Here on the Science Trail, we love to see our partners working together on an exciting project. Last Saturday, the Carolina Raptor Center from Huntersville pulled together with the Schiele Museum from Gastonia at Crowders Mountain State Park in Kings Mountain for a beautiful moment, shared with a crowd. Read along as Robert Koch from the CRC tells all about how this came to pass.
On Saturday, January 25, over 100 community members from across the Carolinas gathered at Crowders Mountain State Park to witness the release of the first Merlin treated at the Carolina Raptor Center since 2016.
Carolina Raptor Center and the Schiele Museum partnered to provide this free program to start 2025 with a focus on science education.
Erin Katzner, Carolina Raptor Center’s President and CEO, began the event by addressing the crowd, sharing information about native falcons, including the American Kestrel, the smallest falcon in our area, the Peregrine Falcon, the fastest animal on the planet, and of course, Merlins.
Merlins are agile falcons with a widespread range across North America, Asia, and Europe, but their small size, quick speed, and migratory nature make them rarely seen. Since the Carolina Raptor Center first began treating birds in 1975, only 41 Merlins have been admitted.
The Carolina Raptor Center admitted the Merlin being released, Patient #26752, after it collided with a window in Morganton, causing eye injuries. As powerful hunters, Merlins rely heavily on their eyesight, so the Raptor Hospital team immediately began providing care to ensure the bird would still thrive in the wild. After a final eye exam from an animal ophthalmologist, Patient #26752 was cleared for release! Read Patient #26752’s full story on the Carolina Raptor Center’s website.
Merlin in flight. All images are credited to @milkogervet_photography
On this sunny January morning, Patient #26752 made a triumphant return to the wild. With the help of a young bird-enthusiast, Eleanor, the Merlin swiftly left its transport box and flew to a nearby tree. It will likely move south as it continues the path of winter migration.
Carolina Raptor Center’s mission is to ignite a passion for raptors and a responsibility for our shared natural world. Carolina Raptor Center’s zoological raptor trail features 30+ avian ambassadors including owls, hawks, vultures, eagles, and more.
The Schiele Museum is committed to inspiring curiosity and understanding of science and the natural world through exceptional educational programs, exhibits and research. The Schiele Museum was an ideal partner for the Carolina Raptor Center with this event, as they have many birds featured in their exhibits, including Hedwig, an Eastern Screech Owl, who is one of their animal ambassadors.
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Thanks so much to our partners for collaborating on this great project and for encouraging public attendance to learn about such an amazing bird. Special thanks goes to Robert Koch, Erin Katzner, Rachel Dupree, Morgan Lyons, Ranger Kelly Hutson, and Ranger Justin Blanton.
