Recently, (Dien Bien province) flocks of thousands of birds have flocked to Dien Bien valley.
Until now, there is no official conclusion from scientists from where this rare bird migrate, but they come together in a great group that have been protected very good by local authority and people. The birds with thousands of numbers gather in the newly-harvested rice fields of Muong Thanh. Dien Bien forestry affirmed that this species may possibly be the Asian Openbill which is an extremely rare species listed in the Vietnam Red Book.
It is estimated that the number is up to over 5,000 individuals which are much more than that of last year. According to the local people, everyday from 5am to till past 4pm, hundreds of swallow storks appear on paddy fields of Dien Bien valley.
Mr. Pham Van Khien, Deputy Director of Dien Bien provincial Department of Forestry said, this year, the swallow storks flocked to Dien Bien in greater numbers than ever before far. According to hime, they came to Dien Bien because the environment has no industrial emissions with diverse watersheds, streams, lakes and large rice fields. Not only that, the forest in Dien Bien is gradually recovering.
To protect the swallow storks, Dien Bien provincial Department of Forestry continue to directing rangers along with the People's Committees of local communes raise awareness and urge local people not to hunt this kind of bird, and to strengthen inspection activities. The appearances of swallow stocks on Muong Thanh rice field also attract tourists to visit Dien Bien.