Raptorama 2020 at Marine Park

Raptorama 2020 (AKA Raptorfest) took place this year at Marine Park, Brooklyn, Sunday, October 18. Things were a bit different this year due to COVID-19, so precautions were taken such as limiting the number of attendees, requiring masks and putting time limits on the sessions with the birds. Nevertheless, it was a good time all around, and we really enjoyed being up close to several birds generously brought in by Bobby and Cathy Horvath of WINORR (Wildlife in Need of Rescue and Rehabilitation).

The highlight for me this year was seeing this gorgeous Golden Eagle, a bird I don't get to see every day, or really ever.

He is magnificent!

We've met this Bald Eagle named Montana before and he is exceptional every time.

I was captivated by this Gyrfalcon, who is apparently retired from falconry, so was very at-ease in the presence of people.

You can see the differences in the facial markings as compared to this Peregrine Falcon, below. This guy is always a favorite to see up close. In the wilds of the city, we usually see them soaring above the skyscrapers or perched on high ledges.

Meet the Merlin, a much smaller falcon, but still fierce!

The smallest and fiercest of all the falcons, in my opinion, is the American Kestrel. In the city, I usually observe them chasing much larger hawks and making a loud ruckus. This male, however, stayed so quiet, I kept forgetting he was there. What a sweetie.

This beauty is Gypsy, a Rough-Legged Hawk.

And this is the lovely Diana, a Red-Tailed Hawk.

This Eurasian Eagle Owl was raised as a chick by the Horvaths and is one of the family.

The owl is so comfortable with them, at first glance, he resembles a snuggly cat.

There were a few more raptors featured at Raptorama, and you can see more photos of the event on my Flickr page.

Thank you to the Horvaths for sharing their birds, as well as NYC Audubon, the American Littoral Society, Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy and the National Park Service for organizing this event under unprecedented circumstances.

I asked the Horvaths how Dora (our former First Lady red-tailed hawk of Tompkins Square Park) is doing and I was told she is happy and healthy in the care of WINORR. She has a mate and is eating well. WINORR is a volunteer non-profit organization that relies on donations, so please consider supporting them by visiting their GoFundMe page.

See highlights from previous NYC Raptorfests here and here.