Special report: Kunming ushers in gull-admiring season

Tens of thousands of red-billed sea gulls migrate annually to Kunming for wintering, enlivening the city with their infinite flights in the sky. Meanwhile, the gull-caring stories that happened in Kunming present a beautiful picture scroll where birds and humans co-exist in harmony. The moving scene has become one of the most symbolic images of Kunming.

This year, the red-billed sea gulls came a little earlier. On October 6, Kunming citizens spotted the bird in the water area near the Haigeng park, Dianchi Lake. According to the latest statistics released by Kunming Birds Association, the red-billed gulls arrived in Kunming successively in November, and the number has so far amounted to over 30,000 in the Dianchi Lake basin. 

“Kunming has ushered in its sea gull-watching season,” said Wang Zhibin, deputy secretary general of the Kunming Birds Association. “Their early arrival might be attributed to the colder weather in the north this year, as well as their increasing familiarity with the migration route.” 

Home faraway 

After the thousands-of-kilometer flight that lasts over one month, tens of thousands of red-billed sea gulls migrate to Kunming for wintering every year, bringing the spring city back to life.

The gulls’ first acquaintance with Kunming dates back to more than 30 years ago, when around 9,000 white-feathered birds landed at Dianchi Lake on November 12, 1985. Flying into downtown Kunming later, the red-billed sea gulls hovered near the Panlong River, with the sight bringing to halt crowds of the passers-by. 

As witness of the scene, Zhang Hengli recalled: “I was thrilled at the first sight of the gulls. They looked like pigeons, but I was not sure. Back then, quite a few warm-hearted citizens fed the birds, but the new comers were obviously afraid of humans, just staying in the river or resting on roofs. 

Based on local news reports then, most Kunming highlanders haven’t seen such a large flock of water fowls. Bringing the whole city surprise and jubilation alike, the gulls were called “water doves” by senior Kunmingers. 

The emergence of waterfowls in droves drew attention from Wang Zijiang, former professor at the Department of Biology, Yunnan University, and he joined hands with other ornithologists in an investigation. Based on inquiry, the experts concluded the birds are red-billed gulls, revealing the identity of the cuties. But where did the birds come from? The question remained unanswered. 

In 1986, Yang Ming, a bus driver in Kunming, picked up a wounded red-billed gull, and seeing the ring on its foot, he brought the bird to Kunming Birds Association. “The gull’s foot ring was branded as CCCP, a Russian acronym in the Soviet Union period. Later, the bird was sent to the National Bird-Branding Center for authentication, and it was confirmed that some of the red-billed gulls came from the Lake Baikal in Siberia,” recalled Yang, aged over 80, now a senior member of Kunming Birds Association. 

Why did the gulls fly to Kunming for wintering from Siberia faraway? In selecting a habitat, Yang explained, wild birds would take into account food, water and safety. The mild climate, numerous rivers and generous feeders in Kunming are all possible reasons behind their choice of the city. 

Gull-man romance 

When winter came, Yang Ming would show up at the Dianchi Lake bank, taking a telescope. Through the lenses, he was observing the lake surface, eager to know if the pioneers of the gulls had arrived in Kunming. In his 80s now, the senior was lauded as Mr. Know All about the red-billed. Since the gulls first landed in the spring city, Yang has been a researcher and guardian of the species, knowing the gulls like the palm of his hand. 

In the winter of 2005, the red-billed gulls reached Kunming as scheduled, but at the backdrop of pandemic bird flu, people dared not approach the birds. Short of food, around 8,000 gulls left Kunming within a month, throwing Yang into a worrisome situation. Joining hands with other members of the Kunming Birds Association and under the help of local authority, Yang collected 100 blood samples of the red-billed gulls at the sites of Haigeng Park, Haigeng Dyke, Daguan Park and more. And the blood tests showed that the gulls did not carry the avian flu virus. 

Thanks to media reports, locals and tourists in Kunming began to feed the gulls, to the relief of Yang. “I didn’t think so much back then, and I just wanted the fact known to all,” said Yang. Now, the aged gull guardian has moved to the suburb district of Chenggong, unable to frequent downtown Kunming, but he still misses the birds a lot. “The 30 plus years of company has made the red-billed gulls like my old friends, even babies,” Yang said. 

Unlike the gulls coming from afar, the couple of Zhang Hengli and Wang Jianmian were transferred in 1965 from Beijing to Kunming for new jobs, settling down themselves in the spring city. In 1985, the couple first caught sight of the red-billed gulls at the Panlong River, falling in love with the hosts of cuties. Over the 30 plus years, the pair has been feeding the birds in winter, winning from the public the title “couple of sea gulls”. 

When it came to aiding the gulls, Zhang Hengli recalled: “I once saw a red-billed gull trapped by a fishing tread, and unable to fly, it was whining at the Haigeng Dyke.” In desperation, Zhang climbed down to the dyke and rescued the bird, with one hand seizing the dyke rim and the other cutting off the line. Unexpectedly, he failed to climb up after the rescue, and it was some nearby tourists who helped Zhang return to the dyke top. 

In fact, Yang Ming, Zhang Hengli and Wang Jianmian are just representatives of gull guardians in Kunming. Since the red-billed gulls landed, numerous Kunmingers have also show their affection to the birds, contributing to the beautiful picture scroll featuring a romance between man and gulls. In this, other out-standing birds lovers are also worth mentioning: the sea-gull oldie of Wu Qingheng, the gull guardian of Liu Zhen, and Zhang Gang, the spoon-holder of sea-gull food. This year, Kunming municipal government dedicated 300,000 yuan to protecting the red-billed gulls, with feeding activities going on at 62 resting sites of the gulls. In a bid to create a warmer home for the birds, anyone hurting the gulls will be severely punished. 

The 35-year romance between red-billed gulls and Kunming people is rooted in the city’s warmth in winter, sound water system and gull-caring folks. The moving scenes of bird-loving actions have formed beautiful patterns that feature harmony between man and gulls, and they are among the most symbolic images of Kunming City. 

Further reading: 

Typical gull-admiring sites in Kunming

Now that Kunming has entered the gull-admiring season, the man-gull playful scenes were dotted by cheers and laughter. At the following sites, locals and visitors can have similar fun watching or feeding the sea gulls. 

Cuihu Park. Located in downtown Kunming, the Cuihu (green lake) area is readily accessible by various means of transport, making it a favored site for watching the gulls. As hosts of the red-billed gulls are either playing in the lake or hovering near the waters, locals and tourists are tossing bread bits to the birds, forming a spectacular scene in the major gull habitat. 

Dianchi Dyke. Around 10,000 red-billed gulls have their annual gathering in the dyke area, with most gulls resting on the Dianchi Lake Dyke. And this provides opportunities for visitors to admire the fowls closely. 

Daguan Park. Surrounded by chunks of wetland, the Daguan(grand view) Park makes another paradise for the red-billed gulls. Either flying over the park or resting on the banks, bridges and bowers, the gulls draw attention from the public, especially the nearby residents who can see the birds outside their houses. 

Wetlands near Kunming. Since the beginning of 2017, the habitats of the red-billed gulls have expanded to the wetland areas surrounding Kunming, and bird lovers said they had fun and enjoyed peace when watching and feeding the gulls in the wilderness. 

A reminder: In feeding the red-billed sea gulls, you are supposed to use the dedicated food, instead of the bread and steamed buns that are rich in starch but poor in protein. These are not good for growth the cute birds. Also, try to give the right amount, too much food will be a waste or pollutant.

Reporting by Duan Jianxin and Zhang Lin; Photos by Yunnan Daily; Trans-editing by Wang Shixue