Fifty egg hunters stepped up to the challenge on Saturday, April 4, for Hawk Mountain Sanctuary’s Raptor Egg Hunt.
“When many people are anticipating a rabbit to come and hide eggs, at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, this very special place, there’s a very special raptor who visits. It’s a magical raptor that passes over the sanctuary and hides raptor eggs,” said Rachel, an education specialist at the sanctuary during the presentation prior to the hunt in the outdoor amphitheater.
Following a brief background on the sanctuary, Rachel described the magical raptor by its features which were a combination of many popular raptors that are often seen in the area. The young egg hunters, ranging from 3 to 12, were fascinated with the examples used to describe the magical raptor and eagerly responded to questions.
When describing the useful talons of the magical raptor and raptors in general, Rachel explained the many uses in catching prey “and today, earlier today, for delivering raptor eggs.”
Prior to the hunt, the audience had a brief lesson on raptor eggs, what other animals lay eggs and the types of homes that raptors make which are more than just nests in trees. Rachel explained that eggs are often camouflaged to protect them from predators.
“I think you came here for one reason. I think you came here to look for some eggs,” said Rachel at the end of her presentation. “Today, you have an extra challenge, this is not just any old egg hunt because we’re not going to be looking for brightly colored eggs. You’re going to be looking for eggs that are camouflaged.”
Because Hawk Mountain Sanctuary protects and conserves, the eggs that the hunters were looking for were actually wooden eggs.
“You are hunting for eggs that are decorated to look like real eggs,” said Rachel moments before the start of the hunt. “This is not easy.”
The children were also reminded that “we’re only going to take memories with us” and to not remove anything from the sanctuary.
To start the hunt, the children were separated into three age groups (3-5, 6-8, 9-12) and introduced to group leaders who explained that special ribbons marked the hunting area. Each egg hunter was to find four eggs and return them to Rachel to receive a prize. It may have been a bit chilly and windy at times, but that did not slow down the young egg hunters or lessen the excitement.
For more information on Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and upcoming events, visit www.hawkmountain.org.
