Numerous egrets have recently been seen in a wood near the Touxinggang River in downtown Qidong, a county-level city in Nantong, East China’s Jiangsu province. [Photo/WeChat account of Qidong Daily]

Thousands of egrets were recently seen in a wood near the Touxinggang River in downtown Qidong, a county-level city in Nantong, East China’s Jiangsu province. 

A number of photographers came to snap some photos of the beautiful creature. 

Egrets often live in groups, and prefer to build their nests in woods or bushes near rivers. 

Scientists say that the birds are very sensitive to environmental changes and are known as “environmental indicator” birds. Good water and air quality, as well as abundant food, are an essential part of the birds’ living environment. 

Due to the improving environment in Qidong, an increasing number of egrets are choosing to live in the city.

“About a decade ago, very few birds, which I was unable to name, flew into the woods,” 56-year-old Zhou Qun, a local resident living near the bird nestling area, told local media organization Qidong Daily. 

“The number of birds has greatly increased as a growing number of trees are planted here,” Zhou added.

According to the Qidong forestry authority, green land in Qidong’s downtown areas is expanding. By the end of 2018, Qidong is expected to have 13.04 million square meters of green land. 

Early in 2015, Qidong had less than 10 million square meters of green land. 

Currently, 42.02 percent of the city’s land area is green. 

After years of tree-planting efforts, the air quality in Qidong is now the best in Jiangsu province.

Egrets fly into the sunset. [Photo/WeChat account of Qidong Daily]