Inspector, a spectacled owl, is one of the stars of The Raptors which will be at Allan Brooks Nature Centre July 4-9 (Dale Eurich photo)

By Pete McIntyre

Shows in July

Raptors make early return to nature centre

Jun 5, 2023 | 6:30 AM

The Raptors will be bringing their grace, power and beauty to Vernon’s Allan Brooks Nature Centre again this summer — but their flight plan will be earlier than last year.

The show featuring the birds of prey that hunt with their feet, will be at the picturesque centre from July 4-9 as part of a Western Canadian tour.

“We actually moved the date up a few weeks to try and avoid the extreme heat and potential smoke,” ABNC manager Cheryl Hood said. “These presentations appeal to every age group, allowing people to get closer than they might otherwise. We really want people to participate so they can understand the importance of our local wildlife. This is an opportunity to emphasize the need for preservation of our wildlife before it’s lost forever.”

The stars of the show this year will consist of six magnificent birds. The actual line-up is a mystery but could include a Harris’s Hawk, Red-Tailed Hawk, Kestrel, Turkey Vulture, Screech Owl, Spectacled Owl, and Peregrine Falcon.

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Based in Duncan B.C., The Raptors’ visit to the nature centre is a fundraiser and helps promote awareness.

“Having these birds of prey demonstrate their power and finesse at the Centre is something we really look forward to,” Hood said. “ABNC doesn’t have access to government funding, so events like this ensure our programs can continue. This fundraiser is a huge boost, and we’re thrilled to have The Raptors back.”

Jury, a turkey vulture, is part of The Raptors. (Richard Hues photo)

Education and awareness are key elements of the event. ABNC education coordinator, Alexis Olynyk, believes The Raptors are an example of the need to learn about our wildlife.

“When The Raptors are here, people take the time to discover more about these amazing birds. It’s more than just seeing them fly. It’s learning about their behaviors, what they eat, what makes them unique, and their crucial roles in nature,” Olynyk said.

An example is the recovery of ospreys in recent years. Once almost at the point of extinction because of industrial chemicals, awareness led to changes making recovery for the species possible.

Robyn Radcliffe, director of operations at The Raptors, said her organization’s goal is to inspire a sense of personal responsibility for the future of both birds of prey and the planet.

“We’re dedicated to the conservation of raptors and wildlife, and we love to share this passion with everyone we can,” Radcliffe explained. “The partnership with ABNC allows us to bring these wonderful birds to the Okanagan, and share why they’re so essential to our ecosystems. We are so pleased to be returning to the Allan Brooks Nature Centre.”

The Raptors’ presentations run daily between July 4 and 9 and include demonstrations for larger crowds (observation only) and private encounters (personal, up-close interaction) for groups of up to six people.

Radcliffe said the experiences make the need for conservation more real for people.

“It’s up to us, as humans, to protect our wild places, and find balance again with nature. By bringing people closer to our birds of prey we hope we can help inspire a love for nature, and in turn, a future where birds and humans can live in balance.”

Event tickets are sold separately and available now through Ticket Seller.

For more information about ABNC and The Raptors, go to https://abnc.ca/