Photo shows egrets at Zhangdu Lake in Xinzhou district, Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province. The wetland forest has become a haven for herons during the hot summer months. (Photo/Qiu Xinming)

As summer heat sweeps across China, a lush wetland forest in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, has become a cool retreat for herons seeking shelter from soaring temperatures.

Located in the southeastern part of Xinzhou district in Wuhan, the pond cypress forest at Zhangdu Lake is thriving with greenery. More than 10,000 pond cypress trees rise from the water, their towering canopies forming layers of natural shade over the lake.

Tens of thousands of herons can be seen resting among the trees or foraging leisurely in the lake's shallows, creating a picturesque scene reminiscent of a real-life wonderland.

"Herons are also vulnerable to high temperatures," said a bird conservation expert with the Xinzhou district bureau of gardens and forestry.

Heron species commonly found in the area, including little egrets, grey herons, and black-crowned night herons, have body temperatures ranging from 40 to 42 degrees Celsius, according to the expert.

Without sweat glands and with feathers that trap heat, they can easily experience heat stress or even heatstroke after prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, the expert said.

The unique ecosystem of the water forest provides the birds with a natural cooling refuge, making it a true haven for herons during the hot summer months, the expert noted.

Photo shows egrets perching on a tree at Zhangdu Lake in Xinzhou district, Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province. The wetland forest has become a haven for herons during the hot summer months. (Photo/Qiu Xinming)

Photo shows egrets perching on a tree at Zhangdu Lake in Xinzhou district, Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province. The wetland forest has become a haven for herons during the hot summer months. (Photo/Qiu Xinming)

Photo shows a black-crowned night heron at Zhangdu Lake in Xinzhou district, Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province. The wetland forest has become a haven for herons during the hot summer months. (Photo/Qiu Xinming)

Photo shows egrets perching on a tree at Zhangdu Lake in Xinzhou district, Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province. The wetland forest has become a haven for herons during the hot summer months. (Photo/Qiu Xinming)