This is the third year I've been in the Raptor program. I joined in my Sophomore year by taking the class and started volunteering in the program afterwards. Since I stayed for the summer to work on research at Cornell, I was able to get more involved with education programs and working with the birds! One of the things I enjoy most is these education programs! Despite the usual anxiety I get when presenting, I love having the opportunity to present on the raptors at events that range from elementary school to here at Cornell. It's exciting seeing other people get excited about learning about these unique animals and how to help protect them! In addition to education programs, I love working with the individual birds in the program. No two individuals are the same and its exciting to see them grow along with developing a relationship with them. There was nothing more exciting than the first time Esther, our golden eagle, showed that she trusted me by eating on the glove or when Odin, our eastern screech owl, was comfortable enough to practice flying down the hall.
How long have you been involved with the Raptor program? What aspects do you enjoy about it the most?