Wendy Ella Guilford Owl Observatory

Photo of the Wendy Ella Guilford Owl Research Observatory in Winter. Photo by Carly Smith.

And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand; they danced by the light of the moon. – Edward Lear, The Owl and the Pussycat

What happens here?

Exercise is a critical part of the rehabilitation process. After significant injuries such as fractured wings, getting back into shape is very important. An owl may spend 3-6 weeks in a large enclosure stretching out stiff limbs, strengthening its atrophied flight muscles and building stamina.

Wendy Ella Guilford Owl Research Observatory Details

Two story observation deck
Capacity 3-6 Owls
10 ft wide x 20ft tall x 60ft long
HD Cameras Coming Soon
Available for Viewing

Many owls are admitted to CRC with head trauma and/or eye injuries. After those injuries have resolved, CRC staff and volunteers need to be able to evaluate a bird’s vision in order to determine if a bird can be released into the wild. This evaluation may involve simply observing a birds’ flight patterns or response to stimuli, or it may require live prey testing.

Nestling owls admitted to CRC need to develop good hunting skills just as they would in the wild. The parent birds will continue to supplement their diet while they are learning to become successful hunters. At CRC, staff and volunteers monitor the weight of each bird and supplement their diet with dead mice while they are practicing their skills.

The Wendy Ella Guilford Owl Research Observatory is made possible through a generous gift by Sarah H. Lambrecht in loving memory of her mother, Wendy Ella Guilford.