New Eagle Flight Enclosure

With the recent completion of the new "Buddy pen" for educational ambassador Buddy the Bald Eagle, the Kjellstrom & Lee work crew has turned its attention to completing a new eagle flight enclosure at the Wildlife Center. The enclosure, which will measure 88 feet by 16 feet, is designed so that the Wildlife Center may also house smaller raptors in the flight pen.   It will be the tallest flight enclosure at the Wildlife Center, measuring 23 feet at its highest point.  Other features include two sunken water tubs with drains, a sheltered area over each end of the enclosure, and divider curtains for splitting the pen into three parts when needed (for capturing birds as well as live prey testing). The Wildlife Center staff are particularly excited that the new enclosure will feature an "eaglet loft" - a room attached to the flight pen for housing young birds.  The loft area will be used for young raptors so that they may see into the flight area to observe adults of their own species.  There will be a door opening from the loft into the flight area, with perches to allow branching.   All entrances to the new enclosure will include a double door system. This new raptor enclosure will ultimately be equipped with a web cam.

Rough Sketches of the New Flight Enclosure

In July 2011 the Wildlife Center purchased telephone poles to serve as the anchored points from which to construct the sides of the flight pen.  Workers from Dominion Virginia Power donated their time to erect the poles.

September 21, 2011 

 

September 26, 2011

September 27, 2011

A view from the "loft": Some perspective:

September 28, 2011

September 29, 2011

October 1, 2011

October 10, 2011

October 17, 2011

October 24, 2011

As of October 25, the new flight enclosure is just about completed.  Only a few finishing touches remain -- and then the flight pen will be ready for use!  The cost of this new pen is estimated at $20,000.  While the Center has secured most of the money needed for this project, additional donations would be welcome!   Contributions to the new Wildlife Center eagle pen may be made online through the DONATE button [credit or debit card, or PayPal account].