Flocks of waterfowl are seen after arriving at the Qiantang Greater Bay Area Wetland Park to pass the winter. [Photo/WeChat account: XS_HEDA]

As autumn paints the landscape gold, the Qiantang Greater Bay Area Wetland Park in Hangzhou has welcomed its first wave of migratory birds.

Flocks of spoonbills, avocets, and wild ducks have arrived, gliding gracefully over the shimmering reeds and tranquil waters.

These "spirits of the wetlands" mark the beginning of the annual migration season. Most of the early arrivals are waterfowl, and experts predict that by mid-November, larger flocks will begin arriving, with the peak migration period expected in late November.

Thanks to years of conservation and restoration efforts, Qiantang's wetlands have become a safe haven for these travelers — an essential stop along their migratory route and a symbol of the region's thriving ecology.

Flocks of waterfowl forage at the park. [Photo/WeChat account: XS_HEDA]