A Paradise for Migratory Birds

Guangdong Nan'ao Migratory Birds Provincial Nature Reserve was officially approved and established by the People's Government of Guangdong Province in January 1990. As a provincial-level protected area, it is the sole marine migratory bird reserve in Guangdong.

It serves as a critical entry stopover for seabirds migrating into China from Australia, Japan, Russia, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and other nations. The reserve offers favorable conditions for China’s international bird banding programs, bearing international value and great significance.

The reserve covers 22 islets surrounding Nan'ao Main Island, with a total land area of 3,842 mu (2.56 square kilometres) and a coastline stretching 24 kilometres. Its core zone consists of four islets in the Lemen Archipelago — Wu Islet, Ping Islet, Baihan Islet and Hui Islet — spanning 282 mu (0.188 square kilometres). Experimental and buffer zones are mainly distributed across the Nanpeng Archipelago and other surrounding islets.

Located in the southern subtropics, the reserve features a maritime monsoon climate with mild weather all year round. It boasts well-preserved natural vegetation, comprising 43 plant species from 26 families. Coupled with abundant marine life, the habitat creates ideal feeding, roosting and breeding grounds for seabirds.

Widely hailed as a "paradise for birds", the reserve hosts more than 90 species of birds all year round, including migratory birds, passage migrants, breeding birds and resident birds. Among them, 46 species fall under the Sino-Japanese Migratory Bird Protection Agreement.

June to September marks the peak season for seabird activity. Tens of thousands of birds gather on Wu Islet, forming a spectacular marine landscape unique to Nan'ao