Hongsha Fishing Egret Garden

Hongsha Fishing Egret Garden

Located in Hongsha Village, Guangpo Town, Gangkou District, Fangchenggang City, Hongsha Fishing Egret Garden is one of the five well-known egret gathering spots within Fangchenggang — known as the “Hometown of Egrets.” It stands out with five distinctive features: the greatest variety of egret species, the largest population, the highest density of gatherings, the longest duration of egret stays, and the closest viewing distance. It is an ideal place for humans and birds to live together in harmony.

There are two egret habitats in Hongsha Fishing Egret Garden: one to the east of Wantan Production Team (hereinafter referred to as the East Garden) and the other to the west (hereinafter referred to as the West Garden), with about 300 meters between them. The East Garden serves as a concentrated breeding ground for egrets and is also home to the Huang Shuyu family, who have protected egrets for four generations. To the north lies a small hill covered with pine and mixed trees, while to the south is a small bamboo forest, covering an area of over 10 acres. Since the 1970s, every year from March to July during spring and summer, tens of thousands of egrets gather on the treetops and bamboo tips around the houses to build nests, lay eggs, and breed. The West Garden is where egrets roost. Most egrets born and raised in the East Garden fly to the woods around the hills or houses in the West Garden after they grow wings. They follow a daily routine of resting at night and foraging by day, staying through autumn and winter until the next spring and summer when they return to the East Garden to breed the next generation. Common egret species in Hongsha Fishing Egret Garden include the little egret, intermediate egret, great egret, cattle egret, Chinese pond heron, and black-crowned night heron. In addition to their large numbers, diverse species, long stays, and high density, the egrets here have one more remarkable trait — they are not afraid of people and can be approached almost at arm’s length.

It is understood that there are eight egret species in China. Based on climate, they can be divided into resident birds and migratory birds. Resident species include the little egret, intermediate egret, great egret, yellow bittern, night heron, and Chinese pond heron, which gather between March and July each year to pair up, build nests, and breed. After the chicks grow, most disperse to surrounding areas or other subtropical regions to forage and live, then regather each year after the Spring Festival for mating, repeating the cycle annually. Migratory species, such as the black heron and grey heron, fly back to the south around mid-October each year and return to the north by May of the following year.

Aside from their yearly breeding cycles, egrets also follow a daily rhythm governed by their biological clocks. Every morning, they fly to wetlands, beaches, or fields to forage, returning every 30 to 40 minutes to feed their young until evening when they return to their nests to rest. Different egret species also have varying foraging habits. For example, the grey heron patiently waits by the water’s edge for fish or shrimp to approach — earning it the nickname “long-necked old waiter.” Once it spots prey, it strikes swiftly, carrying the catch away without eating on the spot. The great egret prefers open wetlands or shallow beaches, strolling as it forages and eats. The cattle egret enjoys staying close to cattle, feeding mainly on flying insects. Interestingly, some local fishermen keep a red-beaked cattle egret as a pet, which keeps mosquitoes and flies away from their homes.

Two main factors influence egret migration or gathering: the availability of sufficient food in the ecological environment, and whether the area is safe enough. Egrets are highly sensitive to their living conditions and possess a remarkable degree of awareness. If they experience the death or continuous disappearance of companions or others of their kind, they will collectively migrate away. However, if they receive human protection or live in a sufficiently safe environment, they will settle down and their numbers will grow.

The Hongsha area features numerous islets and complex tidal creeks and gullies, with abundant fish and shellfish in the shallows and wetlands — providing a rich food supply for egrets. Meanwhile, local residents regard egrets as native “cranes” or “sacred birds,” showing them respect and protection. This has created a favorable ecological and cultural environment for the birds’ habitat and breeding.

Source: Gangkou District Government Website

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