Back-to-back hurricanes swept through Florida this fall and, sadly, the Center for Birds of Prey’s original Owl Aviary was damaged to the point that it is now uninhabitable. Staff have moved the residents to safe areas behind the scenes, but the planned construction of the new aviary has become more urgent than ever. 

A new aviary will mean resident owls (Great Horned Owls Charley and Jeanne and Barred Owls Fil and Hitch) and Black Vulture Uff-da can return home, and guests can see these amazing birds like never before. The Center is halfway to its goal of $675,000—with your help we can create a new home for our resident raptors! 

Hurricanes impacted wild raptors across the state this year as well. EagleWatch volunteers documented 57 nests in 19 counties lost after the one-two punch of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. About half of those affected pairs are rebuilding in the same tree, or a nearby tree or structure if the original tree is no longer standing. As the season goes on—Bald Eagle nesting season ends in mid-May—we anticipate these numbers will grow as volunteers continue to confirm losses and relocations. 

This article originally appeared in the 2024 Winter Naturalist.