South Barrington nature center celebrates Mother's Day with birds of prey event

A snowy owl excited Sunday's visitors as it stared at children and their mothers during the Mother's Day with Birds of Prey event Sunday at the Stillman Nature Center.

Sue Vlahos and her daughter, Olivia, of Sleepy Hollow said they have been waiting months for this event as Sue is interested in all type of birds - especially birds of prey.

The private, nonprofit nature center is located on 80 acres of woodlands in South Barrington with a purpose of providing environmental education. Stillman provides a variety of habitats that feed, cover and nest wild animals, including several birds of prey that are unable to be released back into the wild.

Families had a chance to see several birds of prey, including the great horned owl, barn owl, barred owl and a screech owl, as well as a peregrine falcon, red-shouldered hawk and broad-winged hawk.

Stillman volunteers introduced the birds during Sunday's event so they could be seen up close and to educate participants.

Children took part in many activities, including dissecting owl pellets.

For more information about Stillman Nature Center, call (847) 428-OWLS (6957) or email stillnc@wildblue.net.