Soaring Success: Former Participants Share Their Experiences in the Raptor Field Techniques Course

“As a mostly retired physician with a passion for raptors (and a secret dream of becoming a raptor biologist), the Raptor Field Techniques course was a life altering dream come true for me. It is simply not possible to put into words the joy that I felt when holding a fluffy black vulture chick in my arms for the first time or seeing an extremely elusive broad wing hawk incubating its eggs in its forest dwelling or holding a waiting-to-be measured-and-banded kestrel chick in my hands. Along with a small intimate group of diverse raptor seekers and two passionate raptor scientist instructors with an amazing depth and breadth of knowledge, this course allowed me hands-on opportunities that I could experience no where else like at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. From nest hunting forest hikes, to roadside trapping and banding, to tree climbing, and mist net extractions, I feel a deep gratitude and sense of privilege to have been welcomed, along with my fellow classmate travelers, into the world of these world class raptor field biologist instructors and their specialized techniques for exploring the natural world of raptors.”

- Deborah Shalders, retired physician (summer 2022 class)

“As a high school teacher, this field course gave me practical and reliable information I can incorporate into my class. For example, the collection and analysis of data and ethical treatment of animals. I also got to use and see various kinds of tech that are used in the field, which was both cool and informative. I absolutely fell in love with this course. I am a biologist at heart and a bird lover. It was great to interact with many kinds of raptors, my personal favorite moment, road trapping of the American kestrel. I gained a better appreciation for the raptors of Hawk Mountain.”

- Christina Clawson, High School Science Teacher for Manheim Township (summer 2022 class)

“As a professional consulting ecologist/avian biologist, I reviewed this field course to determine suitability for providing training to younger biologists that need specialized experience to support our avian hazard management work, and for providing Continuing Education for more seasoned biologists to maintain skills and expertise that don’t always have time to be cultivated regularly on the job. This course is nothing short of GREAT! The instructors are informed and passionate, and conducting real research with state-of-the-science techniques that they share generously with the students. The class size is quite small, so it’s all personal attention and hands-on instruction. You’ll pick up field ID techniques, and an understanding of behavior and biology that can only really be gained by bird-in-hand.  It is now a required course for all our crew that wishes to support our avian work!”

- Timothy McGuire, Senior Project Manager, Environmental Services for McCormick Taylor (fall 2021 class)