Hon Trung - Con Dao has just been confirmed by the Vietnam Record Organization as the seabird sanctuary with the highest breeding density in Vietnam, with an average of 4.88 eggs per square meter.

Where is the seabird sanctuary with the highest breeding density in Vietnam?

Birds flying over Hon Trung - Con Dao - Photo: QS

On September 17, Con Dao National Park announced that Hon Trung, managed by the park, has just been recognized by the Vietnam Record Organization as the seabird sanctuary with the highest breeding density in Vietnam. Each square meter has an average of 4.88 eggs. Of the 14 islands in Con Dao managed by Con Dao National Park, there are at least three islands where seabirds often gather in large numbers: Hon Trung, Hon Bong Lan and Hon Tre Nho. On these islands, 8 species of seabirds belonging to four families: gulls, terns, boobies and swifts live, with nearly 10,000 birds.

Panoramic view of Egg Island - Con Dao - Photo: Provided by Con Dao National Park

In particular, Hon Trung is nearly 20km from Con Son Island (ie the center of Con Dao), and has an area of ​​less than 2 hectares. The reason the island is called Hon Trung is because when viewed from afar, the island has the shape of an egg. In addition, on the island there are thousands, tens of thousands of bird eggs and white bird droppings. Therefore, people named Hon Trung. To prevent the theft of bird eggs on the island, Con Dao National Park recently installed security cameras. Thanks to that, the number of birds and bird eggs on the island is increasing.

Newly hatched chicks on Egg Island - Con Dao - Photo: QS

Through the survey, 5 species of migratory seabirds were recorded coming to Hon Trung to nest and lay eggs, including: black-backed tern (Onychoprion anaethetus), great-crested tern (Thalasseus bergii), white-bellied booby (Sula leucogaster), white-rumped swift (Apus pacificus), and grey-headed tern (Anous stolidus).

Bird eggs on Egg Island - Con Dao - Photo: QS

Notably, according to previous records, there were about 4 pairs of white-bellied boobies, but by June 2024, 8 pairs were recorded and filmed. Most of the pairs were incubating eggs. This is a bird species that is rarely or never recorded elsewhere. After surveying, measuring and counting bird eggs on Egg Island, the Vietnam Record Organization established the record as mentioned above.

Measuring bird eggs on Egg Island to confirm the record - Photo: QS

Many rare animals and plants in Con Dao

Con Dao National Park is one of the few parks that has both forest ecosystems, wetland ecosystems and marine ecosystems, with nearly 6,000 hectares of land and 14,000 hectares of water surface. There are nearly 1,077 species of higher plants, of which 11 species are named "Con Son" by scientists. Some species are classified as rare such as lat hoa, gang neo...

Long-tailed monkeys in Con Dao - Photo: DONG HA

The fauna of Con Dao forest has so far recorded 155 species, including some endemic animals such as: Con Dao long-tailed monkey, Con Dao black squirrel, worm lizard, round-eyed lizard and Con Dao blind snake. Some bird species are only recorded in Con Dao such as: Nicoba pigeon, white-bellied booby, white-rumped crow...

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hon-trung-con-dao-la-noi-co-mat-do-trung-chim-bien-nhieu-nhat-viet-nam-20240917164746603.htm