Whoo goes there? Live owl shows at Harwich Community Center on Sept. 20th

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They hoot it up after dark, but laying eyes on a live owl is a big challenge for nature lovers. These elusive raptors clock in for the night shift, clad in camouflaging feathers, with exceptional eyesight and the amazing ability to fly silently. They probably see you, but you might not see them.

Luckily, there’s an easy way to see owls up close and learn about their lives and unique adaptations. Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) is hosting a live owl program called “Owls Up Close” on Saturday, Sept. 20th at the Harwich Community Center (100 Oak St.). Two shows will be offered that day, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The live owl programs are led by naturalist educators Marcia and Mark Wilson who tour the Northeast, offering audiences an intimate look at these secretive raptors.

The Wilsons will bring owls that are found locally as well as internationally. See owls of different sizes, including the great-horned owl called the “tiger of the woods,” red and gray morph screech owls illustrating the wide range of colors this species can display, a barred owl with dark charcoal-colored eyes, and a barn owl with its distinctive heart-shaped face.

Marcia and Mark will also feature owls from around the globe including a South American species called the spectacled owl, as well as the mighty Eurasian eagle-owl with its fiery gaze.

Each owl has a permanent disability, which prevents release into the wild. The Wilsons are permitted by state and federal agencies to tour with the owls. Mark, a retired Boston Globe photographer, will lead an introductory slide show. The duo will then walk around with the owls tethered to their gloved hands to highlight the raptors’ behavior, biology, and beautiful feathers.

The owl programs are sponsored by HCT and the Cape Cod Chronicle. The event helps HCT to preserve land, including habitat that owls call home. Tickets are $5 each for ages 5 to 11 and $10 each for ages 12 to adult.

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—Your tax-deductible contributions help fulfill the mission of the Harwich Conservation Trust to preserve land that protects woods, water, wildlife and our shared quality of life. And your land-saving financial support helps us preserve beautiful properties that can become stellar trail destinations. Find out how to donate by clicking here.