Watch rehabilitated hawk fly away

Join us in Orem on Sept. 26 for Raptor Watch Day.

Orem — Thousands of hawks, eagles and other birds of prey fly through Utah's clear, crisp skies every fall.

A red-tailed hawk soars past visitors at the Orem overlook during the 2005 Raptor Watch Day.

Photo by Scott Root

This fall, a hawk that's been nursed back to health will join them!

You can see and learn more about these raptors and watch the release of the hawk that's been rehabilitated during this year's Raptor Watch Day.

The event will happen Sept. 26, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Orem overlook along Squaw Peak Road, east of Orem.

A Swainson's hawk that's been nursed back to health by Patti Richards, a wildlife rehabilitator in Springville, will be released at noon.

Getting to the site

You can access Squaw Peak Road from U.S. 189 (the road up Provo Canyon). To reach U.S. 189, exit I-15 at Exit 275 and travel east on 800 N. in Orem.

The Division of Wildlife Resources hosts Raptor Watch Day every year. The event is free.

"By the time the event occurs, the trees will be gleaming in their fall colors. And the air at our high-elevation watch site should be crisp," says Bob Walters, Watchable Wildlife coordinator for the DWR.

"With any luck, the skies will be clear. If they are clear, you'll be treated to an up-close look at harriers, vultures, eagles, hawks and falcons as they sail overhead on their migration south."

Walters says experts will be on hand to help you identify the birds and to answer any questions you have about the raptors' fall migration. "We hope you can join us," Walters says. "This event is always a great opportunity to kick back, relax and watch raptors."

For more information, call Walters at (801) 538-4771.