a quiet winter scene—a living portrait of nature.

As a stable and secure sanctuary, Crescent Island experiences its peak birdwatching season from November through March, hosting more than a hundred species. Their presence and nesting play a vital role in preserving this rich wetland ecosystem.