Hours of Operation

• April - October | 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., daily
• November - March | 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., daily

During these times, we are open for self-guided tours. We also offer guided tours for a small fee (please see below).

Dogs are not allowed at the Iowa Raptor Project. A hitching post is provided for your convenience. As much as we love our furry dog friends, they are stressful for the raptors. Thank you for understanding!

Location

Visit us at/send mail to: 

Macbride Nature Recreation Area
2095 Mehaffey Bridge Rd. NE
Solon, Iowa 52333

How to find us: turn into the Macbride Nature Recreation Area (MNRA) on Mehaffey Bridge Rd NE and follow the signs for about 2 miles to the Raptor Center parking area. The Raptor Center is located past the gate down the gravel road, about a quarter-mile. 

If you find an injured raptor, please contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. A full list of rehabilitators in Iowa can be found here: Wildlife Rehab 

Our educational programs are the most important outreach activity of the Iowa Raptor Project. Through education of the public we can promote an understanding of the interdependence of all organisms including raptors and humans.

On-Site Educational Opportunities: 

The Raptor Center displays unreleasable birds of prey that have been documented to be indigenous to Iowa. The Iowa Raptor Project is located at the Macbride Nature Recreation Area (2095 Mehaffey Bridge Rd. NE, Solon, IA).

Guided Tours

During the one-hour guided tour, we lead our guests through the raptor display area and tailor our discussion to the needs and interests of our audience. We also give a short interpretive presentation about unique raptor adaptations. We are an outdoor facility so please dress for the weather. Please have kids bring their own water bottles. Water is available on site from a pump, but there are no drinking fountains. 

• Fee: $3/person (minimum $150 fee)
• Please call our office at 319-467-3287 to arrange for a guided tour or email coe-irp@uiowa.edu.

Off-Site Educational Opportunities:

Iowa Birds of Prey:

Iowa Birds of Prey is a traveling raptor program. We typically bring two of our educational birds for a 45-60 minute program. This program is interactive with each program tailored to the needs and interests of our audience.  

• Fee: $250 + .625/mile
• Please call our office at 319-467-3287 to arrange for an Iowa Birds of Prey program or email coe-irp@uiowa.edu.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Ryan Anthony in advance at ​319-624-7178.

IRP is focusing on three aspects of Iowa raptor populations to assess habitat needs and population trends in our native raptors.  

1. Monitoring winter raptor populations and discerning habitat needs for wintering raptors
2. Monitoring nesting raptor populations and determining habitat needs through urban, suburban, rural landscapes
3. Monitoring migrating raptor populations through counts and banding projects 

For those interested in participating in these projects, call 319-624-7178 or email Dave Conrads.