The Ebro Delta implemented a system to protect rice fields of the flamingos

Park of the Delta del Ebro has developed a program to prevent damage caused by flamingos in rice cultivation. This program was extended until early July and is to put some lights that are installed on the farms where it detects the presence of flamingos. In the Delta del Ebro there are more than 20,000 hectares devoted to rice and half of 9000 flamingos. Flamingos use rice in the first stage of cultivation, when they are not yet covered by the grain, to feed. The fact that groups are more or less numerous and are fed digging in the mud cause to harm the crops. The high mobility of these birds and their nocturnal habits requires permanent vigilance during the night time sensitive ranging from late April until early July. To this end, Park has four brigades each of two people who, every night and morning, around the area for rice in order to avoid damage to the crop. The brigades located groups flamencos, drove them off, install lights and not to launch rockets again. The Delta del Ebro is an extremely humane where crops and urban areas occupy about 80% of the area. The paddies are the main crop and occupy nearly 21,000 ha, accounting for 65% of the surface. Rice cultivation is one of the main economic activities and their key role in the ecological character of the Delta. The natural environments in the delta are located mostly in the outer zone and 20% of the total area. Due to the protection developed throughout its range, the presence of flamingos in the delta has evolved positively, with the winter half of 9300 individuals in the past six years. Furthermore, it has established a stable breeding colony of about 1,500 pairs. Last year in the Delta were 2454 pairs of flamingos, a figure that represented a substantial increase in the number of pairings, which was estimated at about 600 more than in previous campaigns, when the average stood at about 1.800-1.900 couples.

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