Though it travels immense distances each year, the broad-winged hawk seldom receives the credit it deserves. Outside of birding circles, its migration is far less celebrated than the monarch butterfly or the ruby-throated hummingbird. Yet, for those who watch the skies, it’s a powerful symbol of the region’s natural marvels.

As dawn breaks over the Liao River, 63-year-old Jiang Shui joins a growing number of volunteers in China, utilizing new technologies to advance bird conservation efforts.