Greetings everyone, it's a beautiful day here in Nebraska. Schools out and I finally have a chance to catch everyone up on the rest of the first annual Nebraska Prairie Chicken Festival.
First off though, congratulations to all who participated and placed at DIXIE the other weekend. You and the rest of the chicken dancers across the country are part of something special, let's keep this momentum going as we charge ahead to NOAC!
Now, back to Burwell. Starting from the beginning, I didn't even know this festival was happening until about two weeks before the event. A friend of mine mentioned it, almost jokingly, but then I found an article about it in the Lincoln Journal Star so I called up Calamus Outfitters and reserved my spot. Friday morning I headed west and after a nice lunch with my grandma in Grand Island, I turned north and didn't stop til I hit the Calamus Reservoir.
When I finally got to the lodge that would be hosting the festival, not too many folks were around. I had a chance to meet Sarah Sortum, who was the main hostess for the weekend. Sarah also played MC and introduced all of the speakers and guests throughout the festival. Friday evening began with some music from a local singer then the performance from Garan Coons (see last post). Afterwards was a delicious dinner catered by the Sandstone Grill. Sarah briefed us on what to expect for the weekend then it was off to bed early because we'd be heading out to the bird blinds before dawn
In my attempts to save some money and enjoy nature I camped along the reservoir in a state park camping area. After a fitful night of sleep I woke up to a still starry sky, brushed my teeth, then hopped in my car to drive up to the rendezvous site. Munching on little chocolate donuts and driving 10 mph under the speed limit so I wouldn't miss my turn, I was already seething with excitement to finally get to see prairie chickens up close and personal.
By 5:30 AM I, along with about 65 other visitors, had loaded up into several school buses that would take us out to the leks. We drove down bumpy ranch roads and got to our watching sites still a half hour before dawn. The blinds from which we would view the birds were converted school buses with the seats turned around to face the windows and the whole bus blacked out except for the opened windows that would be our viewing area. It was a chilly morning, which made it hard to sit still as we waited for the birds to arrive.
But, just as our guide had said, about 20 minutes after we entered the blind, the birds started coming in. "You'll hear 'em before you see 'em," our guide said, and he was right. Breaking through the brisk and still Nebraska morning came a high-pitched howling
The chickens were on their way.
Here's how it works. As the male chickens scope out their Lek (booming ground/ mating area) they fly and land close then make a noise that sounds like blowing across the top of a pop bottle. Then, when they're ready, they walk into the Lek and the show begins.
Saturday morning about 9 male prairie chickens came out and two females made their way throughout the Lek. The Dominant males keep to their own in the center of the Lek and the subordinates hang around the outside trying to make themselves seen. When the girls show up the birds go crazy. That's when you really see the dancing and play fighting. Shuffling and pounding feet, walking in small circles and jumping up in the air are the primary moves of these chicken dancers. Also, they bend over, fill up the air sacks at their throats, and make clicking noises.
As the sun started to warm up both birds and bird watchers, activity at the Lek slowed way down and eventually some of the chickens left, and so did we.
Saturday day was filled with educational classes and tours, that's for another post.
Sunday morning back up bright and early I was off to see sharp tailed grouse. Similar routine as the prairie chickens and in some ways more fun to watch. The sharp tailed grouse have brilliant purple air sacks at their throats that they puff up while booming. The sharpies, as they're called, only really have one move and they go for it full force. When females come by the male sharpies bend way over, stick their wings straight out to the side, and with their beaks almost on the ground charge at other males, squaring off and trying to run the other males away.
I hope for all of you that one day you have an opportunity to watch some prairie fowl out at their Leks. Up and down the Great Plains from Texas up through Canada, Lesser, Greater and Attwater's Prairie Chickens, Sharp Tailed Grouse, and sage grouse every spring will come to their Leks and do their best to impress the ladies.
Stay tuned, there's even more to come from this wonderful weekend.
