SUSSEX, NJ — The Gifford Pinchot Audubon Society (GPAS) will hold a field trip at the Wallkill River Wildlife Refuge, 1547 County Rd. 565, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 19. Past president Peter Wulfhorst will lead a field trip to Pine Island and the Liberty Loop Trail of the refuge.

The northern section of the Wallkill River Wildlife 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 shrikes and snowy owls.  

The group will meet at 2 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Welcome Center off Route 209 near Matamoras and car pool to the refuge. It will visit several locations near Pine Island and stopp at the Liberty Loop Trail kiosk near dusk in hopes of observing the short-eared owls.  Wear warm clothes. The snow/rain date is Sunday, January 26.

For more information or to register, contact Peter Wulfhorst at 570/618-2491 between 7 and 8 p.m.