Bird-watcher thrilled with chance to see rare heron

Last month, Carrie Ka-wai Ma received a WeChat message informing her of a unique opportunity to observe elusive white-eared night herons at a reservoir near Zhongxi village in Fujian province.

"It was wonderful news," said Ma, an ardent bird-watcher who works with Hong Kong Wetland Park on exhibit planning and who is also an amateur bird ringer.

The message was from Xie Fanglin, a birdwatching guide based in Mingxi county, Fujian, who had previously guided her around his hometown.