See wintering birds at wildlife refuge

MATAMORAS, PA — Peter Wulfhorst, past president of the Gifford Pinchot Audubon Society, will lead a field trip to Pine Island and the Liberty Loop Trail of the Wallkill River Wildlife Refuge. The northern section of the refuge attracts several wintering species of raptors as well as sparrows and other songbirds.

The fields and marshes of Pine Island and Liberty Loop Trail provide wintering habitat for short-eared owls, rough-legged hawks, northern harriers, tree sparrows, horned larks, snow buntings, red-tailed hawks and possibly northern shrike.

Participants will meet at 2:00 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Welcome Center off Route 209 and car pool to the refuge. We will be birding at several locations near Pine Island and stopping at the Liberty Loop Trail kiosk near dusk in hopes of observing the short-eared owls. Wear warm clothes as we will be outside at several locations.

For more information call 570/296-2244 between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.