Grassland · Calverton
EPCAL Grasslands (Calverton)
One of only two grasslands on Long Island large enough to hold a breeding Grasshopper Sparrow population. In winter, Short-eared Owls hunt the airfield at last light.
Access & parking
Former Grumman / Navy airfield grasslands. Public access is limited to the perimeter roads — River Road and Swan Pond Road give the most reliable views of the grassland core.
Parking: Road-shoulder parking only.
Restrooms: None on site.
Difficulty: Stroller-friendly
When to go
Seasons: Breeding, Winter
Time of day: dawn
Target species
- Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum)
- Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)
- Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)
- Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)
- American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
- Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris)
Rarities reported here
- Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)
- Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus)
Photography tips
Winter raptor hunts over the grasslands at dusk are the draw — shoot from the car as a blind. Stepping onto the runway verges is trespassing.
eBird hotspot
Open this hotspot on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology eBird database →
Nearby birds
Other grassland sites worth pairing on a day trip:
- Gabreski Airport Grasslands · Westhampton
Looking for the broader fauna calendar (whales, seals, sea turtles)? /wildlife covers every species on the East End.