The Whooper Swan National Nature Reserve in Rongcheng, a county-level city in Weihai, Shandong province recently welcomed its first group of migratory whooper swans, marking the start of the migratory season for the species.

After the first three whooper swans arrived on Oct 13, another group of whooper swans arrived on the night of Oct 16, bringing the total number of migratory swans to 130, according to staff members at the reserve.

The first migratory swans arrive at the national nature reserve in Rongcheng, Shandong province to spend the winter. [Photo/IC]

Whooper swans stay for the winter in Rongcheng, a county-level city in Weihai, Shandong province. [Photo/IC]

Swans gather in the bay at the national nature reserve in Rongcheng, Shandong province. [Photo/IC]

Swans in the lake in Rongcheng, East China's Shandong province. [Photo/IC]

The swans fly in from Siberia and other regions for their winter holiday in Rongcheng, Shandong province. [Photo/IC]

Swans fly over the water in Rongcheng, Shandong province on Oct 17. Swans are listed as a national second-level protected animal in China and a globally vulnerable species. [Photo/IC]

Bird watchers take photos of swans in Rongcheng, Shandong province on Oct 17. [Photo/IC]

Swans are seen in Rongcheng, East China's Shandong province on Oct 17. [Photo/IC]