April 10, 11, OR 12 – exact date TBD
7:30-9:00 PM
The American Woodcock song and sky dance are remarkably entertaining. Theyb migrate 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. 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 10, 11, or 12, please do register so you learn THE DATE, which will be e-mailed to all registrants on Wednesday, April 9, no later than 8 PM. This approach of choosing one night from amongst the three allows us to take advantage of the best overall weather conditions, which should lengthen viewing distance and time farther into the deepening dusk. The best weather would be the cooler, clearest evening, with low moisture in the air.
REGISTRATION Registration is required so that you can receive the email with the exact date and any other pertinent information. Please inform Ed using eddavies60@gmail.com and 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, 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 to Co 56 aka 530th Street. Travel east on County 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 faced in a direction for easier departure. We plan to all depart at the same time.
DIFFICULTY Walk 150 yards across an unmowed field with grasses and scattered shrubs; no toilet or water at site.
LEADERS Ed and Chase Davies. Contact Ed at eddavies60@gmail.com to register. If necessary, on day of event, call Ed’s cell, 612-819-1196 or Chase’s, 651-246-9754.
