PENNS CREEK — If you called Brooks High a bird brain, it might be a compliment. That's because the 14-year-old has birds on his mind these days — specifically birds of prey at T&D;’s Cats of the World.

Brooks, a Boy Scout, has chosen to help the wild animal refuge in Penns Creek to earn his Eagle badge. Because Scouts must complete a community project to earn Eagle Scout rank, Brooks plans to build an enclosed rehabilitation structure for injured hawks, falcons and owls at T&D;’s.

Last spring, the Mifflinburg Area High School freshman began fundraising for the project, with a goal of collecting $3,000. But his curiosity about birds began long before that, according to his mother, Carol.

“Brooks has always had an interest in raptors, especially falcons,” his mother said. “He had gone a couple times with actual falconers to hunt with falcons. Everything about falcons interested him, so the project clicked right away.”

During prior visits to the refuge, Brooks was told by T&D;’s animal caregiver Jennifer Mattive that a flight enclosure was needed for recovering birds preparing to go back to the wild.

Mattive, whose family owns the refuge, said residents bring her injured birds found in their yards or hit by cars. She gives the birds medical treatment, but does not have a place where they can practice flying as they begin to heal. Mattive must bring them to other rescue organizations with flight enclosures before releasing them.

The building will be a structure that is typically used as a shelter for RVs. It will be at least 15 feet high, 30 feet long and 10 feet wide. T&D;’s officials thought buying this tubular steel, insulated, pre-formed structure would be the best option, rather than building one from scratch.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission has set restrictions on bird buildings for wildlife rehabilitators and must approve T&D;’s structure when it is completed, Mattive said.

Brooks said he knows the structure “won’t be there forever, but I’m hoping it will last a very long time and be large enough to hold as many birds as they can get in so the birds can get used to the climate before they’re reintroduced to the wild.”

Mattive and Brooks have planned to install the building in the spring and he will continue fundraising until then. Boy Scouts, Scout leaders and T&D;’s volunteers will help Mattive and Brooks build the facility, lay hay and build bird perches inside.

Money, gravel and lumber for perches are still needed. To donate to the project, call T&D;’s at 837-3377 or mail checks to Raptor Flight Enclosure, T&D;’s Cats of the World, P.O. Box 186, Mountain Road, Penns Creek, PA 17862.



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Want to pitch in?

Helping Hands

Helping Hands is a new monthly feature to help nonprofit organizations obtain much-needed items. If your group has a wish list or give list, send your information to Susan Misur at The Daily Item, 200 Market St., Sunbury, PA 17801, or call 800-792-2303, ext. 486. The next Helping Hands will appear Oct. 27.



Wish lists

Abundant Blessings Christian Daycare

The Sunbury nonprofit organization serves between 75 to 100 middle- to low-income families by providing affordable child care is in need of money, outside play equipment, arts and crafts supplies,new or slightly used computers and educational software, books, including textbooks, and soft furniture. To donate, call 286-5556.



Haven Ministry

The Sunbury nonprofit providing emergency shelter, food and life services is in need of cereals, canned food, specifically meats and tuna, and money. To donate, call 286-1672.

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