As the weather warms up, whooper swans are preparing to depart from their winter stay in Rongcheng, Shandong province.

Rongcheng is an important winter habitats for the birds.

Workers at the local Whooper Swan National Nature Reserve have provided ample food for the swans to help prepare them for their return trip.

According to staff, as the climate warms up, swans begin migrating north starting from the end of February. The migration usually ends by mid-March.

A worker feeds swans at the Whooper Swan National Nature Reserve in Rongcheng, Shandong province. [Photo by Li Xinjun/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Swans eat in preparation for their long-distance migration at the Whooper Swan National Nature Reserve in Rongcheng, Shandong province. [Photo by Li Xinjun/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Swans forage by the riverside at a nature reserve in Rongcheng, Shandong province. [Photo by Li Xinjun/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Swans glide effortlessly and gracefully through the sky, creating some beautiful views in Rongcheng, Shandong province. [Photo by Li Xinjun/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A group of swans fly in front of the sun. [Photo by Li Xinjun/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

An aerial view of swans resting on a lake in Rongcheng, Shandong province [Photo by Li Xinjun/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]