A bird's-eye view of the Qiantang Greater Bay Provincial Wetland Park. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

Construction has begun on the eco-restoration project of the Qiantang Greater Bay Provincial Wetland Park, according to the Qiantang district publicity department.

The project aims to create a more comfortable environment for the tens of thousands of migratory birds that rest here each year.

Covering 4,406 hectares with a wetland rate of 99.56 percent, the park is a vital stopover on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. The restoration focuses on upgrading this functional transit hub into a thriving and livable habitat for birds.

Centering on the park's 380,000-square-meter southern lake area, plans include the creation of two ecological bird islands and two tidal flats, with 332,690 sq m of habitat to be restored.

Native plants and fruit-bearing trees will be planted, fish fry released, and bird perches installed to ensure the feathered guests eat well and live well, said the project manager.

The wetland will also be installed with a smart monitoring system with 13 observation points, enabling the real-time tracking of water, soil, air, and biodiversity conditions and ensuring precise, science-based ecological management.

Currently, 4 percent of the reclamation work for the bird islands has been completed, with the overall project expected to take two years. Once finished, it will not only enhance biodiversity but also open 45,600 sq m of new waterfront space for the public to enjoy.

The wetland, the largest estuarine tidal flat in Hangzhou, is home to over 140 bird species from 16 orders and 49 families, including Oriental storks and black-faced spoonbills. Every autumn and winter, flocks of shorebirds and waterfowl gather here, creating breathtaking waves of birds.

The upgrade aims to create a more comfortable environment for the tens of thousands of migratory birds that rest here each year. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]