8 common kestrels released back to the wild in Beijing

On the occasion of the second National Ecology Day, eight common kestrels rescued this summer were released back into the wild at Beijing Nanyuan Forest Wetland Park on Thursday.

The Beijing Raptor Rescue Center invited over a dozen rescuers and their families to participate in the release event.

In China, all species of raptors are classified as national first and second-class key protected wildlife.

The common kestrel is the most common raptor in Beijing, along with other species like the oriental scops owl, Eurasian eagle-owl, and northern goshawk.

For many raptors, the capital serves both as a habitat and an important stopover along their migration routes.

Every year, from April to July is the breeding season for birds and also a busy season for raptor rescue. This year, so far, the center has rescued 80 raptor chicks.