Having trouble registering? You can register directly on Eventbrite or email [email protected], and we will be happy to assist you with the registration process. Please include your name and zipcode.
Join POST and Santa Clara County Parks for Raptor Fest – a free educational event celebrating birds of prey and their vital role in our ecosystems!
This unique experience will be held at Rancho San Vicente, a newer addition to Calero County Park protected by POST that’s becoming a premier raptor viewing destination in the Bay Area.
Featured presenter Master Falconer Kenny Elvin of Full Circle Falconry will share the history of falconry, raptor biology, and behavior, and, depending on conditions, may include a flight demonstration.
Visit booths hosted by Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance, Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Center, Predatory Bird Research Group at UC Santa Cruz, and Talon Ecological Research Group to learn how local organizations are protecting birds, rehabilitating wildlife, restoring habitats, and advancing conservation through research, education, and community action.
This is your chance to see and learn about birds of prey while discovering the importance of conservation in our communities!
Please note that children are welcome and encouraged to attend! However, this event is a 75-minute sit-and-listen educational program and may be better suited to kids aged 10 or older. Keep in mind that this event is less intended to entertain than to educate our community about the lives of our local birds of prey and how we can better take care of them as a community.
Presentation Schedule
- 10:00 – 11:15 AM: First Show by Kenny Elvin
- 12:30 – 1:45 PM: Second Show by Kenny Elvin
- Note: The presentation is repeated; please register for only one show.
Important Event Information
- Shuttle service required – Due to limited parking at the event site, free shuttle transportation is required and will be provided. Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any special accommodation needs.
- Seating is on the ground – Presentations will take place outdoors with ground seating. Please bring a picnic blanket. Chairs are welcome but must be set up behind guests seated on blankets.
- No pets please – Pets can startle the raptors and cause them to fly away before visitors have a chance to observe them. We ask that you leave pets at home to protect the birds and ensure the best experience for everyone. Service dogs are welcome.
- All are welcome! This 75-minute sit-and-listen program is best suited for kids aged 10 or older. It will be educational information rather than an entertainment show.
- Come prepared for outdoor conditions – Please bring your reusable water bottle (we’ll have a refill station available) and dress in layers, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a light windbreaker for changing weather. Feel free to pack snacks, but please avoid bringing any meat products as the raptors may be attracted to them.
- Weather policy – This event is subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. Please check your email closer to the event date for any updates.
- Health guidelines – Please do not attend if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Directions to Rancho San Vicente
Please note, this event is taking place at the Rancho San Vicente addition to Calero County Park, north of the main entrance to Calero.
See below for more directions.
Parking and Shuttle Service to the event area will be located at the Challenger School of Almaden Parking Lot. Shuttle service will transport guests from the Challenger School parking lot to the Rancho San Vicente trailhead. Masking is recommended on the shuttle but not required. ADA access is available upon request. Please email [email protected].
In 2009, POST purchased the 966-acre Rancho San Vicente from private developers, who had originally intended to build a luxury housing development. This property is an important piece in completing a 15-mile greenbelt from Los Gatos to near Highway 101 in Morgan Hill.
POST has since transferred the property to the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department to establish public use trails. It’s now open for you to explore and enjoy.
About the Hosts
Peninsula Open Space Trust protects open space on the Peninsula and in the South Bay for the benefit of all. Since 1977, POST has protected over 97,000 acres in San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz Counties.
Santa Clara County Parks has a six-decade legacy of providing outstanding recreational opportunities in beautiful natural locations has resulted in one of the largest regional park systems in California. Since the first County parkland was acquired in 1924, the Santa Clara County park system has grown to include 28 regional parks encompassing over 52,000 acres of land.
About our Partners
Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance is an environmental education and conservation organization serving Santa Clara County and its people for the past 100 years. Our mission is to encourage the appreciation and enjoyment of our diverse bird community amongst all people in our county while providing education opportunities, advocating for wildlife, and hosting a variety of outings for the public.
Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA extends its caring services to sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. Their patients come from San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties and include hawks, ducks, geese, songbirds, seabirds and mammals. In addition, we give local residents humane solutions to their urban wildlife conflicts and treat animals impacted by environmental disasters, such as oils spills.
San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory For 40 years, SFBBO’s mission has been to conserve birds and their habitats through science and outreach. Our nonprofit’s team of biologists and ecologists conduct research to better understand our local bird populations, study and restore their habitats, and share our data with other scientists, policymakers, community leaders, and Bay Area residents who use the data to preserve the beauty and biodiversity of our region.
Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Center provides the community with rehabilitation services for orphaned, injured, and sick native wildlife. Through our educational programs, WERC encourages a peaceful coexistence between civilization and our native wildlife.
Predatory Bird Research Group at UC Santa Cruz inspires environmental action through the story of Peregrine Falcon recovery and equips students and community scientists to study California’s birds of prey.
Talon Ecological Research Group conducts research, protects imperiled species and habitats, educates the public, and gives students hands-on experience in ecological research.
