Beijing is known for its smog and high-rise buildings, but the city is also an important stop for many migratory birds. A conversation with environmentalist Terry Townshend about the city’s abundance of birds, rare dragonflies and China’s environmental policy.
“I see some coots over there,” shouts Terry Townshend. The Brit has just gotten out of the taxi, but he can see the water bird with the white-colored head even without binoculars. The environmentalist has been documenting with the organization he founded for almost 15 years Birding Beijing organization the bird population in the Chinese capital Beijing. The city of 22 million, otherwise known for its bad air, is on the East Asian-Australian flight route for migratory birds.