The Siberian crane (Grus leucogeranus) wintering grounds occupy the shallow reed-fringed wetlands on the southwestern and southern shores of Poyang Lake. The birds arrive in October and November, having completed the long migration from their breeding grounds in the Yakutia region of Siberia, and remain until late February or early March. At peak season (December to January), they are concentrated on the remaining exposed mudflats and shallow water areas and are visible in large numbers from the reserve viewing platforms.
The Poyang Lake National Nature Reserve manages access to the key viewing areas. A network of observation towers and elevated walkways allows birdwatchers to approach the cranes without disturbing them. Local boat operators in Wucheng run morning excursions onto the lake at dawn, which provides the most dramatic viewing as the cranes take flight from their roost sites at sunrise. A hired guide familiar with the current bird locations significantly improves the chances of finding the specific flocks.