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Page 5 of 5
Daihe Area
Though the Daihe and its surrounds have long been relatively unproductive for
birds, there was a superb, small pool (“Tai-Ho Pool”) just south
of the Daihe mouth in 1985. Tidal, shallow, and with muddy margins, this was
very attractive to wetland birds, especially shorebirds such as sandpipers.
Though the pool was since destroyed, the land it occupied has not (yet) been
built on. Potentially, a pool could be created, and this and nearby coastal trees
and scrub could again become a hotspot for watching migratory birds – as
well as helping maintain some greenery at Nandaihe, which is otherwise mostly
dominated by concrete.
Yanghe Area
Yanghe Estuary 
Though developments including new housing are encroaching on the Yanghe estuary,
the mudflats here remain attractive to coastal shorebirds, as well as gulls,
and other wetland birds including Chinese Egret. The mudflats should be retained,
and the banks of the Yanghe should remain natural.
Yanghe Woods and Pools
- almost a ready-made “reserve” 
There are two small woods to the south of the Yanghe: one with fairly large trees
just west of the highway, and another with mostly small trees on a small, sandy
hill to the east of the road. These can hold good densities of migrant songbirds – presumably
as there is little cover along this stretch of coast.
Both these woods should be retained. They could be improved if more trees/shrubs
are planted within them. 
Near these woods are several small pools, including fishponds. Especially where
they have shallow, muddy margins, the pools are attractive to wetland birds including
egrets, ducks and shorebirds. They should be retained.
There is also a strip of damp meadow, with rough grass, used at least partly
for grazing cattle. This also holds birds, including some marsh-loving wetland
species – the globally near-threatened Japanese Marsh Warbler was among
birds found here in May 2005.
Nearby rice paddies also hold wetland birds, sometimes including Little Curlew
Numenius minutus.
This area can be protected in its current state; and perhaps improved in future.
References
Hemmingsen, A.M. (1951) Observations on birds in north-eastern China, I. Spolia
Zoologica Musei Hauniensis 11: 1-227.
Hemmingsen, A.M. & Guildal, J.A. (1968) Observations on birds in north-eastern
China, II. Spolia Zoologica Musei Hauniensis 28: 1-326.
Ounsted, M. (unpubl.) Proposal for a Migratory Birds’ Centre at Beidaihe,
Hebei Province, China.
Wilder, G.D. (1925) Migration notes. Birds that breed in Chihli [=Hebei]. China
J. Sci. Arts 3: 562-566.
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