First batch of wintering black-headed gulls arrive at Lugu Lake in Yunnan

Black-headed gulls fly over Lugu Lake in Ninglang Yi Autonomous County, Lijiang city, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo courtesy of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Lijiang Municipal Committee)

Lugu Lake in Ninglang Yi Autonomous County, Lijiang city, southwest China's Yunnan Province, has welcomed the arrival of the first batch of wintering black-headed gulls, signaling the start of the viewing season. The ecological spectacle is expected to continue through March next year.

Visitors pause to take photos, feed the birds, and enjoy the harmonious interactions between humans and wildlife under the warm sunlight.

As the third-deepest freshwater lake in China, Lugu Lake consistently maintains Class I surface-water quality—the highest grade—providing excellent habitat and abundant food sources for black-headed gulls and other migratory birds.

In recent years, Lijiang city and Ninglang county have prioritized ecological preservation and implemented measures to protect Lugu Lake. Thanks to systematic environmental management, biodiversity at the lake continues to flourish. Rare species such as black-necked cranes and red-crested pochards now appear frequently, making Lugu Lake a wintering ground for an increasing number of migratory birds.

A tourist takes a ride in a boat to observe black-headed gulls up close at Lugu Lake in Ninglang Yi Autonomous County, Lijiang city, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo courtesy of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Lijiang Municipal Committee)

Black-headed gulls fly over Lugu Lake in Ninglang Yi Autonomous County, Lijiang city, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo courtesy of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Lijiang Municipal Committee)

Black-headed gulls swim in Lugu Lake in Ninglang Yi Autonomous County, Lijiang city, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo courtesy of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Lijiang Municipal Committee)

Black-headed gulls swim in Lugu Lake in Ninglang Yi Autonomous County, Lijiang city, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo courtesy of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Lijiang Municipal Committee)

Tourists take photos of black-headed gulls at Lugu Lake in Ninglang Yi Autonomous County, Lijiang city, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo courtesy of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Lijiang Municipal Committee)

Black-headed gulls fly over Lugu Lake in Ninglang Yi Autonomous County, Lijiang city, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo courtesy of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Lijiang Municipal Committee)

Photo shows a boat on Lugu Lake in Ninglang Yi Autonomous County, Lijiang city, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo courtesy of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Lijiang Municipal Committee)

Photo shows tourists on the bank of Lugu Lake in Ninglang Yi Autonomous County, Lijiang city, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo courtesy of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Lijiang Municipal Committee)