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Natural Awakenings Westchester / Putnam / Dutchess New York

Birds of Prey Day at Green Chimneys: June 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Grey Falcon at Green Chimneys Birds of Prey Day

In June, Green Chimneys will continue its traditional annual display of more than 100 birds of prey, with the help of falconers from across New York and Connecticut.

Green Chimneys is a nonprofit primarily serving children with special needs through a therapeutic education and treatment program focused on natured-based and animal-assisted activities. Part of its therapeutic programming involves its Farm and Wildlife Center, which is home to more than 200 domesticated farm animals and wildlife, including 50 birds of prey, such as an Andean condor, a Griffon vulture, hawks, falcons, owls, crows and permanently disabled bald and golden eagles. Green Chimneys launched Birds of Prey Day more than 25 years ago as a fundraiser to build its first aviary.

This year’s Birds of Prey Day will be held June 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Green Chimneys, which is located at 400 Doansburg Road in Brewster. The cost of admission is $15 for adults, $5 for children and seniors and $35 for families. Scouts in uniform and military members with an ID will be admitted free.

Visitors will have a chance to get up close and personal with eagles, hawks, owls and falcons and learn from top wildlife and environmental experts such as Jim Fowler of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, Jonathan Wood of The Raptor Project, Bill Robinson Wildlife Lectures, Brian Bradley of Skyhunters in Flight, James Eyring of Pace Environmental Center, Erik Callender of Erik’s Reptile Edventures, Nature Nick’s Animal Adventures, Two By Two Zoo and the New York State Falconry Association.

The event’s highlights will include free-flying raptors and live animal demonstrations, as well as the release of a rehabilitated bird with the help of a graduating student. “This is a very significant moment for Green Chimneys’ staff and student rehabilitators, as well as the numerous wildlife professionals in attendance,” says Paul Kupchok, an animal expert, Green Chimneys’ wildlife rehabilitator and the chief coordinator of Birds of Prey Day. There will also be four-footed, or “no-footed,” surprise guests.

For more info, visit GreenChimneys.org.