Caohai National Nature Reserve becomes major winter base for migratory birds

File photo taken on Jan. 2, 2014 shows Ma Mindian (L) and Zang Erjun (passed away in March 2017) scattering corn for birds at the Caohai National Nature Reserve in the Yi, Hui and Miao Autonomous County of Weining, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Established as a national nature reserve in 1992, Caohai National Nature Reserve covers an area of over 120 square kilometers. During the past years, over 60 people have served as rangers of the reserve, feeding birds, observing bird activities and patrolling in the reserve. Day after day, the torch has been passed from generation to generation among rangers. Thanks to their efforts and support of local authorities, the reserve has become a major winter base for many migratory birds such as black-necked cranes. In recent year, over 100,000 birds have come here to overwinter every year. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)