Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon - Blackbirds, Orioles 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: Blackbirds, Orioles
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Bobolink
Eastern Meadowlark
Western Meadowlark
[Sturnella meadowlark]
Orchard Oriole
Bullock's Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Scott's Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Rusty Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Common Grackle
Great-tailed Grackle
[Quiscalus grackle]

Brewer's Blackbird(Euphagus cyanocephalus)
YearSeasonNS
1930SummerNut!eroue neets of tbi.s vestem black• bird were found, the earliest by the writer1 in. l1inneapolis, on May 1oth, containing six eggs; the latest by· Marius Morse near Robbinsdale, on June 7th, with five eggs. The species nests in small oolonies, such being found near Minnehaha Greek, Nine Mile Creek, north of Robbinsdale, and near· St. Paul.
1931SummerTwo nests, both l-rl.th five eggs; were found on May 17th by Mr. Swedenborg and Alden Risser, respectively.
1932SummerGustav Swanson reports an odd nest of this species which vms built in a small spruce about 4 feet from th~ ground. It contained 3 eggs Oll May 1o, the ear-' li(3st do.te. The last date is June 17, when John Dobie founc, a nest with one young bird.
1933Summer Twenty-four reported, the first, containing 5 <;f.HZS, having been found by CUllllllings on Mny 7th nt Lake Minnetonka. Grimes found a nest in Pennington County on June 6th -contents, 6 eggs. A nest found by Swanson at Lake Nokomis; Minneapolis, was placed 5 feet up in a spruce. This pal'tieular bird apparently aspired to greater heights than most of its kind.
1934Summer The earliest nest of this species t-m.s found Nay ~Oth at Hutchinson by Hiemenz. It contained 1 egg. Menbors o:£ the Linwood expedition of the,M.B.c., including Prosser, Morse, 'and Hanson, found a. rest with 3 addled eggs and 2 young birds on Juno 16th, the latest date for Brewer's Blackbird.
1937SummerOn May 21 a nest of two eggs was found by Up-son. In the St. Croix National Park Arnold B. Erickson found one egg and three new-hatched young in a nest on June r6.
1938SummerA Blue­haded Grackle's nest that held 5 eggs and 2 of the Brown-headed Cowbird was found near Stillwater on May 6 by George C. Kutz. On June 25 Dr. Mahle found many young awing near Warren. On June 26 Mr. Breckenridge found a nest in Anoka County that held 3 eggs and one of the Brown-headed Cowbird. D. Struthers saw young awing on July 25 near Minneapolis.
1940SummerEleven nests were observed from June 6-I2 by Harrell and Longley, built in willows along the Mississippi River flats (St. Paul). They contained from 4-5 eggs each.
1943SummerRamsey Cou-n,ty, 3 nests; May 5, building nest; June 13, feeding young. Bros. Lewis and Pius.
1944Summer42. May 14, building; June 7, three eggs; St. Paul, Hofstead. June 8, three young and one egg, St. Paul, Olson. Others by Brother Hubert and Brother Pius, Hofstead, and Olson.
1945Summer6 nests, May 13 to June 11, Ramsey Co., Russell Hofstead; 2 nests, one with egg, May 21, one with 4 young, July 3, Ramsey Co., Brother Hubert; nest with young, June 9, Hennepin Co., Don and Eldeen Jacobs; nest, Ramsey Co., May 13, William Longley; 5 nests with eggs and young, Fred Blanch and Larry Flahavan.
1945WinterIndividuals of this species also found in these river valley flocks; one at Duluth, last week of December, 1945, (members of Lakeview Branch of the Duluth Bird Club).
1946Summer3 eggs, May 18, Hennepin Co., Barrett; 2 eggs, and 2 young, June 9, Ramsey Co., Longley and Harrell; 6 nests, May 7, to June 11, Ramsey Co., Bro. Hubert.
1947Summer3 eggs, May 20, Lac qui Parle Co., Willis; 3 eggs, May 24; 3 birds, May 31, Minneapolis, Futcher.
1961SummerOn 27 May at Minnesota Point, Duluth, a nest with five eggs was found by members of the Avifaunal Club.
1962SummerJune 9, Becker Co., 6 eggs, Avifaunal Club.
1962Falllatest dates, Nov. 13, Duluth, Mrs. S. N. Erickson; Nov. 16, Shakopee, R. Huber; Dec. 14, Shakopee, R. Huber.
1962WinterJan. 1, Carver Co., N. of Shakopee, R. Janssen; 16 seen on Christmas Census in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, adjacent Rock County, Minn.
1963SpringMarch 23, Kandiohi Co., Pauline Lastine; April 5, Ramsey Co., H. Huber; April 6, Swan Lake, Nicollet Co., R. Janssen; April 7, Morrison Co., Avifaunal Club; April 18, Rice Co., 0. Rustad.
1963SummerSt. Louis Co., Duluth, June 17. 6 nestlings and 2 other broods with 2 y each, out of nest, D. Meyer.
1963Falllatest, Nov. 16, Hennepin Co., Avifaunal Club.
1964Fall9-11 Duluth, 69, PBH; 11-7 Lac qui Parle Co, RBJ; 11-16 Stevens Co, 10, RAG; 11-18 Ramsey Co, A CR.
1965Springearliest 4-1 Collegeville, RPR and 4·4 Pope Co, WH.
1965Falllatest 11-8 Tofte, MOP and 11-11 Cook Co, AEA. June, 1966
1966Springearliest 3-10 Washington Co, DS; 3-12 Collegeville, RPR; 3-19 Dakota Co, RBJ, EMB.
1966Summernested in Lake and St. Louis Co's; also reported from Carver, Stevens, Crow Wing, Jackson, Dakota, Cass, Scott, Itasca, Benton and Beltrami Co's.
1966FallLatest 10-23 Cook Co., MOP; 10-27 Hennepin Co., VL; 11/4 to 11-24 Cook Co., female at feeder, DRG; 11-17 Parkville, at feeder, SNE.
1966Winter11-27 and 2-4 Parkville, St. Louis Co., SNE; 12-26 to 1-15 Tofte, Cook Co., seen daily, apparently with injured wing, MOP; these very northerly records are unusual considering that this species seldom winters as far north as the Twin Cities; often difficult to separate from adult Rusty Blackbird in winter.
1967Springearly 3-24 Wahpeton- Breckenridge area, fide EGA; 3-25 Washington Co., DS; 3-26 Goodhue Co., EMB.
1967Summernested St. Louis, Cook Co's; also reported from Aitkin, Nobles, Martin, Washington, Stevens, Crow Wing, Lac qui Parle, Hubbard Co's.
1967Fall latest 10-28 Lyon Co., PE; 10-28 Washington Co., WWL; 11-7 Washington Co., DS; 11-11 Stearns Co., KE. Blackbird, species?: 10-30 Cook Co., 17 at ground feeders, also eating Mountain Ash berries, RLG; 11-23 Cottonwood, 1, LAF.
1967Winter 12-21 Collegeville, Stearns Co., 1 at feeder, voice noted, KE.
1968Spring early 3-15 Carver Co., MHM; 3-20 Rice Co., OAR; 3-23 Washington Co., DS; 3-24 Anoka Co., WWL, Wabasha Co., GES, BT and Fargo- Moorhead, fide EGA.
1968Summer nested in Stearns, Morrison, Benton Co's; also reported from St. Louis, Lake, Beltrami, Pine, Washington, Anoka Co's.
1968Fall11 -7 Anoka WHL; 11-8 Pope WH; 11-29 Watonwan DMF.
1969Spring3-20 (IOO's) Nobles Co., HSH; 5-22 Winona Co., BT, and Fillmore Co., EIS; 4-11 Mille Lacs Co., MI; 4-15 Duluth, PBH.
1969Summerreported from Washington, Clay, Norman, Polk, Pennington, and Marshall Co's. Should be more reports for this species. Overlooked?
1969Fall9-28 Duluth 27 BAH; 11-25 Carver 42 KH; 10-6 Mille VL; 11-6 Winona BTV; 11-13 Carver Lacs MI; 10-16 St. Louis JCG. 12TH.
1970Springearly south 3-16 Pope WL; 4-5 Winona TV; 4-6 Blue Earth HT; 4-6 Ramsey AW; early north 4-16 Lake RK; 4-23 Mille Lacs MI.
1970Summernested in Morrison and Mille Lacs Co's; reported from St. Louis, Hennepin, Lake (Beaver Bay), Beltrami, and Cook Co's.
1970Fallonly 3 reports Duluth RL; 9-27 Duluth ]G; 10-7 Carver KH.
1970Winter12-28 Swift BAH.
1971Springearly south 3-24 Nobles HI-I; 3-31 Murray AD; 4-4 Lyon 1-IK; early north 4-8 Itasca MS; 4-11 Duluth KE; peak 5-2 Duluth (200) KE, RR.
1971Summernested in St. Louis, Scott and Dakota; also reported from 15 other counties.
1971Falllate south 11-3 Nobles; 11-16 Hennepin; 11-22 Waseca; late north 10-8 Duluth; 11-6 Grant. C<>mmon Graekh>: late south 11-27 Waseca; 11-29
1972Summernested in Crow Wing), (Aitkin), (Mille Lacs); seen in Clay, Clearwater, Mahnomen, St. Louis, Ramsey, Scott, Dakota, McLeod (FN), Big Stone (BAH), Lyon (HCK).
1972Winter12-16 (1) Big Stone DP; all winter at feeder Deerwood, Crow Wing TS.
1973Spring24 RI:PQRTERS R&PORTINOo. &ARLY SOUTH 3•11 VAMIRA ;KREJ 3-18 RJCE OARJ 3-19 ANOKA Rl!tu £ARLY NORTH 3-13 tTASCP. ... ~, •-06 ;CASS HRHJ 4·17 CLAY LC,. ;
1973Summer Reports from 22 counties.
1973Fall Fewer reports; seen in only four counties. Peak 10-2 Stearns (150) (MC).
1973Winter Reported on the Warren (Marshall Co.), Excelsior and Minneapolis Christmas Counts; also 12-15 Big Stone (D. Peterson).
1974Spring Early south 3-6 Pope WH; 3-12 Hennepin BH; 3-24 Hennepin OJ; early north 4-10 Cass HRH; 4-10 Crow Wing TS; 4-14 Cass KZ.
1974Summer Nested in Marshall and St. Louis; also reported from Becker, Aitkin, Itasca, Mille Lacs, Lake, Cook, Stearns, Hennepin, Washington, Sibley, Nicollet.
1974Fall Late north 9-23 Itasca MS; 11-6 Polk KBZ; late south 10-19 Le Sueur GR; 10-20 Ramsey GC; 11-2 Hennepin VL.
1974Winter Reported on the Big Stone, Bloomington and St. Paul N.E. Christmas Counts; also 12-5 to 12-17 Freeborn (DG).
1975Spring Early south 3-15 Lac qui Parle OLE; 3-23 Goodhue CF; early north 4-14 Crow Wing TS; 4-15 Becker TRS; 4-16 Crow Wing S. Blanich.
1975Summer Nested in Mille Lacs and Hennepin; also reported from 13 other counties including Lincoln (7-19, RJ).
1975Falllate north 11-7 Itasca KE; 11·9 Ottertail LCF; late south 10-3 Martin RJ; 10-13 Scott BDC.
1975Winterif correct, no less than 10 reports: seen in Winona, Steele, Ramsey, Hennepin, Wright, Stearns, Big Stone, Crow Wing (early Dec., TS), St. Louis (Hibbing Christmas Count) and Polk (Crookston Christmas Count) Co's; not all Rusty Blackbirds in late fall and winter are rusty, therefore care must be taken when indentifying winter Brewer's.
1976Spring Early south 3-18 Lac qui Parle AFE; 3-21 Mower RKJ; 3-23 Hennepin PCHS; early north 3-28 Lake ME; 3-31 Mille Lacs MI; 4-16 Aitkin JB and St. Louis DS.
1976Summernested in St. Louis; also reported from 16 other counties including Lake, Cook and Lyon.
1976Fall Late north 10-7 Clearwater, 10-16 Crow Wing; late south 10-29 Hennepin, 11-11 Big Stone, 11-28 Lac qui Parle.
1976Winter Reported on the Big Stone, Excelsior, Minneapolis, Bloomington and Chisago Lakes Christmas Counts; while all of these reports may be valid, no one submitted completely convincing details.
1977Spring Early south 3-9 Murray AD; 3-10 Houston EF; 3-12 Sibley RJ. OJ; early north 3-27 Lake ME; 4-3 Wilkin TS; 4-9 Mahnomen MS.
1977Summer Nested in Lake of the Woods, St. Louis and Hennepin; also reported from 16 other counties south to Big Stone, McLeod, Dakota and Houston.
1977Fall Late north 11-13 Clay (LCF).
1977Winter Late migrants 12-4 Hennepin (CMB) and 6 on the Winona CBC.
1978Summer Breeding reported from Beltrami and Mille Lacs; seen also in 22 other counties all in the North except Stearns, Meeker, Hennepin, Anoka, Nicollet and Houston.
1978Fall Late north 10-8 Clay LCF; late south 11-26 Freeborn DG.
1978Winter Late migrants seen on the La Crescent, Austin, St. Paul N. E. and Hibbing (injured) CBCs.
1979Spring Early south 3-21 Lac qui Parle CMB, Redwood LJF; early north 4-2 Wilkin FKS, 4-4 Otter Tail GMO.
1979Fall Late north 10-15 Polk KSS and St. Louis DA; late south 11-30 Nicollet EB.
1979Winter Two reports: Nicollet 12-14 (JCF) and Cottonwood 12-30, 1-1 (RLG).
1980Summer Breeding reported from Mille Lacs, Stearns, Sherburne, Anoka; also seen throughout the state north of the Minnesota River plus Lyon (HCK), Olmsted (7-26 JB).
1980Fall Late north 10-31 St. Louis LW, 11-19 Pennington KSS.
1980Winter Early migrants in Nicollet 2-28 (JCF), only report.
1981Spring Early south 3-1 Houston EMF 3-6 Nicollet JCF,.3-~4 Mower RRK; ~arly north 3-22 Wilkm FKS, 3-28 Pennington KSS, 4-13 St. Louis JG.
1981Summer Breeding data from Stearns; nesting reported from St. Louis, Beltrami. Seen throughout the North half plus East Central and adjacent counties to the west.
1981Fall Late north 10-31 Marshall KSS, 11-4 St. Louis LW.
1981Winter Only report: Blue Earth 12-17 (MJF).
1982Spring Early south 3-11 Blue Earth JCF, 3-14 Redwood LJF, 3-21 Dakota JD; early north 4-1 Pine LW, 4-14 Lake SW / MS, Marshall ANWR, 4-18 Otter Tail SDM.
1982Summer Breeding data from Stearns. Seen throughout the state except the tier of counties north of the Iowa line.
1982Fall Late north 10/14 Red Lake KSS. 10/23 Wilkin BL. Common Grakle Late north 11/21 Marshall KSS, 11/24 St. Louis LE, 11/27 Aitkin WM.
1982Winter Reported on the Bemidji CBC, Nicollet, 12/3 and 12/9 (JCF) and possible early migrants in Clay on 2/25 (LCF).
1983Spring Early south 3/15 Ramsey RH, 3/24 Washington DS, 3/26 Olmsted JEB; early north 4/16 Pennington KSS, 4/19 Otter Tail SDM, 4/23 Polk MH.
1983Summer Breeding data from Lake, Stearns. Seen throughout the state except the Southeast.
1983Fall Late north 11/4 Pennington KSS, 11/24 Clay LCF.
1983Winter Reported on the Mankato CBC (51), and Otter Tail, 12-7 (SDM) and Olmsted, 2-26 (JBK).
1984Spring Early south 3/24 Mower RRK, 3/25 Blue Earth JCF, 3/31 Dodge JEB, RE; early north 4/10 Cook KMH, 4/11 Otter Tail GMO, 4/12 St. Louis fide KE.
1984Summernested in Lake, St. Louis and Stearns; also seen in 26 other counties including Houston (7128 BE) and Lyon (HK).
1984Fall Late north 10/31 St. Louis KE< I 1/5 Kanabec SSt, 11/22 Pennington KSS.
1984Winter Reported without details on the Excelsior CBC.
1985Spring Early south 3/3 Olmsted JEB, 3/8 Faribault FKS, 3/16 Cottonwood WH; early north 3/17 Wilkin GAM, 4/2 Norman BK, 4/5 Marshall ANWR.
1985Summer Nested in Morrison, Steams; probable nesting in St. Louis. Also seen in 27 other counties throughout the state except the two tiers of counties north of the Iowa border.
1985Fall Late north 9/7 Aitkin WN, 9/12 Carlton DZ, 9/24 St. Louis DZ; late south 10/15 Hennepin SC, 11/10 Houston EMF, 1/110 Scott RJ, 11/17 Pope LAF.
1986Spring Early south 3/13 Olmsted JEB, 3/22 Nicollet JCF, Olmsted RE, 3/27 Dakota JD, Fillmore AMP; early north 3/16 Wilkin GAM, 3/24 Clay JL, 3/30 St. Louis KE.
1986Summer Nested in Clay (MMo). Also seen in 21 other counties throughout the North except Lake and Cook, plus Stearns, Wright, Dakota, Sibley, Watonwan, Lyon, Murray, Jackson.
1986Fall Late north 11/17 Cook WP and Lake SW/ MS, 11/21 Duluth KE, 11/27 Cook KMH; late south 10/12 Meeker AB, 10/24 Hennepin SC.
1986Winter North east reports from Cook until 1/23 (KMH); in Lake Co. a female at Isabella until 1/8 and a male was present throughout January and February (SWIMS); in Duluth, two were present at feeders 12/15-31 (fide, KE). Also reported on the Grand Rapids and Fergus Falls CBC's.
1987Spring Early south 3/6 Olmsted JB, 3/8 Winona AP, 3/12 Washington DS; early north 4/3 St. Louis MHIJS, 4/12 Clay LCF.
1987Summer Nested in Clearwater (AB). Also seen in 27 other counties across the northern (except Cook and Lake) and central regions, plus Nicollet, Redwood, Lyon, Murray.
1987Fall Late north 10/4 Clay LCF, 10/18 Duluth AB, 10/20 St. Louis MH/JS; late south 11/11 Blue Earth JF.
1987Winter Reported on the Rochester CBC.
1988Spring Early south 3/12 Mower RRK, 3/13 Nicollet LW, 3/14 Olmsted JEB; early north 4/1 Todd PH, 4/9 Aitkin WN, 4/13 Duluth KE.
1988Summer Nested in Todd, Morrison, Benton. Seen in 33 other counties as far south as Big Stone, Nicollet, Le Sueur.
1988Fall Late north 10/16 St. Louis TBB, 10/23 Clay LCF, 11/13 Aitkin WN; late south 10/26 Waseca AP, 10/28 Nicollet JF, 11/2 Goodhue AP.
1989Spring Early south 3/22 Olmsted BSE, 3/24 Faribault AP, 3/26 Olmsted JB; early north 4/14 Aitkin WN, 4/16 Clay LCF, Pennington SKS, 4/18 Duluth KE.
1989Summer Nested in Wilkin, Lake; seen in 26 other counties in all regions except southwest, south central, southeast.
1989Fall · Late north 10/21 OtterTail KE, 10/22 Wil- kin SDM, 11/8 Clay LCF; late south 10/23 Mower RRK, 11/6 Dakota JD, ll/10 Dodge AB.
1989Winter Reported in Wabasha 12/10 DWM and Goodhue 1/14 AB; details?
1990Spring Early south 3/10 Cottonwood ED, Mower JM, Rice OR, 3/16 Steele KV, 3/18 Goodhue JD, LeSueur MF; early north 4/1 Clay LCF, 4/7 Todd PH, 4/12 Polk KSS.
1990Summer Probable breeding in Lake of the Woods. Seen in 33 other counties as far south as Lyon, Le Sueur; no reports from northeast.
1990Fall Late north 10/12 Lake DPV, 10/21 Wilkin MO, 11/2 Cook KMH; late south 11/2 Pipestone JP, II /6 Carver RG, 11/20 Lac qui Parle CMB.
1990Winter Reported on the Austin and Wild River CBCs; in a sheep feedlot in Clay 1/13 LCF (details?); and in Sherburne 2/16 RG (early migrant).
1991Spring Early south 3/18 Rock AP, 3/27 Lyon HK, 3/31 Cottonwood PS; early north 3/21 Becker DEB, 4/7 Wilkin SDM.
1991Summer Observed in 28 counties as far south as Lyon, Hennepin; plus 6/1 Faribault RJ.
1991Fall Late north 11/8 Otter Tail WL, 11/11 Aitkin SDM; late south 11/2 Lac qui Parle FE, 11/6 Mower RRK.
1991Winter One overwintered at Sax-Zim, St. Louis Co. fide MS. Also reported Roseau (details barely acceptable), Crookston (8!), and Baudette (count week, well documented) CBC's. Other reports were undocumented and unacceptable.
1992Spring Early south 3/7 Cottonwood HK, 3/8 Olmsted AP; early north 3/20 Becker BBe, 3/25 Otter Tail CS/KC.
1992Summer Observed in 31 counties as far south as Lyon in west, Faribault in central, Dakota in east.
1992Fall Late north 11/3 Pennington SSt, 11/8 Otter Tail CS/KC; late south 10/25 McLeod RH, 11/8 Kandiyohi CJ.
1992Winter Reported on the Baudette CBC for the second year in a row.
1993Spring Early south 4/10 Lyon HK, 4/12 Rice DS. Early north 4/9 Polk KSS, 4/24 Clearwater DJ.
1993Summer Fewest reports in more than years. Probable nesting in Clay, Cass; observed in 22 additional counties as far south as Lyon, Sibley, Dakota.
1993Fall Late north 9/19 Clay LCF, 11/6 Aitkin WN. Late south 11/8 Sibley KB, 11/25 Cottonwood ED.
1993Winter Reported 1/1 Cottonwood ED and from Rice where peak of 20 on 1/27 OR (no details).
1994Spring Early south 3/13 Washington DS, 3/20 Nobles AB; early north 3/20 Marshall KSS, 4/9 Kanabec CM.
1994Summer Observed in 23 counties in all regions except south central and southeast.
1994Fall Late north 10/10 KSS, 10/20 Otter Tail DS. Late south 10/20 Carver RG, 11/16 Lac qui Parle WL.
1994Winter Only reports on the Long Prairie and Austin CBCs (neither with details). Although there are a few reports of this species each winter, only seldom are these documented.
1995Spring Early south 3/12 Scott AB, 3/18 Houston PJ; early north 3/23 Pennington SKS, 4/2 Douglas SW, 4/17 Carlton LW.
1995Summer Nested in St. Louis; seen in 26 other counties as far south as a line through Clay, Meeker, Dakota.
1995Fall Late north 9/27 Douglas RJ, 10/2 Itasca BN, 10/22 Polk SKS. Late south 10/8 McLeod KB, 10/27 Faribault RJ, 10/31 Chippewa ABo. These were some of the earliest “late” dates for this species in the last ten years.
1995Winter Reported until 2/2 Todd JSK and on the Mountain Lake-Windom and Wild River CBCs.
1996Spring Early south 3/25 Houston EMF and Kandiyohi RJF. Early north 4/10 Kittson KB and Polk SKS, 4/14 Itasca BN.
1996Summer Reported in 17 northern counties plus Stearns, Sherburne, Meeker, Wright, Hennepin, Sibley, Dakota, Watonwan.
1996Fall Late north 10/9 Clay MRN, 10/21 Polk KB, 10/29 Todd JSK. Late south 10/20 Freeborn ABa, 10/21 Winona CS, 11/7 Lincoln RgS, JA.
1996Winter No reports; first time since 1985–86.
1997Spring Early south 3/21 Rice (20) OR, 3/22 Freeborn ABa, 3/29 Steele DBS. Early north 4/3 Carlton LW, 4/8 St. Louis JN, 4/13 Wadena PBi.
1997Summer Reported in 25 counties as far south as Renville, Dakota; new nesting record in Itasca ABo.
1997Fall Late north 9/25 Traverse RJ, 10/11 Clay RO, 11/10 Becker BK. Late south 10/29 Olmsted CH, 11/5 Rice TBo, 11/18 Waseca JZ.
1997Winter Only report: 2/28 Rice JL.
1998Spring Reported 2/28 through 3/1 Rice JL, JLa, 3/28 Goodhue DN, 4/1 Lyon RgS. Early north 4/7 Wilkin KB, 4/18 Wadena PBi, 4/20 Lake DV.
1998Summer Seen in 27 counties as far south as a line through Lac qui Parle, Wright, Dakota; plus late migrant 6/7 Houston PS. Probable nesting in Aitkin.
1998Fall Late north 10/9 Todd JSK/SDu, 11/7 Otter Tail DS, 11/8 Grant SDM. Late south 10/24 Lyon RgS, 10/25 Stearns MJ/DT, 11/2 Waseca OJ.
1998Winter Overwintered in Crow Wing fide WN. Also reported on Excelsior CBC (2), early January Dakota fide AH, and 2/21 Dodge JSt. None of these reports had convincing details. [Corrected]
1999Spring Arrived within four days of the recent median arrival dates south and north. Early south 3/9 Lyon RgS, 3/19 Meeker DF. Early north 3/31 Todd JSK, SDu, 4/3 Kanabec CM.
1999Summer Seen in a total of 25 counties as far south as Waseca; new nesting record in Aitkin WN.
1999Fall Only north reports after August: 10/1 Carlton LW and Itasca BN, 10/28 Todd JSK. Late south 11/20 Meeker DF, 11/21 McLeod DF, 11/24 Lyon RgS.
1999Winter Undocumented reports 12/18–1/22 from Stahl's Lake County Park, McLeod Co. DF (including 20 on the †Northwest McLeod CBC). Possible early migrants reported 2/29 Yellow Medicine (8) †RgS.
2000Spring Seen in 26 south and 14 north counties throughout state, including a late migrant 5/28 Houston †NWi where unexpected during breeding season. Arrived approximately 12 days before recent medians south and north. Early south 3/1 Pipestone RgS, 3/6 McLeod DF, also see winter report. Only March reports north: 3/20 Otter Tail SDM, 3/26 Kanabec CM.
2000Summer Reported in 26 counties as far south as a line through Big Stone, Nicollet, Wabasha.
2000Fall High count 9/24 Polk (200) EEF. Late north 10/13 Todd JSK, SDu, 10/15 Norman CMN, 11/10–12 Clay fide BAB. Late south 11/10 Waseca JPS, 11/15 Lac qui Parle FAE.
2001Spring Seen in 17 south and 19 north counties statewide. Arrived at least 10 days later than recent medians south and north. Early south 3/22 Mower RDK, RCK. Early north 4/12 Todd JSK.
2001Summer Fewest reports in 18+ years. Observed in 17 counties as far south as a line through Clay, Douglas, Meeker, Dakota, Wabasha; plus 6/7 Freeborn AEB. New nesting record in Cass JS, MN.
2001Fall High counts 11/2 McLeod (150) RWS, 11/5 Scott (100) RBJ. Late north 10/25 Becker BRK, 11/17 Otter Tail DPS. Late south 11/22 Waseca (30) JPS, 11/24 Meeker DMF.
2002Spring Reported from 17 south and 17 north counties. Arrived later than recent medians south (3/12) and north (4/1). Early south 3/30 Waseca JPS, only March report. Early north 4/13 Polk EEF, 4/19 Wilkin (110 at Rothsay W.M.A.) KJB.
2002Summer Reported in 27 counties as far south as Brown, Blue Earth, Wabasha.
2002Fall Late north 10/19 Mahnomen (500) SAS, 10/26 Carlton LAW, 10/30 St. Louis KRE (median 11/8). Late south 11/5 Pope RBJ, 11/15 Rice TFB, 11/18 Martin (7) RBJ (median 11/11).
2003Spring Seen in 19 south and 13 north counties and in all regions of the state, but only Jackson in the Southwest. Early south 3/24 Lac qui Parle BJU, 3/27 Jackson and Martin JJS. Early north (median 4/1) 3/23 Cass MRN, 4/5 Todd JSK, SID.
2003Summer Most reports since 1992. Observed in 29 counties as far south as a line through Lac qui Parle, Scott, Dakota; plus 6/3 Murray SSP, 6/4, 6/10 Pipestone KLP, DCZ.
2003Fall Reported from 10 north and 9 south counties. Late north 10/18 Red Lake JMJ, 10/31 Pine (219) JMP, 11/22 Aitkin DWK. Late south 10/28 Swift RBJ, 11/1 Meeker (400) PRH, RWS.
2004Spring Seen in 19 south and 17 north counties in all regions. Early south 3/21 Mower JEM, 3/23 Lac qui Parle BJU. Early north 4/13 Becker MWy, 4/14 Kanabec CAM. Highest reported count 4/20 Polk (550 in Maple Lake area) EEF.
2004Summer Lowest number of reports since 1994: observed in 24 counties in all regions of state. New nesting record in Pine JMP.
2004Fall Seen in eight north and six south counties, in all regions except the Southeast. Record-high count 9/19 Clay (1000+) RBJ. North reports through 10/20, then 11/3 Wilkin (425) RBJ, 11/4 Clay JEB. Late south 10/20 Lac qui Parle PHS, 11/2 Steele LBF.
2005Spring Seen in 23 north and 15 south counties, and in all regions except the Southwest. Early south 3/27 Olmstead DMA, 3/29 Meeker DMF. Early north 4/4, 4/5 Mille Lacs ASc.
2005Summer Matched 2004 for fewest records since 1994: observed in 24 counties in all regions except Southwest. First nesting records for Itasca DRM, Lac qui Parle BJU.
2005Fall Reported in 12 north and 11 south counties. High count 9/28 Clay (250 in one pasture) RBJ. Late north 11/1 Mille Lacs ASc and Pine JMP. Late south 11/15 Freeborn AEB, 11/19 Rice FVS, DAB.
2005Winter No details 12/18 Mower (Austin CBC).
2006Spring Reported from 28 south and 24 north counties. Early south 3/12 Dakota PEB, 3/18 Rice DAB; peak migration 4/6–15 in ten counties. Early north 4/8 Polk EEF, 4/14 Morrison HHD; peak migration 4/22–27 in eight counties.
2006Summer Observed in 40 counties in all regions of state.
2006Fall Seen in 13 north and 14 south counties. Late north 11/7 Todd RBW, 11/9 Pine JMP, 11/11 Aitkin NSc. Late south 10/22 Pope RBW, 10/30 Hennepin DDo, 11/3 Lac qui Parle BJU.
2007Spring2526 Early south 3/17 Brown BTS, Rice ChH, and Wright DPG (median 3/13). Early north 3/24 Mille Lacs NSc, ASc, 3/25 Otter Tail fide JMJ (median 4/2). Season high count 3/27 Blue Earth (100) ChH.
2007Summer2624 Reported from record high number of counties in all regions.
2007Fall1321 Season high counts 9/16 Jackson (220) DWK. Late north 10/21 Becker, Otter Tail and Polk JMJ, 10/26–27 Cook RBJ, DAB, 11/10 Clay JWH (median 11/7). Late south 10/21 Meeker, Renville HHD, 10/23 Wright DPG, 10/29 Kandiyohi RBW, 11/11 Goodhue JLO (median 11/8).
2007Winter1 Two individuals were documented in Todd during the Long Prairie CBC.
2008Spring2128 Early south (median 3/13) 3/19 Mower JEM, 3/30 Hennepin DDo, 4/1 Freeborn AEB, 4/3 Meeker DMF. Early north (median 4/1) 4/18 Aitkin KCR, 4/19 Douglas JPE, Mille Lacs NSc. Season high count 4/27 Red Lake (220) SAS.
2008Summer1516 Observed in all regions except Southeast. First county breeding record from Rock AXH, Ramsey AXH.
2008Fall1914 Late north 10/11–11/1 Mille Lacs ASc (median 11/7). Late south 10/25 Kandiyohi DPG, Pope MJB, 10/30 Sibley (albinistic individual) ph. DPG, 11/23 Waseca DAB, JWH (median 11/8). Season high count 9/25 Todd (500) PHS.
2009Spring2530 Early south (median 3/13) 3/19 Blue Earth ChH, Dakota ADS, JPM, 3/21 Houston DFN, McLeod, Meeker MJB. Early north (median 4/1) 3/22 Todd MSK, 4/5 Kanabec HHD, 4/8 Clay and Polk MEB. Season high count 4/19 Wright (150, Pelican Lake W.P.A.) DWK.
2009Summer2019 Observed in all regions except Southwest.
2009Fall1114 Season high counts 11/22 Waseca (400) DAB, 11/14 Pope (300) MJB. Late north 10/10 Wilkin CRM, 10/18 Douglas JPE, 11/19–20 Cass EEO (median 11/7). Late south 11/21 Dakota JLO, Hennepin HCT, 11/22 Waseca DAB, JWH, 11/25 Blue Earth ChH (median 11/11).
2010Spring2538 Early south (median 3/15) 3/13 Fillmore, Mower DBM, 3/18 Stearns JnS, 3/20 Lyon HHD, Rice DFN, Rock HHD. Early north (median 4/2) 3/21 Traverse HHD, 3/22 Otter Tail TSS, 3/26 Roseau JTi, 4/3 Douglas JPE. Note: Please document all reports of this species prior to mid-March.
2010Summer2518 Observed in all regions except Southeast. First county breeding records for Grant DPG, Koochiching FSw, Washington fide BBA.
2010Fall1116 Late north 9/25 Grant, Traverse HHD, Morrison MJB, 10/1–30 Douglas JPE, 11/21 Clearwater fide JMJ (median 11/7). Late south 10/31 Blue Earth ChH, McLeod RBW, Renville DWK, Wright HHD, Yellow Medicine RBW, DWK, 11/3 Carver JCy, 11/20 Big Stone HHD (median 11/11). Season high counts 10/28 Carver (250) JCy, 10/10 McLeod (50) DWK.
2010Winter See Undocumented Reports.
2011Spring2837 Early south (median 3/15) 3/18 Mower RAE, 3/20 Wabasha RAE, 3/24 Waseca DCu, 3/25 Dakota JLO. Early north (median 4/2) 4/7 Polk SAS, 4/9 Traverse BJU, 4/12 Morrison FGo, 4/17 St. Louis JLK. Season high counts 4/24 Lac qui Parle (80) BJU, 4/17 St. Louis (75) JLK, 4/30 Lac qui Parle (60) KeS.
2011Summer2519Observed in all regions except Southeast. First county breeding records for Lyon GWe, Otter Tail CCa, Renville AnK. High counts 6/9 Polk (9, Glacial Ridge N.W.R.) DWi, 6/25 Clay (9, Felton Prairie) VNi.
2011Fall1227 High count 11/1 Carver (950, Assumption) JCy. Late north 10/23 Otter Tail GLa, Wadena RZi, 11/4 Mille Lacs KRE, RZi (median 11/7). Late south 11/9 Le Sueur RBW, 11/11 Dakota (10) JFR, 11/12 Nobles RAE (median 11/11).
2011WinterSee Undocumented Reports. (Please document all winter records of this species.)
2012Spring2933 See winter report for early south. Additional south records (median 3/15) 3/11 Brown BTS, Watonwan DBM, 3/12 Houston SPu, 3/13 Dakota JLO, Sherburne ASc. Early north (median 4/2) 3/17, 3/20 Mille Lacs ASc, 3/20 Morrison (12) MJB, 3/21 Mille Lacs RAE, 3/24 Douglas FGo.
2012Summer2730 Observed in all regions except Southeast. First county breeding records for Meeker fide BBA, Norman NRRI, Pennington JMJ, Traverse RPR, Waseca PCo.
2012Fall1527 High count 10/9 Carver (est. 1,100, Union/Tacoma Ave., part of a flock of 1,250–1,500 blackbirds) JCy. Late north 10/12 Clay CRM, ALo, St. Louis (H.R.N.R.) RDC, Traverse RAE, 10/13 Douglas JPE, 10/21 Grant DBM (median 11/7). Late south 11/11 Olmsted (2) LAV, 11/13 Rice (12, Wheeling) DAT, 11/14 Lac qui Parle BJU, 11/22 Freeborn (5) BBu (median 11/11). Also see winter report.
2012Winter1 One documented report: 12/15 Rice (5) †GHo.
2013Spring2735 Early south (median 3/15) 4/1 Rice TFB, 4/5 Sibley GLa, RAE, ALo, GHo, 4/6 Lyon GWe, McLeod PRH, Murray JCC, Watonwan JCC. Early north (median 4/2) 4/9, 4/10, 4/16 Becker ASM, then 4/19 Morrison FGo, St. Louis JLK.
2013Summer3027 Seen in all regions of state. First county breeding records from Kanabec CCa, Kandiyohi RAE, Red Lake DKb, Redwood JSc.
2013Fall1321 High count 11/2 Sibley (75) JCC. Late north 10/7 Todd JLK, 10/13 Douglas JPE, 10/28 Otter Tail JsS (median 11/7). Late south 11/3 Lyon GWe, 11/7 Washington PSm, 11/11 Nobles BTS, 11/16 Pipestone HHD (median 11/11).
2014Spring2735Early south (median 3/15) 3/31 Rice TJo, 4/1 Wright ToL, 4/5 Cottonwood LHl, Hennepin CTh. Early north (median 4/2) 4/6 Marshall CCr, 4/8 Hubbard MAW, 4/10 Crow Wing PSP.
2014Summer2519Observed in every region of state.
2014Fall1424 High counts 10/11 Blue Earth (100, Cobb River W.P.A) RMD, 10/5 McLeod (80) JCC, 10/19 Lyon (80), Sham Lake) GWe. Late north 10/15 Otter Tail JsS, JSw, 10/22 Mahnomen ANy, 10/24 Clay PBB (median 11/7). Late south 11/4 Dakota BRL, 11/7 Sibley CRM, Washington MJM, 11/8 Chisago RZi (median 11/11).
2015Spring2136 Early south (median 3/15) 3/24 Wabasha MAn, 3/28 Meeker BNn, 3/30 Rice TFB, Scott MSw. Early north (median 4/2) 4/4 Polk SAu, 4/5 Morrison JEm, KEm, MEm, 4/6 Douglas RAE, HHD. High count 4/18 Polk (80) SAu.
2015Summer2425 Seen in all regions. High count 6/26 Ramsey (50, more than four dozen adults in a colony, many feeding young) AXH.
2015Fall1825 High counts 10/17 Wilkin (2,000, near Rothsay) KRE, JCC, 10/25 Blue Earth (300) WCM, 10/27 Carver (180) JCy. Late north 10/25 Polk SAu, 10/26 Todd ALu, 11/4 Douglas BEc, 11/6 Becker ANy (median 11/4). Late south 11/4 McLeod PRH, 11/8 Murray GWe, 11/18 Cottonwood KEM (median 11/11).
2016Spring2639 Early south (median 3/18) 3/7 Faribault MJB, 3/19 Winona MGo, 3/22 Stevens DPG, 3/24 Yellow Medicine GWe. Record early north (median 4/3) 3/14 Becker ASM, NaH, followed by 3/29 Morrison PAv, 4/8 Clay JCC. High counts 4/5 Goodhue (260) KDS, 4/10 Yellow Medicine (50) GWe.
2016Summer2830 Seen in all regions.
2016Fall1529 High counts 11/3 Faribault (611, Prescott W.P.A.) ClN, 10/9 Polk (500) SAu, 10/9 Marshall (150) SAu. Late north 11/5 Todd AaL, 11/10–11 Grant CNn (median 11/4). Late south 11/10 Freeborn TAT, 11/13 Brown BAb, Carver DWK (median 11/12).
2016Winter12 First winter reports since 2012. Found in three counties, the highest number in 15 winters. Highly unusual midwinter report from St. Louis County: 1/16–26 (Duluth) ph. †PHS, †FJN, m.ob. South reports (without details) of likely early migrants: 2/25 Lyon (Amiret W.M.A.) GWe, 2/25 Meeker MJB.
2017Spring2646 See winter report for early south. Additional south records (median 3/19) 3/9 Meeker PKF, 3/10 Dodge RAE, MAJ, 3/19 Le Sueur DOr, Nicollet BAb. Early north (median 4/4) 3/24 Morrison FGo, 3/27 Morrison, Todd FGo, 3/28 Becker ASM. High counts 4/8 Grant (100) CNn, 4/10 Pine (49) LEv, 4/30 Polk (45) SAu.
2017Summer2830 Reported from every region except Southeast.
2017Fall1929 High counts 10/14 Kandiyohi (300) RAE, 11/5 Carver (250, Carver P.R.) JCy, 10/8 Clay (140) HeH, ShG. Late north 10/27 Douglas CNn, 11/25 Clay (Cromwell Twp.) † PBB (median 11/4). Late south 11/7 Cottonwood LHl, Faribault KEm, 11/8 Carver JCy, 11/12 Lac qui Parle KnM (median 11/13).
2018Spring3141 Early south (median 3/19) 3/18 Jackson KEm, 3/25 Rice KnM, ASu, LiH, 3/29 Cottonwood ebd, 3/30 Carver JCy. Early north (median 4/4) 3/28 Douglas BEc, 4/3 Pine KrM, 4/12 Todd TLu, 4/22 Douglas LGl, Marshall JHs. High counts 4/12 Houston (200, Crooked Creek Twp.) IsH, EzH, 4/27 Wilkin (90, Tanberg Twp.) MO.
2018Summer3127 Seen in all regions except Southeast.
2018Fall2026 High counts 9/2 Grant (300) CNn, 10/14 Dakota (100, Whitetail Woods R.P.) KDS. Late north 10/22 Grant NaH, 10/23 Clay LSl, 10/24 Morrison MLk, 11/1 Douglas JPE (median 11/6). Late south 11/4 Stevens DLP, 11/5 Redwood RBJ, 11/11 Hennepin ebd (median 11/13).
2018Winter12 Reported for only the third time in past ten years from three western counties. All reports from mid-December: 12/14 Stevens CBC, 12/15 ph. Kensington CBC, 12/15 Lyon ph. NMe.
2019Spring3046 Early south (median 3/19) 3/20 Dodge ASu, 3/23 Faribault LiH, BDo, Jackson LiH, BDo, Washington GJa. Early north (median 4/4) 3/24 Todd TLu, 3/31 Traverse LiH, 4/2 Pine KrM. High counts 4/22 Clay (50) TCL, 4/24 Kandiyohi (40) JWd.
2019Summer2939 Observed in all regions. High counts 6/30 Clay (est. 50, Bluestem Prairie S.N.A.) CMk (same count 6/13 via ebd), 6/30 St. Louis (42, Sax-Zim Bog) GBy. First county breeding record: 7/6 Pope DvK.
2019Fall2330 High counts 10/8 McLeod (200, Yacht Ave.) BHa, 10/14 Stearns (165, Melrose) AaL, CLu. Late north 10/19 Wilkin KnM, ASu, 10/25 Wadena PJB, 10/31 Pine (10) KrM (median 11/4). Late south 11/9 McLeod RBW, Nobles AaL, CLu, 11/10 Sibley JWZ, 11/19 Lyon GWe (median 11/13).
2019Winter21 Three reports of this species that is seen in approximately a third of winter seasons: 12/3 Houston (Brownsville Overlook) ebd, 12/14 Crookston CBC, 1/2 Todd ph REn, RLF.
2020Spring2942 Early south (median 3/18) 3/9 Redwood RJS, 3/14 Brown BTS, Rock ABL, 3/16 Hennepin ebd. Early north (median 4/3) 4/2 Grant CNn, 4/4 Pine KrM, ebd, 4/5 Todd REn, RLF, 4/9 Wadena PJB. High counts 3/28 Steele (80) MaS, 4/11 Wright (51, Pelican Lake) RCl, 5/12 Clay (46, Felton Prairie, Assiniboia Skipper Unit) TCL.
2020Summer3026 Seen in all regions but least frequently in southern regions. High counts 7/29 Morrison (70, McDougall Homestead) MhJ, 7/6 Todd (45, Staples, Airport Rd Pedestrian Path) ebd.
2020Fall2533 Found in all regions, with reports from more counties north and south than in any fall season since at least 2000. High count 9/10 Grant (350, North Ottawa Impoundment) DFe, ebd. Late north 10/28 Clay DPW, 10/30 Otter Tail ebd, 11/3 Becker TKa (median 11/4). Late south 11/9 Sibley DFe, 11/13–14 Pipestone LVD, 11/19 Lac qui Parle WCM (median 11/13); also see winter report.
2020Winter1 Reported for third consecutive winter: 12/12 McLeod (Hutchinson Twp.) HHD.
2021Spring3047 Found in all but 10 counties. Early south (median 3/19) 3/6 Jackson DFN, PEJ, 3/12 Meeker PKF, 3/16 Le Sueur DOr. Early north (median 4/3) 3/15 Todd (Osakis) REn, RLF, 3/21 Pine KrM, 3/22 Becker TKa. High counts 4/9 Stearns (100, Albany) MtS, 4/9 Pine (90, C.R. 103) LEv, 4/20 Benton (65, Sauk Rapids Twp.) DOr.
2021Summer3227 Observed in every region except Southeast. High count 6/4 Kittson (50, Caribou W.M.A.) ebd.
2021Fall1934 Detected in all regions, with fewest reporting counties in North-central and Southeast. High counts 10/23 Swift (500, S.R. 104 in Sunburg) GHo, 11/6 Brown (250, Albin Twp.) KEm, JWH, 10/24 Cottonwood (200, Rock Ridge Prairie S.N.A.) KEm, JWH, 11/10 Cottonwood (200, Amo Twp.) KEm. Late north 10/24 Norman LHl, 10/26 Becker NaH, ANy, 11/22–23 St. Louis DEd (median 11/6). Late south 11/10 Cottonwood KEm, 11/11 Big Stone DLP, 11/13–17 Kandiyohi RAE (median 11/15).
2021Winter  No reports for the first time since 2017.
2022Spring2948 Found statewide. Early south (median 3/19) 3/16 Ramsey LiH, 3/19 Rock PRH, 3/21 Ramsey APi, Redwood BTS, MiO. Early north (median 4/3) 4/2 Traverse LiH, 4/3 Grant CNn, 4/5 Becker HeH, ShG. High counts both from Norman: 4/30 (200, Syre State W.M.A.) EHi, MwT, ebd, 4/29 (150, Gary) TCL.
 
 Breeds throughout but rare far south. Migrant throughout.

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.