The Carnegie Library in Turners Falls had unique patrons perusing the bookshelves during the week of February school vacation — birds of prey.
Local wildlife rehabilitator Tom Ricardi brought a number of raptors including a red-tailed hawk, which is native to Franklin County. Ricardi, who worked for about 40 years as an environmental police officer, cares for injured and neglected birds out of his home-wildlife sanctuary in Conway.
Most of the birds are nursed back to health and released. Others, who are not able to survive on their own in the wild for a number of reasons, live at the sanctuary full-time and participate in educational shows put on at local schools and libraries by Ricardi.
“Children and caregivers were delighted to see up close and learn all about the birds of prey Tom brought from the Massachusetts Birds of Prey Rehab Facility,” said Angela Rovatti-Leonard, youth services librarian for the Montague Public Libraries.