GRAFTON, N.Y. — Friday, June 13, was not just a superstitious day for Peter Dubacher.

Dubacher, founder of the Berkshire Bird Paradise bird sanctuary just over the mountain from Williamstown, marked June 13 as the first National Pigeon Day.

"This day is significant in that we are sending a message to let others know there is a group of people who care and are passionate about pigeons and are ready and willing to fight for and support them," he wrote on his website. "It (is) a day to promote the positive portrayal of pigeons in society, educate people about the role pigeons have played in history and show them just how sweet and charming these birds are. We love them, and others will too once bad publicity based in lies and hate is eliminated."

And therein lies the motive behind Dubacher's latest endeavor in his rural property, which already houses more than 1,000 birds and almost 100 different species: the Puffy Memorial Aviary, "a series of phased innovations intended to educate people young and old about the unsung rock dove (pigeon)" which he aims to have completed by mid-August.

August 20,

Our New Welcome Center and the Puffy Memorial Aviary.

We are excited about plans for our new welcome center and the Puffy Memorial Aviary.

A series of phased innovations intended to educate people young and old about the unsung rock dove (Pigeon)

Here's the finished pigeon memorial to Puffy.

Close up of pigeons

These are very lucky pigeons to live in their natural environment. They even have a little waterfall to drink from.

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