Saturday, Sept. 22, 10 a.m.—QUECHEE—All are invited to VINS to celebrate the Sport of Kings — falconry! Experience the history, language, and traditions of this 3000-year old practice of hunting alongside a trained raptor. Witness flighted raptor demonstrations, learn about animal tracking on a forest hike, explore the medicinal plants growing in the meadow, and try a hand at archery. Guests will meet modern-day Vermont falconers from New England Falconry in Woodstock. Costumes are encouraged.
Programs for the day will run as follows:
10:30-11:30 a.m. – Scales & Serpents
11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. – Archery demo
11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. – New England Falconry exhibit
12:45-1:30 p.m. – Raptor Chats with the Master of the Mews
1:30-2:30 p.m. – Skill Challenges
2:45-3:15 p.m. – Raptor feeding
3:30-4:30 p.m. – Falconry: Sport of Kings
All-day activities include: Pelt and Skull station, Tools of Falconry station, Craft a Catapult, and Fairy Houses in the Forest.
Also Saturday, witness the First-Day-of-Issue Dedication Ceremony for the Birds of Winter stamps from 11-11:30 a.m. The U.S. Postal Service celebrates four of winter’s winged beauties with the Birds in Winter Forever stamps: the black-capped chickadee, the northern cardinal, the blue jay and the red-bellied woodpecker. RSVP online at usps.com/birdsinwinter. Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.
VINS is located at 149 Nature’s Way, Quechee. Visit vinsweb.org.
Courtesy VINS
VINS’ staffer Nicole holds one of the resident falcons at VINS in Quechee.
