First time recording of Black Ibis in Thua Thien Hue lagoon. Photo: Le Manh Hung

During the implementation of the project, from April 10-12, 2024, the Central Coastal Nature Museum conducted a field survey in the O Lau estuary, Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon and Lap An lagoon (Phu Loc). Thereby, the research team surveyed all habitats around the O Lau estuary, Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon and Lap An lagoon. The survey recorded 14 individuals of the Black Ibis - Plegadis falcinellus species in the O Lau estuary, Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon. This is the first time the Black Ibis species has been recorded in Central Vietnam.

Previously, the Black Ibis was only recorded as a rare resident species in the South and wandering through the Northeast. The Black Ibis is one of the bird species in the Threskiornithidae family, Pelican order (Pelecaniformes), one of the families that currently records many rare bird species in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as well as the Vietnam Red Book such as: Spoonbill (Platalea minor), Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus), Large Ibis (Pseudibis gigantea), Green-winged Ibis (Pseudibis davisoni).

The Black Ibis was first recorded at the O Lau estuary, part of the Tam Giang lagoon system. Photo: Le Manh Hung

Currently, the Black Ibis is assessed to have a declining population, in Vietnam it is only recorded in many areas of the Mekong Delta such as Tram Chim National Park (Dong Thap), Dat Mui (Ca Mau), Bac Lieu bird sanctuaries, Lang Sen Nature Reserve (Long An).

The first record of the Black Ibis species shows that the O Lau estuary and Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon are important in the conservation of wild birds, especially migratory birds.

NOSTALGIA