More protection urged for marine birds

Several bird species were not observed last year, including endangered ones such as the Marbled Murrelet, according to the China Birdwatching Annual Report 2022.

The bird species with no recorded sightings last year had previously been seen at least once over the past five years, the report said.

The lack of sightings emphasizes the need for greater attention to conservation efforts, especially for marine bird species, it said. Research indicates that marine birds are threatened by plastic waste in oceans, it added. The Marbled Murrelet, a small seabird, usually winters in the Yellow and Bohai seas.