Raptor photos will leave audiences rapt

Media release: 31 August 2015

Visitors to Fitzroy Falls National Parks and Wildlife Centre will be treated to a stunning display of birds of prey photographs and talks by Australian Raptor Care and Conservation Inc. experts throughout September.

The photographs, collated by the new Fitzroy Fall-based Australian Raptor Care and Conservation Inc. (ARCC Inc.) organisation, show extraordinary detail of the owls, eagles and falcons currently in rehabilitation.

Keith Williams, Fitzroy Falls Centre Manager says the exhibition is a way for visitors and locals to learn more about these magnificent birds and find out how injured birds are treated and released back into the wild.

“Australia has 35 bird of prey species but here in the Southern Highlands you’d be lucky to spot only a handful of these, most likely the wedge-tailed eagle, kites and owls,” said Mr Williams.

“In particular the nocturnal Masked Owl, listed as vulnerable in NSW, is not often seen in the wild so we are lucky to have an up close look at this masterful bird.

“Despite raptor’s reputation as top end predators they still fall victim to illness and injury,” Mr Williams said.

Peggy McDonald, one of ARCC Inc’s founders and Mark Kelly, ARCC’s international-award winning photographer will be speaking at the exhibition, explaining the stories behind the birds in the photos and best practice raptor rehabilitation and release.

Peggy has released more than 800 raptors back into the wild in her 25 years as a raptor carer and has recently returning from her third internship at the world’s largest raptor hospital, Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital.

Mark’s images portray the birds in the last stages before release in the Southern Hemisphere’s first purpose-built, free flight circular aviary.

The exhibition is free, however donations and proceeds from photo and merchandise sales will go towards ARCC’s next project - establishing a satellite tracking system for all birds realised back into the wild again.

The ARCC exhibition runs from 1 September to 30 September 2015 at the Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre, Nowra Rd Fitzroy Falls.

Talks are on at 1pm, Monday 7 September and Saturday 26 September 2015.

Contact: Sarah Scroope