Birds of Prey release an awe-inspiring experience
By Lethbridge Herald on September 11, 2025.
Joe Manio
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
It was a good day to fly away…to freedom. And despite overcast skies and intermittent light rain, nothing could dampen the joy of releasing six rehabilitated raptors from the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre in Coaldale back into the wild.
The birds were all from Lethbridge and were released into the skies above Cottonwood Park on the West Side.
“We had six birds (today)…four Swainson’s Hawks, one Merlin Falcon and one Short-eared Owl,” said Alberta Bird of Prey Centre executive director Colin Weir. “And all of these birds have come from the city of Lethbridge over the past two or three years.”
Weir said Cottonwood Park is a great place to release the raptors because it’s putting them right back in the habitat where they came from (in this case Lethbridge), and there’s also lots of cover, lots of food and they’re close to an urban area (if they want to head back there), but they’re also in the rural areas as well.
“This is one of our favourite spots, and sometimes we do take them back to other communities across southern Alberta,” said Weir, “but the birds kind of go where they want anyways, they won’t stay here for sure. And so this is just a really, really beautiful place.”
Coaldale Mayor Jack Van Rijn, who has previously released raptors back into the wild, invited Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen to participate in releasing the birds, a first for Hyggen.
All the birds immediately flew away upon release, except one hawk released by Hyggen. It circled around and made a few low-level passes, 20 to 30 feet above the group before finally flying off.
“It was quite the experience…something that I’ve never done before,” said Hyggen. “I was thinking how do you release it? Then it comes back and circles around for a while, almost like it was saying thanks and see you later.”
Watching the raptors regaining their freedom and flying off was a mesmerizing experience for all who watched. During their release, everyone watched in silent awe as they flew away.
“There was just complete silence from everybody…you could hear a pin drop,” said Weir. “This is the quietest I’ve ever heard politicians be in my lifetime. It’s wonderful that they were so impressed with the environment and nature, and that’s what this is all about…the experience.
The Alberta Birds of Prey Centre operates year-round, rehabilitating sick and injured birds of prey, including hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls, with the goal of releasing them back into the wild.
Although the centre’s visiting season officially ended on Sept. 1, the Centre will be open for two more weekends: Sept.13-14, and Sept. 20-21. After that, it will close to visitors until May 2026.=
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I’ve visited BOP several times and continue to be impressed by the birds in their facility and the people that look after them. Although some of their birds can never be released it’s fantastic to read about those that are back in their environment again.
birds of prey ctr is a special place looked after by special people. there is room for a similar place in lethbridge. it would be well worth the money.