EcoChina | Guardians of grey herons: three decades of protection in "grey heron village"

DUCHANG, April 23 (Xinhua) -- In Dazizui Village of Duchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, more than 8,000 grey herons live in a lakeside grove. With a large wetland area and abundant vegetation, the village boasts a favorable ecological environment. Since 1998, grey herons have been nesting here, leading the village to gradually become known as "grey heron village."

Grey herons feed on small fish, shrimps, and snails in marshes, lakes, and ponds. To help those grey herons struggling to find food, villagers release fry into the ponds. They also gather branches and place them by the lake to help grey herons build nests.

In 2003, villagers voluntarily formed a bird protection patrol team, setting up watch huts and taking turns guarding at night to prevent egg theft. Through their continuous conservation efforts to guard those grey herons for years, more grey herons have arrived and nested in the village.