Photographers recently captured photos of endangered Chinese mergansers at Meirensong Lake in Yanbian Korean autonomous prefecture in Jilin province.

The birds are under first-grade national protection and classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's red list.

Located at the foot of the Changbai Mountain, the artificial lake has become a favored habitat for migratory waterfowl to roost and forage for food in spring and autumn since it was built in 2007.

In 2013, mergansers were monitored at the lake. Since March 27, at least five Chinese mergansers have been seen there.