Jenningston, W.V. (Hinton News) – “It was such an outstanding experience!” said Collin Waybright of his recent participation in the 2022 Mountaineering Day event in Washington, DC. The Embassy of the Czech Republic had previously asked Collin Waybright, Master Class Falconer and Director of the West Virginia Raptor Center (WVRC), to participate in their Sept. 24 event. “The Embassy of the Czech Republic showed such great hospitality and interest in learning about falconry and birds of prey. I met so many people from the European Union. It was a great time with great new friends,” said Waybright.
Waybright brought with him a Red-tailed Hawk, Harris’s Hawk, and a Barred Owl for his falconry demonstration. Before assuming the role of Executive Director of the WVRC, Waybright had volunteered in many different capacities since 2014, thus being acutely aware of its mission and goals. His interest in falconry came at an early age before he even began to volunteer with the WVRC. He earned his falconry permit also in 2014 at the age of 14. Since then he has trained many birds to become educational ambassadors, such as Shera, an American Kestrel currently at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh PA, and Mr. Spectacular, a Bald Eagle used for educational programs. At 22, Waybright is one of the youngest Master Class Falconers in the state of West Virginia.
“I was very excited and honored to participate,” said Waybright, who is also known as the Laurel Fork Falconer. “I feel so blessed to have had such an awesome opportunity. I love watching eyes light up when I get the birds out; I know that people will look at birds of prey differently after each presentation.” Waybright gives many similar raptor presentations in his home county of Tucker and across the state of West Virginia. He can frequently be seen giving a demonstration to school groups, at public events and at the Laurel River Club B&B in Jenningston, West Virginia. It is there that he leads a Hawk Walk or a Bird of Prey Demonstration. The unique Hawk Walk gives people the opportunity to walk side by side with a Master Class Falconer and see what they really do.
“Each excursion is unique and exciting because it is a learning experience that you can’t find just anywhere. Collin has a heart for teaching so this is an awesome opportunity for young and old,” said his mother, Marsha Waybright, Property Manager for the B&B. “We are so proud of Collin! He not only represented West Virginia at Mountaineering Day but the United States as well. He has a God-given talent that leaves many in awe,” she said.
Part of the Mutual Inspirations Festival 2022, Mountaineering Day was presented by The European Union National Institutes of Culture in Washington, DC at the Embassy of the Czech Republic. It was a day of “mountaineering through Europe,” focusing on the mutual inspirations between Czech and American cultures. The festival began in 2010 and serves as a platform for bringing together communities centered in Washington, DC.
For those wanting to learn more about falconry, visit the Laurel River Club B&B in Jenningston, West Virginia and schedule a Hawk Walk or catch a Bird of Prey Demonstration. For more information or to book a stay at the Laurel River Club B&B, visit www.lrcbnb.com or call (304) 402-7095.
