Two new bird species, the Kamchatka Leaf Warbler and Alstrom's Warbler, were spotted in Yunhe and Jinyun in Lishui, Zhejiang province, bringing the total number of recorded species in Lishui to 450.

A photo of a Kamchatka Leaf Warbler taken by Zhu Weiwen. [Photo/Tide News]

Zhu Weiwen, a local wild bird photographer, was the first to discover the Kamchatka Leaf Warbler in Yunhe on May 16. "In order to confirm the new record, I needed to record its call with a mobile phone in one hand and film it simultaneously with the other," said Zhu. 

The bird was observed hopping around camphor and chestnut trees and staying for seven days in Yunhe Wooden Toy Park, according to Zhu.

A photo of an Alstrom's Warbler taken by Li Xuan. [Photo/Tide News]

The Alstrom's Warbler first appeared on Dayang Mountain on May 11, but only two seconds of its chirping were initially recorded. Following the clue, Li Xuan, vice-president of the Lishui Bird Ecological Protection Association, mounted a personal search on the mountain, finally finding the elusive bird on May 25.

"At that time, there were about three Alstrom's Warblers in the woods. They moved fast and hid in bushes, so it was difficult to capture them," explained Li.

Li emphasized the significance of these new observations in expanding the bird records in Lishui. "These discoveries are also important for biodiversity conservation, helping study bird migration routes, habitat preferences, and ecological changes," he added.