Floating nests help water birds thrive

Heron babies rest on floating nests around Changbai Island in Northeast China's Jilin province, June 30, 2013. In May, forestry officials handed over 70 heron fledglings retrieved from bird hunters to bird caregiver Ren Jianguo, who made seven nests that could float, as herons are non-swimming water birds that feed on the margins of lakes, rivers, swamps, ponds and the sea. Ren lay the heron fledglings in the nests, and put small fish "outside their door" every morning. The heron babies are thriving, and they have started to practice flying.[Photo/Xinhua]