Every year in the fall, a totally unique festival is held in Thornwell, Louisiana. The Yellow Rails and Rice Festival brings birders from all over the world to our South Louisiana rice fields, with the goal of seeing Yellow Rail birds (and other rail species) as they are flushed out from the fields during harvesting. It’s quite the event! As a bonus, birders have the opportunity to learn how well-managed rice fields provide an excellent habitat for migratory and coastal bird species.

Land Trust for Louisiana team members went out to see the festivities, along with banders and scientists from the Audubon Society. We got to see them catch the rails, record their data, band them, and release them back into the fields. It was a wonderful day combining rice, nature, and science!