Avifauna Diversity in Beijing Wulingshan Nature Reserve in Winter

The paper analyzes bird diversity in winter in Beijing Wulingshan Nature Reserve. Field surveys were conducted with the method of fixed transect lines in January and March of 2002, December of 2003, and February and March of 2004. 7 orders, 14 families, and 44 species of birds were recorded. Of these birds, 29 species are residents, 5 species are winter migrants and 3 species are summer migrants. The dominant species are resident birds, which reflects the character of winter bird community of northern China. As to the faunal distribution, 75% belongs to Palaearctic realm and 14% to Oriental realm. These birds can further be divided into 7 distribution patterns. A total of 31 bird species are found near villages on agricultural land and in orchards. During the investigation, seven bird species under first and second degrees of national protection and six species under provincial protection are recorded. Comparing with the adjacent areas, this nature reserve has a relatively high bird species richness in winter. Based on study results, a conservation strategy is suggested.