White-tailed eagles. [Photo/Jilin Release]

As spring arrives, the first wave of migratory birds is returning to Northeast China's Jilin province. Oriental storks, white-tailed eagles, and the endangered Chinese merganser are among the early arrivals, marking the start of the annual northbound migration season.

At Jingxin Wetland, where the China-Australia and China-Japan migratory bird routes intersect, flocks of rare birds have recently appeared. The wetland's rivers, lakes, and lush vegetation make it an important stop along one of China's three major migratory corridors. In recent days, dozens of species including red-crowned cranes have gathered there, bringing renewed vitality to the landscape.

Chinese mergansers. [Photo/Jilin Release]

The Chinese merganser has arrived in the Changbai Mountain to begin its breeding season. As river ice melts and clear waters flow again, the pristine habitat provides ideal conditions for this water-loving species to feed and nest.

Ducks on the Yitong River. [Photo/Jilin Release]

Urban waterways are also coming alive. Along the Yitong River, ducks and swans glide across the newly thawed water, while on Changbai Island, flocks of wild ducks skim the surface of the Songhua River. Farther west, migrating grey cranes have reached Sihai Lake, yet another sign that spring has fully arrived across Jilin's skies and wetlands.