CHANGSHA, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- More than 3,000 swans have flown to the Dongting Lake in Central China's Hunan Province, the country's second-largest freshwater lake.

Little swans are seen in the East Dongting Lake Nature Reserve, Central China's Hunan Province, March 1, 2017. (Li Ga/ Xinhua)

Last week, the swans started to arrive at the Guhu wetland, which has an area of about 46.67 hectares, in the city of Yueyang."I've been living here for nearly 40 years and this is the first time that I've seen such a large flock of swans," said Long Yong, a local villager."Wetlands in the area have been restored to provide a better habitat for migratory birds in recent years," said Chen Yunhui with the Quyuan administration area, which manages the Guhu wetland. "This year, we've also dispatched 24-hour patrol teams to better protect the birds."