More than a bird festival, the Yellow Rails and Rice Festival (YRARF), combines birding with rice farming and Cajun culture. Organized by Donna Dittmann and Steve Cardiff, this festival is top notch – full of activities and well organized. I signed up to volunteer and working this event was so much fun, I felt like I was a participant!
Wednesday evening, I worked the registration at the opening reception. Checking in the festival goers was great fun… I loved meeting the participants and working with the other volunteers. Several vendors were exhibited that evening: the Jefferson Davis Parish Tourist and Economic Development Commission, Barataria Terrebonne National Estuary Program, Louisiana Ornithological Society, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, USA Rice Federation, LSU AgCenter, Hoppe Farms Rice, LSU Rice Research Station, National Wildlife Federation, Louisiana Wildlife Federation and USFWS Joint Venture.
Below are some of the goodies that were included in the gift tote provided with registration to the festival. The “Coturnicops Blend” coffee made especially for this festival by Kevin Colley/Dupuy Storage LLC was my favorite item!
The following morning included presentations before heading out to the rice fields.
Participants met at the Thornwell Warehouse and convoyed to one of two harvest sites.
Upon arrival, we set up signage and then prepared the participants for riding on the combine. I went out on the first run to help point out birds flushed out as the vehicle harvested the rice.
All sorts of critters were hidden in the rice fields.
I spent the whole day trying to see a Yellow Rail. Several of us stayed as late as we could in an effort to see that bird (thanks to the farmer who allowed us to ride for a few more passes.) We rode the combine until the sun lowered into the horizon line.
I missed the Jambalaya Dinner and Sunset tour but did manage to make it out to the Tupper Museum Reception. Dough pies with vanilla ice cream was served – I had a fig pie and it was delicious! I recommend a visit to this museum filled with early 20th century store goods. http://www.tuppermuseum.com/
On Friday, I participated in a banding workshop led by Erik Johnson. We started with a classroom session and then headed out to KMB Farms to set up mist nets.
As the combine made it’s pass, birds were flushed up into the mist net and promptly removed for banding.
Three species of rails were banded: Virginia, Sora and one Yellow Rail (I didn’t get a picture of the Yellow Rail.)
Sparrows flew into the nets as well and we also were able to band Savannah, Swamp, LeConte’s, and Nelson’s Sharp-tailed.
The birds were flushing up and before long we had bags of birds in line for banding.
While watching for birds in the mist net, I spotted this group of birders getting a better look at a sparrow.
That evening, a meal was served at the Grand Marais Rice Gala. Gumbo and red beans and rice was served as the main course with cake for dessert (worth getting a second helping of for certain!) Dinner was accompanied with live music by Les Frères Michot. Dancing ensued!
Saturday included more adventures in banding.
The weather turned cooler and brought winds with it. Dust billowed out from underneath the combine as it made its passes. This airborne dirt created a no visibility situation if you were downwind.
That evening I attended the official finale of the Yellow Rails and Rice Festival at the Zigler Museum of Art. The museum collection consists of European, American, and Louisiana art. It’s a little gem in the middle of Jennings, La! http://ziglermuseum.wix.com/ziglerartmuseum#! That evening the museum treated us to a viewing of Audubon’s folio Birds of America. The atmosphere along with hor d’oeuvres, drinks and good conversation made for a great ending to a great festival!
When I stepped out of my car, I noticed something in the middle of the road and discovered a sparrow.
I decided to bring it with me to the banding to see if it could be identified. It rode alongside my dashboard diva to the Peveto Woods Bird Sanctuary.
When I first arrived, I did a little bit of exploring. Shortly after, I began to help set up the mist nets.
And the banding began…
After such a full week-end, I needed the dashboard diva to keep me company all the way back to Thibodaux.
Après la pluie, le beau temps. 