Curious about birds of prey? Come to a live raptor program with educators and avian ambassadors from Tailwind Raptor Center to get up close and personal with these special species.
Falconry is the sport of hunting with a trained bird of prey. It is also the demanding art of training a predatory bird that is by nature wary of people to hunt cooperatively with a human partner. Although the sport has a 4,000 – year history, its glory days were indisputably the medieval period. While this presentation centers around live birds used in falconry, it is not a flight demonstration but a history-rich look at an ancient sport. Focusing on the medieval period, it explains the characteristics of the birds of prey used, how the sport reflected the lifestyle of the time, and the historical reasons behind falconry’s rise and fall.
In honor of Earth Day, raptor rehabilitator and educator Jane Kelly, of On the Wing, will present a live raptor program in the refuge visitor center auditorium. Audience members will have a very special opportunity to view a variety of live birds of prey, while Jane provides an overview of their natural history. Space is limited for this program and preregistration is required. Send an email to parkerriver@fws.gov and write “raptor program” on the subject line. P
See live raptors up close. In this much-anticipated program, Bethani Garland, a wildlife biologist and rehabilitator from On the Wing, will present audiences with five different raptors (birds of prey). You will observe the birds and learn their different calls, the best locations to sight hawks, falcons, and owls, and understand how different body shapes affect how raptors hunt their prey in the air.
The hawks are back! Come join the interpreter behind the headquarters to view the red-tailed hawks who have returned this year to nest. Bring binoculars if you have them. For ages 6 and up. Meet at the park headquarters on 74 Curzon Mill Road, Newburyport
