Thousands of swallows are trapped and killed daily by residents in a coastal village in the central province of Ha Tinh.
This is the season in which swallows migrate to places like Thach Hai Village to avoid the cold and find new sources of food. These natural migratory patterns, however, quite literally leads them right into a trap.
Many bird hunters in the village have set up traps in the bamboo and trees where the swallows fly. Swallow hunters range from the young to the old, men to women.
Swallow traps near Thach Khe iron mining project
These birds, known in Vietnam as “ambassadors of spring", are killed right on the spot before being transported by traders to major cities where they are served as a special dish at many restaurants.
A swallow trap made with dried bamboo
Many swallow hunters have chosen a strip of sand inside the Thach Khe iron mining project to set up traps.
Some swallow trappers said they have seen an increased number of swallows this year due to warm weather and an abundance of insects in the coastal areas.
On average, thousands of swallows are caught and killed each day in the village.
The practice is also popular in several other localities in the central region of Vietnam.
A swallow used as a lure for other swallows
Trapper sitting inside a tent made of branches and guiding a pole to trap swallows
Dozens of sticky pieces of plastic attached to bamboo poles
Hunters sit inside their tent to watch the swallows perched on bamboo poles
Guiding the poles toward flock of swallows
Trapped
Flight terminated
