My turn: Festival opportunity to appreciate nature

As surely as the swallows return to San Juan Capistrano, we have our own annual migratory milestone in south Roosevelt County.

This weekend 100 bird-lovers will flock to Milnesand from seven states and Canada to participate in the 11th High Plains Prairie Chicken Festival, highlighted by treks to the leks (breeding grounds) of our native lesser prairie chickens.

Visitors are treated to the grouse equivalent of a junior high dance, with the male birds pulling out all the stops to impress the girls in a most beguiling courting ritual. Festival-goers can also expect a full docket of field trips and five tasty meals. (No, prairie chicken is not on the menu.)

The word "festival" may be a misnomer, because this event is reservation only, and the 100 spots are snapped up in the first few weeks of January. While less than a dozen locals have ever attended as participants, the event has quite a following in the birding world, and is a spring tradition for those of us in the Milnesand area who help put it on.

It's human nature to not take the time to see and appreciate the treasures in our own backyards. If you'd like to change that for next year, drop an email to [email protected].

Betty Williamson knows it is not spring until the prairie chickens boom. You may reach her at [email protected].