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Archived Outdoors

See winged hunters up close and personal

out birdspreyThe Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be the site of an upcoming birds of prey program, featuring live raptors and interesting facts.

 

Michael Skinner, executive director of the Balsam Mountain Trust, will conduct the hour-long program beginning at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 6, in the Oconaluftee Multipurpose Room, adjacent to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Visitors can see up-close some of the planet’s most recognized and revered wild animals, such as the tiny eastern screech owl and northern bald eagle. Balsam Mountain Trust, a Western North Carolina non-profit that cares for non-releasable birds of prey, is teaming with the park to put on the show.

“We are delighted to welcome Balsam Mountain Trust to the park for this program,” said Lynda Doucette, supervisory park ranger. “This is an opportunity for park visitors to see and learn about these beautiful birds firsthand.”

The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is on U.S. 441, two miles north of Cherokee.

828.497.1904 or www.nps.gov/grsm