Master Class Falconer and Director of the West Virginia Raptor Center, Collin Waybright, has been working with birds of prey since he was 14! He has made an impression on many who often say, "He makes training birds look so easy!"
American Kestrel
Collin is a Master-Class, licensed Falconer and is one of the youngest Master-Class Falconers in the state of West Virginia. He started this adventure by trapping his first Red-Tailed Hawk, Ace, from the wild when he was only 14 years old. Collin has also trained an American Kestrel for the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, PA, and is one of the youngest people in the US to train a Bald Eagle. The Bald Eagle, Mr. Spectacular, is a non-releasable bird and is now an educational ambassador. Collin was home-schooled and graduated in 2018. Right after graduation, he spent 10 months working at the Ararat Ridge Zoo located at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, KY. Over 8 years of experience working with the WVRC and the Ararat Ridge Zoo has allowed Collin to work with a number of different birds including some that a raptor would consider "lunch". People are often amazed at Collin's God-given talent of working seemingly effortlessly with birds. Of course, if you ask him, he will assure you that there is more to training birds than meets the eye. Collin is now the Executive Director of the 39 year old non-profit 501c3 organization the West Virginia Raptor Center.
Charleston is a non-releasable Barred Owl used for education.
Rico is a non-releasable Red-Tailed Hawk used for education.
Hardy is a Red-Tailed Hawk in training as a falconry bird.
Eddie is a Harris Hawk, in training as a falconry bird.
Would you like to see a falconry presentation or book one at your next event? Check out our calendar of events below, or give us a call! The Laurel River Club BnB will help you make a reservation or book the Laurel Fork Falconer for your event. 304-402-7095