THORNWELL, LA – This past weekend, avid birders and ornithologists from across the country and across “the pond” descended on southwest Louisiana for the 14th Annual
Yellow Rails and Rice Festival. Participants from 29 states and the United Kingdom took to the rice fields near here for the chance to catch a glimpse of the elusive Yellow Rail.
Several people were repeat attendees but for many it was their first time to join in the festivities. In addition to adding the Yellow Rail to their birding “bucket list,” everyone also gets an opportunity to ride on a combine, tour a rice mill, and get an up-close perspective on how U.S. rice is produced, processed, and delivered to their table.
Rice farmers Shirley and Kevin Berken, along with Donna Dittmann and Steve Cardiff with the Avian Events Support Team, organize the annual event so that birders may learn about rice farming, and see firsthand the practices rice farmers use to create the habitat that so many birds and other species call home.
“We had to make a few schedule adjustments due to weather, but everyone who came spotted a Yellow Rail and rode on the combine,” said Kevin. “They also took in a variety of species, including King Rails, shore birds along the coast, and a Whooping Crane.”
Falcon Rice Mill hosted the mill tour, giving attendees a behind the scenes look at the milling and packing process, to go along with their rice harvesting experience for the trip.
“The countdown to next year’s event has already started, and if the previous 14 years have taught us anything, registration will fill up quickly,” said Kevin. “Thanks to this unique birding experience, everyone leaves here with a memorable encounter with the Yellow Rail, and a better understanding of what rice farmers and the U.S. rice industry mean to wildlife and waterfowl habitat.