For the month of January, 2025, the HLBWS meeting is on January 9, 2025 (one week later than would ordinarily be the case).

When someone mentions hawks or other raptors, many of us conjure images of majestic birds swooping down to snatch unsuspecting prey for a meal. From time to time, though, something goes awry. Raptors can injure themselves, get hit by cars, or otherwise require medical attention. A bird’s survival may depend upon the care of a licensed wildlife rehabilitator like Ed Sones. At this meeting, HLBWS members and guests will be treated to Mr. Sones’ engaging presentation, “Raptors of Central Texas,” featuring live raptors handled by a team of dedicated wildlife rehabilitators. This interactive session offers a unique opportunity to learn about the behaviors and habitats of raptors native to Central Texas, while witnessing these majestic birds up close.

Ed Sones is a very unusual bird watcher who is known for watching birds and other wildlife, with them inside his home. He has been a wildlife rehabber for over 30 years, starting with nurturing two infant squirrels, thanks to his dog. Ed has personally rehabbed well over 4,000 birds of more than 120 species. Foster parenting, voracious fledglings, hissing vultures, and heartbreak are a part of his everyday world. He is on the board of Austin Area Wildlife Rehabilitation and a member of Austin Wildlife Rescue. Other handlers assisting in this presentation include Desiree Lavigne, who has been rehabbing and training raptors for twelve years, and Gerrie McCall, who has been volunteering as a raptor rehabber with Ed for three years.

Meeting room doors open at 9:30 a.m. for social time and light refreshments. Guests and visitors are welcome to attend this one-of-a-kind presentation, to see live birds and learn more about them. A brief business meeting starts at 10:00 a.m., and Mr. Sones’ presentation begins immediately after it. If the weather cooperates, there will be a pre-meeting bird walk at 8:00 a.m. at Haley Nelson Park in Burnet.