2011/2012 Hours
| Date | October 2011 | November & December 2011 | January & February 2012 | March |
| Days open | Open Daily | Friday, Saturday, Sunday * weather dependant | closed for winter | open daily |
| Hours | 12 - 3 | 12-3 | 12-3 | |
| Demo times | 1:30 | 1:30 | 1:30 |
Check back in early 2012 for summer 2012 times. Open daily March-September!
When Summer Schedule is in effect - please visit centre and see the daily events board for more flying times ! Ad hoc training sessions, baby feeding, talks and demos occur at various times - posted daily at the Centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where are all the birds from?
The birds at Pacific Northwest Raptors are mostly captive bred, hatched here or at similar facilities in Canada. There are a handful of raptors here that were not born in captivity but, due to an accident in the wild, are considered non-releasable because they cannot fly/hunt for themselves. We provide medical attention, permanent housing, food and shelter for these birds.
- Will they be released?
The birds bred in captivity are flown outside their pen as much as possible (many are flown daily). They are returned to their home and territory at night for their safety and comfort. They are not released permanently. If we left them out in the wild it would be unfair and stressful for them, as they have grown up living in a “raptor resort”! Try to imagine your dog being left in the woods to fend for himself. Sometimes we are able to rehabilitate and release an injured wild bird with help from other wildlife rehabilitation centres around BC.
- Why are some of the birds tethered?
They come out during the day time to enjoy the sun and their baths on what is call a “weathering”. They enjoy coming out and sitting on their perches, but must be tethered when near each other because they are territorial and might fight. They enjoy sitting on the weathering as it gives them a new view and it also allows you to see them up close safely without wire in between. Our goal is to make each and every bird happy and enrich their lives to the best of our ability. As much as possible these birds are given ample opportunity to fly free daily – in a safe place away from the others!
- When they are let free, why do the come back?
Unless breeding, retired, injured or molting our birds fly free daily. Individually, we let them fly down in the flying area. They tend to do whatever they feel like. We encourage them to fly as much as possible and try to facilitate natural flying and hunting behavior. They come back every day because we care for them, feed them, and respect them. We work with each bird to build a bond of trust and we strive to make each bird happy, comfortable and as healthy as possible.
- What do they eat?
How to get here:
From Victoria: Take Highway 1 north through Duncan, turn right on Herd Rd - a bit hard to see the Herd Road sign so look instead for the HWY 18 Junction Marker and take a right off of HWY 1. Takes about 1 hour
From Nanaimo: Take Highway 1 south, turn left on Herd Rd. before Duncan. Takes about 40 minutes
The Pacific Northwest Raptor centre is nice 4-5 kms from the Highway 1 turnoff.
Contact
Pacific Northwest Raptors
1877 Herd Rd.
Duncan, B.C.
V9L 5W4
250-746-0372
www.pnwraptors.com
info@pnwraptors.com
