Bud Anderson, director of the Falcon Research Group of Bow, Wash., will give a two-day course on raptors on Jan. 21-22.

The course is sponsored by the Lopez Library, Friends of the Lopez Library, and San Juan Islands Audubon Society. The class is free and open to all.

“This is a great opportunity to be with one of the world experts,” say organizers.

Raptors are birds of prey that primarily hunt vertebrates, including other birds. Their talons and beaks tend to be relatively large, powerful and adapted for tearing and/or piercing flesh.

The classroom work will be on Saturday, Jan. 21 from 10:30 to 12:30 p.m. at the Lopez Library, and may be followed by a short field trip from 12:30-2:30.

Those from other islands are encouraged to come, as the ferry schedule accommodates class times.

On Sunday, Jan. 22, Anderson will lead a field trip for most of the day on the Skagit Flats, starting at 9:30 a.m. Reservations are required. This field trip will be limited to a maximum of 20 people, or 4-5 carloads, for carpooling.

For reservations send an email to myhr@rockisland.com or call Bob Myhr at 468-2258 between Jan. 9 and 20 for trip details.

Anderson founded the Falcon Research Group in 1985. It is committed to the conservation of birds of prey. Anderson believes that “education is the best way to achieve their survival in the rapidly changing future.”

The Falcon Research Group provides a “portal” for the average person to engage with raptors in an up close and personal manner. The group conducts several long-term field research projects that focus on a variety of birds of prey.  They are also involved in raptor breeding, migration, wintering and genetics studies both locally and internationally. Other programs include hawk-watching classes in cities throughout western Washington.

The Falcon Research Group is primarily a volunteer-driven organization with around 1,000 members, the majority of whom are from western Washington. For more information, go www.frg.org.