Maitland is known as the birthplace of the Florida Audubon Society. It is also known for it’s wonderful rehabilitation center, started here in 1979.

Since its founding, the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey has treated over 12,000 injured or orphaned birds of prey (raptors), releasing more than 40% of these former patients back into the wild. The Center handles the largest volume of eagles, owls, falcons, hawks, and kites east of the Mississippi River–averaging more than 650 admissions, or injured or orphaned birds of prey, each year—and is a leader among all North American rehabilitation centers for specialized eagle care.

The Center also provides environmental education programming to over 20,000 local students, teachers, and visitors annually, while promoting a culture of conservation towards birds of prey and their habitats. A nationally renowned research institute, the Center is an influential voice in the ongoing fight to save endangered and threatened birds of prey.

The center is just a short stroll from Thurston House, a north Orlando bed & breakfast accommodation. Staying at Thurston House, one could imagine being in a mini-raptor center. While rocking on the wraparound porch, or swinging in the upstairs porch hammock, one can see everything from owls to osprey to hawks and more. They live peacefully amid our wooded 8 acres overlooking Lake Eulalia. Sharing their location are many other types of  birds such as cardinals, sparrows, woodpeckers and tiny timouse, to name just a few. A stroll around the lovely streets of  Maitland will bring you to several lakes, home to a variety of ducks and geese. Book your room, pack your binoculars, and come enjoy our little bit of paradise in Central Florida, Maitland.

Warren

What do you get someone who has everything they need? How about an eagle, osprey or even an owl? At the Florida Audubon Birds of Prey Center in Maitland there are many birds just waiting for a family to adopt them. Click on their website link and start shopping for that perfect bird gift. Then, plan a trip to Thurston House Central Florida B&B to visit your bird. We are just a short stroll away!

Wise Owl

It seems fitting to have this Buzza Company print hanging in my B&B office. Of late we have been entertained a lot by the local birds, specifically the owls. One in particular seems to love to swoop and hoot. We have named him Cyrus, in honor of the original owner of this magnificiant 1885 Queen Anne Victorian Central Florida home, Cyrus Brooks Thurston.

Just two streets away from us is the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey. A short stroll will get you to their gate. Step inside and experience the wonder of these creatures. The center is not only home to many owls, but also to eagles, hawks, vultures, osprey, and more! You can even adopt a bird in honor of a loved one, a unique and thoughtful gift!

Cyrus, the Thurston House owl

Of course you can just sit on our porch rocking away and let them come to you. We call it our guest entertainment. Come see, at Thurston House, our Central Florida bed & breakfast!

The Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Central Florida is just minutes away from our North Orlando bed & breakfast. Founded in 1979 in Maitland, FL, the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey has treated over 12,000 injured or orphaned birds of prey (raptors), releasing more than 40% of these former patients back into the wild. The Center handles the largest volume of eagles, owls, falcons, hawks, and kites east of the Mississippi River–averaging more than 650 admissions, or injured or orphaned birds of prey, each year—and is a leader among all North American rehabilitation centers for specialized eagle care.

The Center also provides environmental education programming to over 20,000 local students, teachers, and visitors annually, while promoting a culture of conservation towards birds of prey and their habitats. A nationally renowned research institute, the Center is an influential voice in the ongoing fight to save endangered and threatened birds of prey.

Thurston House Central Florida B&B owl

Of course, sitting on our Maitland Winter Park b&b porch or strolling our grounds can feel like a birds of prey center too. We often see osprey fishing in the lake, or hear the hoots of owls. Sometimes the owls even allow their photo to be taken, as was the case this past weekend.

What is the Great Florida Birding Trail?

The Great Florida Birding Trail is a program of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, supported in part by the Florida Department of Transportation and the Wildlife Foundation of Florida. This 2,000-mile, self-guided highway trail unifies nearly 500 birding sites throughout Florida. Modeled after the successful Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, this ambitious project features detailed guide booklets and special highway signs identifying Birding Trail sites. Free guide booklets contain site descriptions, directions, and maps showcasing the wonderful birding opportunities in Florida. Each Birding Trail section consists of a series of clusters, with each cluster containing 1 to 15 sites highlighting communities and special ecosystems like the Lake Wales Ridge.  

Baby owl shower

The Audubon Center for Birds of Prey is two streets from Thurston House B&B in Maitland, and an amazing facility! They even hold baby owl showers yearly. Come see!

Osprey

Last week guests really enjoyed going to this wonderful facility in Maitland, just two streets away from Thurston House bed & breakfast. Sometimes we think our yard is a birds of prey center as we often see owls and osprey flying around!

Audubon Center for Birds of Prey

Founded in 1979 in Maitland, FL, the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey has treated over 12,000 injured or orphaned birds of prey (raptors), releasing more than 40% of these former patients back into the wild. The Center handles the largest volume of eagles, owls, falcons, hawks, and kites east of the Mississippi River–averaging more than 650 admissions, or injured or orphaned birds of prey, each year—and is a leader among all North American rehabilitation centers for specialized eagle care.

The Center also provides environmental education programming to over 20,000 local students, teachers, and visitors annually, while promoting a culture of conservation towards birds of prey and their habitats. A nationally renowned research institute, the Center is an influential voice in the ongoing fight to save endangered and threatened birds of prey.

Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, Maitland, FL (Central Florida – North Orlando area): Baby Owl Shower

Spring Event: May 8, 2010
10am – 2pm

Each Spring the Center holds its annual Baby Owl Shower to raise funds to offset the increased costs during baby season.  Join us on May 8th to celebrate Mother’s Day and spring.  Non-releasable baby raptors will be available to view (pending).  Other organizations will be joining us this day for educational activities and programs.  Admission is “free” that day with baby gifts from our wish list that is used in caring for these young raptors. Contact the Center at 407-644-0190 for more details or if you have questions.

Baby Owl Shower – Help us help them…

Spring is coming and with it brings baby bird season.  During “baby season,” as the Center calls it, the clinic receives approximately 20% of our annual patient load.  Most of these young birds have been temporarily displaced from their nests. The Center’s ultimate goal is to get all these babies back into the wild where they belong, and we need your help!  Many of these babies will be reunited with their families or placed in foster nests. Others that are orphaned or that cannot be returned with their families are being raised and prepared for life in the wild.  Center staff spends many hours educating the public on what to do if they find a baby bird and if the bird is in need of help.  The best procedure is to get the baby back up into the nest with its parents if at all possible.

Screech Owl Babies

All Funds raised will help offset the cost during baby bird season.  Funds will be used to buy food, medications, medical care and other essential supplies.  To give you an idea of what it takes to care for these youngsters, a typical season looks like this:

• FOOD…287 pounds of fish, 148 quail, 595 chicks, 679 mice, 93 rats, 5000 crickets and 4000 mealworms.  We went through 2 knives and three pairs of scissors cutting it all up into baby-size portions!
• HYDRATION…12,000ml of fluids were administered.
• CLEAN-UP…we washed 956 baby blankets and used 150 pounds of newspaper.
• LABOR…500+ volunteer hours were donated to rescue, feed, clean cages and care for the babies.

We need your help!  Donate

This fabulous center is just a short walk from Thurston House Bed & Breakfast. Bring a baby owl gift for free admission.

What to do, what to get…. Always a big challenge this time of year. How about a very unique gift from Maitland’s own Audubon of Florida Center for the Birds of Prey? You can chose what type of bird to adopt, from eagles to owls. There is a photo and information sent about the adopted bird, as well as an official certificate. When in town they can even visit “their” bird! The center is right around the corner from Thurston House bed & breakfast.

This is a perfect gift solution for anyone who really doesn’t need anything, but would appreciate this donation to a good cause. Think about it!

Thurston House owl couple

Coming up is the last holiday weekend of the summer. Enjoy summer rates here at Thurston House, and visit some of the wonderful attractions this area offers to you. A short stroll away from us is the Audubon Birds of Prey Center, the Maitland Art Center and the Maitland Historical Museums. Pop into Athena Chicken for a bite, check out Hally’s Antique Mall, and grab a bottle of wine at the Maitland Wine Store. End the day relaxing on our beautiful wraparound porch…book now while rooms are still available!

You could be here!

Baby Kestrels

With a face only a mother could love, check out these little American Kestrel babies at the Audubon Birds of Prey Center. They want their breakfast! At Thurston House, you never have to worry about going hungry at breakfast time.