Woodcock Courtship Flights

Deep dusk displays of courting woodcock involve death defying dives.

This is a fun hunt! Once a year, recently, SPAS has received permission to be on the Arden Hills Army Training Site (AHATS) to view dives from heights beyond imagination as the male woodcock woos on-looking females. They are not easy to see, and they perform at dawn and dusk. (Moonrise on this day is at 5:41; the moon will be 91% illuminated.) The sound of his wings making a trilling and thrilling vibration help to pinpoint his landing spot from which he calls plaintively peent peent peent And what does she do?

Access and use of AHATS is currently restricted to persons 18 years of age and older.

Bring your flashlight with the strongest brightest light. Dress for sitting as temperatures cool.

Arrive a few minutes early to meet and form carpools in the parking lot of the Arden Hills City Hall.

AHATS is a locked secure area, so the group can only move in and out all together.

Restriction: Birders must be 18 years or older.

Registration: No registration required.

Difficulty: Easy.

Contacts: Julian Sellers 651 698 5737 ClayChristensen 651 631 0949
Call only if you need additional information, email preferred.