Text by Paula Dittrick, TMNCPC blogmaster, photos from TMNCPC members Garrett Engelhardt and Erik Wolf
Texas is home to several National Wildlife Refuges. Texas Master Naturalist Coastal Prairie Chapter members shared their favorites for this blog series, which opens with Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, which is on the Great Texas Coastal Bird Trail map for the Central Texas Coast.
Although the refuge hosts many more birds than prairie chickens, Attwater NWR is well known for its booming grounds, where male prairie chickens gather during early mornings and late afternoons in late February-late March to establish territories and to attract hens.
In his book A Haven in the Sun, former Houston Post nature writer B.C. Robison tells how the Attwater’s Prairie Chicken population has declined from “a time of abundance to its status today as one of the world’s most endangered animals.”
“At the beginning of the twentieth century, this secretive, social grouse of the Texas coastal prairie pecked and strutted through the grass in vast numbers,” Robison writes. “To the early settlers and explorers, the courtship call of the prairie chicken—the mournful warble that floated at daybreak over the damp grass in springtime—was the music of the prairie.”
TMNCPC member Erik Wolf says some of the refuge’s appeal for him is that it’s only 20-30 minutes from his home.
“The first time I went, I was like ehhh; but the more I go, the more I see and learn. Watching it change through the seasons and seeing the different animals come and go is nice,” Wolf said. “Although I love hiking and being in nature, I really love the auto tour. I can watch the sun come up and enjoy my coffee without having to plan for a hike or a half day trip. Plus, I rarely see anyone out there: peace and quiet.”
TMNCPC member Garrett Engelhardt of Rosenberg also regularly visits Attwater NWR, which he calls “One of my favorite places to go.”
“I usually go on a weekday and early in the morning at sunrise so I pretty much have the refuge to myself,” Engelhardt said. “What I like about it is I usually see something different every time I go. This year, I got to see lots of prairie chickens.”
He also has seen a variety of birds along with deer, rabbits, and alligators along with wildflowers when in season.
Driving Directions
The refuge and visitor center are located 6.5 miles northeast of Eagle Lake off FM 3013, or south from Sealy on Highway 36 to FM 3013 and traveling west for 10 miles.
The only public access to the refuge from the southeast is off FM 3013, the Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR web site notes, adding that drivers should realize some GPS navigational systems might not direct them to this point.