Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge
Quick Facts
Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge
Texas
(979) 234-3278
Map DirectionsThings To Do
Overview
Over a century ago, one million Attwater's prairie-chickens graced the Texas and Louisiana gulf coastal prairie. Each spring, males gathered to perform an elaborate courtship ritual. They inflated their yellow air sacs and emitted a strange, booming sound across a sea of grasses. Today, less than one percent of coastal prairies remain. With so little of its home left, the Attwater's prairie-chicken has come dangerously close to following the passenger pigeon to extinction. You may not see the birds when you visit the refuge, but they are here, valiantly struggling to keep their speices alive, with a lot of help from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and others. Their presence deepens the experience of a visit among breathtaking spring wildflowers, marshes, ponds and virgin tallgrass prairie.
Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), located approximately 60 miles west of Houston, Texas, is one of the largest remnants of coastal prairie habitat remaining in southeast Texas and home to one of the last populations of the critically endangered Attwater's prairie- chicken, a ground-dwelling grouse of the coastal prairie ecosystem. Formerly occupying some 6 million acres of coastal prairie habitat, the Attwater's prairie-chicken was once one of the most abundant resident birds of the Texas and Louisiana tall grass prairie ecosystem. Presently, less than 200,000 fragmented acres of coastal prairie habitat remain, leaving the birds scattered among two Texas counties. The refuge is one of a handful of national wildlife refuges managed specifically for an endangered species; however, recovery activities for this imperiled bird and management of it's declining ecosystem go beyond the refuge's boundaries.
The refuge attracts the highest number of visitors during the spring, peaking in March and April when wildflowers are abundant. The refuge hosts the annual Attwater's Prairie-Chicken Festival the second weekend in April except when it falls on Easter weekend, then it will be the weekend prior. Attwater's prairie-chickens are also most active in spring, but their low numbers limit your chances of actually seeing them. If possible, visit the refuge in every season to witness wildlife migration, courtship, nesting, and the changing colors of the prairie itself.
Activities
Bird Watching
In addition to the Attwater's prairie-chicken, the refuge supports more than 250 species of birds. Among these are fulvous and black-bellied whistling ducks found in the refuge's wetlands. White-tailed hawks soar over the prairies. Crested caracaras and vultures keep a sharp lookout for carrion. These scavengers are like the janitors of the grasslands, cleaning up after other wildlife. During the summer months, scissor-tailed flycatchers and dickcissels grace the grasslands. In the refuge impoundments, roseate spoonbills carry the pink glow of a morning sunrise on their wings. You might see anhingas perched on branches with their wings spread wide to dry. In winter, geese abound in neighboring fields, while the refuge hosts a diversity of ducks, sandhill cranes, Sprague's pipit, and one of the most diverse lists of sparrow species in the region.
Wildlife Watching
The refuge supports over 250 species of birds besides the Attwater's prairie-chicken. They may not receive as much attention as the refuge namesake, but your chances of seeing a number of them are much higher. Among the ranks are some impressive birds that you don't have a chance to spot just every day.
Both fulvous and black-bellied whistling ducks inhabit refuge marshes. A far cry from a typical stubby duck with a familiar quack, these birds sport long legs and necks and yes, they whistle.
White-tailed hawks soar over the prairies. Crested caracaras and vultures keep a sharp lookout for carrion. These scavengers are like the janitors of the grasslands, cleaning up after other wildlife.
During the summer months, scissor-tailed flycatchers and dickcissels grace the grasslands. In the marshes, roseate spoonbills carry the pink glow of a morning sunrise on their wings. You might see anhingas perched on branches with their wings spread wide to dry.
In winter, geese abound in neighboring fields, while the refuge hosts a diversity of ducks, sandhill cranes, Sprague's pipit, and several types of sparrows.
The refuge supports about 50 species of mammals, most of which are nocturnal. Night time prowlers include bobcats, coyotes, and the nine-banded armadillos. During the day, you'll have a good chance of seeing bison. Imagine a time when these animals darkened the prairies as far as you can see.
Bison may be charismatic, but remember to watch for small mammals like the 13-lined ground squirrel that also helps keep the prairie ecosystem intact.
Reptiles and amphibians often get a bad name because of a few poisonous representatives. Most are harmless, and will try to avoid human contact. In general, they are like other creatures, just trying to survive in the wild. Please respect the following three venomous snakes: Texas coral, western cottonmouth, and southern copperhead.
American alligators share the ponds with smooth and spiny softshell turtles. Bullfrogs and upland chorus frogs fill the night air with their calls.
Directions
Driving
From Houston: Take I-10 west to Sealy. Drive south 1 mile on Highway 36, then right on Texas Farm to Market Road (FM)3013 for 10 miles. From San Antonio: Take I-10 east to Sealy. Drive south 1 mile on Highway 36, then right on Texas Farm to Market Road (FM)3013 for 10 miles. From Eagle Lake: Take FM 3013 northeast fro 6.5 miles.
Phone Numbers
Primary
(979) 234-3278Links
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