During a New Jersey winter, more birds show their beaks than they do in the summer. That's why this is the perfect time of year to see different species of birds.

Dena Temple, publicity chairwoman for the Monmouth County Audubon Society, said the winter brings more ducks to the Jersey Shore.

Temple said she is planning to meet with interested individuals at noon Jan. 24 at the Barnegat Light parking lot on Long Beach Island to look for winter birds. She said participants may see loons, scoters, eider, long-tailed ducks and harlequin ducks, a colorful small sea duck that is rarely seen, but visits regularly in winter.

After exploring Barnegat Light, the participants will drive over to the Dunkin' Donuts, Route 9, in Manahawkin. At about 3:30 p.m., Temple plans to take them to the Manahawkin marshes to look for shorteared owls, a bird that migrates from the Canadian Maritime, a region of Eastern Canada on the Atlantic Coast.

Temple said the owls come out to hunt just before dusk, making them one of the few species of owls that people can see during the day. She advised anyone who plans on birding in the marshes to dress in layers for extremely cold temperatures and windy conditions. But she said as soon as people see the owls they will forget about the cold.

The Monmouth County Audubon Society, a chapter of the National Audubon Society, dedicates itself to the enjoyment and study of nature, wildlife conservation, habitat protection and education.

Temple said the goal of the Monmouth County Audubon Society is to teach people to appreciate nature.

"The more you appreciate nature, the more you want to protect it," she said.

Further information and directions for field trips can be obtained by calling the organization's hotline, 732-USABIRD, or by visiting the Internet Web site at http://www.monmouthaudubon.org/.

— Alex Sanders