4761 Hamline Avenue North, Arden Hills, MN

Wednesday, April 16, 8-10 PM

The Arden Hills Army Training Site (AHATS) is a 2370-acre military training area for the Minnesota National Guard and Minnesota Department of Military Affairs. Its vast area and variety of habitats are also used for environmental and wildlife conservation programs. Over 170 species of birds have been recorded at the site. The American Woodcock is most known for its marvelous courtship sky dance. Male woodcocks utter a distinctive nasally “peent” call, and then spiral 250-300 feet into the air, creating a whistling noise as the air rushes over their wings. This is followed by a steep dive, with a landing in almost the exact spot from which they took off.

DIRECTIONS     Enter the AHATS campus on the Hamline Ave extension just north of MN Hwy 96. Turn left (west) on to Ben Franklin St; immediately take first right into parking area; immediately take another right onto short driveway leading to front (east side) of building. Meet in parking lot at 4761 Hamline Av N. 45.084303078802584, -93.15795346045763

INFORMATION     The site has restricted access. The group will walk together to the display area.

REGISTRATION    Not required

DIFFICULTY    Walk from the parking lot on mostly flat gravel, paved, or grassy surfaces. Outdoor toilets are very widely spaced across the site.

LEADER    Mary Lee, AHATS Environmental Protection Specialist