Aubrey McMaster-Brown, 8, holds Beauty, a former racing pigeon that was rescued from being euthanized as a result of an injured wing.

Wildbird Recovery at Stormy Oaks Nature Conservancy raised more than $10,000 in funds to support the rehabilitation of birds at the center during its 10th annual Fall Migration Festival this past weekend.

The event serves as the conservancy's main fundraiser, bringing together visitors to learn about birds and other wildlife from guest speakers. Melissa McMaster-Brown, who runs the conservancy with her parents, David and Beth McMaster, on a volunteer basis, described the Sunday event as a “celebration of the wild birds that our organization has helped throughout the year.

“Without fundraisers and the support of the public we could not afford to care for over 300 injured and orphaned wild birds a year,” she wrote. “The event is possible because of our dedicated, selfless team of volunteers. It takes a year to plan this event, and 50% of the setup and coordination happens on the day of the event.”

Wildbird Recovery was founded in 2000. It is the only wildlife rehabilitation center in Butler County that offers bird rehabilitation care. It is staffed by the McMaster family and other volunteers, and provides care for injured birds. It also offers nature education classes, summer camps and homeschool activity programs.

McMaster-Brown said in an email that 144 people attended the event, and that many were first-time visitors to the conservancy.

“Thank you to all who give their heart and time to Wildbird Recovery,” Beth McMaster, the conservancy's founder, said.

The Birdwatchers Store from Slippery Rock sold bird-related products during the event.

The event presentations included: bats with bat house builder Terry Lobdell, bees with beekeeper Claire Catt, beavers with nature guide Steve Downing, bears with state game warden Travis O'Neill and bugs with entomologist Julia Schwierking.

The festival's keynote speaker was David Yeany, avian ecologist in the PA Natural Heritage Program at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, who taught about Evening Grosbeak finches and their migration.