Smokies Hosts Doris Mager Birds of Prey Program

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials invite the public to a special birds of prey program presented by Doris Mager on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015 at 10 a.m. The program will be on the porch of the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.

Known as “The Eagle Lady”, Ms. Mager has been working with raptors for over 35 years. She has cared for over 80 injured eagles and hundreds of other raptors, housing up to 36 birds at one time. In 1983, she established an educational and research group called Save Our American Raptors (SOAR). Part of her research work included conducting aerial surveys of bald eagle nesting sites for scientists studying the population and habits of birds in the wild.

Doris Mager and one of her birds of prey.

Ms. Mager continues to travel throughout the U.S. doing educational programs with a 34-year-old great horned owl known as E.T., screech owl, and American kestrel. Mager’s program provides a unique opportunity for visitors to see raptors up close as they learn about features and habits of these fascinating birds. After eight years of providing programs at in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this will likely be Ms. Mager’s last appearance, as she will be moving away from the area.

The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is located on Newfound Gap Road approximately 2 miles north of Cherokee, N.C. For more information about the program, please call the Oconaluftee Visitor Center at (828) 497-1904.

For more information on birds in the park, please visit the park website at http://www.nps.gov/grsm/naturescience/birds.htm.