Hawks program planned at Wildlife Refuge

VERNON — The Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge will host "Flight of the Hawks" on Sunday, September 21 at 2 p.m.

Live hawks will be featured in the presentation that will provide pointers on where to look for the raptors and how to identify them. The free program will begin indoors at 136 Owens Station Road in Vernon.

The program is being held at the start of International Hawk Migration Week. This is the week when more hawks are counted across North America than any other. Each year hundreds of thousands of hawks, eagles, and vultures make their journey from Canada and the United States to wintering areas as far south as South America. Dedicated counters at hawk watch sites begin documenting this movement as early as August 1st and operate their sites daily into December. The Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA) maintains a website on HawkCount.org where sites and their daily counts are tabulated. HMANA has designated this week as the perfect time for the public, new or experienced, to join in the annual watch and enjoy an amazing aspect of nature.

For more information on the Hawk program, call the refuge at (973)702-1957 ext. 10, the Avian Wildlife Center at (973)702-1957, for visit the Facebook page for Friends of Wallkill River.