Getting Up Close And Personal With Birds Of Prey
Birds of prey are one of the most fascinating wildlife families found in the Inland Northwest.
When you drive past agricultural fields, you’ll see hawks perched on poles or posts, their keen sight looking for a meal.
And without owls, hawks and other species of raptors, the grain fields would be overrun with field mice and other rodents.
Raptors are hard to photograph or see up-close in the wild because they are wary of humans. One of the best places to see these talented, winged predators is at birds of prey centers. Here are three locations within a day’s drive of Spokane.
Alberta Birds of Prey Centre
The Alberta Birds of Prey Centre is in Coaldale, about a 10-minute drive east of Lethbridge and about an hour north of Waterton Lakes National Park. The center rehabilitates wounded or orphaned hawks, eagles and owls until they have recovered and can be released back into the wild.
The center also has a captive breeding program, using raptors that cannot be returned to their natural habitat. The program has helped re-establish a population of burrowing owls, an endangered species.
The center is open daily, May 1 through mid-October. Flying demonstrations (weather permitting) are conducted each afternoon to exercise the birds. Be sure to bring your camera for some excellent closeups. You can even have your photo taken holding a live raptor. No admission is charged, but visitors can adopt a raptor of their choice through a donation. Call (403) 345-4262.
Oregon’s High Desert Museum
The High Desert Museum is a few miles south of Bend. Its “living museum” concept celebrates the region’s natural and cultural history with static and live exhibits.
The interpretive programs on the flora and fauna of Bend’s high desert habitat are very popular, especially the one on birds of prey. Shows are conducted daily with live hawks, eagles and owls. Admission is charged. (503) 382-4754.
Idaho’s Snake River Birds of Prey Area
The Snake River Birds of Prey Area is located near Kuna, southwest of Boise. The area is under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, (208-384-3300).
There are over 600 pairs of 15 raptor species nesting in the area, one of the most dense raptor nesting populations in the world. Access is by road or river. The best time for viewing raptors is from mid-March to mid-June.
The road access is from Kuna. Take exit 44 on Interstate 84 and go south for eight miles to Kuna. Then, drive south on Swan Falls Road for six miles to the area’s northern boundary. The road passes through several prey habitats for about nine miles before reaching the interpretive trail, leading to an overlook 400 feet above the Snake River. No admission is charged.
River access is by guided float tours. Snake River Birds of Prey Expeditions (208-922-5285) provides raft floats through the area from April through mid-June. Prices range from $50-$89, depending on meals and guest speaker arrangements. The company offers about 20 scheduled tours during the peak nesting period. Special group tours are available.