Migrating cranes enliven Xinjiang

Flocks of demoiselle crane fly over the cropped wheat field in Zhaosu county, Ili Kazak autonomous prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, in September. [Photo/ts.cn]

Demoiselle cranes come in sight when their call breaks the serenity of the field in Zhaosu county, Ili Kazak autonomous prefecture, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in September. It is a time when the golden wheat is waving in the autumn wind and cattle and sheep are eating relaxedly.

On the occasion of harvesting wheat in the mid-September every year, flocks of demoiselle cranes migrate southward and take the vast field as a station for gathering and feeding. And now, harvest almost comes to an end, leaving a great deal of wheat grains scattered in the fields for them. Through more than ten days feeding, the flock will embark on its hard journey to the south, along with gray wild geese, northern lapwing, ruddy shelduck and other wading birds.