In mid-September, in the wetlands of Lianjiang in Guangdong Province, observers recorded as many as six Glossy Ibises at once — a nationally protected species of the first category. For the local branch of the birdwatchers' society, this became a historic maximum for a single outing. The birds, with the characteristic metallic sheen of their plumage, fed calmly in the shallows and flew from place to place, showing good condition.
The Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) is a medium-sized bird of the ibis family, whose feathers shimmer with bronze, green and violet hues in the sunlight. The species was formerly considered a rare visitor in China because of the shrinking of suitable marshes and pollution. Now, according to observation data, the customary food base is gradually recovering in the region: small invertebrates, insect larvae and crustaceans in rice paddies and coastal lagoons. The appearance of as many as six individuals in one place suggests that the local ecosystem is so far coping with the pressure.
The wetlands of Guangdong are an important link in the migration routes of many waterbirds of East Asia. Here they stop to rest and replenish their fat reserves before long flights. When such areas are preserved and not built over, the chances of successful breeding and survival for rare species grow. Six ibises in one frame is not merely a beautiful photograph but clear evidence that protecting even small fragments of wetlands yields a tangible result.
The birdwatchers' association in Zhanjiang has been conducting regular monitoring since February, when the first individuals were spotted in the same area. The repeat encounter several months later with double or triple the number of birds suggests that the territory serves not only as a temporary stopover but also as a place where the birds feel safe. Such observations help to refine the boundaries of key habitats and to adjust measures for their protection.
Preserving such corners of nature requires not only a ban on construction but also control of water quality, as well as the sensible use of the farmland around them. When local residents and volunteers notice and record every encounter, this creates a living picture of the population's state and provides grounds for more precise conservation decisions.
