Editor’s note 02/08/22: Please note, the Winter Raptor Fest has been postponed indefinitely.
Content Sponsored By Grassland Bird Trust
Winter Raptor Fest provides an exclusive opportunity to get up close and personal with live birds of prey and other animals every year. Find out why this year’s professionally produced and filmed virtual event is a can’t-miss fall festival.
Winter Raptor Fest Goes Virtual for 2020
Do you enjoy Animal Planet-type shows? Learning about and seeing wild animals? Supporting local nonprofits that protect some of our most vulnerable creatures? Grassland Bird Trust’s 2020 Winter Raptor Fest brings you all that and more in a reimagined virtual experience scheduled to begin streaming on October 18.
Not every festival can pull this off in a way that still presents a fun, engaging event, GBT has pulled together an impressive lineup of events including flight demonstrations by master falconers and virtual encounters with the raptors, a live lynx, and other animals that draw you into the action from start to finish!
Here’s the Robust Schedule of Events
GBT has paired up with Look Media and Junda Video Enterprises to ensure a professionally designed and directed event. This goes way beyond producing your own Facebook Live video. Here are a few highlights you don’t want to miss:
- Meet and learn about native owls that only come out at night.
- See hawks and falcons in flight as you learn about the adaptions that let them rule the skies in exciting free-flight demonstrations by master falconers.
- Meet a live lynx – a type of big cat especially suited to survive frigid weather – and learn about threats to their boreal habitat.
- Meet short-eared owls and other imperiled grassland raptors and these birds in their habitat, learn about their important role they plan in all their lives.
All programs will be filmed live from the Washington County Fairgrounds in professionally designed “natural” grassland and woodland habitats.
See the full schedule and more details >>
Learn From Professionals in Their Fields
The people you’ll meet along the way are just as impressive as the animals. Mark Manske for instance, who is slated to head up Raptors in Flight, is a master falconer. He’s been published in several scientific journals and has published two children’s books. He’ll share stories about the scientific research projects he participates in during his free-flight presentation, including Project Snowstorm (Snowy Owl research) and the Kestrel Nestbox Project.
Kelly Martin, President of the New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, has been rehabbing animals for over 30 years. She will share stories about her experiences with some of the raptors she has rehabbed and give you tips on what you should do when you find injured or orphaned wild animals.
The many people involved in the Winter Raptor Fest are dedicated professionals in their field who have put an exorbitant amount of time into protecting our local wildlife. All you have to do to support their efforts and enjoy the event is make a donation to reserve your Viewing Pass.
Find Out How It Works & Get Your Viewing Pass
WRF 2020 Goes Virtual is scheduled to begin streaming on October 18. After you purchase your Viewing Pass (make a donation) you will receive a link to begin viewing at 9am on October 18. The best news is it’s not just good for that day – you and your family will be able to view this virtual event as often as you like through November 30.
Viewing Passes start at $25 ($20 for GBT members) for a family, with additional benefits for larger donations. For example, make a $100 donation and you’ll also receive a one-year family membership to GBT and a free Bird Collective tee-shirt (or $40 off your Bird Collective Order).
What Are You Waiting For?
Make your donation to reserve your Viewing Pass today. You’ll enjoy “front row seats” to this virtual show from the comfort of your home and support GBT’s work to permanently protect endangered and threatened grassland birds.
