Winter Waterbird Count Hits Record High, Up 159% Since 2016

The synchronized winter waterbird monitoring carried out in January recorded 1,632,400 individuals across 167 species, representing a 158.9 percent surge compared with the 244,300 birds documented in 2016. This surge marks an unprecedented high for the nation’s waterbird census.

Scientists attribute the jump to improved wetland protection, the restoration of floodplain habitats and enhanced data‑collection techniques using modern telemetry. The record figures underscore the effectiveness of targeted ecological interventions in boosting migratory waterbird populations.