"The World of Owls and Ancient Civilizations & Birds of Prey at Orange Country Fair"

Back by popular demand, Wingmasters’ Julie Collier will present bird programs on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 17 and 18, at the Orange Country Fair, the Orange Land Trust said in a statement.
“We have found people really enjoy seeing the variety of birds that Wingmasters brings to the Fair each year,” said Orange Land Trust President Ed Tucker. “It is the Orange Land Trust’s pleasure to be able to do this again this year, with a variation in the program each day.”

One day Collier will present "The World of Owls," featuring a variety of live owls. "It is expected she will bring the screech owl, barn owl, barred owl, great horned owl, and the tiny saw whet owl. These superbly adapted nocturnal hunting birds have sharp beaks and talons and unique plumage," the statement said.

The other day the program will be "Ancient Civilizations & Birds of Prey." Using live birds of prey and a variety of cultural artifacts and art, Collier will touch on cultures from Asia to the plains of western North America, from Africa to Central and South America, to explain how people around the world and across time have viewed these magnificent hunters of the air.

The fair is held at the Fairgrounds on Orange Center Road. Each day there will be four half-hour presentations on the hour – at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., and 2 p.m.

“One of the reasons I like working with Land Trusts is that the biggest problem to these birds is loss of habitat, and Land Trusts work to preserve open space much needed by so many birds,” Collier said in the statement.

She is concerned about the fragmentation of forests and destruction of open space areas.

The OLT will have its own tent again this year. Stop by to view the free programs, get information on walking areas in the Town of Orange, and see the photograph display. There will be pen and ink note cards designed and drawn by Michael O’Bymachow, and tee-shirts featuring a bird of prey drawn by Julie Collier. Proceeds will benefit the OLT, the statement said.

Collier will have for sale suitable-for-framing art prints of the birds. These sales will benefit her Educational Raptor Center and her special work with endangered species and preparing them for release into the wild.

The OLT is a private nonprofit, volunteer organization that is dedicated to preserving natural resources and open space in the Town of Orange. New members are always welcome. Membership registration forms will be available at the tent!

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.