By Doug La Rocque
For many years, when Berkshire Bird Paradise owner Peter Dubacher would take in an injured or unwanted parrot, because of its size, it was destined to spend its life in a cage, a large one, but still a cage. Now Mr. Dubacher has built a larger aviary, complete with vines and other accouterments that give the birds a feel for their natural environment. It also means that many of these various kinds of parrots, are now out of cages and free to fly about the structure. Mr. Dubacher is pleased with the way it has worked out, and with the way the birds have adapted. So much so, he plans on enlarging a second aviary as soon as means allow.
Mr. Dubacher is also busy with another spieces that will soon have its wings, Monarch Butterflies. He has found a large number of butterfly eggs on the bottom side of milkweed plants, and placed them in a secure environment, where they are progressing into caterpillars and then butterfly cocoons. He expects to see a large number of the magnificent butterflies quite soon, which will be released into the wild, for their flight to Mexico.
(More about Monarchs is on page 20.)
The Berkshire Bird Paradise is on Red Pond Road along the Grafton-Petersburgh town lines. It is open 9 am to 5 pm during the warm weather months.