Shuangtai Estuary Location and Geography Shuangtai Estuary is located in Liaoning Province along the northern shore of Liaodong Bay. In 1988, the Shuangtaihekou National Nature Reserve was established within the estuary (41°00'N 121°47'E; 0-4 m above sea level). Waterbird feeding sites, and rescue and breeding centers have been established at the reserve, where the Red-crowned Crane and Saunders' Gull have been bred successfully. A monitoring stating has also been established to study the formation, status and maintenance of wetlands, as well as waterbird ecology. Wetland restoration is ongoing, for example around 400 ha of habitat has been restored for the Saunders' Gull by pumping seawater back into the degraded wetland. Migratory Birds in Shuangtai Estuary The Shuangtai Estuary provides ideal habitat for migratory shorebirds, as well as for geese, ducks, gulls, and egrets. Over 50,000 waterbirds breed here every spring, and over 400,000 migrating birds have been recorded at the same period. More than 20 species are of international importance, such as the endangered Oriental White Stork and the threatened White-naped and Hooded Cranes. The estuary is the southern most breeding area of the endangered Red-crowned Crane, with more than 20 pairs per year. In addition, more than 400 critically endangered Siberian Cranes stop at the site during migration. Threats to the Shuangtai Estuary include oil exploration, land reclamation (filling wetlands to create additional land), prawn-crab breeding, and reed management. In addition, polluted water from the Liao River affects fish productivity and lowers the quantity as well as quality of food for birds in the estuary. Data from Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands for Shuangtai Estuary (2004) |