Two great crested terns play around in the Minjiang River estuary wetland in Fuzhou on April 24. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Minjiang River estuary wetland, a national nature reserve park in Fuzhou, has emerged as a paradise for the critically endangered birds thanks to the well-protected natural environment and its rich biodiversity.

Chinese crested terns, once thought to be extinct, are alive and well at the wetland. First spotted in 2004, Chinese crested terns normally fly to the wetland from April to September every year. The total population of the critically endangered bird is estimated at less than 100 around the world, and up to sixteen of them have been found together in the wetland.

In addition to the Chinese crested tern, a total of 152 species of water fowl including platalea minor, dalmatian pelican, collared kingfisher and spoon-billed sandpiper have also been observed in the 2,100-hectare wetland reserve by local bird watchers.

A survey of wetland resources in Fujian province released in 2010 shows that Fuzhou's combined wetland area covers 206,800 hectares, including 173,500 hectares of natural wetlands or 83.92 percent of the total.