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

Previously, the glossy ibis was only recorded as a rare species resides in the Southern region and wanders across the Northeast region. The glossy ibis is one of the bird species of the Threskiornithidae family, the Pelecaniformes order, one of the families currently recorded as rare and precious bird species in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), as well as the Red Book of Vietnam such as Platalea minor, Threskiornis melanocephalus, Pseudibis gigantea, and Pseudibis davisoni.

 The glossy ibis was first recorded in the O Lau estuary, within the Tam Giang lagoon system. Photo: Le Manh Hung

Currently, the glossy ibis is considered to have a declining population. In Vietnam, it is only recorded in large numbers in some areas of the Mekong Delta such as Tram Chim National Park (Dong Thap), Dat Mui (Ca Mau), Bac Lieu bird sanctuaries, and Lang Sen Nature Reserve (Long An).

The first record of the glossy ibis indicates that the O Lau estuary of the Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon area plays an important role in the conservation of wild birds, especially the migratory birds.