People join hands to protect thousands of storks living in Bau Coi

According to the people in Hung Thuy hamlet, Bau Coi was originally a large swamp located between many low hills, such as Trong islet, Hop islet, Nhon hill, Tho hill... In the past, the lake was flooded all year round, and in the middle of the lake there were many lotus and fish. In the summer, lotus bloomed all over the lake, spreading a fragrant scent. The people in the area still have the song: "Cầu Côi fish, bầu ông cốm sticky rice", to talk about the abundance of shrimp and fish in Bau Coi.

In the late afternoon, flocks of storks fly to Bau Coi to take shelter. Photo: Huy Thu

In recent decades, thanks to the digging of drainage ditches and the development of irrigation, Bau Coi has gradually dried up and has been divided among households to cultivate rice, lotus, etc. However, some areas in the middle of the lake are also muddy, difficult to produce, and have been abandoned by people, so trees and some shrubs have grown strongly, becoming a habitat for many species of birds.

Recently, since mid-August, Bau Coi has seen flocks of storks coming to roost, perching on the bushes in the middle of the 1.5-hectare area. The number of storks at peak is estimated at several thousand. In addition to storks, there are also other bird species such as sedges, wild ducks, etc.

Every day, at dawn, when people are not yet visible, flocks of storks leave Bau Coi to look for food. Late in the afternoon, when it is getting dark, flocks of storks fly back, hovering and landing in the central area of ​​the lake. On days when it is about to rain heavily, the storks gather at the lake early. Storks are very agile, as soon as someone comes down to the lake or there is a loud noise in the middle of the lake, they will cry out in panic and fly up into the air.

Flocks of white storks perch in the middle of Bau Coi at sunset. Photo: Huy Thu

Mr. Tran Sy Phuc (78 years old), a resident living near Bau Coi, said: In the past, the green acacia hill behind his house also had many flocks of storks coming to roost, but since all the trees were cut down, the storks no longer come. It is not unusual for birds to roost in Bau Coi, but it is rare for many flocks of storks to gather and perch on the white dot in the middle of the lake.

Local people consider the story of storks returning to Bau Coi as a good sign for the ecological environment, a joy for the village. Flocks of storks flying around Bau Coi create a peaceful, warm landscape for the village. Since the appearance of many flocks of storks, people in Hung Thuy village, especially those living around the lake, have had the opportunity to watch storks at dusk and dawn.

In the village, from the elderly to the children, no one has any intention of hunting storks in any form. Every time the afternoon comes, without seeing the image of flocks of storks flying around the lake, without hearing the cries of storks fighting for a perch, the villagers anxiously wait, asking each other, "Haven't you seen the storks return yet?"

People in Hung Thuy hamlet, Dai Dong commune always monitor and protect the flock of storks at night. Photo: Huy Thu

Mr. Phan Dinh Bay - the head of Hung Thuy hamlet shared: People in my hamlet are very happy that Bau Coi has many flocks of storks coming to live. People in the hamlet, from officials to residents, are all united in protecting the flocks of storks, prohibiting people from hunting storks, creating conditions for the flocks of storks to live and nest peacefully in the middle of the lake.

To protect the storks, along with propaganda prohibiting hunting wild animals, birds, especially storks in Bau Coi, the self-management groups in the residential area called on people to join hands to protect the storks on the loudspeaker system, and put up signs prohibiting hunting storks in the corners of the lake. Here, the local people also established a stork protection group, whose members include both officials and the most active people.

The protection team operates on a voluntary basis, with members participating in patrols and closely monitoring the flock of storks, especially at night. The team has set up a “Bau Coi Stork Protection Group” on Facebook so that members can contact and inform each other when needed.

At dawn, flocks of storks leave their sleeping places and fly away in all directions. Photo: Huy Thu

Mr. Phan Dinh Duong, a resident of Hung Thuy hamlet who actively participates in the Bau Coi stork protection team, said: Everyone here is deeply aware and proactive in joining hands to protect wild animals. Every day, if a stranger comes to the hamlet and finds Bau Coi, the residents will immediately notify the members of the protection team, possibly taking pictures and license plates... At night, when there is "an activity" in Bau Coi, regardless of the time, the protection team and residents are always present at the lake.

Recently, some bird hunters from other places came to hunt storks but were promptly detected and stopped by the protection team and local people. Thanks to the intervention of local officials and people, flocks of wild storks have been able to safely reside in the middle of the lake, contributing to the peaceful beauty of the homeland.

Local people enjoy watching flocks of storks at Bau Coi early in the morning. Photo: Huy Thu

Talking about protecting the storks in Bau Coi, Mr. Nguyen The Tu - Vice Chairman of Dai Dong Commune People's Committee said: "Every year, sedges and storks come to reside in Bau Coi area, but this year is quite special, there are a lot of storks coming back."

To protect storks, through the village and commune, people are also called upon to join hands and contribute to protecting wild animals in general, birds and storks in Bau Coi area in particular; creating the best and most "natural" conditions for birds to take shelter during the rainy and stormy season, while contributing to protecting the ecological environment.