Birds of Prey including hawks, owls, falcons and eagles can be seen up close and personal as the Martinsburg Berkeley County Public Library hosts Talons: A Bird of Prey Experience July 14 and 15.  Lorrie Schumacher, Master Class Falconer and educator, owns and trains the birds on display.  She traveled from New York to be a part of the library’s summer reading program that strives to teach local children about the environment and nature.Schumacher works with her 11-year-old daughter Talon taking their six birds up and down the East Coast conducting educational programs, falconry academies and other events showcasing the animals.  Some of the birds have appeared in advertisements and movies, but the most important thing for Schumacher is spreading the word that the birds are in danger if people do not take better care of the environment.

This is the first time Talons has been in Martinsburg, but they have visited the Eastern Panhandle as part of the National Conservation Training Center’s open house.  Jane Levitan, youth services director at the library, saw the birds and invited them to the library to perform.  The program will run at the library in downtown Martinsburg until 3:00pm on Monday, July 14 and until 12:00pm on Tuesday July 15.  They will visit the North Berkeley Public Library for a show later that day at 2:00pm.

Categories: Local News
Tags: Animals, bird, Enviroment, Leviton, Library, martinsburg, Nature, New York, Schumacher, Summer reading