Abstract: A waterbird survey was conducted in Hengshui Lake National Nature Reserve of Hebei Province from May 2020 to April 2021. A total of 82 waterbird species belonging to 7 orders and 14 families were recorded. Among them, sandpipers, herons and ducks were the dominant group in this region. Wading birds had high species richness and small population, while swimming birds had low species richness and large population. Anser fabalis, Ardea cinerea, and Chlidonias hybrid were the dominant waterbird species. The species richness, population size and Shannon diversity index of waterbird community varied greatly across different months, with the maximum values appearing in March to April, January, and May, respectively. On the whole, species richness of waterbirds was maintained at a high level in the reserve. The species richness and Shannon diversity index of waterbirds were higher in the migration period, whereas population size of waterbirds was larger in the wintering period. The lowest species richness and highest Pielou evenness index were presented in July. The similarities of waterbird community in migration periods were generally higher. The proportion of waders was higher in spring migration period, while the proportion of geese and ducks with larger population was higher in autumn migration period and wintering period. In addition, a total of 18 national key protected species were recorded, which mainly appeared in the overwintering period, early spring and late autumn.

Key words: species composition, diversity, bird, wetland.