A former industrial site on Chongming Island has become a thriving nesting ground for egrets this summer, with flocks of the birds raising their young among the trees.

　　At Guangming Gu Jin Luyuan in Xinhai Town, dozens of nests fill the trees as adult egrets raise their young. Chicks peer out from the branches, while older juveniles flap their wings and make their first attempts at flight, drawing birdwatchers to the site.

　　“Egrets aren’t the only birds here. Chinese pond herons, night herons and cattle egrets are also common, and every visit brings something new,” one birdwatcher said. He recalled seeing chicks still in their eggs on a previous visit. On his latest trip, some had already left the nest and learned to fly.

　　The site was once an electricity meter factory. After the factory closed about 20 years ago, camphor trees and metasequoias gradually formed a dense woodland, creating sheltered nesting sites for birds. The surrounding farmland also provides plentiful insects and other food.

　　The area attracts large numbers of birds from March to September, with egrets and other heron species among its most distinctive residents. Their presence has helped give the site its name and identity.

　　In recent years, Guangming Gu Jin Luyuan has opened the area to the public through birdwatching activities, wildlife photography and educational events, particularly for bird enthusiasts and young people. The former industrial site has gradually become another destination showcasing Chongming’s biodiversity and conservation efforts.