Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon - Finches 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: Finches
Brambling
Evening Grosbeak
Pine Grosbeak
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch
[Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Hepburn's)]
[Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Gray-crowned)]
House Finch
Purple Finch
Cassin's Finch
Common Redpoll
Hoary Redpoll
[Hoary Redpoll (exilipes)]
[Hoary Redpoll (hornemanni)]
Red Crossbill
White-winged Crossbill
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch

Common Redpoll(Acanthis flammea)
YearSeasonNS
1961WinterWell represented on the Christmas Count. Dean Honetschlager saw a flock as late as February 28. On February 10, A. C. Rosenwinkel saw a small flock in Ramsey County. Flocks of from 6 to 40 were seen in the Duluth area by many observers during December and January.
1963WinterSeveral large flocks reported on some Christmas counts, otherwise occurring in small to medium flocks in Cass, Clay, Lake-of-theWoods, Beltrami, St. Louis, Lake, Cook, Pine, Stearns, Anoka, Hennepin, Washington, Ramsey, Dakota, Winona, Olmsted, Kandiyohi, Pipestone, Stevens and Traverse Counties-virtually the whole state.
1964Fall10-30 Ramsey Co, 4, ACR; 10-31 Duluth, NJH; 11-6 Duluth, 200, fide JCG; 11-8 Wadena Co, RO; 1/27 Orr, St. Louis Co, NJH; notably absent Fargo-Moorhead, EGA.
1964WinterErratic in numbers and generally confined to NE corner of state, except small flocks of 20 to 50 in Carlton (RPR, BL, RLH), Aitkin (RPR), Beltrami (MG, RLH), Cass (RG, RO, RLH), Sherburne (EAH) and Hennepin (EMB) Co's. Only peaks, 12-31, Kelsey area, St. Louis Co, 100 plus, DP, LJ; 1-7 to 1-12, Lutsen, Cook Co, 280, LS. One reported during XC period at Fargo-Moorhead. /.
1965Springlatest 4-20 Duluth, LP and 4-27 Two Harbors, RK.
1965Falltwo unusual reports, 9-20 Rochester, JPF( exceptional-no details) and 10-14 Minneapolis, VS (no de tails); next record 10-16 Tofte, Cook Co, MOP, 10-18 Two Harbors, RK and 10-21 St. Paul, TKS; many reports thereafter, south and west to Washington Co (DH), Morrison Co (LSR), Sherburne Co (NMH) Morris (RAG), Stearns Co (NMH, RPR), Polk Co (GSM), Pope Co (WH), Northfield (GNR), Wright Co (ACR, EC), Crow Wing Co (MSB) and numerous Twin Cities area reports.
1965WinterSouth: the most abundant winter finch; present in invasion numbers all winter in the southern part of the state with counts of flocks of 50100 commonly made in Stevens, Pope, Swift, Stearns, Morrison, Wright, Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, Dakota, Rice, Goodhue, Wabasha, Olmsted, Winona. Largest counts: 12/23 (1500), Morrison, LSR; 1/15 (1000), Dakota, EMB; 2/6 (2000), Dakota, RG; total of 5000+ on Xmas counts, greatest Xmas count total. Also reported in Nobles (1/ 16) ana Jackson 2/1, 50), HSH; plus Xmas in Lyon (44) and Kandiyohi (42). Northeast: quite scarce; reported by 4 people in Cook, Lake, St. Louis (Duluth); none from 12/7, Lake, JCG, until 2/11, Cook, JP. Northwest: flocks reported through Dec.
1966Springlatest 4-30 Cook Co, MOP; 5-3 Duluth, JCG; 5-26 Agassiz Refuge, DLO (details? exceptionally late!).
1966FallEarliest 10-12 Duluth, JCG; 10-16 Fargo, MGA; 11-2 Pope Co., WH.
1966Winterreported from Beltrami, Cook, Lake, St. Louis, Roseau, Lake-of-the-Woods, Pennington, Clearwater, Wadena, Aitkin, Crow Wing, Morrison, Stearns, Washington, Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Wright, Chippewa and Cottonwood Co's.
1967Springlatest 4-2 Lake Co., VF and Cook Co., MOP; 4-11 Crow Wing Co., MSB; 4-16 St. Louis Co., MMP.
1967Fall earliest 10-5/ 6 St. Louis Co., HM; 10-27 Stearns Co., KE.
1967Winter reported from Cook, Lake, St. Louis, Lake-of-the-woods, Koochiching, Stearns, Hennepin, Goodhue, Chisago, Isanti, Ramsey, Washington Co's.; much scarcer than usual; earliest 12-21 Collegeville, Stearns Co., KE.
1968Fall10-6 Itasca ACR; 10-23 Hennepin RBJ; 10-24 Ramsey 1 banded MIG; flocks of 100 or more reported from Crow Wing, Pine, St. Louis, Morrison and Benton.
1968WinterAn invasion year; the most commonly reported fringillid throughout the state. Flocks of 100 or more seen in Dakota, Hennepin, Anoka, Morrison, Crow Wing, Rice, Chisago, and Watonwan Counties; greatest numbers-12-11 Morrison 900 LSR; 12-24 Rice (Faribault) 1,000+ OAR; 2-2 Hennepin (Champlin) 1,000+ MHM; other counties: reporting flocks of usually 10-30, Wabasha, Ramsey, Stearns, Hubbard, Wadena, Roseau, Beltrami, Aitkin, St. Louis, t Lake, Cook; reporting small groups, r occasionally -Pope, Nobles, Swift and Freeborn.
1969Spring3-7-8 (l,OOO's) N. W. Counties, BL; 3-14 (100+) Washington Co., WWL; Late dates: 4-10 Hennepin Co., EIS; 4-12 Carlton Co., JCG; 4-15 Minneapolis, FN j MAS; 5-3 (8) Duluth, F. Fox fide JCG.
1969Fall10-26, 10-28 S.t. Louis 3000, "thousands" JCG, KS; 11- 23 Wright 300+ ETS; 10-1 Olmsted HBW; 10-22 St. Louis HM; 10-24 Mille Lacs MI.
1969WinterMost abundant bird for whole winter throughout the state. Reported in the South from Lyon, Hennepin, Stearns, Wabasha, Olmsted, Fillmore, Wright, Swift, Nobles, Dakota, Rice, Cottonwood, Chisago, Ramsey, Pope, Goodhue, Blue Earth, Carver, Winona, Washington; in the North from Cook, Lake, St. Louis, Mille Lacs, Crow Wing, Morrison, Hubbard, Clearwater, Marshall, Aitkin, Beltrami, Pine, Cass.
1970Springafter last winter's invasion, latest migrants were exceptionally late : 5-72 Beltrami JM; 5-74 MMC Duluth; 5-20 Lake RK; an amazing peak 4-21 Duluth (75,000} ]G.
1970Fallonly 3 reports, all from Duluth: 11-8 ]G; 11-1 KS; 10-30, Frances Hames.
1970Winteralmost completely absent from state; only reports: 12-19 Winona BTV; 1-3 Ramsey JJ; 2-1 (100) Rice OAR; 2-9 (6) Duluth MMC; 2-20 (2) Crow Wing JB.
1971Springonly 2 reports Beltrami MK; 4-18 Marshall (20) AR.
1971Fallearly south 11-3 Ramsey; 11-7 Hennepin; early north 10-11 Cook; 10-22 St. Louis; 10-28 Duluth; peak 11·11 Duluth (5000) MMC.
1972WinterMost reports were for small groups of 2-30 birds. NORTH Reported from Ailkin, Becker, Beltrami, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Lake, Marshall, Pine, and St. Louis. SOUTH Anoka, Big Stone, Cottonwood, Dakota. Hennepin, Olmsted, Pope, Ramsey, Rice, Sherburne and Swift. Maximums were observed on 1-18 (2-300) Sherburne SRS; 1-22 (90) Crow Wing TS.
1973Spring12 REPORTERS REPORTING. PEAK 3·15 CLEARWATER <118) RODJ  LAT£ SOUTH 3-18 RENN£PIN CLHJ 3•1JS WABASHA 0\IMJ (.ATE NORTH 4•88 -  MORRISON LSRJ 3-2S CROW WING TS.  
1973Fall Seen in ten counties as far south as Anoka. Early 10-29 St. Louis (6) (JAB).
1973Winter Reported from 36 counties; more widespread than usual but no large flocks were reported.
1974Spring Late south 4-20 Stearns BH; 4-22 Hennepin PF; late north 4-18 St. Louis GJN, UMD: peak 3-1 Crow Wing (350+) TS.
1974Fall Early north 10-20 Marshall AR; 1020 Duluth GC; early south 11-4 Dakota Mrs. R. Buelow; 11-26 Hennepin ES.
1974Winter Reported from 20 counties south to Winona, Mower, Kandiyohi and Big Stone; fewer reports than usual.
1975Spring Late south 3-6 and 4-2 Stearns NMH; late north 4-13 St. Louis GJN; 4-15 Marshall SV.
1975Fallearly north 1024 St. Louis JG, RJ; 10-29 Marshall SV; early south 11-1 Nicollet KE, PE; 11·5 Pope DM.
1975Winterreported from 42 counties throughout the state including a peak of 1864 on the Sherburne N. W. R. Christmas Count; more reports than usual.
1976Spring Late south 4-8 Anoka KL; late north 4-11 St. Louis PD.
1976Fall Early north 10-7 Duluth, 10-18 Crow Wing; early south 10-17 Sherburne EW, 11-4 Wright.
1976Winter Reported from 25 counties throughout the state.
1977Spring 2 reports south: 3-10 Hennepin AJ and Washington DGW; late north 4-24 Clay Elizabeth G. Anderson.
1977Fall Early south 10-18 Lac qui Parle (CMB), Hennepin (KE).
1977Winter Also perhaps the biggest invasion ever with reports from 49 counties throughout the state, making this the most widely reported species of the winter; not only was this species widespread, but there were also some amazing concentrations as evidenced by 4615 on the St. Paul N.E. CBC (the largest CBC total on record from anywhere, not just Minn.) and the 4000 plus banded in a single yard from midJan. on in Roseville, Ramsey Co. (D. Meyer).
1978Spring Late south 5-15 Hennepin VL.
1978Summer Early north 10-26 St. Louis; early south 11-14 Cottonwood LF and 11-22 Anoka JH and Washington DGW.
1978Fall Early north 10-26 St. Louis; early south 11-14 Cottonwood LF and 11-22 Anoka JH and Washington DGW.
1978Winter Another winter finch scarcer than normal; reported from 26 counties with the largest concentration only 200 in St. Louis Co. 2-14 (TH).
1979Spring Fire reports south: 3-5 Dakota KG, 3-8 Olmsted DH, 3-18 Chippewa CMB, 4-6 Anoka JLH, 4-12 Anoka KL; late north 5-6 St. Louis K. Sundquist, 5-7 Otter Tail SM.
1979Fall Two reports: 11-13 Sherburne EH, 11-20 St. Louis JG.
1979Winter An article in American Birds several years ago indicated that this species is common in the northern Uni.ted States on an every other year basis. Such was not the case in Minnesota this season since for the second year in a row, this species was quite scarce. Reported from only 10 counties, six of which were in the north.
1980Spring Three reports south: Lac qui Parle 3-1 and 4-4 FAE, 4-22 Houston BDC; late north 3-15 Lake of the Woods TA, 3-30 Becker JH and MN.
1980Fall Early north 10-12 St. Louis KE, 1021 Cook KMH; early south 11-4 Anoka JLH, 11-5 Dakota JD.
1980Winter About near normal numbers with reports from 32 counties.
1981Spring Late south 5-5 Anoka KL; late north 4-16 Pennington KSS, 4-19 Cook KMH, 4-25 Aitkin WN.
1981Fall Early north 10-9 St. Louis M. Carr, 10-13 Polk MH; early south 10-25 Anoka JLH, 10-27 Hennepin ES, 11-1 Mower RRK.
1981Winter Widespread and numerous reports from 48 counties throughout the state, including Pipestone where the species was last recorded in 1974, Johanna Pals.
1982Spring Late south 4-22 Anoka JLH, Henne pin VL, 4-28 Washington DGW; late north 5-2 St. Louis JG, 5-6 St. Louis KE.
1982Fall Four reports: 10/21 Pennington KSS, 10/29 Otter Tail DS, 11/1 Cook KMH, 11/13 Aitkin WN.
1982Winter This species was down appreciably in numbers and perhaps had its worst season on record. At the time, they seemed almost non-existent but once all the reports were reviewed, they were present in nine northern and three southwesterly counties. The only sizeable flocks were in Pine, 100 +on 1/2 (PKL) and Redwood, IOO+on 2/12 (HCF). There were no reports of Hoary Redpoll's this season.
1983Spring Two reports 3/12 Cook KMH, 5/4 Itasca fide OJ.
1983Fall Early north 10/20 Cook KMH, St. Louis KE 10/29 Marshall KSS, Morrison RE, St. ' Louis VR, SS; early south 11/22 Wabasha RH, 11/30 Hennepin SC.
1983Winter The CBC data and reports from 43 north and central region counties indicate this species was fairly common in these areas. Scattered south region reports of a few individuals from Lyon, Cottonwood, Steele, Mower and Olmsted. A statewide CBC total of 1631 with peaks at Duluth (286), Fergus Falls (266) and Perham (260).
1984Spring Late south 3/19 Hennepin SC, 3/24 Ramsey RH, 3/25 Anoka JH; late north 4/30 Lake SWIMS, 5/5 St. Louis SNP, 5/19 Clearwater DGW.
1984Fall Early north I0/1 I St. Louis KE, 10/14 St. Louis HR, 10/22 St. Louis MH; early south 11/2 Nobles RJ, 11/3 Traverse RJ, 11/4 Cottonwood LAF.
1984Winter Down slightly from last year. Reported from 43 counties throughout the state with a total CBC count of 1460 and a peak of 367 at Isabella.
1985Spring Late south 3/16 Lac qui Parle FE, 3/23 Anoka JH, 3/27 Hennepin SC; late north 4/18 St. Louis AE, 5/4 Clay LCF.
1985Fall Early north 10/6 Cook KMH, 10/6 St. Louis KE; early south 1 0!18 Hennepin DB, GP, 10/27 Dakota TTu, 10/27 Ramsey KB.
1985Winter Common and widespread with reports from 56 counties throughout the state and a total statewide CBC count of 4624 (1460 L.y.).
1986Spring Late south 4/6 Washington WL, 4/7 Ramsey KB, 4/9 Hennepin OJ; late north 5/12 Cook WP, Lake SWIMS, 5/15 Cook KMH, 5/16 Hubbard HJF.
1986Fall Early north 10/8 Cook RJ, 10/15 Duluth KE, 10/17 OtterTail SDM; early south 10/16 Houston FL, 10/27 Ramsey KB, 11/2 Yellow Medicine OZ.
1986Winter Reported from 54 counties throughout the state (56 L.Y.) Widespread and common throughout the north and central regions. A statewide CBC total of 5594 (4624 L.Y.).
1987Spring Two reports south 3/30 Ramsey KB, 4/20 Pipestone JP; late north 4/12 Aitkin WN, 4/22 Wilkin GAM, 5/3 St. Louis SS.
1987Fall Early north 11/7 Cook KMH, 11/8 St. Louis fide KE, 11/19 Cook SOL, St. Louis MH/JS, 11/27 Beltrami, Clearwater, Polk AB.
1987Winter Reported from 38 counties throughout the state including Lyon, Pipestone and Cotton- wood in the SW. Statewide CBC total 3527 (5594 L. Y.).
1988Spring Late south 4/4 Hennepin DB, 4/6 Stearns NHi, 4/11 Washington WL; late north 4/15 Duluth fide KE, 4/17 St. Louis AE, 4/18 Pennington SKS.
1988Fall Early north 10/4 Duluth fide KE, 10/29 Cook SOL, 11/5 Aitkin WN, Cook BSE, WP; early south 11/6 Dakota JD, 11/14 Washington WL, 11/19 Blue Earth RJ.
1988Winter Reported from 30 counties throughout the state (38 l.y.) with a statewide CBC total of 12/6 (3527 I.y.).
1989Spring Late south 3/5 Hennepin DB, 3/11 McLeod RJ, AP; late north 5/5 Cook KMH, 5/10 Koochiching GM, 5/11 St. Louis SS.
1989Fall Early north 10/15 Duluth PE, 10/24 St. Louis SS, 10/28 Cook WP; early south 10/22 Washington BL, 11/12 Cottonwood ED, 11/15 Sherburne SWR.
1989Winter Major invasion. Reported from 82 counties White-winged Crossbill, December 1989, Aitkin, Aitkin County. Photo by Warren Nelson. See article in The Loon 62:69-71. (30 l.y.) statewide with a CBC total of 10,795. Numbers highest in forested counties with small numbers on western prairies. The most widely reported bird this winter.
1990Spring Late south 4/2 Washington RJ, 4/4 Scott fide AP, 4/21 Washington WL; late north 5/4 St. Louis KE, 5/7 Lake MSt, 5/10 Lake SW/ MS.
1990Fall Early north 10/18 Cook SOL, 10/28 Pennington KSS, 11/2 Cook KMH.
1990Winter Very scarce, reported only from 27 counties (82 l.y.) with a statewide CBC total of 545 (10,795 l.y.). A few areas noted good numbers (Bemidji, common all winter DPJ, and Otter Tail, 300 on 1/6 SDM) but these were the exception. Only six counties south of the Minnesota R. recorded this species.
1991Spring Late south 3/10 Washington TEB, 3/12 Lac qui Parle CMB; late north 4/12 Koochiching GM. 4/15 Beltrami RJ, Cook KMH, 4/25 Pennington KSS.
1991Fall Early north 10/6 Polk KSS, 10/15 Duluth KE; early south 10/15 Dakota KB, 10/25 Anoka JH.
1991Winter Invasion year, coinciding with this species' two year cycle. Reported from 44 counties (27 l.y. and 82 two years ago) throughout the state, but abundant only in the north where as many as 7,497 (a record?) were reported on the Baudette CBC feeding on unharvested sunflower seeds. Statewide CBC totaled 13,092 (545 l.y. and 10,795 two years ago.). Most reports south apparently only represented by a single date, some southeast counties reported no redpolls at all.
1992Spring Late south 3/24 Olmsted BSE, 4/12 Anoka JH; late north 5/10 Koochiching GM, 5/31 Cook SOL.
1992Fall Early north 10/16 St. Louis PS, 10/23 St. Louis SS.
1992Winter No reports.
1993Spring Late south 3/3 Wabasha WDM. Late north 3/25 Koochiching PS, 5/9 Duluth DBe.
1993Fall Early north 10/12 Cook KMH, St. Louis KE, 11/13 Lake of the Woods KB. Early south 10/24 Hennepin KB, TT, 10/31 Anoka CF, JH.
1993Winter Reported from 40 counties (21 l.y.) statewide as far southwest as Cottonwood, Pipestone, and Jackson.
1994Spring Late south 4/3 Hennepin SC, 4/16 Anoka KB; late north 5/6 Cook KMH, 5/31 (latest spring date for Minnesota) Otter Tail SDM.
1994Summer First summer record for the state; late migrant at feeder until 6/8 in Otter Tail Co. SDM.
1994Fall Early north 10/28 Pine DS, 11/9 Duluth KE.
1994Winter Very scarce. The lowest number reported since 1980. Reported from only ten counties north. Only three south reports, all on CBCs: Faribault, Bloomington, and St. Paul NE (all accurate?). CBC total a dismal 335.
1995Spring Only report south 4/4 Washington DS; late north 3/10 St. Louis KB, 3/11 Cook KMH, 3/12 Itasca DS.
1995Fall Early north 10/4 (ties earliest date on record) Lake SW/MS, 10/15 Lake of the Woods KB, 10/16 St. Louis KE. Early south 10/18 Anoka KB, 10/21 Carver DBM, 10/22 Dakota DBM.
1995Winter Reported from an above average 65 counties throughout the state. CBC total an above average 7,490.
1996Spring Late south 4/16 Anoka JBe and Isanti DMP, 5/11 (2nd latest south date) Sherburne JJB. Late north 5/22 Itasca BN, 5/23 St. Louis CL.
1996Fall Very scarce. Only reports 10/18 Kittson KB and St. Louis FN, 11/3 Hennepin SC, 11/8 St. Louis TW, 11/20 Hennepin DBo, 11/27 Hubbard HJF.
1996Winter Very scarce. Reported from 13 north and 6 south counties (65 total counties l.y.). CBC total a dismal 2/4, the lowest in at least 14 years (7,490 l.y.).
1997Spring All reports: “late March” St. Louis fide KE, 3/30 Lake of the Woods PS and Washington DS, 4/26 St. Louis ME, 5/10 Becker (2) BBe.
1997Fall Early north 10/19 St. Louis mob, 10/22 Cook KMH, 10/25 Lake DV. Early south 10/25 Brown JSp, 10/26 Hennepin HT, 10/27 Murray ND. Widely reported across the state. Largest flock was 250 on 11/11 at Hamden Slough NWR, Becker Co. MRN.
1997Winter Reported from 50 counties throughout the state (19 l.y.). Peak 2/8 Big Stone (400) LE. CBC total 4,568 (214 l.y.). A number of observers commented that numbers were down after late fall.
1998Spring Late south 4/5 Anoka MM, 4/6 Hennepin DBM and Stearns MJ/DT. Late north 4/11 Cook KMH and St. Louis AE, 4/16 Todd JSK.
1998Fall Early north 10/13 St. Louis FN, 10/24 Carlton LW, 10/31 St. Louis WM. Few north reports, mostly of individuals. No south reports.
1998Winter Reported from only nine north counties and six south counties (this is the lowest total since 1983). Exceptionally low numbers, with largest flocks reported only 20–30 individuals. Many counties represented by only a single observation. CBC total 146, the lowest total in over 15 years.
1999Spring Only reports: 3/6 Lake SS, 3/14 St. Louis NJ, 3/20 Lake of the Woods DS.
1999Fall In keeping with the two-year cycle of this species, the scarcity of reports in 1998 was followed by many observations in 1999. Early north 10/15 Cass PS, 10/20 Cook KMH, 10/21 Lake AH. Peak number along the North Shore 10/22 Cook (2,800) AH, PS. Early south 10/23 Hennepin SC, Meeker DF and Murray ND. This species rapidly spread through the south.
1999Winter Reported from 56 counties throughout the state. Interestingly, there were three reports of leucistic or partial albino Common Redpolls from Kanabec (2) and Wadena †LD.
2000Spring Reported from seven south counties, where last seen 4/1 Dakota DBS. Seen in 16 north counties through 4/27 St. Louis TW.
2000Fall First found 10/28 Cook DRB, 11/4 Pine CM, then several reports beginning 11/9. Peak count 11/9 Cass (50–100) MRN. No reports from the south.
2000Winter Scarce. Reported from only 15 north and 5 south counties. Oddly, the only south reports were on CBCs. Maximum count 12/30 Isabella CBC (532).
2001Spring Reported in very low numbers during March from Aitkin, Itasca, St. Louis, Lake, plus 4/4 Kittson fide BAB.
2001Fall Early north 10/20 St. Louis PEB, but abundant in Cook by 10/26 (RBJ). Only south reports: Anoka, Hennepin, Meeker, and Rice, beginning 10/29. High counts 11/8 Polk (140) EEF, 11/30 Aitkin (100) DFJ.
2001Winter Scarce. Seen in only 24 north and 13 south counties. Based on CBC data, numbers greatest in southern half of northern regions. Maximum reported 12/15 Duluth CBC (520).
2002Spring Reported from 5 south and 17 north counties. Late south 4/3 Big Stone KJB, 4/4 Stearns DCT, MAJ. Late north 5/2 Jackson NAJ, 5/16 St. Louis (2) FJN. High count 4/10 St. Louis (350) FJN.
2002Fall Belying its name, only reported 11/1 St. Louis DRB!
2002Winter Reported from 11 north counties and only the following two south reports: 12/16 Wild River CBC (16) and 12/20 Isanti fide AXH. Maximum reported number 12/14 Crookston CBC (100).
2003Spring Only reports: 3/1, 3/23 Lake JWL, 3/5 Otter Tail (1) fide JMJ.
2003Fall Found in 15 north and 8 south counties, foreshadowing a strong winter showing. Early north 10/4 (ties earliest record) Lake of the Woods AJP, then none until 10/24 Cook JEB, 10/25 Lake JEB, JWL (median north 10/15). Early south 10/28 Stevens RBJ, 11/8 Dakota ADS. Only report from southern regions: 11/13 Rice TFB. High counts at H.R.N.R., St. Louis County 11/17 (2850), 11/5 (2025) FJN, DSC. Other noteworthy counts: 11/29 Cook (1350 flew by Grand Portage N.M.) DRB, 11/21 Cook (1009 along L. Superior's North Shore) KJB.
2003Winter Reported from 53 counties throughout the state. Maximum reported numbers 1/10 Roseau (flock of nearly 1000 along Hwy 89) fide JMJ, and 1/9 Big Stone (520) BJU.
2004Spring Reported from 14 south and 21 north counties in all regions except the Southwest. Good numbers still present through mid-March south and early April north. Late south 3/28 Anoka JLH, 4/26 Lac qui Parle (1) BJU. Late north 4/14 Lake JWL and Wadena PJB, 4/15, 4/22 St. Louis NAJ, ALE. More than 1200 banded 3/8–4/5 Itasca (Big Fork) DRM, including 337 on 3/29.
2004Fall Reported from 15 north counties. Earliest: 10/17 Cook PHS, 10/30–31 Cook JEB, JWL. Away from the North Shore of L. Superior, arrived 11/4 Clay RBJ, 11/7 Pennington JMJ. Three south reports: 11/18 Wright KTP, 11/24 Nicollet RMD, 11/27 Dakota DWK.
2004Winter Found in 44 counties throughout the state. Cumulative CBC total of 11,817 birds with high counts of 868 on Long Prairie and 796 on Battle Lake CBCs. Maximum count south 300 overwintered at feeder in Kandiyohi RSF.
2005Spring Reported from 21 north and 16 south counties, and in all regions except the Southwest. Late south 4/7 Isanti ASc, 4/10 Sherburne PLJ. Frequent reports north through early April, then late north 4/24 St. Louis ALE, 5/16 Mille Lacs ASc, HHD (median 5/4). Highest reported count 4/1 Crow Wing (50–100) JSB.
2005Fall Reported from six north counties. Early north 10/30 Cass and Itasca BJU. Only reports south: 10/31 Sherburne ASc, 11/22 Lac qui Parle BJU.
2005Winter Numbers down; very scarce south. Non-CBC reports from only 20 north and 3 south counties. High counts in St. Louis on the Duluth (658) and Aurora (514) CBCs. All south reports: 12/6 Meeker DMF, 12/6 Sherburne ASc, 12/26 (5), 1/1 (60), 2/14 Lac qui Parle BJU.
2006Spring Only south report: 3/4 Lac qui Parle BJU. Reported from 12 north counties. Late north 4/1 Beltrami DPJ, Itasca EEO and Kittson LW, 4/11 Itasca JEB (median 5/4). Season high count 4/8 St. Louis (70) SLF. Of interest was a band recovery in western Massachusetts this March of a Common Redpoll banded by DRM near Bigfork, Itasca County, March 2004!
2006Fall Reported from 12 north and 6 south counties. Early north 10/14 St. Louis ABL and Cook AXH, PHS, 10/20 St. Louis ASc. Early south 10/25 Sherburne ASc, 10/26 Lac qui Parle BJU, 10/30 Ramsey EEO.
2006Winter235 Relatively scarce throughout the state. Observed throughout northern regions with high counts 12/16 Aitkin (557) CKR, and 2/18 Lake (100) JCC. Very scarce across the south. Westerly reports from Big Stone and Swift, with a high count south 1/21 Lac qui Parle (122) BJU. All other reports: 12/25 Meeker DMF, 1/25 Carver DMF.
2007Spring173 Four south reports between 3/3 and 4/4 in Chippewa, Cottonwood, and Lac qui Parle. All north reports earlier than recent median departure date (5/4); last seen 4/8 Itasca (7) EEO.
2007Fall167 Early north (median 10/16) 10/4 St. Louis DWT, 10/16 St. Louis KRE, 10/20 Cass BJU, 10/21 Beltrami, Koochiching and Lake of the Woods BJU, Cook RPR, St. Louis ABL, LS. All south 11/6 Lac qui Parle BJU, Rice TFB, 11/8 Lac qui Parle BJU, 11/16 Fillmore NBO, 11/20 Sherburne JBB, 11/22 Meeker DMF, Wabasha JWH, 11/23 Steele NBO. Peak number 186 at H.R.B.O. on 11/3 (EMG, KJB).
2007Winter2520 Reports north similar to last year and from all regions. South reports were up significantly and widely scattered across the region. Overall numbers remained relatively low, with the CBC high count from Bemidji (296). The last significant invasion was the winter of 2003–2004. Perhaps we're due for another?
2008Spring2310 Late south 3/31–4/4 Anoka CKB, DPG, 4/3 Hennepin DBM, 4/19 Hennepin MCA (median 4/5). Late north 5/4 Itasca EEO, 5/5 St. Louis SES, 5/14 St. Louis SLF, 5/18 Aitkin WMa (median 5/3).
2008Fall1613 Early north (median 10/16) 10/2 Beltrami, Itasca JEB, 10/25 Lake DDo, Mille Lacs ASc, 10/31 Cass BAW. Early south (median 10/25) 11/1 Kandiyohi DMF, 11/9 Ramsey DAB, 11/15 Carver WCM, Dakota DWK, Rice DAB, JWH. New fall high count of 7,723 on 11/8 St. Louis (H.R.B.O.) KJB.
2008Winter2949 Continuing the major invasion first noted in the Fall Seasonal Report, and reported from all regions and throughout the season statewide except for nine counties in the western third of the state. Redpolls literally seemed to be just about everywhere. Again, high counts appeared to be mostly estimated numbers, and include: 1/24 Hennepin (250) ABL, and 2/16 Itasca (250) JCC. Possibly more accurate were 2/15 Anoka (213) CKB, and the Pine County CBC (211, SE Quadrant). Also see the Spring Seasonal Report.
2009Spring3146 Late south 4/18 Ramsey ABL, 4/19 Anoka CKB, 5/1 Hennepin DBM, 5/9 Washington ABL (median 4/5). Late north 5/1 Crow Wing JSB, 5/2 St. Louis TPW, 5/9 Morrison FGo (median 5/3). Season high counts 4/9 St. Louis (2,415 at W.S.H.C.) KJB, 3/12 Hennepin (530) DBM, 3/24 Crow Wing (500) JSB, 3/7 Koochiching (460) MJB, 3/28 Anoka (400) CKB. Season total at W.S.H.C. was 5,379 KJB.
2009Fall7 Very few reports, all confined to the north. Early north (median 10/15) 11/5 Polk SAu, 11/7 St. Louis ABL, 11/8 Cook (200, season high count) KRE, m.ob., 11/22 Cass (100) DAY, Polk SAu, St. Louis (35) DWK.
2009Winter2312 Compared with last winter (a major invasion year), reported from somewhat fewer north counties, only one-fourth the number of south counties, and no reports Southwest. All south reports were of 6 or fewer individuals except Ramsey CBC (27). High count 1/3 Lake of the Woods (104) JMJ. CBC high count 12/28 Pine County (117).
2010Spring92 All south 3/3 Freeborn AEB, 3/24 Lac qui Parle BJU. Late north 3/16 Polk SAu, 3/18 Roseau JTi, 3/31 Itasca RSh (median 5/4).
2010Fall132 Early north (median 10/15) 10/11 St. Louis (H.R.B.O.) KJB, 10/31 St. Louis ABL, 11/3 Polk SAu, 11/4 Lake CRu, 11/5 Aitkin RBJ, Itasca SC, Lake CRM, St. Louis ALo. All south 11/12 Lac qui Parle BJU, 11/27 Kandiyohi RMD. Season high counts 11/11 Lake (57) CRu, 11/22 Hubbard (35) MaH, 11/7 Cook (30) DWK.
2010Winter2811 Reported from four more counties than last year, but far fewer than in 2008 (major invasion year). No reports south of a line from and including Yellow Medicine to Dakota. South high count 12/28 Chippewa (20, Lac qui Parle W.M.A.) BJU. Reported from all but seven north counties, with high count 2/28 Hubbard (320) MAW; other high counts were 100 or fewer. CBC high counts 1/1 Isabella (300), 12/26 Ely (295).
2011Spring269 High counts 3/11 Hubbard (510) MAW, 4/9 Hubbard (250) MAW. Late south 3/20 Chisago MHe, Lac qui Parle BJU, 3/22 Washington KMo, PSm, 3/30 Sherburne ASc, 4/23 Hennepin JHe, Olmsted GPe. Late north 4/29 Cook HHD, 4/30 Cook RAE, 5/4 St. Louis AM (median 5/4).
2011Fall1910 Early north (median 10/15) 10/12 St. Louis (Hawk Ridge / Lester River Census) KJB, 10/20 Hubbard RZi, St. Louis (22, Stoney Point) JLK, (3, Hawk Ridge / Lester River Census) KJB. Early south (median 10/27) 10/20 Sherburne (4, Sherburne N.W.R.) JGb, 10/26 Washington (2, Lee & Rose Warner N.C.) PSm, 10/27 Lac qui Parle FAE. Highest counts were from the Hawk Ridge / Lester River Census in St. Louis (KJB): 10/28 (16,032), 10/27 (6,024), 10/26 St. Louis (2,251).
2011Winter2833Reported from many more south counties than in any of the previous 5 years except for the invasion winter 2008, and reported from all but 6 north counties. North high counts 12/10 St. Louis (600) JPr, 1/25 St. Louis (420, Sax-Zim Bog) JLK, 1/21 St. Louis (367, Sax-Zim Bog) JLK, 2/1 Hubbard (300, Spider Lake) MAW. South high counts 1/8 Houston (150, Caledonia) KSm, 1/22 Wright (120, Stanley-Eddy C.P.) MJB, 12/19 Washington (50, Stillwater) MJM. CBC high counts 12/31 Rice Lake N.W.R. (528), 1/1 Isabella (426).
2012Spring2119 High count 3/5 Hubbard (410) MAW. Late south 3/26–28 Chisago (max. 4) DPi, 4/8 Hennepin (3) GJa (median 4/6). Late north 3/24 Wadena PJB, 3/25 Itasca SC, PLe, 3/30–31 Cook (Gunflint Lake) JSI (median 5/4).
2012Fall3033 Much more widespread than usual this fall, with more than double the number of counties reporting individuals than in any of the five prior years. Early north (median 10/15) 10/12 St. Louis (6, H.R.N.R.) KJB, ABL, 10/17 St. Louis (H.R.N.R.) KJB, 10/22 St. Louis (13, Page Pond) JLK. Early south (median 10/27) 10/25 Lac qui Parle (3) ph. BJU, 10/30 Sherburne PLJ, 11/1 Carver JCy, 11/2 Dakota (12) RaM, Hennepin PJM. High counts from the Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census in St. Louis (KJB): 11/9 (968), 10/28 (778). For the season, the census totaled a below-average 5,790.
2012Winter3249A major invasion year, with more reports than the last significant invasion in 2008 (78 counties). Reported statewide. Reflective of the magnitude of the invasion are the CBC high counts: 12/15 Little Falls (2,067), 1/1 Pillager (1,685), 12/15 St. Cloud-Collegeville (1,198), 12/16 Cedar Creek Bog (1,140), 12/30 Battle Lake (1,062), 12/29 Northern Meeker County (917).
2013Spring2745 High counts 3/3 Hubbard (350) MAW, 3/30 Washington (300) ASi, 4/2 Polk (300) SAu, 4/6 Otter Tail (300) DST. Late south 5/2 Hennepin ChC, Isanti MHe, Scott JEB, 5/3–17 Chisago JSa (median 4/6). Late north 5/4–7 Itasca (Secret Lake) PLe, Otter Tail DST, 5/9 Polk SAu, 5/13 Hubbard MaH (median 5/4).
2013Fall12 Very few individuals found.Only north report 11/7 Cook SC. All south reports 11/16 Washington (2) SJA, 11/22 Isanti (1) WAn.
2013Winter106 Lowest number of reporting counties of the previous five-year period. Reported in a near triangle-shaped area over the state, from Marshall and Polk in the northwest, east to Cook, then tapering south of those counties to Steele in the South-central region. CBC high counts 12/14 Northwest McLeod (Hutchinson) (59), 12/21 Wild River (25).
2014Spring11Only reports 3/7 Marshall CCr, 4/5 Renville KRi.
2014Fall1512 Many more reports than last year for this irruptive species. Most north reports from the North-central and Northeast regions of the state. Almost totally absent from the western third of the state. Early north (median 10/15) 10/16 St. Louis KJB, 10/19 Polk SAu. Early south (median 10/27) 11/6 Anoka RZi, m.ob., Wright ToL, 11/9 Anoka DWK, Hennepin DBz, m.ob. Highest counts all from Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census in St. Louis (KJB): 8,435 on 11/9; 7,271 on 11/12.
2014Winter2937 Reported statewide with fewest reports from Southwest. Rebounded from last year's low of 16 counties. High counts 2/1 St. Louis (629, Sax-Zim Bog) ABu, MMo, DMe, 1/12 Chisago (500) DPI, 12/19 Hubbard (450, Akeley Twp.) MAW. CBC high counts 1/3 Isabella (1,480), 12/20 Duluth (1,479), 12/27 Aurora (898).
2015Spring2614 High counts 3/20 Hubbard (600) MAW, 3/5 St. Louis (300) CRa, ToL, 3/7 St. Louis (300) TBw. Late south 3/20 Carver JCy, 3/21 Ramsey MTr, 3/23 Sherburne PLJ, PMJ (median 4/6). Late north 4/25 Itasca VJo, 4/30 St. Louis TRK, 5/2 Carlton TiH (median 5/4).
2015Fall1911 Early north (median 10/16) 10/9 Cook CIN, 10/14 St. Louis (Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census) KJB, 10/16 Lake ELC, Norman KRE, m.ob. Early south (median 10/30) 10/22, 10/24 Benton HHD, 10/25 Dakota JEd, DTr, 10/29 Blue Earth ChH. High counts from the Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census (St. Louis, KJB): 11,587 on 11/13, 9,212 on 11/9, 8,842 on 11/12, 7,365 on 11/10, 6,699 on 11/11.
2015Winter3138 Reported statewide, but scarcest in Southwest. High counts 2/12 St. Louis (400, Sax-Zim Bog) SkH, GPa, 2/21 St. Louis (400, Sax-Zim Bog) DOr, 2/6 Benton (300) HHD. CBC high counts 12/19 Little Falls (728), 12/20 Grand Rapids (566), 1/3 Battle Lake (554).
2016Spring2620 Reported mostly northeast of a line from Clay to Rice counties. High counts 4/1 St. Louis (800, Rice Lake) KGr, 4/5 St. Louis (510) FJN, 3/18 St. Louis (470) FJN. Late south 4/13 Chisago DPi, 4/14 Sherburne ABm, 4/19 Benton SWu (median 4/7). Late north 5/16 St. Louis JLK, JWL, 5/17 St. Louis JLK, ClN, 5/21 St. Louis ClN, JPR (median 4/27).
2016Fall102 Early north (median 10/15) 10/29 Lake JWL, 11/2 Lake JLf, 11/3 St. Louis StK. All south 11/19 Blue Earth ChH, 11/23 Stearns LKo, 11/24 Stearns (2, different location) AaL — a measly south total of four individuals. Highest counts from St. Louis (Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census) KJB: 354 on 11/11, 94 on 11/10; also 11/14 St. Louis (85, Park Point R.A.) JLK.
2016Winter2113 Reports down from two previous years, especially in South, and well below ten-year average of 52. High counts 1/29 Lake (550) BCo, 12/25 St. Louis (401) SWe. CBC high counts 12/29 Beltrami Island (516), 12/31 Isabella (294), 12/30 Baudette (279).
2017Spring176 Reported mostly from the northern third of the state. High counts 3/5 St. Louis (500, Sax-Zim Bog) ELe, KRn, 3/11 St. Louis (150, Sax-Zim Bog) KMi, 3/1 Polk (66, Agassiz Audubon Sanctuary) HHu. All south 3/1–19 Blue Earth ChH, 3/5 Washington m.ob., 3/12 Stearns LKo, 3/29–30 Sherburne LKo, JOs, 4/9 Ramsey LMk, 4/19 Hennepin EBz. Late north 4/27 St. Louis RWa, 5/10 Becker SlH (median 4/27).
2017Fall2733 Well represented this season with early north (median 10/16) 10/17 St. Louis TRd, StK, 10/18 St. Louis TRd, 10/20 St. Louis StK, KJB. High counts from H.R.N.R. (St. Louis, H.R.B.O.): 2,475 on 10/31, 2,197 on 10/30, 1,873 on 10/28, 1,797 on 11/1, and 1,810 on 10/31 (Stoney Point) StK. Numerous reports south beginning (median 10/30) 10/12 Stearns LKo, 10/14 Sherburne MJB, LKo, 10/23 Redwood HCT, DWK, 10/25 Anoka DBz, Ramsey RMD. Noteworthy were many reports from the Southwest region.
2017Winter3350 Major invasion year with observations from all but four counties. Highest number of reporting counties in past ten years and well above 10-year average of 52 counties. High counts 1/20 St. Louis (500, Meadowlands) MCA, 1/19 Washington (400) PAl. CBC high counts 12/31 Battle Lake (1,596), 12/18 Bluestem Prairie/Buffalo River S.P. (736), 12/30 Alexandria (722).
2018Spring3047 Reported in all regions. Notable high counts 3/19 Morrison (400) SEm, 3/31 Clay (350) PBB, 4/5 Crow Wing (300) PSP. This species lingered well past its typical departure date. Late south 4/25 Anoka LBi, Chisago ebd, Lyon RJS, Stearns HHD, 4/28 Chisago JSa, 4/29 Hennepin ebd, 5/7 Sherburne ebd (median 4/7). Late north 5/9 Lake JWL, 5/12 Cass KdB, 5/17 Cook ebd, 5/21–29 Todd (Long Prairie) SDi (median 5/2).
2018Summer1 Seen 6/1–5 Todd (coming to feeder) ph. SDi.
2018Fall149 Early north (median 10/16) 10/11 Pennington JMJ, 10/15 Lake ebd, 10/17 St. Louis ASu. Early south 11/7 Blue Earth ChH, 11/9 Sherburne PLJ, 11/14 Ramsey ebd. High counts all from St. Louis: 11/10 (179) H.R.B.O., 11/9 (163) H.R.B.O., 11/7 (160, Minnesota Point) DgM.
2018Winter3330 Seen in 63 counties, including all north counties except Traverse, fewer than during the prior year’s major invasion (83 counties), but above the ten-year average of 56. High counts 1/5 St. Louis (500) StK, 2/26 St. Louis (420) FJN, ebd. CBC high counts 12/31 Baudette (580), 12/30 Beltrami Island (578), 12/30 Isabella (332).
2019Spring3127 Reported from all regions with the vast majority of reports coming northeast of a line from Rice to Traverse counties. High counts 3/3 St. Louis (320, Sax-Zim Bog) ClN, 3/13 St. Louis (300, Sax-Zim Bog) TCL. Late south 4/9 Anoka ebd, 4/11 Washington ebd (median 4/7). Late north 5/7 St. Louis SLF, 5/14 Polk HHu (median 5/2).
2019Fall81 Few reports this season. Early north 10/27 Cook ebd, 11/2 St. Louis FFa, 11/3 Cook MHe. Only report south 11/29 Dakota (9) ebd. Highest tallies were quite low: 11/18 Koochiching (15, Pine Island S.F.) ASu, 11/16 Lake (14, Shovel Point) AJF.
2019Winter89 Observed in only 17 scattered counties, the lowest number since 2002 and well below the ten-year average 55. High counts 1/4 Roseau (30, Lost River S.F.) ebd, 12/15 Lake (16) ClN, JDx. CBC high counts 12/14 Crookston (152), 12/14 Duluth (58), 12/15 Two Harbors (16).
2020Spring8 Showing the nomadic nature of this species, there were only nine reports for the entire season. Compare this to 2019 spring with over 1,200 reports. All reports 3/5 Cook IHu, Polk SAu, 3/9 Beltrami ebd, 3/11 St. Louis MPi, 3/15 Marshall JHs, Polk SAu, 4/19 Pine ebd, 5/9 Itasca ebd, Otter Tail JSi.
2020Fall2825 Good showing this fall represented by 79% and 1/7% county increases from the 10-year average in the north and south, respectively. Paucity of reports from the west-central region and southern tier of the state. Early north (median 10/16) 10/18 Lake ebd, 10/20 St. Louis (three locations) HTo, LME, ebd. Early south (median 11/1) 10/15 Ramsey †EzH, JbS, 10/24 Anoka ebd, 10/25 Lyon GWe. High counts 10/29 St. Louis (530, Stony Point) HTo, 11/15 Lake (290, Two Harbors) HTo, StK, 10/30 St. Louis (287) H.R.B.O.
2020Winter3138 Observed in 69 counties, strongly rebounding from last year’s low of 17, although few reports from the Southwest. High counts 12/31 Isanti (630, in three flocks of 450, 100 and 80 birds) MHe, 1/7 Clay (300) REn, RLF, 1/21 Sherburne (270) PLJ. CBC high counts 12/28 Bluestem Prairie/Buffalo River SP (398), 1/1 Pillager (324), 1/2 Alexandria (293).
2021Spring2623 Detected in all regions except South-central; scant reports from Southeast and Southwest. High counts 3/15 Morrison (300, Converse Park) HHD, ebd, 3/23 Becker (200, Detroit Lakes) NaH, 3/7 Ottertail (110, Eagle Lake Twp.) JsS. Late south 4/1 Anoka (Linwood Twp.) LBi, 4/2 Anoka (Blaine) ebd, 4/1–5 Chisago JSa, m.ob (median 4/9). Late north 5/2 Becker NaH, 5/3 St. Louis FJN, 5/5 Koochiching ebd (median 5/2).
2021Fall3127 Second consecutive fall with widely distributed reports from all regions, though fewest reports from the southern tier of counties. Record early fall arrival north (median 10/17) 9/21 St. Louis (4) †H.R.B.O., plus more expected arrival dates of 10/16 St. Louis (Stony Point) IDv, 10/17 Cook LWd, St. Louis H.R.B.O., (Stony Point) IDv, StK, JWL. Early south (median 11/1) 10/23 Hennepin ACr, then 10/29 in Benton, Hennepin, Isanti, Washington. High counts all from Stony Point in St. Louis: 11/7 (12,100) StK, HTo, 11/3 (7,010) IDv, 11/9 (6,570) SNe, HTo.
2021Winter3453 A strong year with reports from all 87 counties for the first time (ten-year average 56). High counts 12/19 Kanabec (700, 12 flocks) SPS, 1/18 Chisago (450, North Branch) NSa, JSa. CBC high counts 12/18 Duluth (3,942), 12/19 Two Harbors (1,612), 12/28 Pine County (1,205).
 
 Irruptive winter visitant mostly north and central.

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.