Around 250 raptor fans admired beautiful birds of prey at FODM’s annual Raptor Rapture on April 21, 2018, a beautiful, sunny day in Belle Haven Park.  Raptor Conservancy of Virginia experts brought an Eastern screech owl (Megascops asio), a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), a red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus), an American kestrel (Falco sparverius) and a merlin (Falco columbarius), all “rescue birds.” 

People of all ages enjoyed the birds.The birds had been injured and cannot survive on their own.  Collisions with vehicles are common causes of injury.  Ellena Pollock, Karen Shumake and Searra Byrd from the Conservancy explained that raptors have hooked beaks, keen vision and powerful talons.  Most feed on rodents and other small animals.

FODM thanks National Park Service staff, Brent O’Neill, Miguel Robinson and Kelly Clark for partnering with us.

Photos for this essay were contributed by Glenda Booth.