In March, mandarin ducks start reproduction at the West Lake in Hangzhou. They scramble for holes of sycamore trees and willows by the lake to build their homes. Those close to the West Lake are the most popular, because it will help their babies to follow themselves to swim in the lake after their birth.

If they cannot get lake-view homes, they may choose tree holes across the road or in the urban area. These areas are not easy for baby mandarin ducks to reach the West Lake. The working personnel of the West Lake Mandarin Duck Guard would give a hand.