UPFRONT PLACES | PERSPECTIVES | HAPPENINGS
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Flock Together
THE ORANGE COUNTY BIRD OF PREY CENTER OFFERS THE CHANCE TO GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH OWLS , EAGLES , HAWKS OR OTHER RAPTORS .
By ASHLEY RYAN
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Joanne McDermott , director of administration for the Orange County Bird of Prey Center , with Tweek estled further inland , hidden among the hills , the Orange County Bird of Prey Center works to rescue and rehabilitate raptors in need . From eagles , owls , falcons and hawks to more rare species like ospreys , vultures and kites , these carnivorous birds have three things in common : sharp talons , a hooked beak and razorsharp eyesight , all used to hunt .
The nonprofit center got its DIY start in the late 1980s before incorporating in the early 1990s and has existed in a number of configurations ever since . Although the group relies heavily on volunteers , Executive Director Peggy Chase has been involved since the early days and worked hard to land the permanent location that OCBPC moved into around four years ago . With no residential neighbors , the center is the perfect place to keep the animals wild as they undergo treatment .
While the ultimate goal is always to release the birds back into the wild , that is not always possible . Those that are not deemed releasable will journey down one of three paths , either being euthanized , becoming a display bird at a zoo or nature center , or being trained as an education animal . OCBPC usually has around 10 of the latter , deemed Animal Ambassadors , that it showcases at school campuses , community events and more — including interactive presentations on Saturday mornings at The Ranch at Laguna Beach .
“ Each week , we bring different birds so you never know exactly which birds you might meet ,” says Joanne McDermott , the director of administration for the center . “ And you have probably never had a chance to see these beautiful raptors as up close and personal as you will when you meet them at The Ranch .”
Here , she discusses the weekly program and which species you can encounter in Laguna as well as how OCBPC rehabilitates injured raptors at its main site .
LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE : What do your weekly presentations at The Ranch at Laguna Beach consist of ? JOANNE MCDERMOTT : In general , we are there each week with several of our Education Ambassadors to share their stories with the guests at The Ranch . We are happy to answer any questions people have — we love any excuse to talk about our birds , about raptors in general and about what we do .
A great horned owl during a demonstration day at The Ranch at Laguna Beach
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