RAPTOR WEEKEND
New England's Largest Celebration of Birds of Prey
Tickets for Birds & Brews are separate from Raptor Weekend and available online only.
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They are coming! Avian hunters with long sharp talons, hooked beaks, and highly developed eyesight and hearing are headed to Bristol. They’re raptors, the superior hunters of the avian world.
Owls, hawks, and falcons will be featured in live presentations, educational programs, and activities for bird enthusiasts of all ages. Audubon Raptor Weekend presents a unique opportunity for visitors to get up-close with many species and learn about their adaptations and habitats in this engaging, family-friendly weekend event.
In addition to owl and hawk presentations by Audubon experts, wildlife rehabilitators from across the Northeast will bring their expertise with birds of prey to the event - see the presenter lineup below!
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Make the Most of Raptor Weekend
Raptor Weekend is a family-friendly, rain or shine event!
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Frequently Asked QuestionsEverything you need to know about Raptor Weekend can be found on our event FAQ page! If you still have questions, feel free to contact us.
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Volunteer at Raptor WeekendHelp make this event a hoot! With help from our volunteers, New England's largest celebration of raptors is made possible. Join us for this exciting and unique volunteer opportunity; help with games, activities, crafts, and more!
2023 Schedule of Events
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Friday, September 8
New this year! Birds & Brews: Brewery Night - SOLD OUT!
Audubon is partnering with Proclamation Ale Co. to kick off Raptor Weekend on Friday, September 8, 2023 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm in Bristol! Enjoy “Music by Mel” and get up close with Audubon owl and hawk ambassadors. Sip local brews and learn all about these amazing birds as Audubon naturalists talk about their natural history. Tickets for Birds & Brews are $30/person, online-only, and separate from Raptor Weekend. All participants must be age 21+. Purchase Tickets Here! -
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Saturday, September 9, 2023
10:15 - 10:45 am | Bird of Prey Presentation by Audubon Society of RI Staff
11:00 - 11:45 am | Eagle and Raptor Presentation by Horizon Wings
12:15 - 1:00 pm | Flight Demonstration by Master of the Skies (Behind Building)
1:00 - 1:30 pm | Why Birds Matter lecture by Dr. Charles Clarkson (in Auditorium)
1:30 - 1:45 pm | Rhode Island Breeding Bird Atlas book signing by Dr. Charles Clarkson (in Auditorium)
1:00 - 1:30 pm | Nature Family Sing –A-Long by Audubon Educators Tracey Hall and Lisa Maloney
1:30 - 2:15 pm | Eagle and Raptor Presentation by Horizon Wings
2:30 - 3:15 pm | Flight Demonstration by Master of the Skies (Behind Building)
3:30 - 4:00 pm | Bird of Prey Presentation by Audubon Society of RI Staff
10:00 am - 4:00 pm | Zach: The Raven Story walk (trail around field)
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Sunday, September 10, 2023
10:15 - 11:00 am | Who’s Watching You? Owls of the World by Eyes on Owls
11:15 am - 12:00 pm | Raptor Presentation by Christine’s Critters
12:00 - 12:45 pm | Flight Demonstration by Master of the Skies (Behind Building)
1:00 - 1:45 pm | Raptor Presentation by Christine’s Critters
1:30 - 2:00 pm | Nature Family Sing-A-Long by Audubon Educators Tracey Hall and Lisa Maloney (Pollinator Garden)
2:00 - 2:45 pm | Who’s Watching You? Owls of the World by Eyes on Owls
3:00 - 3:45 pm | Flight Demonstration by Master of the Skies (Behind Building)
10:00 am - 4:00 pm | Zach: The Raven Story walk (trail around field)
Explore the 2023 Raptor Weekend Presenters, Artists, & Lecturers
Click on each photo for more information!
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Audubon Society of RI
Audubon currently cares for 12 birds, including owls, hawks and a raven. Their extraordinary adaptations are sure to fascinate both children and adults alike. In addition to close-up visits from feathered friends, participants learn about raptor behaviors, predators, prey and habitats.
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Christine's Critters
Christine Peyreigne cares for injured and/or orphaned raptors. Whenever possible, she releases them into the wild after rehabilitation. In the summer of 2015, Christine rescued and rehabilitated Audubon’s Red-tailed Hawk: Finn. Finn’s injuries prevented his release and he now calls the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium home.
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Dr. Charles Clarkson
Audubon Director of Avian Research Dr. Charles Clarkson will give a lecture on "Why Birds Matter", followed by a book signing of the newly released Second Atlas of Rhode Island Breeding Birds. About the lecture: Birds have been evolving on our planet for roughly 1.6 million years. During this period, they have radiated into over 10,000 species and can be found in nearly every habitat that exists. Aside from bringing us great joy as they nest in our backyards, visit our feeders and fill wild spaces, birds provide countless ecosystem services. They pollinate our plants, control pest populations, remove decomposing organic material and spread seeds far and wide, thereby creating new habitats across the globe. This lecture will talk about the amazing things birds do and what we stand to lose in a warming world as many of our avian populations decline rapidly.
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Eyes on Owls
Marcia and Mark Wilson founded Eyes On Owls in 1994 as an educational enterprise that brings owls to schools and other groups to teach about these wild “neighbors” and their habitats.
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Horizon Wings
Formed in 2001 by Mary-Beth Kaeser, Horizon Wings’ mission is to rehabilitate birds of prey for release into the wild in order to maintain their population, and to educate the community to enhance awareness of the environment.
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Masters of the Skies
French native Gregory Wojtera is a Master Falconer who has worked with more than 55 raptors since 2010. He trains and flies hawks, falcons and owls for a variety of purposes, including hunting, falconry abatement (bird control) and education. He created Masters of the Skies in 2014 to educate the general public about birds of prey and falconry, and he has been working as a full-time falconer and educator since 2016.
2023 Ticket Pricing*
All proceeds from Raptor Weekend benefit raptor care, school programs, and habitat conservation efforts by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. Thank you for your support!
Early Bird Pricing: Save $2 on each ticket through August 7th! Raptor VIP Passes are excluded from the sale discount.
There will be on-site parking for $5, per availability. Visitors who ride their bike or take the bus to the event receive a Raptor Weekend Event button!
Tickets can be purchased in advance online or day-of at the event.
| General Admission | Audubon Member Admission | |
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| Adult | $17 | $14 |
| Adult Two-Day Pass | $30 | $24 |
| Child (Ages 3 & Under) | Free | Free |
| Child (Ages 4-12) | $12 | $10 |
| Child Two-Day Pass | $20 | $16 |
| Family Four Pack** | $55 | $45 |
| Raptor VIP Passes*** | $60 | $60 |
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* Tickets purchased online are subject to Eventbrite processing fees.
**Family Four Packs consist of two (2) Adult tickets and two (2) Child tickets.
***Show a little extra support! VIP tickets include admission, preferred seating under the main tent, free on-site parking. Limited to 40 VIP tickets each day.
Thank You to our Sponsors!
To donate a raffle item or become a Raptor Weekend sponsor, please call (401) 949-5454 x3017.
Stay Connected
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