Birds of Prey Day

A baby owl recuperating from life threatening injuries is watched over by Green Chimneys’ students Erik and Caleb. Eric Gross Plans are proceeding this week for Birds of Prey Day.

Green Chimneys' 18th annual extravaganza, featuring more than 150 raptors, takes place June 6 on the Green Chimneys campus at the Southeast-Putnam Lake line.

On Monday, Paul Kupchok, the school’s veteran wildlife specialist, met with Erik and Caleb, two 12-year-olds who call Green Chimneys home and checked a red-tail hawk that will be released at the end of the event next Sunday to symbolize the philosophy that has allowed Green Chimneys to become one of the world’s most recognized residential facilities for troubled youth.

Kupchok explained that the Green Chimneys’ way of life allowed children to heal the animals: “Through that process the animals heal the children. When the kids do a good job, much of the wildlife that came to us injured goes home. When our staff does a good job, the children go home. This has been our philosophy for more than half a century.”

On June 6, in addition to the permanently disabled raptors that call Green Chimneys home, members of the New York State Falconry Association will be displaying more than 100 of their own birds.

A red-tail hawk that came to Green Chimneys three months ago that was hit by a car on Route 684, receiving massive head trauma, was initially treated at a local veterinary clinic before being transferred to Green Chimneys, where it continued its rehabilitation.

Kupchok said at the conclusion of Birds of Prey Day, one of the Green Chimneys children will be joined by a guest celebrity and will be lifted 100 feet into the air courtesy of the Patterson Fire Department’s tower ladder truck and the “bird will be sent home.”

Several prominent “regulars” have promised to return to Putnam County for the affair, including Mutual of Omaha’s Jim Fowler from “Wild Kingdom,” Bill Robinson from Wildlife Lectures, Jonathan Wood from the Raptor Project, officials from the Pace Environmental Center as well as several celebrities. Richard Gere visited last year, and in 2008 Chevy Chase attended.

Erik and Caleb enjoyed viewing a young great horned owl which arrived on campus two weeks ago after it was blown out of its nest by a strong wind gust. Kupchok said the bird was found on the ground being attacked by a group of crows: “During daylight, crows give owls heck and during nighttime, owls become a crow’s worst enemy. This baby owl was being mauled by the crows. A Good Samaritan found the badly injured bird and brought it to the Brewster Veterinary Hospital, where it was cared for before being transferred to Green Chimneys for its final steps towards rehabilitation. Hopefully by mid-to late July we will be able to send this bird on its way, as well.”

Erik, whose permanent residence is in upper Manhattan, said he loves the birds: “It’s special because when I see an injured bird I become hopeful that it will get well and fly home. That’s my goal too—to get well and be able to return to my family in New York City.”

Caleb, who resides in Orange County, was also moved by the owl’s progress and determination: “When I see an injured animal I want to help it, which makes me feel good because I did something positive in my life to assist another living creature.”

Birds of Prey Day takes place from 11 am to 4 pm and is expected to attract anywhere from 4,000 to 5,000 people.