Qinghai Lake, one of China's highest inland lakes, may be transformed into a "swan lake," thanks to local conservation efforts.

"If the current environment can be maintained into the future, the lake is sure to become a paradise for whooper swans," said Li Laixing, an ornithologist at the Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

"Birds tend to change their migration routes or destinations if they find attractive spots midway," said Li.

Warm springs beneath rivers, lakes and wetlands on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau keep many sites temperate despite the snow and ice, creating suitable habitats for birds such as the whooper swan.

More than a thousand whooper swans have settled beside Qinghai Lake, the country's largest saltwater lake.

Years of research indicate that the lake's Spring Bay is a paradise for whooper swans, with plenty of floating grass and fish schools to feed upon, said Li.

Qinghai Lake lies at about the midpoint of the whoopers' normal migration route. While some will go no further, the strongest swans will travel the remaining two-fifths of the total journey west to another winter shelter in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"The whooper swans are very clever," said Li. "The weaker ones will sometimes choose a suitable place halfway rather than travel all the 4,000 kilometres to Xinjiang.

"The young often tend to follow the weak's example rather than endure the long flight," Li said, adding that they saved their strength for their journey home.

The songs and dances of the whoopers are now familiar to local residents, and have become something of an amusement.

During the breeding season, many different bird species and their eggs can be found on the islands and shores of the lake. Their songs can be heard miles away.

The flocks on the plateau have become world famous.

To protect this paradise for birds, China set up the State-level Qinghai Lake Natural Protection Zone at the end of 1997.

Local ornithologists have spotted many white-headed geese, red sheldrakes, egrets, snipes and cormorants.

Rare black-necked cranes, which are subject to first-class State-level protection, have also appeared in the protection zone, according to local residents.

(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2003)