"With my camera, I have captured many birds that we never see in the north," Lu said.

With the help of a guide, he spotted several Nonggang babblers. "I was lucky to see the bird for myself," he said.

There are five villages near the reserve. Many villagers have profited from the growing popularity of bird-watching. Huang Zhiqiang, 33, was a sugar cane farmer before he became a guide for bird-watchers.

"The Nonggang babbler is the star bird, but tourists have a hard time spotting one unless they hire a local guide," Huang said.

"I know how to mimic the chirping sound of the bird and where they typically gather. They are easily frightened, so we have to be careful not to disturb them," he said.

"Villagers have realized that the birds are closely connected to their livelihood, and if they can protect them, tourism can blossom," said Liu Shengyuan, who works at the reserve, adding that there are about 20 spots to watch birds in and around the reserve.

Zhong Lei, head of the Longzhou county government, said: "With a growing number of people adopting bird-watching as a hobby, we think there is a good chance that the tourism industry will grow, but the most important thing is to protect the birds."

(China Daily 02/28/2017 page5)