Flocks of black-billed gulls on the Haimen section of the Yangtze River. [Photo/WeChat account: haimenfabu]

Flocks of black-billed gulls, a bird listed as a first-class species under State protection in China in 2021, have been appearing across Haimen district, Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, local media reported on March 28.

This is the first time thousands of the bird have been spotted in the district, said Yang Yongkang, a local official.

He added that this is largely due to efforts made by local authorities to improve the ecological environment along the Yangtze River over the past few years, which provides more food to the birds.

These efforts include shutting down polluting enterprises, improving household sewage treatment in rural areas, and promoting garbage classification.

Flocks of black-billed gulls on the lake along the Haimen section of the Yangtze River. [Photo/WeChat account: haimenfabu]

Black-billed gulls on the Haimen section of the Yangtze River. [Photo/WeChat account: haimenfabu]