Iowa Raptor Project’s mission is to connect students and the people of the state of Iowa to the conservation of birds of prey and their natural habitats through transformative educational experiences and collaborative research projects. IRP is a program of the University of Iowa College of Education's UI WILD department with support from Kirkwood Community College.
Visit Us
Raptor Center
All are welcome to visit our raptors! We are open for self-guided tours during regular hours of operation.
Hours of Operation
April - September | 6am - 9pm, daily
October - March | 9am - 4pm, daily
Location
Raptor Center (at the Macbride Nature Recreation Area)
3673 Raptor Ridge Road NE
Solon, Iowa 52333
Things to Remember
Dogs and other animals are not permitted at the Iowa Raptor Project.
The Raptor Center is a place of serenity, so we ask that our voices be kept low in respect for other guests.
The Raptor Center is an outdoor facility. Please dress accordingly for the weather.
Please note that many of our paths are gravel, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
There is a portable restroom located at the Raptor Center.
We recommended that you bring your own water bottle. Water is available from a hand pump during warmer months.
Meet our Birds
- Hercules (Red-tailed Hawk)
- Wannago (Great Horned Owl)
- Walter (Harris’s Hawk)
- Superior (Harris’s Hawk)
- Fennamare or “Fenn” (American Barn Owl)
- Juniper (Northern Saw-whet Owl)
- Little Horn (Eastern Screech-Owl)
- Omaha (American Kestrel)
- Aldo (Barred Owl)
- Tigerhawk (Peregrine Falcon)
- Shiloh (Turkey Vulture)
- Vlad (Black Vulture)
- Spirit (Bald Eagle)
History of IRP
The Iowa Raptor Project began in 1985 under University of Iowa Recreational Services. It was originally focused on raptor rehabilitation and education, and our first enclosures for non-releasable raptors were built at the Macbride Nature Recreation Area. Kirkwood Community College soon joined as a partner primarily in the rehabilitation effort.
In 2015, Kirkwood continued its support of the IRP’s educational programming but could no longer support the rehabilitation efforts. The IRP then realigned with the university’s primary mission as a research and education institution.
In 2021, the IRP, along with the two programs that were built on it (Iowa Wildlife Camps and School of the Wild - all forming the UI WILD Department), moved to the College of Education as our shared conservation education work aligns closely with its mission.
Kirkwood continues as a vital partner with the University of Iowa and UI WILD through their Parks and Natural Resources and Animal Health Technology programs, serving a shared commitment to the conservation of birds of prey through research and education.
Educational Programs & Events
Traveling Programs
Invite the Iowa Raptor Project to visit your school or organization and provide a live raptor presentation for your next special event!
Private Tours
Join us for a guided tour, including an up-close experience with one of our raptors!
Upcoming Events
Throughout the year, we will be hosting various community events. Follow us on social media (Facebook or Instagram) to get the latest updates on events.
Research
Research
Current research initiatives with the Iowa Raptor Project include:
1. Fall Hawk Migration Counts
Through long-term counting of migrating diurnal raptors we can learn about population trends, migration phenology changes, and other migratory needs of raptors that utilize the Iowa River valley.
Click here to see the data set for the Macbride Nature Recreation Area count provided by the Hawk Migration Association’s HawkCount.
2. Fall Hawk and Owl Migration Banding
During the fall we trap and band migrating diurnal raptors (primarily hawks) and nocturnal raptors (primarily Northern Saw-whet Owls). Data from band returns help us better understand raptor movement along the Iowa River valley, as well as about their longevity and regional movements.
The IRP is part of the continent-wide Project Owlnet to learn more about Northern Saw-whet Owl migration and populations. Click here for more information on Project Owlnet.
3. Winter Raptor Surveys
Surveying of wintering raptors along the Iowa River, as well as a route through rural western Johnson County help us learn about habitat needs for wintering birds of prey and can also demonstrate population trends over time.
Click here to see the data for our three routes (Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area, Coralville Dam to near Riverside, and West Johnson County) from the Winter Raptor Survey.
4. American Kestrel Nest Box Monitoring
Working with the Iowa DNR, we are establishing American Kestrel Nest boxes throughout the Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area and monitoring the nests for success and productivity. Kestrel populations are declining in regions and this will help us learn more of their needs in our area.
Click here to view data reported by Cornell University’s Laboratory of Ornithology NestWatch.
Ways to Help
Donate
Your donation will help us care for our raptors and support our goal to inspire awareness, appreciation, and action on behalf of Iowa’s birds of prey.
Volunteer
Dedicated volunteers are at the heart and soul of the Iowa Raptor Project! Volunteers are crucial to the care of our raptors and help support our educational mission.
Help an Injured Bird
If you find an injured raptor or other wildlife in need of assistance, please contact the licensed wildlife rehabilitator nearest you.
News
Into the Wild
UI WILD Director Karen Allen reflects on her first six months on the job and shares her vision for the future of these popular outdoor programs that provide enriching teaching and learning experiences in nature.
In the news: Iowa Raptor Project continues outreach and conservation efforts
Staff from UI WILD’s Iowa Raptor Project discuss the unit's future conservation efforts and transformative educational experiences.
School of the Wild, Wildlife Camps, and Iowa Raptor Project will continue
All College of Education UI WILD (Wildlife Instruction and Leadership Development) Programs – School of the Wild, Iowa Wildlife Camps, and the Iowa Raptor Project – will continue, even though the University of Iowa will not renew its lease for the Macbride Nature Recreation Area (MNRA) when it expires on July 1, 2029. All camps and programs will continue at their current locations through August 2026 and in new locations after that time. Click here to read more
Upcoming IRP Events
Contact Us
For after hours emergencies at the Iowa Raptor Project, please call 319-624-7178.