Winter Raptor Fest 2019 Program Schedule
Saturday, May 18th 2019 – 10 AM to 4 PM
Please do not try to touch the birds or animals, for your own safety and theirs! THIS IS A NO SMOKING EVENT
11:00 AM: “Predators of the Sky” – Vermont Institute of Natural Science
What makes raptors such effective predators of the sky? VINS educators introduce you to many of our native hawks, owls and falcons as they reveal the adaptations and skills that help these birds rule the air in this exciting free-flight demonstration!
VINS Photo
12:00 PM: “Wildlife Alive” – New York State Wildlife Rehab Council
NYSWRC President Kelly Martin shares new stories about the owls, hawks, falcons and other birds she’s rehabbed and tips on what to do when you find orphaned or injured wildlife.
Photo: Kelly with a rescued Short-eared owl. These owls are declining across much of North America and listed as endangered in New York State and the Northeast U.S.
Photo courtesy Sandi Sullivan
1:00 PM: “The Face of Climate Change” – Adirondack Wildlife Refuge & Rehab Center
Learn about the very real impact our changing climate has on native wildlife and the ecosystems they depend on for their survival from AWR Director Wendy Hall. You’ll meet a Peregrine falcon, fox and other indicator species suffering from the effects of climate change.
Photo courtesy Gordon Ellmers
2:00 PM: “Raptors of North America” – The Wildlife Institute of Eastern NY
TWIENY Director Trish Marki introduces you to a variety of owls, hawks and falcons, from a tiny Screech owl to an endangered Alpomado falcon and majestic Great horned owl! See the birds up close as you learn about their behavior and issues that impact them in the wild.
Photo courtesy Terry Hawthorne
3:00 PM: “Winged Wonders” – Vermont Institute of Natural Science
See birds of prey take flight before your eyes! A variety of raptors defy gravity to demonstrate their aeronautic prowess as VINS Educators uncover the mysteries of flight.
Photo courtesy Gordon Ellmers
WILD Encounter!
Meet live owls, hawks and falcons and a few mammals in the habitats they depend on for their survival! NEW Arctic habitat: See Snowy owls, Short-eared owls and other raptors that winter in the Washington County Grasslands on their Arctic breeding grounds!
Funded through grants from International Paper Foundation and New York State Conservation Partnership Program
(photo courtesy Sandi Sullivan)
Horse-drawn Birding Wagon!
Take a horse-drawn wagon ride on a one-of-a-kind family birding adventure! Test your spotting skills and try to identify a variety of life-sized bird cutouts along the trail. Be sure to record any live birds you see! FREE drawings for give-aways for kids
(photo courtesy Sandi Sullivan)
Kids Activities & more!
Raptor Photo Booth, “For the Birds” store, Kids’ Activities, food vendors, and more round out this exciting weekend where raptors rule!
Wildlife Photographer Gordon Ellmers will sign prints from 12pm – 2pm on both days (visit our INFO Table in the Activity Building)
(photo courtesy Melanie LaFond)
Owl Sponsors
Sunday, May 19th 2019 – 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
All Winter Raptor Fest programs and activities – except birding wagon – take place under cover.
11:30 AM: “Predators of the Sky” – Vermont Institute of Natural Science
What makes raptors such effective predators of the sky? VINS educators introduce you to many of our native hawks, owls and falcons as they reveal the adaptations and skills that help these birds rule the air in this exciting free-flight demonstration!
Photo courtesy Gordon Ellmers
12:30 PM: “Woodland Raptors” – Whispering Willow Wild Care
WWWC Director Joyce Perry introduces you to some of the raptors that inhabit the woods around us. Learn who is screeching, screaming or hooting in the dark, how woodland hawks and owls are uniquely adapted for life in the forest and much more in this fascinating presentation about some of our most secretive raptors.
Photo courtesy Gordon Ellmers
1:30 PM: “Whoo Cares About the Arctic?” – Adirondack Wildlife Refuge & Rehab Center
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) supports 36 mammal species and more than 200 species of birds, including state-endangered Short-eared owls and the majestic Snowy owls that winter in the Washington County Grasslands! Meet these Arctic residents as you learn about this vital habitat and the birds and animals that depend on it for their survival.
Photo ©2010 Paul Bannick/PaulBannick.com
2:30 PM: “Raptors of North America” – The Wildlife Institute of Eastern NY
TWIENY Director Trish Marki introduces you to a variety of owls, hawks and falcons, from a tiny Screech owl to an endangered Alpomado falcon! See the birds up close as you learn about their behavior and the issues that impact them in the wild.
Photo courtesy Sandi Sullivan
3:30 PM: “Winged Wonders” – Vermont Institute of Natural Science
See birds of prey take flight before your eyes! A variety of raptors defy gravity to demonstrate their aeronautic prowess as VINS Educators uncover the mysteries of flight.
Photo courtesy Sandi Sullivan
Elite Honorary Committee
Constance Hasko & David Hasko
Honorary Committee
Jane & Ken Robbins, Stephen & Arlene Davie, Todd Scheuermann & Karen Hunter, Mack Brook Farm, Beth & Richard Saunders, William Green, Kathleen R. Roberts, John Kent, Linda & David McAllister, Debbie Kidalowski, Richard Speidel, Frank Reilly, Eileen Hurley
Special Thanks
Washington County Fair, Karen Chapman, 2019 WILD Encounter Committee (Mary Beth, Antoinette, Jon, Laurie & Mark), 2019 Winter Raptor Fest Committee (Ron, Scott, Keith, Laurie, Sandy A., Mark J., Elizabeth N., Jeff & Mike M.), Steve Sanford, Brookside Nursery, Pember Museum, NYS DEC, Little Theater on the Farm, Gordon Ellmers and all our WRF 2019 Live Bird of Prey educators and volunteers!