Raleigh North Carolina Birding and Wildlife Tours
Whooo I am
My name is Shannon Schlater and I have a Master’s of Science degree in biology where I did my thesis research on Red-tailed Hawk habitat selection and space use in agricultural habitats.
Prior to that, I received my undergraduate degree in zoology, have interned in Hawaii studying endangered birds and invasive rats, interned in Indiana studying endangered frogs, and also volunteered at wildlife rehabs. I currently volunteer with the Carolinas Butterfly Monitoring Program, eBird, use iNaturalist, and am a nature and portrait photographer.
I love teaching people all of the knowledge I have acquired over my lifetime and there is nothing better than bonding over the joy of sharing the outdoor space with wildlife.
My wildlife field work has helped me develop my “eye” for spotting wildlife, so whether you’re a photographer, a lifelong birder, or just an outdoor enthusiast, I can select a specific location for your goal species and assist in spotting wildlife that others might walk right by! Enjoy your walk without staring at Merlin hoping it hears your goal species!
Possible species greatly depend on the season. Popular goal species include Barred Owls, Bald Eagles, Osprey, Painted Bunting, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Beavers, Indigo Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, Snakes & Turtles, Great Egrets, Warblers, and so on!
*Ethical birding and photography is a priority of my tours. There will be no calling in birds, veering off trail, or disturbing known nest locations. Species cannot be guaranteed for your tour.
Tours can be mornings or evening, again depending on the goal species.
Prices start at $200 and depend on the size of the group, number of locations, length of the tour, and if you need a ride or are able to meet at the location.
P.S. Barred Owls don’t say “Whoo whoo” but rather “Who Cooks For You - Who Cooks For You All!
Don’t get me started on what Bald Eagles actually sound like !!
Bald Eagles at Cary Park Lake
A nestling Barred Owl peaks out from a dead snag tree, waiting for a meal from mom and dad, North Carolina
A male Painted Bunting at Dix Park in Raleigh North Carolina
A Male and Female Beaver cuddle together in the water of a Chapel Hill Nature Preserve.
A recently fledged Red-Shouldered Hawk sits across from their nest tree along a Greenway in Cary, North Carolina
Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeding from a zinnia at Dix Park in Raleigh, North Carolina
A Black and White Warbler foraging on an eastern white oak tree in fall colors on an autumn day at Bond Park, Cary North Carolina.
Red Fox - Salt Lake City
An adult Bald Eagle chases an Osprey in attempt to steal his fish. Seen along the Cape Fear River, North Carolina
A Barred Owl perched on a tree branch above a body of water, Research Triangle, North Carolina.
A Cedar Waxwing perches from an Eastern Cedar Tree in Cary, North Carolina- the tree is it's namesake as they depend on the blue berries for much of their food.
A migratory monarch feeds from a cutleaf coneflower in Cary, North Carolina
Great Blue Heron - Lake Crabtree, Raleigh North Carolina
A Barred Owl sits on eggs in a dead snag tree, North Carolina
Indigo Bunting on a sunflower at Dix Park in Raleigh, North Carolina
A Great Blue Heron hunting in the water of Bond Park, Cary, North Carolina
Pileated Woodpecker - North Carolina Botanical Gardens in Chapel Hill
Carolina Wren with a Tulip-Tree Silkmoth at Bond Park, Cary, North Carolina
Salt Lake City - American Goldfinch
Salt Lake City - Cedar Waxwing mating ritual
A pair of Red Shouldered Hawks sit side by side - Shelley Lake Park in Raleigh, North Carolina,
Male Red-bellied Woodpecker - Cary, North Carolina
A flying Great Blue Heron - Lake Crabtree, Raleigh North Carolina
American Goldfinch - Raleigh North Carolina
Eastern Bluebird - Cary, North Carolina
Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeding from Joe Pye Weed in Cary, North Carolina
Great Blue Heron feeding on a fish - Lake Crabtree, Raleigh North Carolina
A male Yellow bellied Sapsucker - Bass Lake, Holly Springs, North Carolina
Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk - Cary, North Carolina
A curious Tufted Titmouse in Shelley Lake Park
Great Blue Heron - Lake Crabtree, Raleigh North Carolina
A red-headed woodpecker at Lake Betz, Morrisville, North Carolina
A Black-chinned Hummingbird at Canyon Rim Park in Salt Lake City, Utah
A Killdeer at Bass Lake, Holly Springs, North Carolina
A bald eagle in Shelley Lake Park in Raleigh, North Carolina
Two young hawks in a nest among green leaves and branches, with one hawk looking alert and the other with its beak open.
A Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeding from Zinnias in Cary, North Carolina
A cedar waxwing in Salt Lake City, Utah
Red-shouldered Hawk along the White Oak Creek Greenway in Cary, North Carolina
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on Native Evening Primrose in Cary, North Carolina
Great Blue Heron at Lake Betz, Morrisville, North Carolina
A Belted Kingfisher flies out of the water at Bond Park, Cary, North Carolina
The endangered California Condor "T9" flying from the Navajo Bridge in Marble Canyon, Arizona
White-breasted Nuthatch climbs down a tree in Cary, North Carolina
A group of California Condors warm their wings along the Navajo Bridge in Marble Canyon, Arizona
A male pileated woodpecker explores the trees on the White Oak Creek Greenway in Cary, North Carolina
An adult Bald Eagle chases an Osprey in attempt to steal his fish. Seen along the Cape Fear River, North Carolina
A white-breasted nuthatch in Cary, North Carolina
A bald eagle near her nest in Shelley Lake Park in Raleigh, North Carolina
A Barred Owl sits on eggs in a dead snag tree, North Carolina
A red-breasted nuthatch at Harris Lake County Park, New Hill North Carolina
A male Eastern Towhee - White Oak Creek Greenway in Cary, North Carolina
Red-shouldered Hawk along the White Oak Creek Greenway in Cary, North Carolina
Great Blue Heron at Cary Park Lake
A Great Blue Heron resting in the trees of Bond Park, Cary, North Carolina with the sun shining through the autumn foliage
Pileated Woodpecker - Harris Lake County Park, New Hill North Carolina
Two Cedar Waxwings share food as part of their mating/courtship ritual in Salt Lake City, Utah
A Silver Spotted Skipper on Native Purple Coneflower in Cary, North Carolina
A male Painted Bunting signs from a tree at Dix Park in Raleigh North Carolina
A Carolina Chickadee sits in a blooming maple tree in Cary, North Carolina
An Osprey hunts for fish in the Cape Fear River, North Carolina
A Hermit Thrush eats a blue berry from an eastern red cedar tree in Cary, North Carolina
Salt Lake City - Sharp Shinned Hawk
Great Blue Heron feeding on a fish - Lake Crabtree, Raleigh North Carolina
Two bald eagles sit side by side with the Salt Lake City mountains in the landscape behind them.
A juvenile Red-Shouldered Hawk soars over Raleigh, North Carolina
A Brown Thrasher feeding on a worm in Cary, North Carolina
A Great Blue Heron hunting in the water of Bond Park, Cary, North Carolina
A Coopers Hawk sits nearby her nest in Salt Lake City, Utah
A Canada Goose flaps its wings in the water of Bond Park, Cary, North Carolina
A Ruby Throated Hummingbird feeds from the nectar of a red sunflower in Cary, North Carolina