The early bird catches the … bird

There is something really cool going on not to far from Sealy, but you have to be an early riser to see it.

I recently had the opportunity to have a private tour of the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge courtesy Wildlife Refuge Specialist John Magera. We actually had a late start on the day, leaving headquarters just before 8 a.m. He drove us in his truck out to a lek, which is nothing more than an open area with low vegetation. It’s also known as a booming ground because of the noise made by the birds in their mating ritual.

As we slowly and quietly crept up on the lek, we could see about a half-dozen male Attwater’s prairie-chickens strutting their stuff. It’s important to note that the birds are not chickens at all, but a member of the grouse family. They were once a common game bird, but now fight extinction.

You don’t have to be much of nature lover or bird enthusiasts to know what an amazing sight it is to watch and hear these incredible birds doing their courtship dance. It’s rare to see these birds in the wild, let alone to watch them in this seasonal display of movement and color.

This weekend is a great opportunity to watch this memorable event. The 20^th annual Attwater Prairie Chicken Festival is being held at the reserve. A viewing platform is being set up near the lek we visited. The early birds who arrive at 7 a.m. will have the best opportunity to see the birds in full boom. There is no charge to attend.

Even if you’re not much of a birder or nature lover, it’s a great opportunity to see a rare thing. It’s worth getting up early for, even for no other reason than to be able to say you saw it. Very few people in the world can say that. Just remember to bring binoculars, a camera with a good zoom lens, or some other magnification device, as you will not be too close to them.

By the way, I checked with Magera about the formal name of the birds. They are Attwater’s prairie-chickens, but you can see them at the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge.

After viewing the birds, and probably a lot of other wildlife at the refuge, stay for some of the other activities, or beat feet back to Sealy for the Spring Picnic. Another strategy would be to spend Saturday at the Spring Picnic and then go to the refuge on Sunday when there will not be as many people.

If all goes as planned, I hope to be at the refuge Saturday morning and at the picnic the rest of the day. I am a history buff of sorts and enjoy the battle reenactments, old-fashioned games and other historical novelties. I had not heard of Sealy’s Spring Picnic before starting my job here three months ago, but I am really excited about it and have been looking forward to it for weeks.

I’ve always been a sucker for a good festival and this one looks like loads of fun. In addition to the early Texas reenactment camps and battles, there will be vintage baseball games, a parade, vendors, food, live music and much more. This is cool, family-friendly stuff that everyone can enjoy.

Clearly, of the multitude of activities going on in the region this weekend, the best options are right here in Austin County (or just across the border in the case of the refuge). It’s a great way to celebrate spring in southeast Texas.