In addition to installing protection boards, the company also takes other measures, such as establishing artificial nesting sites and increasing the frequency of patrols along the transmission lines.

In the Wuyuer River Nature Reserve－about 100 kilometers north of the Zhalong reserve－a couple of white poles standing along a row of power towers are conspicuous in the wetland.

"Last winter, State Grid Qiqihar Electric Power, in cooperation with our reserve, built 16 artificial nesting sites in the wetland," said Zhang Mingyi, an official with the nature reserve, as he pointed at the poles standing high above the ground.

"This year, six pairs of oriental white storks have settled down in them."

The bowl-shaped nesting sites, which stand 15 meters above the ground on top of the poles, are 2 meters in diameter and 0.6 meters deep. They have strong wind resistance, which makes it easier for the storks to build their nests, Zhang said.

Moreover, the new sites are safer and more comfortable, unlike power towers which may present a danger of electric shock to the birds, he added.

"This winter, the reserve will continue to work with the power department to build new nesting sites for more oriental white storks to improve their living conditions," he said with a smile.

Xinhua