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At The Center For Birds of Prey, visitors experience raptors from an up-close and personal view.

Photo © John S. Mead - www.BlueLionPhotos.com

The Center for Birds of Prey, Awendaw, SC

Stare into the eyes of a Bald Eagle,watch a Hawk Hunt, hear the silence of an owl in flight...all for a good cause

by Jennifer Heisler | October 31, 2010

A bald eagle, the symbol of our great nation, soars overhead. He effortlessly flies from tree to tree. His eyes are bright against his white face as he searches for dinner. As he swoops in close the audience is silent. No place else in South Carolina can you get this close to a bald eagle, flying without restraints, in the open air.

The Center for Birds of Prey, outside of Charleston, SC, is home to this bald eagle and several others. These creatures used to live in the wild until they met the progress of man. The eagles, just like over 400 other raptors a year, came to the Center for rehabilitation, felled by shotgun blasts, car accidents, or other problems. Many are rehabilitated and released back into the wild. Those with permanent injuries that would make life in the great unknown a perilous and deadly journey, however, live at the Center for the rest of their lives, every need provided for by staff and an army of volunteers.

The Center, founded almost 20 years ago, is open to the public Thursday through Saturday 10 am–5 pm and other days by appointment. Visitors can take a guided tour of the facility and learn about many of the birds in the permanent collection, from eagles with their massive wingspans to wide-eyed owls. The Center also offers flight demonstrations, showcasing the variety of adaptations that make each raptor well-adapted to its particular environment. Watch kites grab food out of the air in mid-flight. Listen to the silence of an owl as he sweeps just inches above your head. See vultures soar overhead on updrafts, the elevators of nature.

If you happen to find an injured bird, contact the Center to find out what to do. Since its founding the Center has taken in over 5,000 injured raptors and works diligently to release as many as possible back into their natural environments. In addition to the visitor area, the Center houses a state-of-the-art medical facility and is home to the only permanent oil spill response facility on the East Coast.

Regardless of whether you are a visitor or a local, take a trip to Awendaw to see the Center for Birds of Prey—and bring your camera! Your appreciation of the fascinating world of raptors will be enhanced and all proceeds from your admission ticket help this local non-profit to continue its important mission. Tickets can be purchased in advance (recommended during the busy season as a limited number of tours are available each day) from The Center for Birds of Prey’s website. Also, visit their site to learn more about special events held throughout the year.