BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Beijing and its neighboring Hebei Province have for the first time joined hands to provide corn for wild birds that migrated to a nearby reservoir, so they can survive during periods of cold and food shortages this winter, local wildlife authorities said Monday.

Guanting Reservoir, which borders Yanqing, a district of Beijing, and Huailai County in the city of Zhangjiakou, Hebei, is one of the major places that wild birds flock to in the winter in north China. Nearly 10,000 wild birds, mainly grey cranes, have been spotted taking a rest here since the beginning of winter.

Due to cold weather and a large number of birds, a food shortage in the winter is inevitable, according to the Beijing Wildlife Conservation Association. As such, the association decided to partner with the provincial wildlife conservation association of Hebei and the forestry department of Huailai County to provide much-needed food for grey cranes.

Based on a preliminary investigation, the departments plan to feed the birds every three weeks. The feeding frequency will change depending on the weather and the number of birds.

They said that 750 kg of corn has already been distributed, and another 3,000 kg of corn will be provided in the future.