WINTER RAPTOR FEST 2012 PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED! Steven Schoenberg of Clifton Park took First Prize with this terrific winning entry of the Snowy Owl just before his release titled “Last Hug”
John Decker of Queensbury took Second Place with a great photo of an American Kestrel; see all winning photos…
A few photos from a terrific weekend (Snowy Owl Release & Kestrel courtesy Gordon Ellmers); click to see photo gallery…
About Winter Raptor Fest
Hawks and owls demonstrate their aerial agility in an exciting free-flight raptor show on both days of Winter Raptor Fest weekend! Live Bird of Prey programs offer plenty of chances to see and learn about the owls, falcons and hawks that depend on the Washington County Grasslands Important Bird Area, or IBA for their survival. Horse-drawn sleigh rides, Guided Snowshoe Walks, activities for kids, exhibitors, vendors and more round out this fun and exciting weekend where raptors rule! Remember your cameras and enter those great shots in our Photo Contest!
Friends of the IBA Event co-sponsored by Washington County Tourism Association; GlensFalls.com is presenting business sponsor
Special thanks to the Town of Fort Edward and Town Highway Department for their support and assistance.
About the Washington County Grasslands IBA
This unique site received National Audubon Society’s Important Bird Area, or IBA, designation from Audubon New York over a decade ago. The Washington County Grasslands IBA is critical to the survival of Short-eared Owls in New York State. It also supports nearly a dozen other threatened, at-risk and rapidly declining grassland bird species, including Northern Harriers, Upland Sandpipers, American Kestrels, Eastern Meadowlarks and Grasshopper Sparrows more…
Birds-at-Risk
Short-eared Owls are one of the few owl species active during daylight hours. In winter, they often gather in small flocks around dusk, swooping over and under each other and exchanging sharp, yip-like cries before flying off to hunt.
Short-eared Owls nest and roost on the ground, but you can often find them roosting on fence posts or hay bales on their wintering grounds in the IBA. Look for these endearing owls early to mid-morning or late afternoons, especially on overcast days. Keep a respectful distance and you’ll be rewarded with great views and photo ops, as well as an experience you’ll always treasure!
Status: Endangered
Northern Harriers Like the Short-eareds, these slender raptors hunt on the wing, coursing low over the contours of the land – at times just a few feet above the ground. They can cover over 100 miles a day in their search for the mice and voles that are their usual prey! The beautiful grey plumage and clean white underside of the male has earned him the nickname “Grey Ghost.”
Both the male and the larger mottled brown female sport an owl-like facial disk of feathers and a prominent white rump patch. Unlike most raptors these birds nest on the ground, making them more vulnerable to human disturbance and predators. Several pairs are known to breed and winter in the Washington County Grasslands IBA.
Status: Threatened
View other threatened and at-risk birds that breed in the Washington County Grasslands IBA.
Annual Event Highlights from 2011:
New York State Museum Family Fun Day - October
October brings a fun-filled family day at the New York State Museum in Albany co-sponsored by the museum and Friends of the Washington County Grasslands IBA. Live Birds of Prey star in presentations by The Wildlife Institute of Eastern NY, Adirondack Wildlife Refuge & Rehab Center and New York State Wildlife Rehab Council, with additional presentations about the endangered and at-risk birds and their habitats by NYS DEC and Audubon. Museum activities for kids offer a fun way to learn about birds …more
returns November 17, 2012!
Friends of the IBA Juried Art Show – September 2011
Call for Entries for the 1st annual Friends of the IBA Juried Art Show hosted by Crandall Public Library in September. Art Show & Artist Reception will be highlighted by a “Raptor Awareness Day” on September 17th (see below) … Art Show details
Raptor Awareness Day – September
Live Birds of Prey presentations by North Country Wild Care, Adirondack Wildlife Refuge & Rehab Center and The Wildlife Institute of Eastern NY help us raise awareness of endangered and at-risk birds of the Washington County Grasslands Important Bird Area and highlight the Friends of the IBA Juried Art Show. This exciting free event in downtown Glens Falls features exhibitor tables, Raffle, more!… Schedule & Details
Returns September 8, 2012!
We’d like to offer a special thanks to Mannix Marketing’s Jamie Clechenko for the terrific Winter Raptor Fest logo featured in the header above and Adirondack.net’s Destiny Malone and photographer Gordon Ellmers for the great new Friends of the IBA logo!
Friends of the Washington County Grasslands IBA is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness of and protection for endangered and at-risk birds of the Washington County Grasslands Important Bird Area. We will continue to with other nonprofits, local businesses and the community to promote tourism to the region as we work toward our goal of a Nature Center. Events like Winter Raptor Fest provide fun and educational opportunities for youth and adults to see and learn about the birds and their habitat.
photos courtesy Connie Bush
