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DVOC Field Trip Report
by Bob Horton

Lakehurst Naval Air Station Trip Report
June 12, 2012

Fourteen 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. Since the creation of the McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Joint Base, John has had a lot of challenges in working under the Air Force to make certain habitat is protected and continues to support the grassland birds.

The weather was mild and overcast. 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 American Kestrels, Eastern Kingbirds, Wild Turkeys, Common Nighthawks and other more common birds. We have seen the Nighthawks for the past several years now.

Bob Horton

Photos by Bob Horton

Photos by Bert Filemyr