Jim and Phoebe Lou Sealy, TOS Life Members, living in Dallas, posted the following message to TEXBIRDS after the 2003 trip:
"Once again, we want to express our sincere appreciation to the Texas Ornithological Society and their efforts to provide education and entertainment to birders. We just returned from the Attwater Prairie Chicken / Eagle Lake field trip and it was grand.
Thanks to Darrell Vollert, our very informed and extremely qualified guide, the weekend was well worth braving the return of winter to South Texas. On Saturday, the wind blew like crazy (gusts to 35 mph) and the temperature hovered in the low 30's. However, thanks to Terry Rosignol, the APCNWR Director and his most capable staff, we had superb views of the Prairie Chickens while they "boomed" and "strutted their stuff". That was fun and made it worth while. The wind did drown-out the booming sounds, but nothing obscured their antics and the colors of those sacs.
Overall we saw approximately 88 species of birds (12 boomers). Not bad, considering the conditions.
Three members of the group were non-TOS members from Tampa, Florida. Because of Texas birders they had logged on to Texbirds and discovered the TOS website and the opportunities that are afforded by the TOS sponsored field trips. Obviously we do not receive financial considerations from TOS and we have no connections with Darrell Vollert. However, we highly endorse membership in TOS and will recommend Darrell as a guide to anyone seeking such a person."