Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon - New World Quail Occurrence
This is the 1930 to present seasonal report archive for
The Loon, journal of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union.
The last 2 years are available to MOU members.
Seasons
Families
Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks
New World Quail
Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys
Grebes
Pigeons, Doves
Cuckoos
Nightjars
Swifts
Hummingbirds
Rails, Gallinules, Coots
Limpkin
Cranes
Stilts, Avocets
Plovers
Sandpipers
Jaegers
Alcids
Gulls, Terns
Loons
Shearwaters and Petrels
Storks
Frigatebirds
Boobies and Gannets
Cormorants
Pelicans
Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons
Ibises
New World Vultures
Osprey
Kites, Accipiters, Hawks, Eagles
Barn Owls
Screech-Owls, Owls
Kingfishers
Woodpeckers
Caracaras, Falcons
Flycatchers
Vireos
Shrikes
Jays, Nutcrackers, Magpies, Crows
Chickadees, Titmice
Larks
Martins, Swallows
Kinglets
Waxwings
Silky-flycatchers
Nuthatches
Creepers
Gnatcatchers
Wrens
Thrashers, Mockingbirds
Starlings
Dippers
Thrushes
Old World Flycatchers
Old World Sparrows
Pipits
Finches
Longspurs and Snow Buntings
Towhees, Sparrows
Yellow-breasted Chat
Blackbirds, Orioles
Warblers
Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks

Seasons
Species: New World Quail
Northern Bobwhite
[California Quail]

Northern Bobwhite(Colinus virginianus)
YearSeasonNS
1931SummerA nest with 8 eggs on July 22nd (Stanley Stein).
1933Summer Two nests reported. Breckenridge cmd Swo.nson found the first in Anoka County on Hay 27th, the contents being 9 eggs. A nest with 8 eggs was found at Lake Minnetonka on June 29th by John Huseby. Young quail awing wore seen by Morse on the same date.
1934Summer No nes~Csr this species were reported. The earliest brood was already o fly when seen near Linwood by members of the M.B.c. who wen on the club expedition of June 16-17. Those present were Dr. c. C. Prosser, Mr. Clemens, Gustav Swanson, Leander Fischer, Na.rius Horse, Axel Hanson, Chorles Dl.lToit, Robert Upson, Alden Risser, Donald Hahle, Kenneth Carlnnd.er, and Charles Evans.
1937SummerOn June 29 George Rysgaard saw five young that could fly. Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota.
1961Springseem to be getting harder to find. Brother Theodore reported them on 27 May at Ridgeway, Winona County and Harding Huber heard one on 30 May just south of Reno, Houston County. 
1961FallR. Oehlenschlager saw two coveys near Caledonia, Houston County, on 24 and 25 Nov.
1962SummerJuly 28, Caledonia, Houston Co., one calling, Avifaunal Club; midAug., between Elgin and Plainview, Wabasha Co., 2 adults, 10-12 young, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Jacobs.
1962FallNov. 24, Wabasha, 8 seen, Dr. D. G. Mahle.
1963SummerHouston Co., Caledonia, July 22, one heard calling, George Carrol.
1963FallOct. 12, Watkins, Wright Co., Brother Theodore.
1964Spring5-13 Dakota Co, 1 calling, RG; 6-10 Anoka Co, 1 calling, DP, LJ.
1964Summer7-4, Carlos Avery Refuge, Anoka Co, 1 y found DOR, DP, JW, RLH; 7-18, Wabasha Co, ad and 3y, DRM; 7-25, Faribault, 1 calling, OR; 8-28, Castle Rock, Dakota Co, ad and 8y, OR.
1964Fall11-4 Darwin Hills, Wright Co, 1 EC.
1964Winter12-15, Winona Co, 20, TST; 1226, White Bear Lake, Washington Co, 2, XC; 1-23, Kellogg, Wabasha Co, 1, DB, RBJ. I can't remember when someone last saw 20 at once.
1965Spring4-29 Kellogg, DGM; 5-30 Anoka Co, RLH.
1965Winter1/15/2/ 16 (9/10), Dakota, EMB, RBJ. Chukar. 1/8 (14), Ely, St. Louis Co., DAB. Gray Partridge. 12/9 (1), Olmsted, FGD; 12/22 (10), Clay, Xmas; Feb., Nobles, HSH; 2/2/28 (8), Dakota, EMB; 2/12 (4), Marshall, Az. Staff; 2/28 (2), Polk, G&SM.
1966Spring3-8 Wabasha, 8, DGM; 4-25 Olmsted Co, 1, FGD; 5-15 Wabasha Co, 3, EMB; 5-25 Beltrami Co, MK, northernmost record for state, no details, possibly a transplant?
1966Summer7-3 Houston Co, HFH, RLH; present in Wabasha Co, DGM.
1966Fall8-14 Forest Lake, 1, VL; 1025 Wabasha Co., 12, DGM; 11-29 Wabasha Co., 9, DGM. 11 March 1967
1966Winter12-9, 12-15, 1-8 Wabasha Co., DGM; 12-21 Rice Co., OAR, GNR.
1967Summer6-13, 6-30 Wabasha Co., heard, DGM.
1968Spring 5-21 Nobles Co., 1 calling, HSH; "resident", Rice Co., OAR.
1968Winter12-21 Fillmore 7 AFR.
1969Spring1 pr. Rice Co., no date, OAR.
1969Summer7-9 Madelia, Watonwan Co., 1, fide Earl D. Kopischke.
1969Fall10-16 Watonwan 4 EDK; 11-10 Ramsey JJ.
1970Fallonly report 9-7 Wabasha (I) WDM; this species has become scarce in the state in recent years.
1970Winter1-3 (8) sec. 12, Walcott Twp., Rice Co. OAR.
1971Summerno less than 4 reports of this now rare resident: 6-4 St. Bonifacius, Hennepin Co. (7) FN; 6-16 Houston (1) FL; "July" Worthington, Nobles Co. (2) HH; 7-28 Mt. Lake, Cottonwood Co. (2), E. Duerksen.
1971Fall8-20 Mountain Lake, Cottonwood Co. (12), E. Duerksen. Ring-l"lecked Ph..asant: renorted from Swift, Douf!Jas. Benton, Dodge, Hennenin. Sibley. Scott, Dakota, Lvon, Pone, Redwood·. Olmsted, Winona, Nobles. Blue Earth. Murrav. Watonwan, Lac qui Parle. Sherburne, Waseca, Carver, Rice, Wabasha, Ramsey, Stearns, Duluth, Ottertail.
1971Winter2-13 (7) Elko, Scott Co. JAB. Rina-necked Pheasant: North reported by 5 people in Mille Lacs, Wilkin, Ottertail, St. Louis (Duluth). South reported by 33 people in 24 counties.
1972Summer6-16 Faribault, Rice Co. fide OAR.
1973Summer Nested in Rice (7-26 OAR), Dodge (RBJ); seen in Hennepin (6-25 PT), Itasca (7-4 BB) escapees; Cottonwood (6-20 LAF).
1973Fall One report (none last year): 8-21 Mower (KRE).
1974Summer Continues to hang on in limited numbers; 6-19 Winona Co. (J. Gube); 6-20 Chatfield, Winona Co. (WDM); 6-27 Rochester, Olmsted Co. (WDM); and an unusual report from White Bear L., Ramsey Co. on 6-18 (details?, G. Casper).
1974Fall 10-17 Faribault OR (1) only report.
1974Winter This elusive bird was found 12-26 and 2-13 at Prairie Island, Goodhue Co. (CF).
1975Spring 4-12 Freeborn (1) DG (probable released bird).
1975Summer 4 reports: 6-25 Spring Valley, Fillmore Co. (JF); 7-9 White Bear Lake, Ramsey Co. (GC; second summer in a row here); 7-12 Mendota Heights, Dakota Co. (PE); "some evidence of them still being on the NSP property" near Red Wing, Goodhue Co. (CF). The birds reported in the Twin City area are no doubt escapes.
1975Winterfound during the Wi nona Christmas Count period; this has been a very scarce bird in recent years.
1976Spring 3 reports: 4-20 Dakota (1) BH; 4-25 Wabasha (1) WM; 5-16 Anoka JBB. Could all be released birds.
1976Summer3 reports (D. Mahle); 7-31 Spring Grove, Houston Co. (T. Tucker); in July at Lanesboro, Fillmore Co. (B. Solberg); western Houston and Fillmore Co.'s seem to be the best place to look for this scarce bird.
1976Winter A covey of 20 reported from the Wiscoy Valley, Winona Co. in Jan.; 2 flushed on 1-22 near Spring Grove, Houston Co. (KE, BJ).
1977Spring 4 reports all from Houston Co.: 3-5 (11) and 4-2 (2) RJ; 3-5 (11) SM; 5-1 (2) DGW.
1977Summer No less than 1 0 coveys reported from Fillmore and Houston (fide RJ); also 7-10 and 7-23, Winnebago Twp., Houston Co. (EMF); this species refuses to give up on Minnesota.
1977Fall 8-10 Newburg township Fillmore county (10) (T. Tucker).
1977Winter Still survives in Houston Co. as evidenced by 12 seen 1-6 near Houston (N. Gulden).
1978Spring Reported from Houston. Winter 1978
1978Summer Seen in Houston and Wabasha.
1978Fall Reported reintroduced in Olmsted VH. Only other reports: 8-24 Washington DS (escapee?), 11-24 Freeborn DG.
1979Spring No reports for this period.
1979Summer Seen in Fillmore, Houston.
1979Fall 10-2 Chisago RBA (escapees?). Only report for this period.
1980Spring 5-17 Houston KG, only report accepted; others probable escapees.
1980Summer Breeding in Dakota (Castle Rock); also seen in Houston, Winona, LeSueur (LeCenter, EK).
1981Spring Reported from Houston 4-17 to 19, 5-25 and 5-29 JPI AM, 5-19 Rock (Blue Mounds) SM.
1981Summer More reports than usual after the recent mild winters: seen in Rock, Jackson, Houston, Steele (breeding evidence).
1981Fall 8-10, 15 Lac qui Parle CMB (escapee?), 10-25 Houston JP1AM (30), Rock EBK, no date.
1982Spring Reported 3-26 Houston AB.
1982Summer Seen in Houston.
1982Fall Nesting reported Rock County fide KE, alson seen 11/24 Houston (three) KE.
1983Spring Permanent resident, reported 3/14 Houston EMF, 4/29 Fillmore KL.
1983Summer Seen in Houston, Wabasha, Carver (6/ 20, escape?), ROCK (Blue Mounds SP).
1983Fall 8/13 Houston (3) FL, 8/25 Houston (I) EMF, 11/12 McLeod (2, probable released?) JB.
1983Winter Reported only from Houston (EMF).
1984Spring Permanent resident, reported 5/13 Houston (2) FL, 5/27 Houston KE.
1984Winter Reported in Houston on 12-15 (7), near Caledonia (EMF).
1985Spring Permanent resident, reported 3/26 to 3/28 Murray (wild?) NO, 5/31 Olmsted (I, wild?) V. Herring.
1985Summer No reports for second year in a row.
1985Fall Permanent resident, reported Illl-11/30 Houston (peak of 21) EMF.
1985Winter Reported in Houston (EMF) and a probable escapee on the Mountain Lake-Windom CBC.
1986Spring Permanent resident, reported 3/31 Houston (17), 4/3 (8), 4/4 (4) EMF.
1987Spring 5/15 Helmer Myre S.P, Freeborn (1, wild?) NH.
1988Summer Seen at Blue Mounds S.P., Rock Co. (6/8, m.ob.); first report of presumably wild bird here in several years.
1988Winter Reported during the Wabasha CBC week (wild?) and in Houston (EMF).
1990Spring All reports: 41 II FillmoreAP, 4/17 Houston EMF.
1990Summer Wild birds seen near Caledonia, Houston Co. KE, PS; only second summer record in seven years.
1990Winter Hint of a slight recovery in Houston where up to seven found in January (EMF). Also probable escapes on the Albert Lea CBC.
1991Spring One report: 4/22 Houston AP.
1991Summer Seen near Wilmington, Houston Co.
1992Spring Only report: 5/24 Wilmington Township, Houston County (five) KE et al.
1993Spring One report: 5/11 Houston JB.
1994Spring No reports (one report l.y.)
1994Summer First summer report in three years; probable nesting in Houston CS.
1995Spring Only report: 4/28 Houston DS.
1995Summer Only report: observed SE of Spring Grove in Houston Co. DJo.
1996Spring Only report: (no date) Houston fide CS.
1997Spring No reports of this struggling species except for an escapee in Hennepin SC.
1997Fall No reports except for apparent escaped/released birds in Chippewa (1) FE, Goodhue fide DBS, Hennepin (two locations) mob, and Watonwan (3) DBr.
1997Winter Reported 1/22 Houston (5) fide AH. First winter report since 1990–91. Also reported 12/19 Chippewa FE (wild?).
1998Spring No reports except an apparent escape in Anoka County. Birds reported away from the SE are considered escapes or releases.
1998Summer Two reported on 7/20 near Spring Grove in Houston Co. AH, PS.
1998Fall No reports.
1998Winter Probable escapee 1/26 Freeborn ABa.
1999Spring Reported 5/30 Houston (Wilmington Twp.) PS. An escaped or released bird was found on the same date in Steele (ABa).
1999Summer Male calling on 7/19 near Lewiston Sewage Lagoon in Winona Co. CW (probably a wild bird — good numbers of Bobwhites were recorded at several locations nearby in Wisconsin).
1999Fall Only report: probable escape in Big Stone (Odessa) BOl.
1999Winter No reports.
2000Spring One report: 5/28 Houston (near Bee) PS.
2000Summer Reported 7/2 Winona (Great River Bluffs S.P.) fide BSe, 7/18 Winona (along Winona Co. Rd. 104, near Great River Bluffs S.P.) fide AXH (wild?). Probable escaped/released birds in Scott (3 juveniles) RBJ.
2000Fall Three coveys were uncovered during the fall harvest in Houston (Wilmington Twp.) fide KAK.
2000Winter Reported on the Wabasha CBC (wild?).
2001Spring No reports.
2001Fall No reports.
2001Winter No reports.
2002Spring None except a probable escapee 3/19 Lac qui Parle (9 miles northwest of Boyd) fide FAE.
2002Summer Heard regularly all summer seven miles southeast of Spring Grove, Houston Co. fide KAK.
2002Fall Only reports: presumed escapees in two urban Hennepin locations.
2003Spring Only one report of this declining species: mid-April Houston (Wilmington Township) fide KAK.
2003Summer Reported throughout summer in Houston (Wilmington Twp.) KAK and Fillmore (near Canton) m.ob. Please note that the status of this species in Minnesota is being re-evaluated by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union Records Committee — also see The Loon 75:3–7.
2004Spring Reported without details 5/25 Martin DLB. This species is now considered extirpated in Minnesota (The Loon 76:39–45) and all sightings refer to escaped or released birds unless proven otherwise.
2011Summer1
 
 Former permanent resident south. All recent observations are likely of released or escaped birds.

Notes:

Click on the bird name to see a photographic image of the bird.
Column N  Number of counties where the bird was seen in the North.
Column S  Number of counties where the bird was seen in the South.