Rare shimmering ibises spotted in Hubei

The shimmering birds were recorded by Chen Dezhi, a member of a bird watching association in the Jianghan Oilfield area. In 2020, Chen observed seven of the ibises at the base, five from the same family.

The appearance of the birds and their number indicate that the agricultural base and the surrounding area may be a breeding site.

Located along the banks of the Hanjiang River in the hinterlands of the Jianghan Plain, the oilfield has promoted a plan for ecological protection and has made progress in supplying clean resources and reducing pollutants and carbon emissions.

It has built up a healthy environment joining rice paddies with shrimp breeding, organic farming and natural control of crop diseases.

Feng Xiaojie contributed to the story.