The Nature Conservancy. BirdReturns: Creating Dynamic Habitat for Migratory Birds. The Nature Conservancy California
Today’s good news comes from @Massimo on X. Thanks to Noelle Granger for sending it to me.
U.S. farmers are intentionally flooding their fields to revive ancient “prairie potholes,” creating temporary “pop-up” wetlands that deliver a huge boost to migratory birds while improving soil health.
In regions like California’s Central Valley and the Mississippi Delta, innovative programs—most notably BirdReturns (launched by The Nature Conservancy in 2014)—pay farmers to strategically flood low-lying or post-harvest fields at precise times during bird migrations. These short-term wetlands mimic the natural prairie potholes and seasonal marshes that once dotted the landscape but were largely drained for agriculture.
By timing floods to align with peak migration periods (e.g., spring and fall for shorebirds, waterfowl, and sandhill cranes), farmers provide essential stopover habitat: shallow water, mudflats, and abundant food for millions of birds traveling along flyways like the Pacific Flyway. The approach has transformed tens of thousands of acres of working farmland into critical refueling stations, with studies showing dramatic increases in bird use and numbers—sometimes 3.5 times higher in these managed pop-up wetlands compared to standard fields.
Farmers also gain practical benefits. Seasonal flooding enhances soil structure, boosts nutrient cycling (as bird activity and water help break down residues), recharges groundwater, reduces erosion, and supports long-term land productivity—often without hurting crop yields in subsequent seasons.
The good news in today’s story is an active program to help birds during their migrations while helping the soil as well. Today’s JohnKu talks about assisting nature. I hope you have a lovely weekend.
A Hand by John W. Howell ©2026
Times present themselves,
To extend a helping hand. . .
Do not miss the chance.
Fiction Favorites 
What a brilliant project John and thank you to Noelle too for passing along… hugsx
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Go Birds. Good for the Farmers and the Birds.
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Go birds indeed. 😊
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Great news, John! A win for the farmers and the birds.
Happy fri-Yayyy! ❣️
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Happy Fri-Yay, Cindy. Thank you. 😊
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winning all the way around
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I agree. A wonderful project.
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Real good news, John! It’s so good that BirdReturns figured out the best timing for farmers’ job of flooding their soil to be good for birds in migration and pay them to do it at that time.
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I agree, Tim. It is a terrific project. 😊
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I can expect good news here every week – as a bonus, I also learn about things I’ve never heard of. Thanks, John!
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Me too, Teri. I learn and am uplifted as well. Thanks. 😊
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Do not miss the chance. Absolutely! Never miss a chance to do something good. This is wonderful, John.
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Thank you, Lois. Too many do. 😊
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Good news! I’m wondering whether this is similar to the recovery of oxbows in rivers. I guess one of us should check on that, huh.
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I looked it up. Here’s a brief description of oxbow revcovery, “Oxbow recovery involves excavating accumulated sediment down to the historic riverbed level to restore natural depth, reconnecting the oxbow to the main channel, and planting native vegetation on the banks. This process creates crucial flood storage, purifies water by removing nitrates, and provides vital wildlife habitat.” It seems the big difference is that there is no excavating or planting with the field flooding, and it is a temporary condition.
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I knew that humans had tried straightening them out, then discovered they were actually very useful the way they were!
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Yup.
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That’s fascinating – I wouldn’t have thought it would do that. What great news. Thanks, John.
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I thought so too, Esther. Thanks.
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This is so heartening, John. Thank you for bringing it to our attention. We need hopeful news! 😊
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I agree, Gwen. I found this very satisfying. Wishing you a super weekend.
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John, nice to be reading your good news here again, and also nice to know some of us can still figure out how to make lemonade from lemons. This is such a no-brainer, and what a win-win for humans and wildlife alike…which in this day and age is one of the very best things to work for and towards.
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Yes, it is, Bruce. It is good to see you again. Where have you been? (If you don’t mind me asking.)
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I’ve enjoyed the benefits o f birding many of those flooded rice fields in Central California. It’s a win win for birders, farmers, and the birds! I hope more farmers across the country do it.
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Flooded rice fields and birds are a great synergy. Thanks, Deborah
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It seems like humans are finally learning to work with nature instead of against it. A great post.
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I think so, Robbie.
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Cool. With all the benefits, I’m surprised this hasn’t been going on longer.
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Me too.
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I love stories like these, John. There’s so much good happening in the world, and it’s worth seeking out. Great share!
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One has to look, though. Thanks, Diana.
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Yes. That’s the key. Wonderful that you do, John, and we all get to benefit.
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😄
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This concept is new to me. Bravo to the farmers!
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I agree, Liz.
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One for the birds!
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It is Noelle.
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I absolutely love this, John! It reminds me of the wildlife refuge in Monte Vista where they created wetlands as birds travel toward Canada every spring. When I lived there I thought the wetlands were natural, little did I know they have an extensive irrigation system for designed for crucial feeding, resting, and breeding habitat for over 200 bird species. So cool. Thanks for sharing another feel good story that positively impacts nature and the environment.
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So good to raise up memories, Monika. Thanks for sharing
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Those are great and creative projects that I’ve never heard of before. Great way to protect birds and good news.
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