RINGWOOD-"Youth Birding: Raccoon Ridge" is the subject of a hawking hike starting at 9 a.m. on Oct. 17. The Weis Ecology Center invites young naturalists (under 18 years of age) and their chaperones to join Lorrimer Sanctuary's Patrick Scheuer and Weis Ecology Center's Philip De Rea for this excursion to the spot where the Kittatinny Mountains narrow to just one ridge, merging all the southbound hawks 1,200 feet above the Delaware River. A Guide to Bird Finding in NJ says that Raccoon Ridge in Blairstown/Warren County "is the best place in northern NJ to see Osprey, Bald Eagle, Northern Goshawk, Golden Eagle and Common Raven during fall migration." This trip offers great rewards to those brave and able enough to take the 1-hour hike along the Appalachian Trail to get there. Directions will be sent upon registration. The cost of this program is $10 per person, with a $4 discount for members of the New Jersey Audubon Society (Price includes handouts and one chaperone per registrant). Pre-registration is required as space is limited. To register mail your name, address, phone number, the number of participants and payment to: NJAS' Weis Ecology Center, 150 Snake Den Road, Ringwood, NJ 07456. For more information, or to register with a credit card, contact the Weis Ecology Center office at (973) 835-2160 between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Wednesday through Sunday. Visit them online at www.njaudubon.org. The Weis Ecology Center is one of nine staffed centers operated by the New Jersey Audubon Society Specializing in full-day and residential environmental education programs for schools, scouts and other youth and adult groups, Weis is also recognized for its popular public programs for adults, kids and families. The Weis Visitors Center, open during business hours, houses their turtle, snakes, seasonal exhibits and an NJAS Nature Store featuring field guides, bird feeders and accessories, kid stuff, regional trail maps and more.