Photo Gallery: Taking Flight at Green Chimneys

Birds of every size, shape and species dotted the skies of Brewster on Sunday at Green Chimney’s 19^th annual .

Hayrides, bouncy castles, crafts and face paintings highlighted the day’s family activities — but it was the soaring falcons, hawks and owls that captivated the crowd’s attention throughout the day. 

The event, which featured demonstrations from an array of birds and other wildlife, brought hundreds of community members together in a day of appreciation of the diversity of life that exists in exotic environments, as well as in residents' own backyards.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former New York Rangers goalie Mike Richter, along with other speakers, praised the efforts of Green Chimneys and encouraged others to appreciate the natural surroundings that are often taken for granted.

“It’s time that we start protecting the environmental infrastructure for the future of our communities and of our children,” Kennedy said. 

The Birds Of Prey day also showed off the hard work of students taking part in the school’s animal-assisted therapy program. Two rehabilitated hawks were set off from atop a Patterson Fire Department truck, both of which were nursed back to health through the program.

“I’m proud to say that [Green Chimneys] is home to 51 permanently-disabled birds of prey and that we rehab over 100 birds a year,” Paul Kupchok, the school’s wildlife director, said. “It’s a great way to take those that we give care to and make them into caregivers.”

Click through the photo gallery to learn more about the day's activities.

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