Take A Winter Bird Walk Through Sandy Hook Feb. 15

HIGHLANDS, NJ — The Monmouth County Audubon Society will lead a winter bird walk Saturday, Feb. 15 from 10 a.m. - noon along the frozen sand dunes and walking paths of Sandy Hook.

Anyone interested in participating in the event can meet at 10:00 a.m. in parking lot near the Visitor Center (which is closed). The lot is just south of the ranger's station, approximately 1.8 miles north of the entrance gate to Sandy Hook. The trip is open to both members and non-members of the Monmouth County Audubon Society, and participation is free. Advance registration is not required. Please dress for cold and wind.

Writes Monmouth Audubon:

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, will be sought when the Monmouth County Audubon Society hosts a bird walk on Sandy Hook.

This is a great opportunity to shake off the stuffiness of winter, get some sunshine and enjoy the outdoors.

The trip will be led by accomplished birders who are very familiar with Sandy Hook and its birds.

“Many species of ducks which breed in the Arctic spend the winter in the area,” explains Linda Mack, field trip leader and a trustee with Monmouth Audubon. “They seek protection in the coves along the Hook and usually remain most of the season. In addition, hawks continue to hunt here all winter, and they’re fascinating to watch. And we don’t discount the possibility of seeing some really rare birds such as Snowy Owls, rare visitors from the Canadian Arctic are rarely seen along the East Coast."