West Virginia Explorer

Birds of Prey summer program returns to W.Va. State Parks

Festivals / Events

June 1, 2017

Will Reedy

Wendy Perrone cares for raptors

Perrone presents birds of prey in WV.


Three Rivers Avian Center will present its popular “Wings of Wonder – Birds of Prey” program at 12 West Virginia state parks in summer 2017, introducing audiences across the Mountain State to live birds of prey.

The avian center’s programs have been park favorites for more than 20 years, said Sissie Summers of the Parks and Recreation Section of the state Division of Natural Resources.

“Wendy and Ron Perrone have been summer presenters at our state parks since 1993, and they are always happy to share their stories of rehabilitating injured owls, hawks and eagles,” Summers said.

“Attendees learn about the habitat, diet, and behavior of each bird, the most common causes of injury to each species, and the laws protecting these special birds.”

The program is free for anyone to attend at the following West Virginia parks and forests:

West Virginia Park Date Time Park Phone
 Blackwater Falls State Park June 17 7:30 p.m. 304-259-5216
 Watoga State Park July 8 2 p.m. 304-799-4087
 Lost River State Park Aug. 2 2 p.m. 304-897-5372
 Cacapon Resort State Park Aug. 2 7 p.m. 304-258-1022
 Blennerhassett Island State Park Aug. 12 1:30 p.m. 304-420-4800
 North Bend State Park Aug. 12 7:30 p.m. 304-643-2931
 Tomlinson Run State Park Aug. 13 1 p.m. 304-564-3651
 Holly River State Park Aug. 19 3 p.m. 304-493-6353
 Audra State Park Aug. 19 7 p.m. 304-457-1162
 Pipestem State Park Sept. 1 7 p.m. 304-466-1800
 Beech Fork Lake State Park Sept. 3 7 p.m. 304-528-5794
 Kanawha State Forest Sept. 16 1 p.m. 304-558-3500

About Three Rivers Avian Center

Three Rivers Avian Center is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to wild bird conservation and educating and involving people in ecosystem stewardship. Founded in 1990, its 103-acre facility is located in the southern New River Gorge National Park and Preserve between near Hinton, West Virginia, in Summers County. Its executive director, Wendy Perrone, is a graduate of Guilford College and currently serves as coordinator for the New River Gorge Peregrine Restoration, a five-year effort to re-establish peregrine falcon in its native southern Appalachia. Education Director Ron Perrone is a graduate of West Virginia University. The Perrones are involved in many interpretative based organizations, wildlife rehabilitation organizations and assist conservation agencies as appropriate.

Public tour days at Three Rivers Avian Center are the first Saturday of each month, May through October, from 1 to 5 p.m. Other tours are scheduled by appointment only. The center is located near Bluestone and Pipestem Resort state parks. For more information about Three Rivers Avian Center, call 304-466-4683 or visit www.tracwv.org.