West Lake is serving up a dazzling winter waterbird spectacle. Thanks to ongoing ecological restoration, underwater forests have expanded, water quality has improved, and lush shoreline vegetation now flourishes—creating a prime stopover for migratory birds. So far, 58 migratory bird species have been recorded at West Lake: 35 winter visitors, 9 summer visitors, and 14 passage migrants. They roam and play across the Outer Lake, Beili Lake, Maojiabu, Yuhu Bay, and beyond.
The great cormorant, one of West Lake’s four flagship winter visitors, is often among the first to arrive, and in 2025 it was even observed summering here for the first time. In winter, their numbers can exceed 100, with Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, the Music Fountain, and Beili Lake among their favorite spots. Mandarin ducks—the beloved icons of West Lake—begin arriving from mid to late October, and together with year-round residents, their numbers can reach around 400. You’ll find them widely distributed across Hubin Park, Orioles Singing in the Willows, and other lake areas.
Here, you can watch waterbirds skim the lake’s surface, dive headfirst beneath the water, or rocket into the sky—their lively silhouettes delighting every visitor. Make a date with West Lake this winter and meet these charming waterbirds.
