Have you ever seen a snow bunting? How about a northern harrier, a yellow-rumped warbler or a long-tailed duck? These and many other varieties of birds can be seen when the Monmouth County Audubon Society hosts a bird walk on Sandy Hook on Dec. 8.
The trip will be led by several members of the Monmouth County Audubon Society, all very familiar with Sandy Hook and its birds.
“Many species of ducks which breed in the Arctic spend the winter in the area,” said Donna Juettner, one of the leaders of the bird walk. “They seek protection in the coves along Sandy Hook and usually remain here most of the winter.
“In addition, hawks continue to hunt here all winter and they are fascinating to watch. And we don’t discount the possibility of seeing some really rare birds. It takes some time to find one rare duck in a flock of several hundred, but the more eyes searching the flock, the better our chances,” she said.
Anyone interested in participating in the event can meet at 10 a.m. in the parking lot of the Sandy Hook Visitor Center.
The trip is open to members and nonmembers of the Monmouth County Audubon Society, and participation is free. Advance registration is not required. Participants should dress appropriately for the weather, which can be blustery and unpredictable along the coast; wear comfortable shoes and bring binoculars and field guides.
The Monmouth County Audubon Society, a chapter of the National Audubon Society, is dedicated to the enjoyment and study of nature, wildlife conservation, habitat protection and education.
Meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month September through May at Trinity Episcopal Church, White Street, Red Bank; guest speakers address a variety of naturerelated topics, and refreshments are provided. In addition, the group sponsors at least one field trip per month and members receive The Osprey, the club’s newsletter. Further information can be obtained by calling the organization’s hotline, (732) USA-BIRD, by visiting their Web site at www.monmouthaudubon.org, or via email at [email protected].