Winchester Academy hosts biologist

Gene Jacobs will speak about raptors during a Winchester Academy program. Submitted Photo

Gene Jacobs will present “Arctic Raptors Visit Wisconsin” at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26, at the Waupaca Area Public Library.

Sponsored by Winchester Academy, the program is free and open to the public.

Wisconsin is known for its raptor research, conducting studies on migration routes, mortality rates, nesting, and other behaviors.

Jacobs is a raptor biologist with Raptor Services LLC and a part-time instructor for UW-Stevens Point Outreach Program.

He has spent 38 years studying Wisconsin raptors, where he banded more than 17.000 birds.

Five times each year, Jacobs presents a five-day hands-on workshop, Introduction to Raptor Field Techniques, at Linwood Springs Research Station. The workshop attracts researchers, educators and university students from around the world, focusing on field techniques used to study raptors during their breeding season.

Jacobs’ program will include a discussion of migration routes and winter habits of both a Wisconsin golden eagle and several snowy owls he tracked using GPS transmitters, including interesting facts about what these birds are doing during their visits to Wisconsin.

A live great horned owl will be present for viewing at the end of the program.

Cookies and coffee are served at 6 p.m. and the program begins promptly at 6:30.

Winchester Academy is funded through sponsors and tax deductible donations. Jacobs’ program is sponsored by Jim and Mary Trainor.

For more information about Winchester Academy, check winchesteracademywaupaca.org, follow the group on Facebook, or contact Executive Director Ann Buerger Linden at 715-258-2927 or [email protected]