In September, when the first chilly winds of the season begin to blow, the waters of Can Gio calm down after days of scorching sun. This is also the time when the southern sky starts welcoming distant visitors - flocks of seabirds returning on their annual migratory journey.
Join MLifeOn in Can Gio to witness the early-season return of these seabirds!
Can Gio - a familiar stop on every migratory route
Migratory seabirds are species closely connected to coastal areas. They forage along tidal flats, feeding on soft mud layers, small fish, and crustaceans found near the shore. Every year, when harsh winter spreads across the northern regions with biting cold and scarce food, they leave their familiar nests and fly south in search of safe shelter.
In Can Gio, the migration season begins around mid-September. At first, only a few small flocks appear scattered across the area, signaling the early stages of migration. By the end of the year and into the beginning of the next, the scene becomes truly lively as thousands of birds gather, jostling for food on the tidal flats and leaving behind countless small, resilient footprints on the sand.
Flocks of seabirds gather on the tidal flats during the early days of migration
The local people here are familiar with these distant visitors. They can recognize each species by its flight pattern, calls, or feeding habits. For them, seabirds returning to Can Gio are like familiar guests visiting the same spot each year. Some only stay for a few days before continuing their journey, while others remain throughout the season, settling along the coast and blending into the calm rhythm of life in the Can Gio coastal area.
Endurance on Tiny Wings
To reach Can Gio, many seabird species travel thousands of kilometers. The journey is far from easy as they face scorching sun, strong winds, and even sudden storms that could strike at any moment. Some get separated from their flocks, some exhaust themselves along the way, yet most persist with remarkable resilience to continue flying toward their destination.
Delicate yet resilient wings, small bodies carrying extraordinary vitality. It is this resilience that allows them to continue the cycle of survival, flying south as winter arrives and then returning north with the spring winds. Year after year, Can Gio remains a familiar waypoint on their demanding migratory journey.
Delicate yet resilient wings preparing for the long flight ahead
Working together to protect the green home for migratory seabirds
The migratory season of seabirds not only brings a rare lively rhythm to Can Gio, but also offers visitors a chance to fully experience the pristine beauty of the southern sea and sky. Here, you can stroll along the gently sloping sandy shore, listen to the rhythmic lapping of waves, and watch flocks of birds descend onto the tidal flats as the afternoon sun casts its light across the water.
Traveling to Can Gio is therefore not just a trip for rest but also an opportunity to experience nature up close. To ensure that the migratory seasons continue without interruption, everyone needs to help keep the marine environment clean, reduce plastic waste, avoid damaging the forest, and respect the natural rhythm of these visiting birds.
Keeping the waters of Can Gio healthy also preserves a resting place for the seabird flocks, so that with each new season, the sky remains filled with their calls and the tidal flats remain vibrant with life.
Conclusion
Watching the seabirds travel thousands of kilometers back to Can Gio reveals the persistent rhythm of nature and the resilient life carried on each small wing. Observing them settle along the shore teaches us to appreciate the flow of natural life and to find balance and endurance within our own journeys.
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CREDIT:
- Photography: Kien Trang
- Content: Vy Vy
- Design: Trung Huynh
