Surrounded by towering trees dotted with dozens of nests, soaring gray herons carry twigs to build their homes, while fledglings tentatively test their wings on branches.

The scene is not from a nature reserve, but a lakeside village where people and birds have coexisted for generations.

Changling village in Zhaohua district of Guangyuan, Sichuan province, has been home to gray herons for over a century. Every year, nearly 300 of the majestic birds nest here during the breeding season. Nearby Bailinhu National Wetland Park, with its clear waters and lush vegetation, provides them with abundant food and a safe habitat.

"They migrate south for the winter each December and return in the spring," said Liu Hongjun, the village's Party secretary. "Following a nesting period of over a month, chicks start hatching in April."

On one tree alone, Liu counted over 20 chicks, with more eggs yet to hatch.

In recent years, the herons have built their nests over an ever-expanding area. Some have even chosen trees right next to villagers' houses.

"That tree alone holds more than 30 nests. Every spring, the calls of the gray herons here rise and fall like a morning chorus — the most beautiful sound in our village," he said, pointing to an old cypress tree.

Beneath a large tree where herons nest, He Dingjian was busy with farm work. Having lived alongside the birds for 57 years, he long ago developed the habit of working quietly and never disturbing them.

"Since I was a child, these birds have lived with us," he said. "We never get too close to the nests. And if we see anyone trying to hurt the birds or damage the trees, we step in to stop them."

Elderly residents of the village call the herons "immortal cranes", and consider them a symbol of good fortune.

"Our village is nestled among gentle hills and clear waters — it's a place of natural blessing," said 60-year-old Wang Yunzhi. "That's why the herons keep coming back. Whenever I see them return, I feel blessed — as if good health and fortune are watching over us."

Last year, while working in the fields, Wang found an injured heron with a cut on its wing. He treated the wound with iodine and herbs and fed the bird fresh fish. When it recovered, he set it free by the lake.

"Watching it spread its wings and fly away gave me real peace of mind," he said.

The village bans any disturbance to the herons' habitat, as well as damaging their nests or harming the birds. Fishing is also prohibited in Bailin Lake to protect the herons' food source, and the village has set up a team of forest rangers to carry out regular patrols of the habitat.

"Caring for the birds means caring for our shared home," said Liu, the Party secretary, adding they will continue efforts to ensure people and birds peacefully coexist for generations to come.

Zhu Yingjiang and Zou Xingyu contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at pengchao@chinadaily.com.cn