We initiated the first attempt to plant mid-season rice (Chinese: “Dragon Boat Festival” season rice) in Shui Hau. During the selection of rice species, we learned from the villagers that Shui Hau used to be renowed for its production of black glutinous rice. When the villagers spoke of black glutinous rice, their eyes sparkled with immense pride; thus, we decided to choose a larger field to focus on planting black glutinous rice.

When the black glutinous rice thrived and grew, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the whole field emitted a rich aroma of rice even before the rice began to head (head: refer to the flowering part of the rice, specifically the panicle). Some villagers even reached out to us to inquire about this aroma. In this way, black glutinous rice inadvertently became our ambassador, garnering us a considerable number of supporters. The growth of black glutinous rice was more upright compared to other rice varieties, and it remained resilient even in strong winds and heavy rains, winning the affection of the farmers. Next to the black glutinous rice, we planted ivory germ rice and pearl rice that we had experimented with last year to provide a hearty meal for the migratory birds in autumn and winter.

After enduring typhoons and several instances of flooding, we finally welcome the long-awaited harvest time. On the day of the harvest, the weather was perfect—sunny and calm. We collaborated with the villagers to finish the whole process of harvesting and threshing of rice. Some were busy cutting the rice, while others helped transport a pile of paddy, and those by the field meticulously organised bundles of rice for the threshing specialist. As we neared the end of harvesting, everyone eagerly took photos with the bountiful black glutinous rice, capturing the moment of Shui Hau’s successful revival of black glutinous rice.

Figure 1: The village representative and us holding black glutinous rice for a photo.

Figure 2: Villagers harvesting black glutinous rice.

Figure 3: Villagers placing the harvested rice on a mat to wait for threshing.

Figure 4: Organising the harvested rice into bundles to speed up the threshing process.

Figure 5: A group photo of the colleagues from the Shui Hau project.

Figure 6: The very upright black glutinous rice.

Figure 7: The uncovered ivory germ rice and pearl rice next to the black glutinous rice for the birds to enjoy.

On June 1, 2024, Tropical Cyclone Maliksi struck Hong Kong. Despite the severe weather conditions under Signal No. 3, researchers from the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society discovered a bird species which has never been recorded in Hong Kong: the Javan Pond Heron (Ardeola speciosa), in the rice fields at Shui Hau on Lantau Island.

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After months of diligent efforts, the water pond was finally completed successfully to increase the habitat diversity of Shui Hau.

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After the first harvest, we followed the Shui Hau tradition of using the initial batch of rice for worship, and on the same day, we hosted a rice-tasting event, aiming to share our accomplishments with the cooperative villagers of Shui Hau in the most direct manner. Simultaneously, we hoped to express our heartfelt gratitude to the villagers of Shui Hau for their enduring support through the rice-tasting event. On the day of the event, not only did the villagers who strongly supported us participate, but even the granny of Shui Hau, who usually stayed indoors, joined in! Witnessing the smiles on everyone's faces, we felt that all the preparation and effort were truly worthwhile! The kind-hearted villagers generously shared their homegrown vegetables and other agricultural products, adding a touch of elegance to the rice-tasting event! Coinciding with the Lunar New Year, while sharing the first harvest, we also extended our wishes to the villagers of Shui Hau for a healthy, peaceful, and prosperous Year of the Dragon, filled with abundance and prosperity!

Figure 1: Mr. Cheung Ka Chun, Project Manager of the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, introduces "Shui Hau Rice" to everyone.

Figure 2: In celebration of the Lunar New Year, villagers attend the rice tasting event with their families.

Figure 3: Kind-hearted villagers generously share their homegrown vegetables and other agricultural products.

Figure 4: Villagers wear satisfied and joyful smiles on their faces.

Figure 5: The granny of Shui Hau expresses, "Shui Hau Rice is absolutely delicious!"

As mentioned, we have held a Shui Hau rice harvest day with the villagers. However, the Yellow-breasted Buntings had already started their own “harvest” in the paddy field even before us!

As the paddies began to turn golden, from time to time, we noticed some creatures even more golden-yellow than the paddy itself bouncing around the farmlands. As we approached, they would whoosh off to the nearby dense woods, peeking stealthily at the humans wielding large shovels. We raised our binoculars for a closer look and spotted the yellow belly, exclaiming without thinking: "Ah—It's a YBB!" (Note: YBB = Yellow-breasted Bunting).

Not only did we have our meal ready, but the Yellow-breasted Buntings also found their feast at Shui Hau.

Picture 1: Yellow-breasted Bunting hiding in the paddy field

Picture 2: Yellow-breasted Bunting feasting in the paddy field

We successfully established the first paddy field in Shui Hau after about half a century!

By the end of November last year, we held a small-scale Shui Hau's first rice harvest da. Together with the villagers, we spent the better part of a day harvesting the rice and threshing the grain (separating the seed from the straw). After threshing, the grains were taken to be polished (the process of milling the brown rice to white), and then came the much-anticipated moment – mealtime!

????????‍????Villager A, harvested the rice with ease despite claiming to have not done so for many years.

"Thank you all so much – it feels like returning to the old days of harvesting rice!"

????????‍????Villager B, seeing some grains still clinging to the straw after threshing, carefully picked off each one.

"It's finally possible to see rice back in Shui Hau! Seeing everyone's hard work, not a single grain of rice can go to waste, each one is the fruit of labour!"

Looking forward to the next harvest! (continue to use shovels to turn the soil)

Picture 1:HKBWS colleagues and villagers cultivating the land.

Picture 2: The Shui Hau Villager Representative Kei gor and Chun from HKBWS taking photo with the Shui Hau Rice

Picture 3: Shui Hau villager Wah gor and his wife grabbing the harvest by themselves with a bright smile

Picture 4: The villager is so excited to participate to the Shu Hau Rice harvest and witnessing the rice grain coming out

Picture 5: With the great focus on each Shui Hau Rice, you can feel how much touching was in her heart

Picture 6: Without the great effort from our farmer, ar Tin, we will not able to establish our first paddy field in Shui Hau!