Lakehurst (MDL Jt Base) 6/3--Upland Sandpiper

Today was our annual Audubon trip to the jump circle at the old Lakehurst Naval Base (now part of the McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Joint Base complex) to look for Upland Sandpiper and other grassland birds. the weather was unseasonably cool (read: cold) for June, so the birds were not very active but almost immediately upon arrival at the circle we heard the call of the Uppies, which sounds like the cartoon "wolf whistle" when a good-looking woman walks by. After a spell a few flew up, but distantly and a little later a few of us managed to see one walking in a bare patch but all in all, I've had much satisfying looks at these birds in previous years. Today, as Shari points out, basically gets it on the list.

We were able to get much better looks at Eastern Meadowlark, Horned Lark, and a really dramatic view of a Common Nighthawk flyover which made standing in the the damp worth the while, and a little farther on we managed American Kestrel in one spot and my first adult male (I've only seen immatures up to today) Orchard Oriole (going to a nest, no less) at our 3rd & final stop.

For what seemed a slow and uninspiring day I still managed 43 species and there were a few I missed, though nothing I'd kick myself over.
Canada Goose  12     f/o
Wild Turkey  4
Great Blue Heron  2
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  2
Cooper's Hawk  1
Killdeer  2
Upland Sandpiper  4
Herring Gull  5
Mourning Dove  1
Common Nighthawk  1
Chimney Swift  1
American Kestrel  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Willow Flycatcher  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  1     Heard
Eastern Kingbird  3
Blue Jay  1     Heard
American Crow  1
Fish Crow  1     Heard
Horned Lark  3
Purple Martin  3
Tree Swallow  1
Barn Swallow  5
Carolina Chickadee  1     Heard
House Wren  1     Heard
Gray Catbird  1
European Starling  1
Cedar Waxwing  5
Ovenbird  2     Heard
Common Yellowthroat  2     Heard
Pine Warbler  1     Heard
Prairie Warbler  1     Heard
Eastern Towhee  2     Heard
Chipping Sparrow  2     Heard
Field Sparrow  2     Heard
Grasshopper Sparrow  1     Heard
Song Sparrow  1     Heard
Red-winged Blackbird  2
Eastern Meadowlark  1
Common Grackle  4
Brown-headed Cowbird  2     Heard
Orchard Oriole  1