Bird of Prey Days 2023
Bird of Prey Days 2023
2023 Bird of Prey Days
Braddock Bay is home to one of the most spectacular spring raptor migrations in the country! Join Braddock Bay Raptor Research in this annual event to learn about hawks, eagles, falcons, owls and others, and support our conservation efforts.
There will be activities for ALL ages at BOP Days, both indoors and out—so come rain or shine!
This year’s theme is Migration Marvels. So many birds undergo amazing journeys each year, traveling to and from their breeding and wintering grounds. Learn about a variety of species that pass through Braddock Bay and beyond, as well as what researchers do to study them.
The schedule is listed below. Many programs will require registration due to limited seating. Registration links are now live! Check the schedule below or visit our Events Page. We cannot wait to have you visit this year!
BOP Days 2023 Online Auction
COMING SOON!!
Take part in BBRR’s Bird of Prey Days Online Auction and get a chance to win some awesome prizes while helping support the raptors and our programming. Prizes include artwork, bird houses, gift baskets, raptor programs, and more! The auction will start on April 26 and close on May 3 at 9 pm.
BOP Days Auction Ends
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Friday, April 28, 2023
7:00pm - Birds on the Move! Migration at Braddock Bay
Learn how important Braddock Bay is for migrating birds, and marvel at the journeys birds take each year. This program will feature some of BBRR’s raptor ambassadors.
Presented by Daena Ford, president of BBRR and Andrea Patterson from Braddock Bay Bird Observatory
Seating is limited. Walk-ins are welcome but seating cannot be guaranteed. To ensure a spot, REGISTER NOW!
8:00 Sunset Walk and Owl Prowl
Join BBRR’s Jill Heimrich as she leads you through Braddock Bay Park as the sun sets, looking for critters that are active in the early evening, including owls!
No registration required. Meet at the lodge at Braddock Bay Park.
Saturday, April 29, 2023
8:00 am - Morning Bird Walk at Firehouse Woods - hosted by GVAS
Search a local hotspot for migrant birds with guides from the Genesee Valley Audubon Society.
Registration required through Genesee Valley Audubon Society HERE.
10:00am - Awesome Ospreys
An interactive program for kids and their families.
Presenter: Nick Hadad as The Incredible Hawk
Limited Seating – REGISTER HERE!
10:30 am - Hawkwatch BINGO!
A great way for kids and families to learn about what’s spotted at the Braddock Bay hawkwatch! Win some great prizes!
11:00am - Owl Migration at Braddock Bay
Learn about the Northern Saw-whet Owl and Long-eared Owl that use the Owl Woods at Braddock Bay
Presenters: Jim Adams, Owl Roost Survey Coordinator, BBRR
Limited Seating – REGISTER HERE!
12:00 pm - Kids' Craft: Owl Mask Workshop
Kids can make a fun owl mask and meet BBRR’s Great Horned Owl. All children must be accompanied by and adult.
1:00pm - Talk on the Wild Side with Hawk Creek - LIVE Bird Presentation
Meet 6 different species of raptors that reside at Hawk Creek Wildlife Center.
Limited Seating – REGISTER HERE!
2:30 - Owl Pellet Dissection & Discussion
Discover what’s inside owl pellets and learn about owl digestion and their role as predators in the environment.
Presenter: Alyssa Johnson, The Barehanded Naturalist
Additional registration fee. Limited Seating REGISTER HERE!
Sunday, April 30, 2023
10:00am - Help a Hawk
An interactive program for kids of all ages. Meet one of BBRR’s education hawks!
Presenter: Nick Hadad as The Incredible Hawk
Limited Seating – REGISTER HERE!
10:00am - 2:00pm - Meet and Greet Live Raptors from Wolcottsville Wildlife
No registration required. Come visit throughout the day from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
Presenter: Wolcottsville Wildlife
10:30 am - Hawkwatching 101
Come get some identification pointers and visit the hawkwatch to put them to the test. Great for beginners, also fun for intermediately skilled watchers.
Presenter: Daena Ford & David Brown, BBRR
Limited Seating – REGISTER HERE!
11:30am - Captain Swoop's Migration Flight Academy
Learn about falcons and migration from Captain Swoop!
Presenter: Nick Hadad, from ROC Animal School as Captain Swoop
Limited Seating – REGISTER HERE!
12:00pm - Rendering Raptors - sketching workshop
Get the opportunity to observe and sketch live raptors, with instruction from art teacher, Cindy Zauski. Appropriate for kids and adults.
Presenter: Cindy Zauski
Limited Seating – REGISTER HERE!
1:00pm - Hawkwatch BINGO!
A great way for kids and families to learn about what’s spotted at the Braddock Bay hawkwatch! Win some great prizes!
2:00 - The Red-tailed Hawk Project
The Red-tailed Hawk Project is a research collaboration focused on the ecology and evolution of one of North America’s most common and beloved raptors.
In this presentation, Bryce Robinson will outline the work of the Red-tailed Hawk Project, including the goals of the working group and their approach to data collection. Bryce will also share preliminary results from the project’s extensive tracking efforts to better understand movement in migratory populations.
Presenter: Bryce W. Robinson, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Sharp-shinned Hawk Study Updates
Photo above, taken by Eliana Heiser, is a Sharp-shinned Hawk from the 2022 spring banding season.
For the latest updates on the Sharp-shinned Hawk Study that BBRR banders have been participating in, go to our Sharp-shinned Hawk Study page.
This page will provide you with reports, information and resources for banders who wish to participate in the study. Now available is a summary report of the last three spring seasons by Braddock Bay Raptor Research, as well as the last three fall seasons from Cedar Grove Ornithological Research Station.
2021 Bird of Prey Week Schedule
2021 Bird of Prey Week Schedule
2021 Bird of Prey Week
Braddock Bay Raptor Research is excited to announce that not only will we be able to offer live programming this year but we are also expanding Bird of Prey Days back to a full week’s worth of programming. Our full week of events will offer both virtual programs as well as live programs located at and around Braddock Bay Park.
This year’s theme is “Small But Mighty” and highlights smaller birds of prey, and the little things we humans can do to help wildlife.
The schedule is just about complete! Registration is NOW OPEN for all in-person programs on May 1 & 2, as well as some of the virtual programs during the week. Check the schedule below or visit our Events Page. We cannot wait to have you visit this year!
BOP Week 2021 Online Auction
Take part in BBRR’s Bird of Prey Week Online Auction and get a chance to win some awesome prizes while helping support the raptors and our programming. Prizes include artwork, bird houses, gift baskets, raptor programs, and more!
BOP Week Auction Closes
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Monday, April 26, 2021
Virtual Programs
1:00pm - A Day in the Life of a Wildlife Rehabilitator
From screech owls to black bears, find out what it takes to be a wildlife rehabilitor. Learn about the patients and meet the raptor education ambassadors of Kindred Kingdoms.
Presenter: Jean Soprano, Kindred Kingdoms Wildlife Rehabilitation
7:00pm - Spring Raptor Migration at Braddock Bay
This presentation will introduce you to the raptor migration that takes place at Braddock Bay every spring season. Learn about some remarkable raptors and the various ways BBRR studies the migration and the birds including the hawkwatch, raptor banding program, and owl roost surveys. Find out about the dedicated work of our volunteer crew and how you can participate in activities that support raptor conservation.
Presenter: Daena Ford, President BBRR
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
Virtual Programs
10:00am - Survival by Degrees: 389 Bird Species on the Brink
Two-thirds of North American birds are at increasing risk of extinction from global temperature rise. Survival by Degrees uses the latest science to predict how ranges might shift under future climate increase as little as between 1.5 and 3 degrees. This information provides the insight we need to help birds persevere. The study, first released in October of 2019, includes data from 140 million observations of where birds live, recorded by millions of birders and scientist around the world and over many decades. Come learn what changes we might expect, and how individual efforts can help make a difference.
Loretta will share this study developed by Audubon, Cornell Labs, and other global partners, and show what changes have been projected for the our area. Participants will be shown how to use the visualizer so they can target in on their own zip code, as well as suggestions to help mitigate the impact of a
Presenter: Loretta Morrell, Membership Chair, Genesee Valley Audubon Society
7:00pm - Wildscaping in Any Space
Find out how humans can be good neighbors to wildlife by introducing native plants and reducing invasive ones.
Make small but doable changes in even the most urban setting. Learn to evaluate your space and introduce Natives to replace Invasive plants, add to existing gardens, attract pollinators, birds and welcome wildlife.
Presenter: Carol Erb, Master Gardener and BBRR Educator
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Virtual Programs
10:00am - Simple Organic Practices from the Ground Up
Learn simple organic practices and products to protect and benefit wildlife, pollinators, Humans and pets. Find out where to begin from the ground up with fun and doable small acts that make a BIG IMPACT!
Get the dirt on compost, mulch, fertilizers, yard maintenance practices, pesticides, reading plant and seed labels in order to create a healthier oasis for ALL in your own backyard.
Presenter: Carol Erb, Master Gardener and BBRR Educator
1:00pm - Bald Eagles: Back from the Brink
Join Montezuma Audubon Center Environmental Educator, Alyssa Johnson, for a virtual program detailing the conservation success story of Bald Eagles in New York State. Once on the brink of extirpation, their numbers have rebounded significantly and are no longer listed as an endangered species- Federally, or at the state level. Learn how the Montezuma Wetlands Complex played an incredible role in the reintroduction of Bald Eagles in New York, and where you can enjoy seeing them in the wild today.
Presenter: Alyssa Johnson, Montezuma Audubon Center Educator
Thursday, April 29, 2021
Virtual Programs
10:30am - Screech Owls!
Screech owls are common and widespread in the Eastern US but can also be secretive. They are often heard but can be hard to see. Learn about the biology of the screech owl, it’s habits and habitats and how you can possibly attract one to your landscape. A guest appearance from the Helmer Nature Center’s educational Eastern Screech Owl will be part of the program – you won’t want to miss it!
Presenters: Liz Magnanti, President of the Rochester Birding Association and Manager of The Bird House; Helmer Nature Center Staff with Sherlock the Eastern Screech Owl.
1:00pm - Owl Migration at Braddock Bay
Learn about the importance of Braddock Bay’s Owl Woods as a migration stopover for Northern Saw-whet Owls and Long-eared Owls.
Presenter: Jim Adams, Owl Roost Survey Coordinator, BBRR
7:00 PM Tiny, Tough & Terrific Birds!
A new Prius gets 55 miles to the gallon – but a Blackpoll Warbler gets 720,000, and on just a few grams of fat he can fly 2000 miles nonstop over the ocean as he migrates from New Jersey to South America. A human needs about 2000 calories a day – but a Brown Creeper needs only ten, and just one tiny spider enables him to climb 200 feet up a tree. The world’s fastest sprinters take five steps a second – but a Ruby-throated Hummingbird beats his wings 53 times a second, and he can move forwards or backwards. These birds may be tiny, but they are capable of amazing things. In this fun talk aimed at both kids and adults, we’ll explore North America’s tiniest birds and learn just how terrific they really are.
Presenter: Andrea Patterson, Director of Braddock Bay Bird Observatory. After two decades of studying philosophy, Andrea had a not-quite-midlife career change and began studying birds instead. While still a novice birder with birds in trees, she’s an expert with birds in the hand. Just don’t ask her what her favorite bird is, because she loves them all.
Friday, April 30, 2021
Virtual Programs
7:00pm - Chasing Broadwings from Pennsylvania to Peru: Broad-winged Hawk Migration Ecology
From 2014 through 2020 Hawk Mountain has tracked 16 Broad-winged Hawks during nesting, migration, and wintering periods using satellite tracking. Because Broad-winged Hawks have declined in some parts of their range, the study is focused on understanding basic biology as well as possible conservation threats. In this talk we will share the overall findings on broad-winged hawk migration ecology, habitat use, and possible conservation threats. We will share basic biology such as length of migration, departure dates, migration speed and compare patterns in adults and young birds. We also will discuss the 2021 plans to tag hawks nesting in northeastern states to compare migration patterns among populations.
Presenter: Laurie J. Goodrich is the Director of Conservation Science at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Orwigsburg, PA. She serves on the HMANA Board of Directors and as a Fellow in the American Ornithological Society. Her favorite place to be is watching hawks at Hawk Mountain’s North Lookout.
Saturday, May 1, 2021
Virtual Programs
9:00am - Good Morning from the Banding Station
Live Stream from the BBRR Raptor Banding Station
7:00 PM - Hawk Mountain Sanctuary's American Kestrel Program
An overview of 70 years of monitoring and the new collaboration to identify population declines in the eastern flyway.
This talk will provide an overview of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary’s American kestrel monitoring effort which began in 1934 but has been a targeted project since 1970. Enjoy a detailed overview of the research techniques and findings from the oldest American kestrel nest box program. Hawk Mountain is currently spearheading an ambitious collaborative study on the eastern seaboard aiming to assess drivers for regional population trends, while providing insight into why some populations of this phenomenal farmland falcon are in decline!
Presenters: Bracken Brown, Biologist-Naturalist, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Live Events (In Person) – Registration will open soon!
10:00am - Sharp-shinned Hawk Survival Guide
An interactive program for kids and their families.
Presenter: Nick Hadad as Kele Kestrel
Limited Seating – REGISTER NOW!
10:00am - 2:00pm - Meet and Greet with Live Raptors
No registration needed. Come visit throughout the day from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
Presenter: Gary Zimmerman, Black Creek Wildlife Station
11:00am - Rehabilitation of Small Raptors, with BBRR's education birds
Learn about the reasons these raptors need rehabilitation, typical treatments, and requirements for release back to native habitat. Meet two of BBRR’s education raptors that have done through the rehab process – our Merlin and Broad-winged Hawk.
Presenter: Morgan Hapeman, Wildlife Rehabilitator, Finger Lakes Raptor Center and Daena Ford, president of BBRR
Limited Seating – REGISTER NOW!
12:30pm - American Kestrel Survival Guide
A great way for kids and families to learn about one of our smallest raptors!
Presenter: Nick Hadad as Kele Kestrel
Limited Seating – REGISTER NOW!
1:30pm - Wildflower Container Gardens Workshop
Participants will be automatically entered to win their own container garden to take home! Demonstration will include instructions for both shade and sun gardens, and wildflower seed planting. This is a great example of something small that can have a big impact on native wildlife. Free wildflower seeds will go to each participant.
This in-person Bird of Prey Week program will take place at the Donald Schleiter Lodge at Braddock Bay Park, 199 East Manitou Road. Pre-registration and payment of $5/person is required. Seating is limited to 30 people. Please check in when you arrive and note that face masks must be worn for the entire program. Contact information@bbrr.org with any questions.
Presenter: Carol Erb, Master Gardener and BBRR Educator
Limited Seating – REGISTER NOW!
Sunday, May 2, 2021
Virtual Programs
9:00am - Good Morning from the Hawkwatch
Live Stream from the Braddock Bay Hawkwatch platform
Live Events (In Person) – Registration will open soon!
10:00am - Pint Sized Predators: Saw-whet & Screech Owls
Learn about some of our smallest owl species and meet a pretty big one, too! Interactive program for kids and their families.
Presenter: Nick Hadad as Kele Kestrel
Limited Seating – REGISGTER NOW!
10:00am - 2:00pm - Meet and Greet Live Raptors
No registration required. Come visit throughout the day from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
Presenter: Gary Zimmerman, Black Creek Wildlife Station
11:00am - Merlin Mania
Learn about these bold falcons and meet a real Merlin in person with Kele the Kestrel! Interactive program for kids and their families.
Presenter: Nick Hadad as Kele Kestrel
Limited Seating – REGISTER NOW!
12:00pm - Remarkable Raptors with Live Birds of Prey from BBRR
Come learn about the spectacular raptor migration that happens every spring at Braddock Bay, Meet BBRR’s raptor ambassadors up close and personal and learn about the fascinating abilities of some of our locally found birds of prey.
This in-person Bird of Prey Week program will take place at the Donald Schleiter Lodge at Braddock Bay Park, 199 East Manitou Road. Pre-registration and payment of $5/person is required. Seating is limited to 35 people.
Presenter: Daena Ford, President of BBRR
Limited Seating – REGISTER NOW!
1:30pm - Fairy Garden Workshop for Kids
Each registered child will receive their own fairly garden greenhouse kit to make on the spot, or take home with them. Kits include a recycled “greenhouse”, soil, moss, plants and all natural accessories for the fairies. Create a mini garden home for pollinators and your favorite fairies. How’s that for small and mighty?
This in-person Bird of Prey Week program will take place at the Donald Schleiter Lodge at Braddock Bay Park, 199 East Manitou Road. Pre-registration and payment of $10/person is required. Seating is limited to 20 kids, with an adult present. Please check in when you arrive and note that face masks must be worn for the entire program.
Presenter: Carol Erb, Master Gardener and BBRR Educator
Limited Seating – REGISTER NOW!
Raptor Education Course 2021
**As of 1/30/21 all registration spots for this course have been filled. If you would like to be on the waiting list for a possible cancellation, please email information@bbrr.org. We hope to offer the course again in the early summer. **
BBRR is excited to present the 2021 Raptor Education Course to begin in February. If you would like to get involved with BBRR as a volunteer, or if you simply have a great interest in raptors and want to learn more about them, this course is for you! The classes have been designed to prepare volunteers with background knowledge of raptors, the Braddock Bay area, and the field work of BBRR so that they may be better educators and ambassadors for the organization. The course is not a requirement for volunteers, but participation in it is highly recommended.
The 2021 version of the Raptor Education Course will consist of 5 online classes to be presented via Zoom. Topics to be covered will include BBRR history, hawk watching, raptor identification and natural history, raptor banding, and owl migration. A few classes will incorporate our education raptors as well. The course will also include field trips! There will be one virtual field trip planned about raptor banding, and two small group in-person field trips to different parts of Braddock Bay focusing on the owl migration and the hawkwatch.
This course is suitable for adults, but even teens with a great interest are encouraged to attend. Space is limited so register early to ensure your spot. The registration fee is $40 for non-members, or $25 for BBRR members and current volunteers. This fee covers all classes and field trips, and any materials distributed. Those individuals successfully completing all class requirements will be recognized as official BBRR Educators.
Evening Zoom classes will be held from 7:00-9:00 pm on the following dates: February 11 & 25, March 11 & 25, and April 8. Field trips will take place in March and April, and will be scheduled once the course begins in February. Field trips will be scheduled based on the number of participants and their availability.
Register here on our website. To register at the member/volunteer rate, contact us for the coupon code. If you have questions about the course, or may be interested in becoming a BBRR volunteer contact Daena Ford at information@bbrr.org or 585-267-5483.
August 2020 Banding Results
Written by Daena Ford
2020 would mark year 32 of natal dispersal raptor banding for BBRR. This time of year is affectionately known amongst the BBRR crew as “August Red-tail Season” because it primarily takes place during the month of August, and the main raptor that is seen and banded during this yearly event is the Red-tailed Hawk. Natal dispersal is a migration of sorts, where young raptors are spreading their wings and travelling away from their nesting sites. On days with southerly winds, many of these birds end up travelling past Braddock Bay as they stick to the shoreline of Lake Ontario in a similar manner that the spring migrants do. While Red-tailed Hawks are the most numerous species we see during natal dispersal, up to 12 species of raptors have been spotted throughout the month. Like the red-tails, the other species spotted are typically juveniles as well.
Two BBRR raptor banding stations (Main and Payne Beach) were up and running for August this year, unlike last year where only Payne Beach was in operation. Coverage was based on bander availability and predicted weather for the day. The crew managed at least 16 days of coverage for the month. A total of 142 raptors were banded. This total was made up mostly of Red-tailed Hawks, with 134 individuals of that species banded. Cooper’s Hawks were the second numerous raptor banded with 6 making into the traps. A highlight of the season was definitely the two Bald Eagles (see photo below) that master bander Dan Niven captured and banded, one each on August 22 and 23.
Another crew of volunteers from BBRR simultaneously conduct the Summer Raptor Count, following a protocol similar to our spring counts. Daily and hourly counts can be found at Hawkcount.org. When you look at the results of those tallies, you can see that August 11 was our biggest count day with 667 raptors tallied. On that same day, bander David Mathiason, assisted by trainee Gabe Moore, banded 28 Red-tailed Hawks. Another good day for banding came on August 24, when banders Jill Heimrich and Tim Willis, assisted by trainee Jess Phillips, banded 22 red-tails at Payne Beach station. The photo below shows Tim with two juvenile red-tails that show how different they can be in their coloring at times.
Main banding station will stay up and running part-time through October in hopes of capturing a few stragglers, but the majority of the natal dispersal flight died down by the end of August as is typical. We hope to encounter some of these red-tails in the future, to continue to learn about their ecological needs and survival challenges. If you would like to support BBRR’s banding research efforts, a great way to do so is by sponsoring a banded raptor through our Adopt-a-Hawk program. There are plenty of Red-tailed Hawks “up for adoption” after this summer.