This is Bird North.

Joaquin Aldavi, a biologist and ecologist, lives in Uruguay.

He works with Manumet as a ranching

and conservation specialist on the east coast of Uruguay

near the coast of Lagoon, Laguna de Castellos.

It's a place where migratory birds such as the American Golden Plugger

visit cattle pastures.

The pastures provide short grasses with few trees

and are occasionally flooded, a perfect place for the plowers to find food.

Joaquin is saying that the ranchers and other agricultural workers

are finding ways to use these pastures sustainably.

Especially around the coastal areas near the Lagoon,

the habitats with the highest concentrations of birds.

These birds need shorter grass for the winter,

so the ranchers are encouraged to have their cattle

graze the grass down to one to two inches from October to February.

The wintering season and then let it grow longer for the rest of the year.

The shorter grass makes it easier for birds to find their prey

and sea predators such as falcons more quickly.

And their ranchers are willing to do their part.

Ranchers want to live off their pastures sustainably

while helping shorebirds like the Golden Flower.

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