golden villageBOOTHBAY HARBOR – You are invited to meet some of the world’s most spectacular raptors at St. Andrews Village on Saturday, May 28. Wind over Wings, a nonprofit wildlife education center, will present “Birds of Prey” at St. Andrews Village Saturday at 2 p.m.
The program is free and suitable for all ages, including children. Educator Hope Douglas will introduce four avian co-educators, including Skywalker, a Golden Eagle, Sassafras, an Eastern Screech Owl, Queen Solomon (Sollie) a Great Horned Owl and Isis, a Peregrine Falcon.
All of the birds have been injured and are no longer able to live in the wild, said Douglas, President and founder of Wind over Wings. During the program, Douglas will tell the bird’s stories and explain how their species lives in the wild.
By allowing people to connect with rare and beautiful birds of prey, the program hopes to inspire adults and children to become stewards of the environment. I think their stories of survival and resilience can be so inspiring to people going though hard times,” said Douglas. All of the animals have made major life adjustments and are adjusting to life in captivity with humor, she said. Skywalker, the program’s golden eagle, was intentionally shot when he was about 2 and arrived at Wind over Wings after going through a wing amputation. At first he was very angry, said Douglas, but he has come to enjoy the interaction with people, making eye contact with the audience and singing – although he actually sounds a bit like a duck, she said.
The Golden Eagle may have a wingspan of over 6 feet and gets its name from the golden-tipped feathers on its crown and neck. Golden eagles live in mountainous areas of Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America.
Sassafras, the program’s Eastern Screech-Owl was discovered by a home owner in his chimney after he lit a fire one evening. The home owner quickly put the fire out but Sassafras suffered head trauma and optic nerve damage.
The Eastern Screech-Owl is a small tufted owl known for its shrill voice. It lives in hollowed-out trees or old woodpecker holes in woodlots, forests, orchards and parks.
Queen Solomon (“Sollie), a Great Horned Owl, fell from her nest in the winter of 1997 and was rescued by a 90-year-old lady who saw her fall. Because she was not returned to her nest, Sollie grew to identify with humans. The Great Horned Owl is a resident of New England and lives in forests, mountains, open deserts and even suburban woodlots. The largest and most powerful owl, it uses its acute hearing to catch grouse, frogs, and small mammals. Isis, the program’s Peregrine Falcon, was rescued after she was hit by a car, fracturing her wing. She is very curious and intelligent and has an unusual ability to adjust to new situations. Peregrine Falcons are the fastest animals on earth, reaching a diving flight speed of 240 miles per hour. They catch their food in flight and live close to rivers on coasts with cliffs or bluffs, as well as in cities with high buildings. For more information about the event or about St. Andrews Village, please call Wendy Roberts at 633-0920.
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