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2010 Dance of the Prairie Chickens
More possibilities for
Greater Prairie Chicken Viewing
are offered in 2010
The GREATEST Experience
Arrive the evening before, enjoy an overnight stay in the
Flint Hills, plan to join us for breakfast after the "Dance."
Overnight Events
March 26-27 Fri 7pm-Sat 10am (10 seats available)
March 27-28 Sat 7pm-Sun 10am (4 seats available)
Sat 7pm-Sun 10am (4 seats available)April 16-17 Fri 7pm-Sat 10am (10 seats available)
Fri 7pm-Sat 10am (10 seats available)April 17-18 Sat 7pm-Sun 10am (10 seats available)
Fee: $83, includes evening presentation on the prairie chickens, plus breakfast after the viewing.
Limited to 10 (women only)
The GREATER Experience
Drive in early the morning of the "Dance."
Plan to join us for breakfast after the viewing.
Early Morning-Only Viewings
March 26 Fri before dawn-10am (10 seats available)
Fri before dawn-10am (10 seats available)April 16 Fri before dawn-10am (10 seats available)
Fri before dawn-10am (10 seats available)Arrival time at the Center - to be announced (it will be early!)
Fee: $55, includes breakfast after the viewing
Limited to 10 (women and men)
The GREAT Experience
Drive in early the morning of the "Dance"
Early Morning-Only Viewings,No Breakfast
March 20 or 21 Sat or Sun before dawn-10am (10 seats available)
April 3 or 4 Sat or Sun before dawn-10am (10 seats available)
April 10 or 11 Sat or Sun before dawn-10am (10 seats available)
Arrival time at the Center - to be anounced (it will be early!)
Fee: $44
Limited to 10 (women and men)
Check dates and availability carefully.
Please call or email for more information
or to make your reservation.
A $20 non-refundable deposit will secure your spot in the blind
Tallgrass Spiritual Retreat Center:
Where Women Find Their Way
1780 Thurman Creek Road
Matfield, Green Kansas 66862
620.753.3465
Rev. Billie Blair, Director
Tallgrass Spiritual Retreat Center
Where Women Find Their Way
Imagine an outdoor singles club for birds in which the males must sing and dance so the females can choose a mate! This is the annual spring mating display of the Greater Prairie Chicken, a bird that is in danger of disappearing as more of the tallgrass prairie is lost to development. Learn more about this rare and beautiful native prairie bird the evening before the viewing. Then, before sunrise the next morning, travel to a booming ground to witness this primitive ritual in person. You will be camouflaged in a viewing blind, with a front row seat of the action as males inflate bright yellow air sacs on their necks, erect the pinnae feathers on the tops of their heads, perform flutter-jumps and nuptial bows, rapidly stamping their feet and making humorous cackles, raucous caws, and a haunting booming sound.
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This experience is limited
to 10 participants a day.
Please note: If you have a group of 6 or more interested in viewing the prairie chickens during the week, please call and we'll try to accommodate your group with a special showing between March 15 and April 15.
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The blind - built for your comfort!
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"This is an incredible experience! Everyone needs to see, hear, experience these birds." - Previous Prairie Chicken Viewer
About the Facilitators
Jane Koger is a fourth-generation Chase County rancher who has been owner and operator of the Homestead Ranch near Matfield Green, Kansas for over 25 years. Her interest in prairie chickens reflects the values of a program she has recently begun on her ranch, the Homestead Range Renewal Initiative (HRRI). HRRI's multi-faceted program-alternative grazing
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strategies, fence removal, a prescribed patch burning system, reseeding of native plants on previously cultivated land, and management of invasive trees - is an ecosystem approach to rangeland management that simultaneously considers biological diversity and grazing productivity. This integrated program is an acknowledgement of Jane's stewardship responsibilities to leave a legacy of land that is in better health than when she acquired it in 1979. Jane, who recently became a member of the North American Grouse Partnership, is excited about having the Prairie Chickens on her ranch. She enjoys participating in the Dance of the Prairie Chickens.
*Jane has a team of prairie chicken enthusiasts helping her this year. Each of the team members speaks fluent "prairie chicken," has worked with habitat restoration for the birds, and is also familiar with what others are doing to improve the future for the prairie chickens.
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Click here to learn about the NEW chicken blind
Jane is building a new and improved chicken blind this winter!
Using the framework of a horse trailer, Jane is spending time this winter constructing a better and bigger chicken blind. It will have the "luxuries" of the old blind, plus more seating. The new blind will comfortably hold ten people.
As soon as pictures are available, they will be posted to the website.
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Click here to learn abuot the NEW blind
Tallgrass Spiritual Retreat Center:
Where Women Find Their Way
1780 Thurman Creek Road
Matfield Green, Kansas 66862
620.753.3465
Rev. Bilie Blair, Director
