As Ren Jianguo awakens every day, the Songhua River that runs through his home city of Jilin is still covered in early morning mist. Several mallards briskly paddle around the nearby cove.

Coming out of his cottage on Changbai Islet, the 54-year-old takes bird food from his bag - a mixture of corn, millet and wheat - and scatters it on the bank. He then affectionately watches as the ducks and other wild birds gather around to have a hearty breakfast.

A bird lover for almost two decades, Ren said the deep bond did not have a happy start.

Once an ironworker in Jilin, Ren lost his job in 1996. He then rented a pleasure boat to transport visitors to and from the Changbai Islet. About 200 meters from the riverbank, the small island covered with luxuriant plants is an ideal place to observe wild birds.

One day, Ren saw two young men chasing an injured wild duck. He ran after them in an attempt to stop them, but it was too late - they had caught it and wrung its neck.

"It was so cruel and I thought I should do something," Ren said.

Since then, he has become the guardian of birds there, stopping people from hurting them or stealing their eggs.

It was no easy task, especially in the early days. Ren said some people broke the windows of his cottage at night while others even threatened in daylight to beat him up.

Even his wife began to complain, as the breadwinner took home less and less money as he spent more time taking care of birds.

Ren said it was the birds that decided him. "They remember you if you love them and treat them well."

He said he once took care of seven newly hatched magpies until they became fully fledged.

"I met them one day when I passed a bridge. When I whistled, they flew to me and landed on my shoulders and head," Ren recalled with a smile on his face.

Now he cares for around 100 sick or wounded birds every year. Among his current patients are two eagles, one adult and another a fledgling.

Under his care, they are recovering rapidly. He said he is planning to release them in one or two days.

"Eagles have beautiful, sharp eyes," he said. "Too much captivity will ruin birds of prey," he noted, with a tinge of regret in his voice.

Ren admitted that days in his powerless cottage are sometimes boring. But he said it is comforting to see that people have changed their attitudes toward birds.

"They now come to observe birds and nobody hurts them anymore."

Many have joined his ranks. Ren said local people often send food for birds and some college students offer him help from time to time.

Due to their efforts, Ren said the islet has become home to more and more migratory birds.

"Some 8,000 birds spend their winter here each year. And the varieties of wild ducks alone can reach as many as 20."