NANCHANG, Oct. 23 -- More migratory birds are likely to give up their winter journey and become permanent residents at east China's Poyang Lake this year.

China's largest freshwater lake, Poyang in Jiangxi Province, has been a seasonal destination for over a million birds every year. October marks the time for the birds to fly to warmer regions like Australia, but nearly 90,000 of them still linger in the lake's wetland park and a migratory bird reserve this year, according to data from the park and reserve.

Some of the southbound birds, including little egrets and night herons, may have just postponed their departure, while others will settle down permanently, said Li Chunru, who leads a bird rescue group near the lake in east China's Jiangxi Province.

"In recent years, we have seen more migratory birds settle down in Poyang, and this year the number is the largest," Li told Xinhua, adding that another 10,000 winter birds have also built permanent homes in recent years.

He attributed the lake's popularity among birds to its warmer winter and better ecology as the local government ramps up environmental protection efforts and cracks down on illegal hunting.

Between 600,000 and 700,000 Asian birds arrive in Poyang every year for the winter, compared with about 400,000 birds who stay there during the summer.