Over 5,000 wild birds have been seen lately flying over the Temple of Heaven in Beijing since the recent snowfalls.

Cold weather and frequent snows this winter left many a bird hungry and homeless, and the nests built by the gardeners there and the food they have scattered about have attracted birds of 58 species to the temple.

Pesticides in the gardens used to drive many birds away, while biological control measures have recreated a new ecological balance at the site.

The Temple of Heaven, where the emperors of the Ming (1368-1644)and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties went to pray for a good harvest, is one of Beijing's major attractions and it is listed as a World Heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.