The large bird sanctuary in Thanh Hoa Province
Nguyen Trong Hien, 54, bought four hectares of low barren land in Dong Ve Ward, Thanh Hoa City for fish farming in 1996.
Some elderly people in the city told him that this area used to be a living place for many kinds of birds, especially storks. However, the construction and operation of the nearby Lai Thanh Airport during the French and American wars had forced the birds to leave.
Hien then decided to help get the birds to return.
"I heard that the storks would always return to the places where their ancestors lived," the farmer said. "I decided to build a small island in the middle of the fish farm where I planted bamboo to create a good living place for the birds."
And the first storks returned to the area in the winter of 1999. The flock has increased over the years with many kinds of birds, but storks have accounted for the biggest number. The area has recently attracted lots of visitors who come to enjoy the fresh air, beautiful scenery, and learn about the birds.
"Besides several kinds of storks, we also see night herons, cranes, starlings and many other birds," the farmer said. "Sometimes we have around 30,000 birds here."
Hien has had to hire five guards who work days and nights to protect the birds from hunters.
While trying to plant more trees to host more birds, I have also had to pay great attention to protect them," he said. "They will leave if they are threatened by hunters. Fortunately, I've had help and support from local people and authorities to keep the birds over the past 22 years."
The area usually becomes very crowded with the biggest number of birds during September and October, creating beautiful scenery every morning and afternoon when they leave and return home.
Hien said he would try to build the bird island into a popular destination for visitors to Thanh Hoa.
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