That is the sound of the ducks.
Can you imagine these birds fishing or floating in a nice lake somewhere? A normal reaction to be sure, but these ducks are different.
They live on the land of a grape grower in South Africa.
The Vergenoegd Löw wine estate is located in Stellenbosch. And the ducks are employees of the oenologist.
Around 500 white, black and brown Indian runner ducks make their home on the grounds. They hunt and eat insects and other animals that can damage the vines.
Birds help protect plants naturally. This saves the winemaker from having to use poisonous chemicals against such pests in his vineyard.
Corius Visser rules the land.
“We call them the soldiers of the vineyards. They eat all the little bugs so we don’t have to. spray for any pest in the vineyards. They keep them pest free. They are the caretakers.”
Ducks are tall, which means they can reach up and eat insects on vines above the ground.
Also, the people who run the vineyard use the duck waste to make fertilizer, which helps the grapes grow.
Merle Holdsworth was visiting the vineyard and saw the ducks. He praised his order.
“It’s unbelievable how they behave, they walk in single file and it’s like they’re in the army,” he said.
The ducks get up in the morning and go to the vines to eat the insects. At the end of the day, they return to their house and eat bird food provided by the winemaker.
Yodell Scholtz works in the vineyard and takes care of the ducks.
“It’s almost like raising your own kids, so I really enjoy it,” she said.
I’m Dan Friedell.
Dan Friedell adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on a Reuters report.
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words in this story
parasite -north. an unwanted animal or insect
spray –v. send water or other liquid from a pipe, tank, or hose to something else, such as a plant
oenologist-north. a person who grows grapes to make wine and sell
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