Raptor Encounter and a Hike at Mountsberg Conservation Area (12/3/2011)

What is a Raptor?? - No... it's not some tall guy dribbling a basketball and occasionally scoring a basket...

Do you want to get "nose-to-beak" with the diverse and fascinating world of birds of prey? You could meet owls the size of pop cans or eagles with seven-foot wingspans! Tucked within Mountsberg Conservation Area, the Mountsberg Raptor Centre is currently home to 15 different species of native birds of prey. Many of the Raptor Centre's resident birds of prey have permanent injuries that have left them incapable of surviving on their own in the wild. In many cases, these injuries were caused by human activity. With the help of these feathered ambassadors, the Mountsberg Raptor Centre teaches the community about the native birds of prey that share our environment and how to reduce the negative impact we can have on them.

I have booked us a Raptor Encounter which is a private 45- minute program with Raptor Centre staff who can give us a personalized intro to the birds of prey. Depending on the time of the program and the level of interest, we may get a behind the scenes peek at feeding, health-care, training, socialization, or a behind the scenes tour of the facility. Raptor Encounter guests will be given the opportunity to hold one of our native, non- releasable raptors and are invited to take their own photos of this fascinating experience!

The agenda for the day is as follows:
*Depart Kipling at 9 AM sharp
*Arrive at Mountsberg and hike/explore the Wildlife walkway (1.6km) that includes several raptor cages... and perhaps get close to a bison
*Raptor Encounter at 11 am
*Bird of Prey Presentation at 12 PM
*Lunch (bring your own)
*Hike the Lakeshore Lookout trail (5.6 km) and depending on our pace and time, we may hike other trails as well.
*Leave the area by 3 PMish to return home

The event will go on Rain or Snow or Sunshine. Hard to know at this time what the weather will be. There may be snow and/or ICE on the hiking trails. Proper hiking shoes or boots with icers (if necessary) and appropriate clothing (layers that you can remove if/when you're indoors) is a REQUIREMENT for this event.

We will hike as a group, so please don't sign up if want to walk faster and sprint ahead. The Lakeshore Lookout trail is relatively flat with one very long hill, so depending on trail conditions, we will aim to travel at least 4.5 to 5 km/hr pace. There are also observation towers that are 10 meters high but their stair climbing is optional:)

IMPORTANT: The Raptor Encounter has been booked and pre-paid for the maximum five (5) participants allowed for each time slot. Thus, if you sign up, your commitment to attend this event is important otherwise, the rest of us will need to pay your share. You will get an automatic 'no show' if you drop out after the registration cut off date and your spot cannot be filled from the waiting list.