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DVOC Field Trip Report
by Tony Croasdale

March 4, 2012 (Sunday)
Franklin Parker Preserve, New Jersey

Twenty members and non members met at the Firehouse in Chatsworth and headed out to Franklin Parker Preserve where we met with our host from New Jersey Conservation Foundation, Emille DeVito. Emille led the group through Franklin Parker preserve and engaged the crowd in the history of the preserve, the habitat restoration efforts, local ecology, New Jersey conservation politics and demonstrated pine snake radio telemetry tracking. We were able to observe a bald eagle on the nest as well as tundra swans on the reservoirs of the reserve. Other good birds included great looks at multiple kestrels, northern harriers, bluebirds, and wood ducks. We ended the day at a nearby piece of township land that was disturbed by a tornado over ten years ago, this area has proven to be reliable for red-headed woodpecker and today was no exception. We had two gorgeous adult birds that gave fantastic looks. Although we had many great birds, as usual the highlight of this trip was Emille.