Village head evolves into birding pioneer

Photography service station

In May 2017, Xie began renovating his old house to create a homestay for bird enthusiasts, completing the project in February 2018. Charging 200 yuan for a standard room, he shared the latest bird news in various WeChat groups, attracting bird lovers from over 30 countries and regions.

The popularity of his homestay and services caught the attention of Sony (China).

In August last year, Sony chose Xie's homestay as the location for its ecological photography service station, offering the latest equipment for photography enthusiasts to experience. "Sony (China) has established eight such stations in the country," Xie said. "Mine is the only one in Fujian."

With three Sony cameras and several lenses available, Xie has taken stunning bird photos, sharing them on his WeChat moments to attract more visitors.

The bird-watching industry has brought significant rewards to Xie and his family. He has chosen to share his gains, encouraging fellow villagers to establish bird hides. Although some villagers built their own hides, maintaining them proved challenging due to lack of interest or commitment.

"None of them can maintain a bird hide for a long time," he said. "If you don't persist in feeding birds every day, the birds won't appear regularly. So the birders and bird photographers won't come."

Instead, Xie buys agricultural products from his fellow villagers and promotes them to his customers. During peak season from October to May, he introduces customers to villagers with available rooms once his homestay is fully booked.

"My record of visitors per day was more than 50," Xie said. "That means I could introduce about 30 guests to other families."

Xie also collaborates with a fellow villager on night tours to search for the white-eared night heron. The villager drives an electric pontoon for the night tour, earning 150 yuan per passenger.

In summer, the off-season for birdwatchers and photographers, Xie's homestay caters to primary and high school students visiting the village for nature experiences. As a result, he often reads wildlife books.

"I have to prepare to answer all kinds of questions about nature from students," he said.

chenliang@chinadaily.com.cn