Red tailed hawk

Giselle Smisko speaks to the crowd.

Looking for raptors

Liberty Loop Trail: A great spot for birding.

More than 80 people attended the 2nd annual Winter Raptor event hosted by The Friends of the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuges.  There was standing room only at the wildlife refuge office as Giselle Smisko, licensed rehabilitator and founder of the Avian Wildlife Center, gave a talk and demonstration using live birds. Following the presentation, the group traveled to the Liberty Loop Trail (another site on the refuge) to view winter raptors searching for prey.  Ken Witkowski, an avid birder and vice president of the Friends Group set up a spotting scope for viewing.  Folks were excited to see and learn about the red tailed hawks, northern harriers and rough legged hawks; the latter being in this area only during the winter months.