To wrap up our Bird Unit Study, in September 2021, we took a very exciting field trip to The Center for Birds of Prey in Awendaw, South Carolina.
This was a unique experience that my kids still talk about, over a year later. We bought our tickets in advance for the Friday tour experience. It was a bit pricier than our typical homeschool field trips, but SO worth it.
Flight Demonstration
The beginning of the experience takes place in an amphitheater in a large field. A few of the employees do live flight demonstrations with some of the avian residents. Hint: If you REALLY want to get a close-up experience, make sure to sit directly below one of the large perches located at the back of the amphitheater! This encounter and educational experience was truly unforgettable.
Self-Guided Tour
After the flight demonstration, you have the opportunity to roam the grounds on a self-guided tour, checking out all of the birds of prey located at the center. Before we did that, we ate lunch at the picnic area so we could let the small crowd get ahead of us, and to keep the kids’ bellies full so they continued to enjoy the experience. We walked through the original part of the park, which had a huge variety of birds. Several were new to me, like this Crested Caracara!
After we’d seen the older part, we headed to the newly opened Countess Paolozzi Owl Wood. This area was so beautiful and serene, we just didn’t want to leave. I met a new species which is now my new favorite bird. I mean LOOK AT THIS THING:
We were the last family to leave, and I can’t wait to go back. It was a great day and one the kids haven’t forgotten. Sometimes it can be difficult to find a good field trip to go along with what we’re learning, but this time, it was absolutely perfect!
Have you visited a Center for Birds of Prey in your area? If you’re in or near Charleston, you should definitely check this one out! I think I can easily say this was one of our very best homeschool field trips. Share yours in the comments!
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