Weekend Programs

Weekend programs are great for groups, families or individuals, and first-time visitors are encouraged to incorporate one or more into your day's visit. All weekend programs are FREE with your trail fee or membership, and no registration is required.

Programs take place Saturdays and Sundays during the Spring and Autumn Migration seasons. They are also available on Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Columbus Day.

Raptors Up Close!

Spring: 11 AM & 2 PM
Fall: 10 AM, 12 PM, & 2 PM

Location: Outdoor Amphitheater or Visitor Center Gallery

Hawk Mountain's signature live raptor program, Raptors Up Close! offers the chance to see live hawks and owls, and to learn what puts these winged predators at the top of nature's food chain. This program guarantees that you will see a live raptor during your visit and is appropriate for visitors of all ages.

We thank M&T Bank, our long-time corporate sponsor, who makes this FREE program possible!

Name That Raptor

Spring: 12:30 PM
Fall: 10:45 AM & 12:45 PM

Location: Outdoor Amphitheater

Learn to ID Hawk Mountain’s common raptors with a little help from a Hawk Mountain trainee and their helpful guides that show you the key field marks to watch for in the sky. The program also covers the basic size differences, shapes and behaviors that help you key in on the correct species, as well as how to watch for the silhouette of a bird that is soaring overhead.

How We Study Migrating Raptors

Open display 9 AM - 3 PM
Programs at 11:30 AM & 1:30 PM

Location: South Lookout

Meet international trainees and learn from them the tools and technologies used to study long-distance migrants. This program is informative and entertaining, with lots of hands-on samples for you to look at and touch, and includes information on satellite and radio telemetry, wing-tagging, and the importance of counting migrating hawks.