By Vernon Matters Staff

Raptors return to nature centre

Jun 30, 2019 | 7:00 AM

The Raptors will be coming to Vernon — the birds, not the basketball champs.

The birds of prey will be featured at the Allan Brooks Nature Centre July 4 to 7.

“While these Raptors aren’t known for their basketball handling skills, they are known for being fierce and do have their own fan base in the area,” a news release from Julie Melanson, marketing and communications for the centre, said.

Jury, the turkey vulture, Elton the spectacled owl, Kessy the American kestrel and Tuari the Harris’s Hawk will be at the Centre for flight demonstrations and encounter sessions, giving people a chance to get up close and personal with the amazing predators.

Joining the birds will be the Raptors team, a small group of caring, knowledgeable biologists and raptor enthusiasts dedicated to the conservation of birds of prey.

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“The team demonstrates the essential role raptors play in our natural habitats through meeting and viewing the birds in flight, while teaching about the critical roles they play in the ecosystem. The team will pick out two more “surprise” birds to join them for the demonstrations at the Nature Centre,” Melanson added.

Flight demonstrations allow spectators to get a close look at the different bird species.

(submitted photo/Allan Brooks Nature Centre)

Morning, afternoon and evening sessions are held at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 6 p.m. and are 30 to 40 minutes long.

Tickets can be purchased in advance with adults $16, youth $9, seniors $12 and a family of four is $45 ($5 for each family member).

Visitors can also sign up for the Encounter Session, a small group experience that connects individuals with the birds while fostering appreciation and an understanding of them.

“The Raptor Encounter Course will allow participants an up close experience with a chance for a bird to land on their glove. There are two sessions a day. The one hour sessions start at 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., with a limit of eight people per session. General admission is $65,” Melanson said.

Tickets available for both sessions online at www.abnc.ca.

by Vernon Matters Staff

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