So, there’s always at least 40, 50, 60 birds here. As far as the 50 birds, that number will change as the year goes on because I’m releasing birds and I’m bringing birds in. But as far as taking care of the birds, I do about 90% of it myself. The clinic, he said, never charges for the work it does on behalf of him and the birds.Īsked if he receives any volunteer help at the facility, Ricardi said, “If I’ve got a project like I’m doing right now, then yes, definitely. Ricardi added that he’s received a great deal of help from the South Deerfield Veterinary Clinic over the years. And I try to get out on each one of those calls.” Every day I get calls on injured hawks, owls, eagles and vultures. “I’ve got about 50 birds here right now, as we speak. But it’s gotten to the point now where, believe me, it’s not a hobby - it’s a full-time job,” he continued. “I’ve been in Conway since 1969, and I was doing this even before then.
But my fascination has always been with birds of prey. During that period of time I rescued a lot of different critters. “I retired after 38 years with the Massachusetts Environmental Police - back then it was called a game warden.
“My whole life, my whole career, has been with wildlife,” Ricardi recounted. Ricardi said his love of wildlife - birds, especially - dates back to when he was a child. I once sent him a Cooper’s hawk that got trapped inside a warehouse.” He gives a lot of time doing a lot of good work. Birds come to him from all over the state, including here in Athol and North Quabbin. The club is urging residents to send a tax-deductible donation to the facility to help him continue his work. Now, Small said, the man who helps the birds - Tom Ricardi - needs some help upgrading the facility where a wide variety of raptors receive the care they need to eventually be released back into the wild. Club President David Small said he sends about a half-dozen birds to the Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Center in Conway each year. ATHOL - Members of the Athol Bird and Nature Club do more than watch birds in the wild.
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