Monitors master steep bird ID learning curve

Wei Luying, a 47-year-old resident of Bainan township in Napo, has also capitalized on the birding industry. Since June 2023, she has transformed her family's homestay into a haven for visiting bird-watchers and photographers.

Reflecting her clientele's interests, she has decorated the hotel's lobby and rooms with bird photographs taken in the local area.

Her homestay offers 15 rooms, priced at 80 yuan per night for a single and 100 yuan for a standard room.

Wei also assists her guests with itinerary planning, navigating the birding opportunities in Bainan.

"I can help them book seats at different monitoring spots," she said. "During the peak season, which runs from October to June of the following year, customers typically stay four or five days to visit all the bird hides in the area."

For the three, running the bird monitoring spots or homestay is more than just a job; it is a chance to be with their families and to safeguard the unique wildlife of their hometown.