Rare gulls, coal miners share a place in the sun

"In May 2016, the staff members of Ningxia's wetland protection and management center found more than 800 relict gulls at the lakes beside the coal mines in the Maowusu Desert," said Wei Hong, who works at the center. "It was the first time the gulls were recorded in Ningxia."

The gulls have very specific requirements for their habitat. They like resting on open plains and islets in salt lakes where they can feed on aquatic insects and breed.

"The salt lakes here are formed by water from the mines and they are perfect for the gulls. There is little human interference," Wei said. "After we discovered their existence, we sent people to conduct routine patrols."

For the coal company, the arrival of the birds was both a surprise and added responsibility.

"We never thought that mine water would attract the rare birds, and we need to protect their habitat," Li Baoqiang, from Ningxia Coal, said.

"We supervise the quality of the mine water we discharge, and we also pay attention to the water levels in the lakes so that the islets stay above water."

According to Wei, the environment for the birds is so good that the number of gulls has rapidly increased.