Raptor Ridge Wildlife Education

05/13/2026

Good morning all- So how is your morning starting off? This is how we feed Chaco the box turtle every morning. I cut up greens and Luna supervises and then tastes a piece or two to make sure I did a good job! 🐢🥗

05/08/2026

No need for rat poison- nature provides the perfect solution! If you would like them to feel
welcome, build them a place to nest. If conditions are right, you may find that you have a new pest control family nearby.

A barn owl family removes thousands of rodents in a nesting season — voles, mice, rats, gophers. No poison involved. But she needs a cavity to nest in, and old barns and hollow trees are disappearing.

One box changes the equation.

🪵 The build:

- Interior at least 24" deep × 18" wide × 18" tall — room for a full brood
- Entry hole 5½" round or elliptical
- Interior divider to shield owlets from reach
- ¾" exterior-grade plywood with drainage holes in the floor
- Hinged panel for annual cleanout

🌿 The placement:

- 12-15 feet high on a pole or building wall
- Entry facing away from prevailing wind
- Open grassland or meadow within sight
- Avoid areas where rodenticide is in active use — barn owls absorb it through prey

🐾 What to expect:

- Install by late winter — barn owls begin scouting sites as early as February
- Occupation can take a full season of patience
- Whitewash streaks and pellets below the box mean she found it
- A mated pair often returns to the same box year after year

Forty dollars of plywood. One afternoon. A rodent patrol that runs itself 🌿

05/05/2026

Always a fun time at Turtle Point Science Center! Come see us for the Invasive Plant Learning and Family Fun Day!

04/26/2026

We didn’t let a little rain ruin our day! Huge shout out to the City of Brewton and the E. O. Wilson Nature Adventure for hosting Earth Day 2026! We always love seeing Jimmy and Sierra and their scaly and slimy friends (even the “spicy” ones)!

04/19/2026

So excited we were finally able to make this happen! Huge shoutout to Cherie and Brittni for a super fun night! Thank you to Lauren for showing off our amazing creature teachers! 🦉Everyone’s owl paintings turned out great! Can’t wait to do it again soon!

One of these is not like the others. Can you see him?

What an amazing night in the studio! Our first Harry Potter trivia night sold out!

Special thanks to Valerie at Raptor Ridge Wildlife Education for bringing three stunning owls and sharing with us all about them. Also thank you to Lauren for assisting Valerie.

Brittni designed this fabulous owl just for our event. Everyone did a terrific job painting their own owls!

Alright, seriously, who is ready for a repeat for those who couldn’t get in to this one? We have a tentative date scheduled, but we need to hear from y’all. Should we open it on the calendar? Tell us here.

04/14/2026

The day started with a beautiful sunrise as we drove to Horseshoe Bend High School for their Ag Farm and Forest Field Day. Students rotated through five different stations learning about Forestry & Forest Management, Wildlife Biology & Conservation, Soils, Water Quality and Raptors. My hope is that these young folks learned a few things and have a greater appreciation for our natural resources.

04/11/2026

A few more pictures from City of Wetumpka Farmers Market today. Really cool t-shirt design. Huge shout out to Dakota, Baba and team for hosting a great event!

*All birds are non-releasable educational ambassadors and are held under required federal and state permits.

04/11/2026

Little d’Artagnan showing off her flexible neck! City of Wetumpka Farmers Market.

04/08/2026

This Saturday April 11, we will be at the City of Wetumpka Farmers Market for the Farmers Market and Earth Day event. Stop by and meet some of our amazing creature teachers! So excited about the list of vendors that will be there- you don’t want to miss it!

***All birds in our care are held under required federal and state permits.

03/25/2026

Harry Potter fans- paint, trivia AND live birds! What could be better? Join us at Sunshine and Pixie Dust for a fun filled evening -April 18 at 6:00!

Hey y’all! 🦉✨ Calling all Harry Potter fans!

You are officially invited to a magical night at Sunshine and Pixie Dust on Saturday, April 18 at 6:00 PM for our Harry Potter Trivia Night Paint Party!

We’ll be painting this adorable Hedwig on an 11×14 canvas and testing your wizarding knowledge with trivia from the Harry Potter movies all evening long! ⚡📚

But wait…it gets even more magical…

Our wonderful friends from Raptor Ridge Wildlife Education are bringing real birds to the studio just for this special event! 🦉💛
Yes—REAL birds. This is not your average paint night!

✨ Perfect for:
- Harry Potter fans
- Trivia lovers
- Anyone who wants a fun creative night out

Seats for this event are very limited and expected to disappear quickly, so now’s the time to grab yours.

🎟 Canvas: 11×14
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Studio on the Hill – Wetumpka
💲 $25 per person

Secure your seat on our website. You can find the link below.

Tag your trivia team, your favorite wizarding buddy, or the friend who would definitely know all the answers! ✨🪄