During Jiangsu Bird-loving Week, the Yancheng Heritage Center recorded two new bird species—the Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher and Chinese Blue Flycatcher—at Dafeng Seawall. Identified by Professor Lu Changhu of Nanjing Forestry University, both are first records for Yancheng.
On April 25, volunteer Xu Xing observed the Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher on Dafeng Seawall Road. Birdwatcher Zhu Yuan recorded the Chinese Blue Flycatcher at Sunrise Bay.
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher · Photo by Xu Xing
The Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher (Culicicapa ceylonensis) is a small insectivorous forest bird, rare in coastal northern Jiangsu.
Chinese Blue Flycatcher · Photo by Zhu Yuan
The Chinese Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis glaucicomans), a nationally protected species, is a rare passage migrant in Jiangsu. The records enrich its eastern migration data and carry scientific value.
These new records expand Yancheng’s bird list and confirm the ecological importance of the Yancheng Yellow Sea Wetland, a key hub on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.
As the world’s first World Natural Heritage for migratory bird conservation, Yancheng continues to protect coastal wetlands and wildlife, supporting species including the Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Black-faced Spoonbill.