Several years ago, the mention of Birding in conversation would bring puzzled looks to many people's faces. I would get questions like, “Do you mean bird hunting?” No and Yes. No, not hunting to shoot and kill. Yes, hunting birds to quietly observe and enjoy these magnificent, beautiful creatures in their natural world. According to Google AI, birding has evolved into a $279 billion (with a B) industry in the U.S., creating 1.4 million jobs. 96 million Americans engage in birdwatching. The popularity of birdwatching has exploded in the past decade, especially among younger adults. Formerly thought of as a “retirement people’s hobby”, birding has become popular among all ages. With the need for children to get outside and unplug from digital devices, birding and the healing, calming effects of nature have increased the interest of young and old alike.
Franklin County is a birder’s paradise. We are blessed to have an abundant, diverse habitat within our small County. Lake Cypress and rivers like the Sulphur provide wetlands for shore and water-dwelling birds, old-growth forests attract woodland birds, prairies, meadows, and pastures are home to grass-dwelling birds. Because of the variety of bird habitats and Franklin County's location within the Mississippi Flyway, Spring and Fall migration seasons can bring in uncommon birds. Approximately 2 billion birds migrate through Texas during Spring, using both the Central and Mississippi Flyways. We live in a Bird Mecca!
Some years ago, I had the opportunity to organize the Prairies and Pineywoods Birdfest. The headquarters was located at what was formerly Selah Ranch, just north of Mount Vernon, with several off-site birding tour locations offered. It was a small festival, organized with a lot of local support in the early stages. The festival bird featured the Prairie Chicken. Prairie Chickens, historically common in Texas, are now listed as endangered due to habitat destruction and overhunting in the early 20th century.
The festival t-shirt design featuring a Prairie Chicken was drawn by our local Sheriff, Ricky Jones (he’s a multi-talented guy), and printed by his wife, Sheleace, of Just Sayin’ Tees. Multiple local donations by businesses, friends, and family, including cousins, in-laws, and a few out-laws, supported the festival. There were about 70 attendees, mostly from Dallas and surrounding areas, as well as local birding enthusiasts. One lawyer/birder from Houston attended. (I’m still proud of her for making the trek to Mount Vernon and finding Selah Ranch after dark. She was brave.) There was a delicious dinner prepared by then-Selah owner Candy Hickerson. Candy and Dave Hickerson worked tirelessly to put up bird feeders on their ranch and gave me the greatest support. I think I might have turned them into official birders before it was over. We had an award-winning keynote speaker, Noppadol Paothong, whom my husband Bob and I had met at another birding event in Mexico, Missouri. Nop’s work as a conservation nature photographer is widely recognized. His presentation on the Greater Prairie Chicken that evening received a standing ovation from some of our expert birding professionals in the room. Check out his work at www.npnaturephotography.com and prepare to be amazed!
Throughout the weekend, Birdfest attendees had their choice of several area tours led by professional wildlife guides.
Our friend, Texas Parks & Wildlife State Ornithologist and hummingbird expert Cliff Shackelford, led tours at Daphne Prairie, one of the last unplowed, virgin grasslands in the U.S. We are so fortunate to have a rare gem like Daphne Prairie in our county. Boyd Sanders, Texas Parks & Wildlife Ranger and raptor expert from Lake Bob Sandlin State Park, led a raptor tour. Byron Stone, then President of Texas Ornithology Association from Dallas, led tours at Selah Ranch and the Backyard Birding tour around our City Park and on English Street. Birders sighted an uncommon red (rufus) morph Eastern Screech Owl nesting in Pat Wright’s owl box. Bob and I led wood duck nesting tours at our house, where we were fortunate to have a wood duck hatch during the festival. We named one orphaned baby, Danielle, after the youngest festival attendee who witnessed nature’s miracle of wood duck birth that day. Nature photography enthusiasts captured some great shots during their tours. Native Mount Vernon and retired doctor, Charles Rutherford, and Miracle Bennett from the Metroplex, contributed beautiful images of birds and other wildlife during the festival.
Backyard Birding Tour in Pat Wright’s yard.
In the evening, everyone enjoyed the Insects at Night event. As the sun set on a beautiful blue-sky day, entomologist Dr. Will Godwin draped a white sheet, bathed in light from a mercury-vapor lamp. This type of light emits strong UV light, creating blue and green wavelengths that mimic the insects’ natural navigation system and the Moon. It’s amazing what we don’t see at night that’s just out there lurking in the darkness. Beautiful Luna Moths, as big as some of the children’s hands, showed up. Many other interesting insects made an appearance. Luckily, the Texas mosquitoes stayed away that night.
An Owl Prowl at Selah Ranch that evening, led by local Owl-Whisperer John Tutor, called up two Barred Owls, much to the delight of attendees.
This inaugural event was organized under the umbrella of The Franklin County Historical Society. It was a new idea, locally supported, and successful in introducing the many birding opportunities of Franklin County to the region. If you’re lucky enough to live in or around Franklin County, you’re lucky enough to enjoy an amazing variety of birds. Franklin County boasts more than 200 species of birds, from those that swim and live on water, to ground-loving birds hidden in the grass, to those that live in the deep-wooded areas among the tree line. And there are those who are just passing through, offering us great seasonal opportunities to gaze upon their magnificence before they head north or south, depending on the season.
Grab a pair of binoculars and a Birds of Texas identification book and start your Life List. It won’t take long to fill up a Bird Journal in Franklin County. It might be time for another Birdfest.
To watch this baby wood duck Stormy grow up, click on this YouTube link. https://youtu.be/ZJfQKGGK80I?si=aQA98vjtulIZJECq
