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DVOC Field Trip Report
by Bob Horton

Lakehurst Naval Air Station Trip Report
June 9, 2010


Eleven members and guests participated in the trip to Lakehurst Naval Air Station. John Joyce, the Conservation Officer met us outside the base and escorted us for our trip. John has put forth a lot of effort in keeping the grasslands on this base so they will support grassland birds.

The weather was mild and overcast, which probably had an impact on the birds we saw. The Upland Sandpipers were calling and in flight for most of the time we were in the “Drop Zone”. This is a large area kept in grasses to be used by the military as a landing area for equipment parachuted from their planes.

In addition to the Uppies, we saw Eastern Meadowlarks, Grasshopper Sparrows, Horned Larks, a pair of Blue Grosbeaks, Nighthawks and other more common birds. We were surprised to see the Nighthawks. They were doing their “booming” display, although it was too far away to hear the “booms”

Bob Horton