(Photo provided by Colin Weir, Birds of Prey Centre)

By Justin Goulet

Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation grateful for community support

May 26, 2021 | 11:27 AM

COALDALE, AB – There’s optimism in the air at the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation.

Managing director at the Coaldale facility, Colin Weir told Lethbridge News Now that “things are pretty tough”, however, the centre is still able to open its doors to the public with some slight changes in effect due to COVID-19.

Weir explained that, “we aren’t doing any of our flying shows or inviting guests to hold birds. That’s the biggest change.”

Financially, he noted that visitation is down approximately 80 per cent. The centre opened for daily visits earlier this month.

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Weir stated that, “part of that is due to the fact that normally we’d be busy with a lot of school groups coming through, and they’re unfortunately 100 per cent cancelled, you know, expectedly.”

“We also generate income when we bring our birds to special events across the province and then all of those have been cancelled as well.”

He said despite the dip in visitor numbers, staff levels have not been greatly impacted.

“We have very minimal staff over the wintertime, maybe just a couple of people and then we go up to a staff of about 16 or 17 once we open, so fortunately, we’ve got most of our summer students back from previous years. The big challenge for us is just coming up with basically revenue just to pay everybody to keep the doors open, just because it takes a lot of work just to keep the centre visitor-ready.”

Weir noted the whole team is excited to welcome guests, and they’ve lowered admission prices for those wanting to see the birds.

Instead of $14 for adults and $8 for children, visitors can attend for $10 and $5 per person.

“Also, we’ve got baby owls at the moment, which are very cute, that people can get their pictures taken with and then we’ve also got our world-famous ducks that kids can feed. We sell duck food and that’s always a big highlight when people visit.”

EDUCATION & RESCUE

Weir remarked that one of the pieces the Birds of Prey Foundation prides itself on and focuses on is environmental learning opportunities.

“Even though we can’t allow people to get a hold of birds, you can still get really close to them and still get some amazing photographs.”

Not only does the Birds of Prey Foundation provide a popular tourist attraction, the centre also has licensing and experiencing for tending to and helping rehabilitate hawks, falcons, eagles and owls. Weir said anyone who may find wildlife in distress can contact Birds of Prey for assistance.

“We’re always pleased to answer those [questions] for anybody who gives us a call.”

As for a look-ahead to the summer months, Weir displayed a sense of optimism, despite the changing conditions of COVID-19.

Weir said, “we’re always hopeful. We always compare it to farming.”

“It’s a very difficult and challenging life sometimes, there’s a lot of external, environmental things that effect business but we’re always optimistic about the future and we think that July and August will hopefully pick up quite a bit, especially with all the vaccinations going on and with restrictions hopefully being eased up fairly soon.”

He thanks everyone for their support amid the tough times of the pandemic.

“I just wanted to thank everybody across southern Alberta for their kind support, well wishes and donations. That’s the only way that we’re able to operate and survive and I hope to see everybody later this summer.”

The facility in Coaldale is open seven days a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. until Labour Day Monday in September. More details on the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation are available here.