SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Live birds of prey are coming to West Virginia state parks and forests this late summer. The Wings of Wonder – West Virginia Birds of Prey program is presented by Three Rivers Avian Center (TRAC) of Brooks, West Virginia.

The one-hour program, which is free and open to the public, introduces attendees to six live birds of prey native to the Mountain State. Each bird is presented on the glove, one at a time, along with a conversation about the history of the animal’s rehabilitation as well as its habit and habitats.

“The opportunity to see a hawk or owl up close never grows old,” said Kanawha State Forest Superintendent Chris Bartley. “Wings of Wonder is a popular program that engages all ages. TRAC helps the audience understand the importance of raptors and encourages questions and provides answers.”

Kanawha State Forest hosts TRAC Sept. 14 as a finale for the Margaret Denison Fall Nature Walks weekend.

“Wings of Wonder – West Virginia Birds of Prey” schedule

• Cacapon Resort State Park – Aug. 9, 7:30 p.m.
• Lost River State Park – Aug. 10, 2 p.m.
• Holly River State Park – Aug. 17, 2 p.m.
• Twin Falls Resort State Park – Aug. 24, 7 p.m.
• Audra State Park – Aug. 31, 7 p.m.
• Kanawha State Forest – Sept. 14, 1 p.m.
• Pipestem Resort State Park – Sept. 14, 7 p.m.
• Tygart Lake State Park – Sept. 21, 7 p.m.

About Three Rivers Avian Center

Three Rivers Avian Center tours the state park system with non-releasable birds as a platform to discuss not just the reason the educational birds cannot be returned to the wild, but also the many ways people can help wild birds avoid problems adapting to the changing environment around them.

Ron and Wendy Perrone are “Wings of Wonder” presenters. Three Rivers Avian Center is a private 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to wild bird conservation and to educating and involving people in ecosystem stewardship since 1990. More information is available at www.tracwv.org.
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