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Wallkill Valley refuge holds bird count

| 17 Feb 2015 | 12:54
    Madeline Norwood Orsi of Wantage is sanding her suit bird feeder project at the Wallkill Wildlife Refuge.
    Madeline Norwood Orsi of Wantage is sanding her suit bird feeder project at the Wallkill Wildlife Refuge.
    William assists Madeline Norwood Orsi of Wantage with a few staples on her suit feeder.
    William assists Madeline Norwood Orsi of Wantage with a few staples on her suit feeder.
    Lauren Emmerich of Vernon gets a helping hand sanding her suit feeder she's making at the Wallkill River Wildlife Refuge.
    Lauren Emmerich of Vernon gets a helping hand sanding her suit feeder she's making at the Wallkill River Wildlife Refuge.
    Megan Esposito of Hamburg checks out the bluebird in a cage for recovery on an injury it sustained.
    Megan Esposito of Hamburg checks out the bluebird in a cage for recovery on an injury it sustained.
    Tim Paziora of Newton keeps track on the Bird Watcher Count Chart at Wallkill Refuge on Sunday.
    Tim Paziora of Newton keeps track on the Bird Watcher Count Chart at Wallkill Refuge on Sunday.
    Travis Blaum of Vernon waits patiently for birds to land at the bird feeder outside the window of the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge.
    Travis Blaum of Vernon waits patiently for birds to land at the bird feeder outside the window of the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge.
    Jeanette Quin of Wantage and Tim Paziora of Newton keep count of the birds spotted at the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge Bird Count.
    Jeanette Quin of Wantage and Tim Paziora of Newton keep count of the birds spotted at the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge Bird Count.
    Giselle Smisko answers questions about bird care and feeding in winter.
    Giselle Smisko answers questions about bird care and feeding in winter.
    U.S. Official Wildlife Service member Ken Witkowski identifying local birds.
    U.S. Official Wildlife Service member Ken Witkowski identifying local birds.

VERNON — The Wallkill River Wildlife Refuge held its bird count on Sunday, moving the event indoors due to the single-digit temperatures and high winds.

Attendees of the event watched patiently at the windows from the refuge which is the old Dagmar Dale Farmstead. U.S. Official Wildlife Service member Ken Witkowski and Giselle Smisko were on hand to speak about feeding winter birds, what they eat and making feeders to attract the kind of birds you want to watch.

Jeanette Quin of Wantage and Tim Paziora of Newton kept track of the number of birds spotted by volunteers for the day.

The information available gave you ideas on feeding, what is acceptable food, feeders and identifying local birds. Hot cocoa was ready and the children made suit feeders for woodpeckers.

—Photos by Gale Miko