Woodcocks of Rush City
April 18, 19, OR 20 (Sat, Sun, or Mon.) – 7:30-9:15 PM
Exact Date TBD – Registration Required
The American Woodcock song and sky dance are remarkably entertaining. They migrate in the spring and fall using the prime habitats of the St Croix River valley, and some breed near Rush City, MN, in early upland successional forest. This truly is an incredible woodland shorebird with unique adaptations for seeing, feeding, communicating, and courting. Paying little attention to bird watchers, courting males spiral high, then come twittering down to land in nearly the same place as the take-off.
A special opportunity to view Woodcocks performing the sky dance is being offered as a Saint Paul Bird Alliance field trip, led by Ed and Chase Davies and John Hendrickson. They will lead a discussion on the unique qualities of American Woodcocks and what makes the place so special for both resident and migrant populations, followed by a very short walk to the viewing area.
Viewers usually hear many males “peenting”, have several birds to approach for closer observation, and more often than not the ability to see a woodcock fly by at close range, all in an easily accessible area. (Of course, there are no guarantees, wild birds being what they are, even when so single-minded.)
THE EXACT DATE is weather-dependent. It will be chosen to allow for the best overall conditions for viewing male woodcock sky dances. If you have any interest and availability on any of the dates of April 18, 19, or 20 (Sat, Sun, Mon.), please register so we can email you the exact date on Friday, April 17, no later than 8 PM.
This approach of choosing one night from among three allows us to take advantage of the best overall weather conditions, which should extend the viewing distance and time into the deepening dusk. The best weather would be a cool, clear evening with low humidity, which is why you need warm clothes (more on that below).
REGISTRATION: Registration is required to receive the email with the exact date and any other pertinent information. Please register by sending Ed an email at eddavies60@gmail.com. Include your name, mobile phone number, and email address. Please be sure your email address is correct.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: As darkness falls, so does the thermometer. Dress much warmer than you think necessary – plan for at least 15ᵒ degrees cooler than where you live. Warm footwear, gloves or mittens, a knit hat. . . consider wind pants. Flashlights are not needed; you will learn and experience why.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: Drive time from the northern junction of 35W/35E to the parking area is 40 minutes at the posted speed limits. Drive north on I-35 to Exit 159 for Rush City. Turn right (east) onto 4th Street/MN 361. Travel 1.4 miles through Rush City to the only stop sign on this road. Turn left onto Bremer, which soon becomes Forest Blvd. Travel 2.3 miles and turn right onto Co 56 (aka 530th Street). Travel east on County Road 56 for 4.4 miles to where County Road 56 turns right (south). SLOWLY turn right and immediately turn left down into the parking area. We will help you to park tightly and face in a direction for easier departure. We plan to all depart at the same time.
ACCESSIBILITY Walk 150 yards across an unmowed field with grasses and scattered shrubs; no toilet or water at the site.
LEADERS: Ed and Chase Davies and John Hendrickson. Contact Ed at eddavies60@gmail.com to register. If necessary, on the day of the event, call Ed’s cell at 612-819-1196 or Chase’s at 651-246-9754.
