JAMESTOWN, N.Y. – Anyone who is fascinated by raptors — the hunting birds that include hawks, eagles, falcons, owls and vultures — can learn at Audubon Community Nature Center’s Birds of Prey Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Licensed raptor rehabilitator Mark Baker will be at the Nature Center with several of his birds that are unable to be released back into the wild.
Eagle Dream Rehabilitation Center, Baker’s non-profit in Olean, rehabilitates birds of prey and works to teach the public more about them.
The public can visit with Baker and his hawks and owls throughout the event or sit in on one of his presentations at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Visitors will hear stories about his birds, get an up-close look at hunters that normally stay far from people and learn the amazing adaptations that help them survive.
Attendees will also be able to take apart an owl pellet and reassemble the skeleton inside to learn what the owl ate.
There will be related crafts and behind-the-scenes guided tours where volunteers take care of Liberty, Audubon’s non-releasable bald eagle.
After completing specific activities, Scouts and other children will be able to purchase Bird of Prey patches for $3.
Audubon’s Blue Heron Gift Shop will feature owl finger and hand puppets as well as related books for both adults and children.
Admission is $8, $6 for Nature Center members and children 3-15, and free for children 2 and under. Reservations are appreciated at (716) 569-2345 or through AudubonCNC.org/Programs, “Current Schedule.” Walk-ins are welcome.
Audubon Community Nature Center is at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren, Pa., and online at auduboncnc.org.
