With the arrival of black-headed gulls from Siberia, Taihu Lake has entered its prime season for birdwatching.

Last year, five monitoring zones in Wuzhong District of Suzhou recorded the presence of nearly 75,000 migratory birds. When combined with populations observed in other zones, the total number of migratory birds exceeded 100,000. Want a close encounter with these "spirits in the sky"? Here are some of the best birdwatching spots for you.

Taihu Hubin National Wetland Park

苏州太湖湖滨国家湿地公园

As one of the best-preserved and best-developed wetland ecosystems around Taihu Lake, it had recorded 212 bird species as of December 2025, including over 30 under national protection. In recent years, the water bird population has remained stable at around 20,000.

Great crested grebe

Pheasant-tailed jacana

Tundra swan

Eurasian coot

Chinese grosbeak

Eastern spot-billed duck

Taihu Sanshan Island National Wetland Park

太湖三山岛国家湿地公园

It is the only wetland on a freshwater island in China. A total of 205 bird species, including over 30 nationally protected species, have been recorded. Over the past few years, the number of birds has remained at around 15,000.

Baer's pochard

Cotton pygmy goose

Baikal teal

Eastern marsh harrier

Eurasian sparrowhawk

Goldcrest

Greylag

Pallas's reed bunting

In 2025, two species were observed at the park for the first time: the Japanese scops owl and the common pochard. The former, a second-class nationally protected species, was also recorded in Suzhou for the first time.

Japanese scops owl

Common pochard

Best spots to watch black-headed gulls

No. 1 Road Around Taihu Lake环太湖一号公路, Yugang Village渔港村, New Fourth Army Taihu Lake Guerrilla Memorial Hall新四军太湖游击支队纪念馆, Yonghui Zen Temple石壁永慧禅寺, Manshan Island漫山岛, Hengshan Island横山岛, Yujian Lighthouse屿见灯塔

Tips

Time: 7 a.m.-9 a.m. & 2 p.m.-4 p.m. from November to March

Essential gear: Binoculars, telephoto lenses, camouflage or natural-toned clothes, and thermal underwear

Friendly reminder: Keep a distance of at least 50 meters from birds, avoid using flashes, stay quiet and do not feed them.