06/30/2004 | W2LQO GRUMMAN AMATEUR RADIO CLUB OPERATES FIELD DAY FROM BETHPAGE, NY AT THE FORMER FACTORY COMPLEX THAT PRODUCED THE LEGENDARY F-14 TOMCAT IN THE 1970'S

Members of GARC started their FD set up early using Friday evening to get things stated. With the weather getting stormy, members decided to close the site down a little early and resume their labors on Saturday morning. While working at the site they noticed an unusual bird that was acting rather strange. It made a lot of noise and seemed to be injured and stumbling around. The writer informed the group that they were watching the antics of a very precocious as well as crafty bird. I have seen them numerous times upstate NY but it is unusual to find them here on suburban Long Island. It was a female Killdeer protecting her nest. Located on the parking lot pavement it was very close to their radio activities. Club members marked the nest with a safety cone for protection, and the bird resumed sitting on her clutch of eggs. An unusual bird of flight making her home a the special place that made its share of machines that allowed man to fly. I would say the club might have a new mascot.

For more info on Grumman ARC go to:
www.qsl.net/wa2lqo

You can check out what Killdeer do at:
http://www.birdwatching.com/stories/killdeer.html

Steve Barreres -- K2CX