Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon - Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons 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: Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons
American Bittern
Least Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Cattle Egret
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Great Egret(Ardea alba)
YearSeasonNS
1938SummerLate in May an acquaintance of Dr. G. H. Luedtke of Fairmont saw about 25 adult Egrets with nests and eggs at East Chain Lake near Fairmont.
1961SpringNot seen in large numbers, but they did seem to be widespread this spring. Seen by Dr. Rysgaard at General Shield's Lake on 2 April, by R. Grant on 13 April in Hennepin County. The Huber brothers saw them on 29 April near Frontenac, Goodhue County, 6 May near Brown's Valley at the south end of Lake Traverse and 13 May in Houston and Wabasha Counties.
1961SummerForest Strnad found 19 nests near Faribault on 7 July. He banded one immature. Many adults seen all summer at Dorer Pools near Whitewater Park, Winona County and near Reno, Houston County, by Avifauna} Club members. One seen on 9 July near Shakopee, Scott County (see M.O.U. Call Notes, Vol. 1, No. 3). One seen on 4 August at Salt Lake, Lac qui Parle County by R. Huber. It is interesting to note that while occasionally we have a sparse egret year, they are generally a common summer resident; a sharp contrast to the situation when Roberts wrote the Birds of Minnesota.
1961FallLatest report was by Avifaunal Club members at north end of Lake Traverse on 12 Oct.
1963SpringCommon Egret: March 29, Minneapolis, H. Huber; March 31, Rice County, 0. Rustad; April 13, Frog Lake, Stevens County, E. Strubbe; April 20, Pope County, Mrs. I. Anderson; May 1, Appleton, Lac qui Parle County, R. Grant.
1963SummerCommon Egret: Anoka Co., Rice Lake, May 10, 2 active nests in rookery, A. C. Rosenwinkel. Houston Co., Reno, June 8, compact flock of 56 plus, Avifaunal Club. This species has been exhibiting wandering peculiarities in recent years. The Ornithology Newsletter from Manitoba this spring reported an Egret at Oak Point, St. Laurent and Ashern. These areas are adjacent to Kittson County, Minnesota.
1966Summer(Common Egret): nested in Rice and Stearns Co's; also reported from Ramsey, Marshall, Becker, Dakota, LeSueur, Goodhue, Wabasha, Winona, Grant, Ottertail, Swift, Pope Co's.
1967SummerCommon Egret: reported from Grant, Douglas, Hennepin, Stevens, Pope, Wabasha, Houston, Ramsey Co's.
1967Fall latest 10-3 Hennepin Co., VL; 10-4 Houston Co., FL; 10-14 Washington Co., ACR; 10-21 Houston Co., FN/MAS; one large concentration, 10-1 Houston Co., 43, FN/MAS.
1968Spring earliest 4-4 Wabasha Co., DGM; 4-13 Stearns Co., KE; 4-16 Hennepin Co., FN/ MAS; 4-18 St. Paul, BL.
1968Summer nested in Grant (NMH) and Leseur Co's (RBJ) also reported from Wabasha, Swift, Marshall, Douglas, Pope, Washington, Houston, Winona Co's. • '
1969Summerwell represented in reports from the central counties including Kandiyohi, Swift, Chippewa, Carver, Scott, Ottertail, Pope, Sherburne, and Grant. Present along the Mississippi in Ramsey, Goodhue, Wabasha, and Dakota Co's.
1970Summer(Common Egret): Somewhat reduced this year; 7-15 Agassiz NWR, MARSHALL Co, refuge staff; also reported from Winona, Pope, Hennepin, Ram sey, Grant, Wabasha, Washington, and Stearns (705 Belgrade, 12, LAF) Co's. Lake Johann a (Pope Co.) colon y act ive.
1971Springearly south 4-3 Winona TV; 4-4 Houston JLJ; 4-8 Wabasha WDM; early north 4-11 Ottertail AMB; 4-14, 4-17, 5-27 Marshall (3) AR peak4-17 Pope (100) BH.
1973Summer Nested in Pope (300+ nests); seen in Dakota, Kandiyohi & Koochiching (C Matsch).
1973Fall Reported from Lyon, Murray, Cottonwood, Stearns, Kandiyohi, Douglas, Otter Tail, Hennepin, Nicollet, Renville, McLeod. Late south 10-14 Goodhue (VL); 11-18 Winona (fide Hiawatha Valley Bird Club; latest on record). Late north 10-3 Grant, (EA). Peak 9-16 Dakota (250) (RPR).
1974Spring Early south 3-27 Stearns NMH; 3-30 Dakota DR; 3-31 Pope BH; early north 4-14 Mille Lacs MI; 4-21 Marshall AR; 5-8 Clay LCF; 5-16 Aitkin, D. Lind and L. Paynter; peak 5-18 Pope (150+) BH.
1974Summer Nested in Pope and Winona; also reported from 14 other counties north to Clearwater (all summer, RD) and Marshall (all July plus peak of 22 on 6-27, SV).
1974Fall Late south 10-1 Hennepin EF; 10-19 Dakota PZ; late north 9-7, 9 St. Louis fide JG; 10-10 Marshall AR; Peaks 8-21 Le Sueur (77) GR; 8-31 Dakota (90) MW.
1975Spring Early south 3-31 Wabasha VH; 4-4 Houston FL; 4-8 Dakota RAG and Big Stone DWS; early north 4-12 St. Louis M. Sundquist; 4-14 Marshall AR; 4-17 St. Louis M. Kohlbry; peak 5-3 Pope (200+ ) BAH.
1975Summer Nested in Pope and Ramsey; also reported from 12 other counties north to Marshall (SV).
1976Spring Early south 3 reports on 3-27; early north 4-14 Marshall SV; 4-16 Otter Tail GW; 4-22 Crow Wing DK.
1976Summernested in Big Stone and Pope; also reported from 16 other counties north to Marshall (4, SV) and Lake (6-12, Finland, DGW).
1976Fall Late north 9-11 Marshall, 9-23 Otter Tail; late south 10-2 Goodhue and Ramsey, 10-9 Dakota; peak 8-19 Anoka (201) PKL.
1977Spring Early south 3 reports on 4-9; early north 3-9 Otter Tail SM new early north date by about a month; 4-18 Marshall SVA; 2 reports on 4-24.
1977Summer Nested in Grant, Pope, Lac qui Parle and Winona; also reported from 15 other counties north to Marshall (SV).
1977Fall Late north 10-1 Marshall (SV).
1978Spring Early north 4-7, 4-8 Otter Tail SM, GO, GW and DW.
1978Summer Breeding reported from Lac qui Parle (30+ nests, Big Stone NWR), Grant (50+, Pelican Lake), and Marshall (one nest, Agassiz NWR); also seen in 14 counties in the South plus Becker and St. Louis (6-1 Duluth, KRE).
1978Fall Late north 10-3 Marshall ANWR, 10-23 Lac qui Parle CMB, 11-14 Dul uth KE; late south 10-19 Wright ES, 11-18 Houston FL.
1979SpringEarly south 3-30 Hennepin TD, LH, 3-31 Dakota KG, Winona DGW; early north 4-10 Marshall ANWR, Otter Tail GMO, 4-15 Beltrami JM, St. Louis Koni Sundquist. Peak 5-31 Grant GMO (720).
1979Fall Late north 10-16 Otter Tail GMO; late south 10-5 Hennepin VL, 10-7 Big Stone RMA and Wabasha WDM, 10-24 Winona PF.
1980Spring 3-29 Washington BL, 4-6 Anoka BH, KL 4-8 Nicollet JCF; early north 4-16 Gr~nt GMO (50), 4-18 Marshall ANWR.
1980Summer Breeding reported from Grant, Big Stone, Pope, Anoka; also seen in the central regions, the Southeast, and Northwest (Norman, Marshall). Not as widespread as last year.
1980Fall Late north 8-13 Marshall ANWR, 8-15 Beltrami JG, 9-20 Cass RJ; late south 10-8 Ramsey BL, 10-19 Wabasha JP, 11-28 Dakota RBA.
1981Spring Early south 3-29 Washington BL, 3-31 McLeod RJ, 4-2 Anoka SC, BH; early north 4-10-11 Duluth KE (rare here), Otter Tail GMO, 5-3 Marshall A WNR, also 5-6 Beltrami AS and 5-20 Winter 1981 Roseau RJ.
1981Summer Breeding data from Grant, Pope; nesting reported from 12 other counties throughout the South (but none from the Southwest) plus Otter Tail. Also seen in Marshall, Pine.
1981Fall Late north 10-6 Pennington GMO, 10-13 Becker RN, 10-19 Marshall JP, ANWR; late south 10-18 Houston JPI AM, 10-21 Dakota SC, Hennepin RA.
1982Spring Early south 3-29 Houston FL, 4-1 Dakota SC, 4-2 Nicollet JCF, Ramsey BL and Rice KJ; early north 3-29 Otter Tail SDM, 4-12 Crow Wing JB, 4-13 Marshall ANWR.
1982Summer Breeding data from Grant, Pope. Seen in 21 other counties as far north as Pine, Clearwater, Marshall.
1982Fall Late north 9/10 Douglas and Grant FKS, 9/1 I Marshall JP, I 0122 Polk KSS, 10/19 Houston EMF, 10/30 Dakota MW, 11/20 Wabasha RJ, BL.See The Loon (55:34)
1983Spring 3/23 Washington TBB, 4/1 Nicollet JCF, 4/5 Ramsey BDC; early north 3/11 Otter Tail SDM, GMO 4/23 Douglas RJ, 4/26 Mille Lacs, MLWMA. Winter 1983
1983Summer Breeding data from Grant, Pope, Ramsey. Seen throughout most of the state, but not in the Southwest, the eastern part of the North Central, or the Northeast (except; one, Duluth, 7/27, J. Calligure).
1983Fall Late north 9/6 Polk A B, 10/1 Marshall JSP, I015 Duluth TL; late south I0120 Houston JPIAM, Ramsey RJ, I0129 Wabasha BE, 10/31 Dakota RG.
1984Spring Early south 3/28 Ramsey NL, 3/31 Houston AB, 4/1 Anoka KL; early north 4/7 Otter Tail GMO, 4/8 Marshall SDM, 4/14 St. Louis M. Stock.
1984Summernested in Marshall, Pope, Le Sueur and Houston; also seen in 16 other counties including Clearwater and Beltrami.
1984Fall Unusual 9/ I Roseau KL, late north 9/29 Marshall KC, 10/8 Otter Tail SDM, 11/21 St. Louis TT; late south I0/ 18 Anoka KL, 11/12 Dakota SC, DZ, 11/13 Wabasha VL, WDM.
1985Spring Early south 3/21 Ramsey KB, 3/29 Hennepin SC, 3/30 Chippewa, Lac qui Parle AB; early north 4/5 Polk AB, 4/10 Marshall ANWR, Otter Tail SDM.
1985Summer Nested in Grant, Pope, Swift (ten nests, Lake Hassel, WT), Lac qui Parle. Seen mostly in 14 other counties from the west central to east central regions; also Rice, Wabasha, Houston in the southern regions and Clay, Mahnomen, Marshall in the northwest region.
1985Fall Late north 8/25 Duluth KE, 9/5 Cook SDL, 9/13 Becker MBW, 10/13 Otter Tail SDM; late south IOilS Anoka BL, 1l/3 Dakota TTu, 11/8 Hennepin VL.
1986Spring Early south 3/23 Dakota TTu, 3/25 Washington BL, 3/28 Murray ND; early north 3/31 Clay LCF, 4/2 Wilkin GAM, 4/10 Douglas KL, Marshall ANWR.
1986Summer Nested in Grant, Pope, Kandiyohi (approx. 250 nests, Long Lake, JS), Meeker, Waseca (six nests, Elysian Lake, JS); probable nesting in Agassiz NWR (approx. 15 nests, threefold increase over last year, JM), Ramsey, Faribault. Also seen in 17 other counties throughout all regions in the South except the southwest, plus Clay, Todd.
1986Fall Late north 9/ I Duluth fide KE, Becker BK, 10/5 Otter Tail SDM; late south 10/23 Ramsey KB, 10/26 Wright ES, II/I Dakota SC.BL.GP. Snowy Egret. 8/12 Marshall ANWR, 8/23-29 Otter Tail RJ, SDM.
1987Spring Early south 3/22 Ramsey BL, 3/24 Hennepin RJ and Wabasha WDM; early north 4/7 OtterTail SDM, 5/5 Becker BK and Marshall ANWR.
1987Summer Nested in Grant, Pope; probable nesting in Washington, Faribault. Also seen in 25 other counties but not in the northeast and north central, and sparingly in the northwest (Agassiz NWR, Becker), central (Meeker, Wright) and southwest (Lyon) regions. More reports than in the past.
1987Fall Late north 9/5 Clearwater AB, 9/7 Becker BK, 9/20 Clay LCF; late south 10/18 Wabasha DWM and Wright SC, 10/19 Winona AP, 10/23 Houston FL; peak 10/17 Dakota (70) DZ.
1988Spring Early south 3/23 Dakota IT and Fillmore GD, 3/30 Hennepin SC and Ramsey JD; early north 4/6 Becker BK, 4/8 Marshall ANWR, 4/10 OtterTail SDM, 5/14-30 Duluth m.ob.
1988Summer Only nesting reported in Pope; seen in 29 other counties as far north as a diagonal from Marshall to Chisago, and south to Faribault; no reports from the southwest.
1988Fall Late north 9/25 Clay LCF, 10/4 Todd PH, 10/14 OtterTail SC; late south 10/20 Ramsey TSo, 10/28 Washington DS, 11/19 Dakota DZ.
1989Spring Early south 3/22 Cottonwood ED, 3/26 Anoka GP, 3/30 Houston AP; early north 3/26 Otter Tail SDM, 4/16 Clay LCF, 4/20 St. Louis AE.
1989Summer More than in recent years; range apparently expanding northward. Nested in Kandiyohi, Meeker, Anoka, Le Sueur, Waseca; probable breeding in Becker, Washington. Seen in 34 other counties as far north as Clay, Clearwater, Aitkin.
1989Fall Late north 8/3 Becker BK, 9/14 Duluth mob, 10/20 Marshall SP; late south 10/8 Washington DS, 10/22 Ramsey RH, 10/30 Hennepin EL.
1990Spring Early south 3/27 Blue Earth JCF, 3/29 Houston EMF, 4/5 Olmsted JB; early north 3/28 Otter Tail SDM, 4/22 Clay LCF, 5/6 Mille Lacs WN.
1990Summer Seen in 25 southern counties plus Marshall, Itasca, Clay, Becker, Otter Tail.
1990Fall Late north 8/26 Mahnomen BK, 9/23 Marshall KSS, 10/4 Otter Tail MO; late south 10/27 Dakota EL, McLeod AB, 10/31 Blue Earth LF.
1991Spring Early south 3/20 (earliest date on record) Anoka GP, Hennepin KB, Le Sueur MTS; early north 4/5 Beltrami KH, 4/6 Grant, Otter Tail SDM, 4/21 Clay LCF.
1991Summer Seen in 30 counties as far north as Clay, Becker in west and Sherburne in east.
1991Fall Late north 10/4 Aitkin WN, 10/19 Duluth KE, 10/25 Clay MO; late south 10/29 Olmsted AP, Sherburne SWR, Wabasha DWM.
1992Spring Early south 3/25 Ramsey KB, 3/28 Wabasha KR, 3/29 Washington PC; early north 3/30 Kanabec CM, 4/3 Otter Tail MO, 4/5 Grant SDM.
1992Summer Nested in Ramsey (Pig's Eye). Seen in 22 other southern counties plus Otter Tail, Clay, Marshall, 7/25 St. Louis (fide KE).
1992Fall Late north 9/25 Clay TL, 9/27 Itasca TL, 10/4 Otter Tail MO; late south 11/14 Goodhue BL, 11/17 Houston CS, 11/26 Wabasha DWM.
1993Spring Early south 3/28 Dakota SK and Ramsey KB, 3/30 Lyon HK. Early north 4/7 Otter Tail SDM, 4/9 Douglas KKW, 4/12 Clay LCF.
1993Summer Nested in Ramsey. Seen in 30 additional counties as far north as a line connecting Clay, Chisago; plus 7/31 St. Louis TW.
1993Fall Late north 9/29 Becker BK, 10/4 Polk DS, 10/16 Douglas DN. Late south 10/22 Houston JD, Lac qui Parle AB, 10/30 Hennepin KB, 11/30 Dakota KB.
1993Winter Seen at Black Dog Lake until 12/12 Dakota mob. First winter record.
1994Spring Early south 3/20 Dakota DSm and Olmsted JSt, 3/21 Ramsey KB, Rice FKS and Scott TBr; early north 4/1 Kanabec CM, 4/3 Douglas KKW, 4/10 Otter Tail SDM.
1994Summer Nested in Pope and Faribault counties; probable nesting in Kandiyohi, Meeker. Seen in 18 additional southern counties plus Kanabec, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Kittson (the first record for this county).
1994Fall Late north 9/15 Marshall KSS, 10/8 Douglas DN, 10/22 Clay CF. Late south 11/16 Hennepin DC and Ramsey RH, 11/20 Washington DS.
1995Spring Early south 3/22 Ramsey KB, 3/26 Kandiyohi RF/JC, 3/30 Washington WL; early north 4/1 Otter Tail SDM, 4/6 Koochiching VE, 4/13 Kanabec CM.
1995Summer Nested in Ramsey; seen in 25 additional counties as far north as Clay, Becker, and Aitkin counties.
1995Fall Two birds seen 8/5 Roseau PS; total of 3 north and 25 south reports.
1996Spring Reported from 53 counties statewide including 11 north counties. Early south 3/16 Martin BBo.
1996Summer Observed in 32 counties as far north as Wilkin, Wadena, Kanabec.
1996Fall Reported from several unusual locations: 8/7-8 Cook (1) OSL, 8/20–9/18 Beltrami (1) fide DJo, SCM, 9/7 Marshall (6) KB, PS. Peak counts 8/10 Carver (59) PBu, 9/7 Big Stone (50–60) LE. Seen in total of 6 north and 31 south counties, and apparently departed the state earlier than usual. Only north reports in October: 10/4 Otter Tail SKS, 10/10 Otter Tail (6) SDM. Late south (median 11/8) 10/16 Dakota KB, 10/19 Big Stone LE, 10/20 Hennepin SC.
1997Spring Reported from 36 south and 11 north counties. Early south 3/20 Goodhue DN and Dakota SC, 3/21 Houston DN, 3/22 Rice RJ. Early north 3/26 Becker (30) BBe, 3/30 St. Louis CL. Peak 5/17 Douglas (100) SWa.
1997Summer Observed in 28 counties as far north as Wilkin, Aitkin, Pine.
1997Fall Reported from 5 north and 23 south counties. Late north 10/18 Traverse (2) WM. Late south 10/29 Chisago CM, 10/31 Houston EMF.
1998Spring Reported from 36 counties south and only 4 north counties. Early south 3/25 Dakota SWe, 3/26 Freeborn ABa (the twelve-year median early south date is 3/22). Early north 3/28 Douglas County KKW.
1998Summer Seen in 29 counties as far north as Otter Tail, Kanabec; probable nesting in Otter Tail.
1998Fall Peak count 9/14 Dakota (110) SWe. Reported from Otter Tail in the north and 29 south counties. Late south 10/24 Swift ABo, 10/25 Hennepin (1) TT, 10/28 Houston (1) EMF.
1999Spring Many south reports during the last four days of March (earliest 3/27 in Lyon, Meeker, Hennepin, Dakota). Arrived north slightly later than usual, except for 3/23 Douglas SDM. Peak count 4/7 Grant (100+ at Pelican L.) KB. Only report from the northwest region: 5/20 Clay (1) CN. Unusual location 5/12 St. Louis (Duluth) RRS.
1999Summer Fewest reports since 1984. Seen in 20 southern counties plus Traverse, Otter Tail.
1999Fall Peak numbers 8/18 Big Stone NWR (81) BOl, 10/4 Kandiyohi (94) RgS. Unusual north reports included 8/16 Cass PS, 9/13 St. Louis (Duluth) AE. Late north 9/25 Wilkin AH. Two November reports: 11/7 Meeker DF, 11/13 Dakota DBS.
2000Spring Reported from 33 south counties; first seen 3/12 Houston FL, 3/15 Murray ND. Early north 3/29 Otter Tail KKW, where peak of 150 occurred 4/22 (SDM). Also reported north in Grant, Douglas, Morrison, Kanabec.
2000Summer Most reports since 1989; observed in 34 south counties plus Otter Tail.
2000Fall The largest flock was 93 found 8/8 Carver (New Germany) CMM. North reports past mid-September: 10/1 Wadena PBi, 10/4 Otter Tail DST, 10/28 Becker (5 at HSNWR) fide BAB. Late south 11/15 Hennepin (5) SLC, 11/25 Hennepin TAT, ADS. Also watch for the winter summary!
2000Winter One reported 12/2 along the Minnesota River near Black Dog Lake, where seen in both Hennepin and Dakota counties †PEB, SLC. Minnesota's second winter record.
2001Spring Reported from 35 south counties, where first seen 3/27 Dakota SWe (only March report, recent median 3/22). Also arrived north later than usual, but seen in 14 north counties, more than normal. Early north (median 3/31) 4/9 Crow Wing JPR; also observed in Grant, Douglas, Otter Tail, Wilkin, Clay, Polk, Pennington, Kittson, Todd, Cass, Morrison, Kanabec, and 5/13 Lake (Flood Bay near Two Harbors) JWL.
2001Summer Observed in 21 southern counties (but no reports from the Southwest!) plus Douglas, Otter Tail, Clay, Hubbard.
2001Fall Late north 9/30 Wadena PJB, also reported from Douglas, Otter Tail, Polk (9/6, EEF). Late south 11/7 Steele NFT, 11/16 Lac qui Parle BEO. Peak count 9/14 Faribault (101) RBJ.
2001Winter One seen 12/21 Winona KG. Third winter report and latest date on record.
2002Spring Reported from 36 south and 9 north counties, none in Northeast. Early south (median 3/22) 3/31 Dakota SWe and Rice FVS, peak migration 4/3–10 (12 south counties). Early north 4/6 Otter Tail SPM, DKM, 4/7 Wadena PJB.
2002Summer Most reports since 1989. Observed in 37 counties as far north as a line through Polk, Wadena, Pine; new nesting record in Lincoln RJS.
2002Fall Dramatic post-breeding dispersal north of usual range, especially into the Northwest and Northeast regions between mid-August and late September. Observed in 22 north counties as far northwest as Marshall, Pennington, Polk, and Roseau counties, plus Aitkin, Cass, and Wadena in the North-central and throughout the Northeast. Numbers up at Agassiz N.W.R., Marshall County (peak 40 on 9/1, CRM et al.). In the Northeast, reported from three Carlton County locations as late as 10/6 LAW, five St. Louis County locations as far north as Melrude (9/1, BKY) and Embarrass (9/18, DBF), four Lake County locations including 9/9 (2 at Silver Bay, JWL), and at Lutsen, Cook County, 8/18 (BKY) and 9/13 (KRE). Late north 10/27 Otter Tail DTT, SMT, 10/28 Clay RHO. Reported from 36 south counties including (late south) 11/16 Scott RBJ and Winona RMD, RHy, 11/28 Dakota (Black Dog L.) JPM, but also see winter report.
2002Winter Reported 12/14 Excelsior †CBC and 12/15 Bloomington CBC (count week). Only three previous winter records.
2003Spring Observed in 36 south and 11 north counties, though none in the Northeast. Early south 3/20 Hennepin TAT, 3/24 Rice DAB. Early north 4/4 Grant SPM, DKM, 4/9 Otter Tail DTT, SMT. Numbers up at H.P.B.C. (peak 53 on 4/15) KJB.
2003Summer Reported in 28 counties as far north as Otter Tail, Wadena; new nesting record in Carver RMD.
2003Fall Seen in 11 north and 32 south counties in all regions except the Northeast. Peak counts 8/15 Carver (200) RMD, 8/29 Big Stone (219) BJU. Late north 10/12 Douglas CRM, 11/27 (latest north date) Otter Tail CRM. Late south 10/26 Carver CRM, 11/6 Hennepin and Dakota SWe.
2004Spring Seen in 35 south and 8 north counties, though none in North-central. Early south 3/25 Hennepin HCT, 3/27 Mower JEM. Early north 3/31 Grant SPM, 4/1 Todd. Peak concentrations 4/11 Todd (200) SAS, 4/20 Big Stone (143 at Thielke L.) BJU. Unusual location 5/13–14 St. Louis (Duluth) FJN.
2004Summer Observed in 33 counties in all regions except North-central, Northeast.
2004Fall Seen in 9 north and 29 south counties in all regions. Unusual reports 8/17 St. Louis (Embarrass) ALE, 8/18 Lake (Two Harbors) JWL and St. Louis (Duluth) MH, FJN, 8/25 St. Louis (Manganika L.) SLF. Peak count 8/13 Waseca (77) JEZ. Late north 10/16 Polk EEF. Late south 11/2 Ramsey REH, 11/11 Dakota SWe.
2005Spring Reported from 33 south and 9 north counties; none in Northeast. Early south 3/12 Hennepin RBJ, 3/27 Dakota JOt and Freeborn AEB. Early north 4/3 Otter Tail SPM, 4/12 Aitkin KWR.
2005Summer Reported from 35 counties as far north as Clay. Highest reported count 7/3 Big Stone (168 at Centennial W.P.A.) PCC.
2005Fall Several reports north of normal range in the North-central and Northwest regions between August and early October. Found in 20 north counties as far north as Kittson and Roseau in the Northwest, and Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing in North-central. Three Northeast reports: 8/29–9/27 Lake (max. 2 at Two Harbors) JWL, KRE, 9/8 St. Louis (H.R.B.O., Duluth) FJN, RSB, 9/19–24 St. Louis (Duluth) MTA, DAB. Reported from 35 south counties. High count 9/17 Le Sueur (147) WCM. Late south 11/5 Houston FZL, 11/5 Hennepin DWK.
2006Spring Seen in 40 south and 10 north counties; none in Northeast. Early south 3/28 Kandiyohi RSF, 3/29 Dakota ADS (median 3/23). Early north 3/19 Otter Tail SPM, 4/1 (median date) Cass MRN.
2006Summer Reported from 45 coun-ties in all regions except Northeast.
2006Fall Several reports north of normal range in the North-central and Northwest regions between August and early October. Found in 17 north counties as far north as Kittson in the Northwest, and Aitkin, Cass, and Wadena in the North-central. Only Northeast report: 8/1–9/20 St. Louis (max. 2 at Duluth) m.ob. Reported from 46 south counties. Peak count 8/19 Lac qui Parle (128 at Big Stone N.W.R.) JMJ. Late south 10/22 Jackson DAB, 11/2 Yellow Medicine RBW.
2007Spring1042 Early south 3/18 Ramsey DGo, 3/23 (median) Dakota JLO and Hennepin OLJ, SWe. Early north 3/26 Douglas BWF, 3/31 Otter Tail SPM (median 4/1). Unusual northeast report 5/25 St. Louis (Duluth) JLO.
2007Summer740 Observed south and west of a line from Wadena to Winona. High count 6/22 Carver (89, Chaska Lake) DWK.
2007Fall2338 Several reports north of normal range in the North-central and Northwest regions between August and early October. Two northeast reports: 9/16 St. Louis (near Boulder L.) DAG, 9/22 St. Louis MCA. Late north 10/14 Traverse JCC, 10/20 Becker HHD, Grant and Otter Tail DWK. Late south 11/4 Hennepin BAF, 11/10 Meeker DMF.
2008Spring1647 Early south 3/22 (median) Steele NFT, 3/25 Hennepin PEJ. Early north (median 3/31) 4/4 Cass BAW, 4/5 Otter Tail DST. High counts 5/9 Lac qui Parle (146 at Marsh Lake) BJU, 4/28 Big Stone (83 at Thielke Lake) BJU. Unusual northeast report 5/29 St. Louis (Park Point, Duluth) DAY.
2008Summer633 Observed in all southern and central regions plus Cass, Wadena. High count 7/17 Lac qui Parle (458, Big Stone N.W.R.) KJB. [Corrected]
2008Fall1339 High counts 9/6 Lac qui Parle (135 at Big Stone N.W.R.) PHS, 8/7 Scott (80 at Belle Plaine W.T.P.) RBW. Three northeast reports: 8/16 St. Louis (flyby at H.R.B.O.) KJB, 9/15 Lake (Two Harbors) fide JWL, 9/20–10/5 St. Louis (40th Ave. West) m.ob. Late north 10/5 Grant HHD, 10/10 Becker fide JMJ (median 10/14). Late south 10/23 Lac qui Parle BJU, 10/26 Washington DFN (median 11/7).
2009Spring1640 Early south (median 3/22) 3/23 Dakota CRM, DOB, 3/24 Ramsey SWe. Early north (median 4/1) 4/4 Otter Tail DST, 4/9 Morrison RJS. High count 5/17 Rice (37) DAB. Unusual northeast report 5/28 St. Louis (Duluth Twp.) UK.
2009Summer626 Reported from all regions except North-central, Southwest. Unusual location 6/6–25 St. Louis (Duluth, 40th Ave West/Erie Pier) ph. PHS. Approximately 90 nests at 2 Fergus Falls locations 6/29 Otter Tail DST. High count 7/14 Hennepin (157) DWK.
2009Fall638 High counts 8/22 Blue Earth (146, Perch Lake) ChH, 8/1 Anoka (85, Rice Lake) DWK. Late north 10/9 Otter Tail CRM, 10/15 Marshall MAn, 10/27 Kittson LW (median 10/14)
2010Spring641 Early south (median 3/22) 3/28 Ramsey BAF, 4/1 Carver JCy, Dakota RLW, Rice DAB, Scott SLP. Early north 4/1 (median) Grant LLS, 4/12 Otter Tail DST. High count 4/17 Carver (97, Lake Waconia) WCM. Unusual north reports: 5/25–28 St. Louis (Duluth) SVB, PHS, 5/30 Cass (Leech Lake) m.ob.
2010Summer933 Seen in all regions of the state. High count 7/27 Hennepin (114, Purgatory Creek) DWK. [Corrected]
2010Fall1234 High counts 8/20 Grant (100, Herman) RTe, 8/7 Sibley (63) WCM. Late north 10/21 Clay RGj, 10/28 Pennington JMJ (median 10/14). Late south 10/25 Lac qui Parle BJU, 11/12 Hennepin SLC, 11/20 Dakota PEJ (median 11/7).
2011Spring1747 Early south (median 3/22) 3/18 Dakota SLP, 3/19 Hennepin BeH, Houston DBM, 3/20 Lac qui Parle BJU. Early north (median 4/1) 3/31 Otter Tail DST, 4/3 Douglas PJK, Otter Tail GO, 4/5 Cass BAW. High counts 5/16 Otter Tail (100, Grotto Lake and Lake Alice, Fergus Falls) DST, 4/29 Rice (55, Sakatah Lake) DCu. Unusual Northeast report 5/23 St. Louis (Schultz Lake) AMc.
2011Summer635Reported south of a line from Becker to Morrison to Washington. First county breeding record from Renville DPG. High count 7/9 Stearns (137, west of Elrosa) MJB.
2011Fall1339 High counts 9/4 Grant (75, North Ottawa Impoundment) JCC, 8/28 Blue Earth (70) DAB. Late north 10/12 Pine LMS, 10/13 Aitkin RBJ, 10/15 Grant DPG (median 10/14). Late south 11/4 Dakota ADS, Lac qui Parle BJU, 11/5 Hennepin BAF, 11/7 Houston NBO, DSt (median 11/7). Unusual northeast report 8/24 St. Louis (Duluth Twp.) JCG.
2012Spring845 Early south (median 3/22) 3/6 Dakota JLO, 3/19 Winona ANy, 3/22 Carver JCy. Early north (median 4/1) 4/2 Otter Tail BDE, 4/6 Douglas PJK, 4/13 Marshall GAK. High count 4/24 Otter Tail (~180) BDE.
2012Summer1043 Observed in all regions except Northeast. High count 7/28 Carver (250, New Germany area) JCy.
2012Fall1139 High counts 8/2 Carver (est. 300, New Germany area) JCy, 8/19 Grant (168, Ash Lake) PCC. Late north 10/12 Traverse (7) RAE, 10/14 Marshall (2) JMJ (median 10/14). Late south 10/29 Rice ANy, 11/2 Rice DAk (median 11/7).
2012Winter1 One report: 12/13–17 Olmsted (below Silver Lake Dam) JWH, ph. REJ, m.ob.
2013Spring1950 Early south (median 3/22) 3/29 Dakota RaM, 4/3 Faribault WAF, 4/4 Ramsey RNe, Rice DAB. Early north (median 4/1) 4/10 Otter Tail SAv, 4/15 Douglas PJK, 4/16 Becker ASM. High counts 4/29 Rice (100, Cannon/Wells Lake) JHl, DAT, 5/11 Otter Tail (91, Grotto Lake) DST. Unusual Northeast report 5/23 St. Louis LMS
2013Summer940 Reported south of a line from Polk to Crow Wing to Chisago.
2013Fall1037 Found as far north as Clearwater and St. Louis. High counts 9/7 Carver (121, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) CRM, 8/3 Carver (120, New Germany area) JCy. Late north 10/3 Otter Tail and Wilkin RBJ, 10/4 Grant CNn, 10/13 Douglas JPE, 10/14 Otter Tail DFN, 10/15 Douglas PMt (median 10/14). Late south 10/26 Hennepin CRM, PEJ, DFN, 11/9 Dakota ADS, Scott CRM, GLa, 11/12 Stearns BWF (median 11/7).
2014Spring2047Early south (median 3/22) 3/29 Sherburne JaM, 3/31, 4/2 Hennepin ThM, LWn, 4/4 Ramsey AxG. Early north (median 4/1) 4/4 Otter Tail DST, followed by more reports from this county, then 4/12 Clay (6) PBB, Grant DPG. High count 5/21 Otter Tail (50, Grotto Lake) TJd.
2014Summer935Found in all regions except Northeast. High count 7/4 Lac qui Parle (220, Big Stone N.W.R.) DFN, PEJ. ;
2014Fall1750 High counts 8/16 Carver (385, New Germany area) DWK, 8/1 Hennepin (247, Minnesota Valley N.W.R., counted individually) CMB, 8/15 Grant (150, North Ottawa Impoundment) CNn. Late north 10/10 Douglas JEl, 10/15 Grant (3) ALu, 10/23 Marshall (2) DBz, ANy (median 10/14). Late south 11/6 Scott BAb, 11/8 Anoka CKB, Houston PK, JKe, 11/9 Houston NBO (median 11/7).
2015Spring1241 Early south (median 3/22) 3/29–4/2 Ramsey TAN, REH, 4/2 Sherburne JRg, 4/3 Washington JLK. Early north (median 4/1) 4/6 Douglas BEc, Otter Tail AaH, 4/10 Grant DWK, SBM. High count 5/25 Otter Tail (120, Adams/Grotto Park, Fergus Falls) CSc,
2015Summer1033 Found in all regions of state. Presumed post-breeding dispersal to unusual locations 7/25 St. Louis (Island L.) CRi, 7/27 Marshall (2, Agassiz N.W.R.) KRi.
2015Fall1246 High counts 9/7 Hennepin (200, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) JEc, 9/7 McLeod (137) ANy. Late north 10/24–11/6 Grant PEJ, HHD, ANy (median 10/16). Late south 11/5 Hennepin WPe, 11/10 McLeod RBW, PRH, 11/15 Houston PEJ, DJa (median 11/7).
2015Winter1 Reported 12/3–12 Houston (Brownsville overlook) PEJ, m.ob., including two birds 12/11 DBz, GHo, KDS.
2016Spring1146 Early south (median 3/23) 3/16 Ramsey REH, 3/18 Hennepin RSA, 3/22 Goodhue (2) GJM, Washington ECl. Early north (median 4/1) 4/5 Grant HHD, 4/7 Otter Tail DST, 4/10 Douglas BEc. High counts 5/1 Otter Tail (146, Grotto Lake) ToL, 4/17 Washington (41, Boomsite Rookery) BCo.
2016Summer840 Found in all central and southern regions plus Aitkin, Becker, Crow Wing.
2016Fall2350 High counts 8/13 Sibley (132, Gaylord W.T.P.) WCM, 8/24 Washington (126, Hazen P. Mooers Park) GJa, 8/13 Otter Tail (125, Grotto Lake) KvM, BDo. Late north 11/1–2 Grant DPG, NaH, 11/7 Douglas (2) KnM (median 10/17). Late south 11/16 Carver (Carver P.R.) JCy, 11/27 Hennepin (Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) JAB, m.ob., 11/27 Houston MWi, SAb (median 11/9).
2017Spring1547 Early south (median 3/22) 3/19 Washington KWr, 3/21 Hennepin SMC, JAn, 3/24 Freeborn DBa, Ramsey TAn. Early north (median 4/1) 3/27 Otter Tail WPl, 3/31 Grant WPl, 4/1 Polk SAu. High counts 5/19 Otter Tail (200, Grotto Lake) DPi, 4/11 Ramsey (100, Pig's Eye Rookery as viewed from Battle Creek Park) JZj.
2017Summer1539 Seen in all regions except Northeast. Unusual location 6/9 Koochiching (Rainy Lake) DnR, RCr.
2017Fall1947 Widely reported southwest of a line from Beltrami to Chisago, though notably absent from all northernmost counties. High counts 8/19 Sibley (100, est. county total) ebd, 8/1 and 9/4 Grant (85, North Ottawa Impoundment) PLJ, 9/4 Grant (85, North Ottawa Impoundment) PLJ. Late north 10/15 Clay CMk, then only at the North Ottawa Impoundment through 10/25 Grant NaH, CRa (median 10/19). Late south 11/3 Washington BRL, 11/6 Sherburne PLJ, 11/12 Carver ebd (median 11/9).
2018Spring2349 Early south (median 3/22) 3/10 Blue Earth JWg, 3/23–24 Hennepin MwT, m.ob., 3/25 Anoka ebd. Early north (median 4/1) 3/27 Crow Wing JhH, m.ob., 4/11–12 Otter Tail (max. 16) JsS, 4/12 Clay HeH, ShG, Douglas CRM, m.ob., Grant (max. 12) CRM, m.ob. High count 5/5–7 Otter Tail (150, Grotto Lake) ebd.
2018Summer1543 Reported from all regions. High count 7/16 Grant (252, North Ottawa Impoundment) EGB.
2018Fall2049 High counts 8/16 Hennepin (450, Rice Lake, counted by fives) ANy, 8/14 Hennepin (329, Rice Lake) BHe. Late north 10/28 St. Louis (5) JAn, 11/5–6 St. Louis StK, m.ob., 11/6 Clay TCL, (median 10/19). Late south 11/8 Wabasha (2) PEJ, 11/10–18 Houston WCM, m.ob., 11/23 Yellow Medicine GWe (median 11/11).
2019Spring1951 Early south (median 3/22) 3/20 Hennepin ebd, 3/27 Big Stone DLP, Ramsey ebd. Early north (median 4/1) 4/3 Otter Tail JsS, 4/7 Grant WPl, 4/9 Traverse (3) WCM. High counts 4/27 Washington (104, Stillwater) BCo, 4/26 Wright (101, Swartout Lake) MJB.
2019Summer1340 Seen in all regions as far northwest as 6/10 Kittson (Twin Lakes W.M.A.) CDB, MDB, 7/4 Roseau BSi.
2019Fall1045 High counts 8/6 Grant (200, North Ottawa Impoundment) PSt, ebd, 8/20 Washington (160, Grey Cloud Island) ERH. Late north 10/9 Grant WCM, Traverse (6) WCM, 10/11 Otter Tail PEJ, 10/14 Douglas ebd (median 10/21). Late south 11/6–8 Hennepin BAF, m.ob. (median 11/11).
2020Spring1448 Early south (median 3/22) 3/17 Anoka (3) ebd, 3/23–24 Ramsey ebd, 3/24 Houston ASu. Early north (median 4/1) 3/31 – 4/7 Otter Tail (max. 4) WPl, m.ob., 4/7 Becker (2) NaH, 4/9 Grant REn, m.ob. High counts 4/24 Swift (137, Lake Hassel) REn, m.ob., 5/2 Otter Tail (100, Grotto Lake) MO.
2020Summer1038 Reported from all regions except Northeast. High count 7/29 Grant (320, North Ottawa Impoundment) REn, RLF.
2020Fall1947 High counts 8/9–10, 8/20 Grant (120, North Ottawa Impoundment) KJB, REn, m.ob. Late north 10/12 Carlton ebd, 10/14 Aitkin (4) PEJ, 11/7 Mille Lacs DMz (median 10/21). Late south 11/9 Big Stone DLP, 11/9–15 Houston LHl, m.ob., 11/23 Hennepin REn, m.ob. (median 11/11).
2021Spring1650 Early south (median 3/22) 3/20–23 Washington ebd, m.ob., 3/24 Houston SHo, 3/25 Olmsted LAV, m.ob. Early north (median 4/1) 4/3 Clay (2) PBB, 4/6 Douglas SC, Grant SC, Otter Tail (4) NaH, TKa. High counts all from Grotto Lake in Otter Tail, peaking at 218 on 5/21 WPl.
2021Summer1040 Seen in all central and southern regions plus Becker, Clay, Crow Wing, Hubbard. High count 6/13 Grant (255, Niemackl Lake Park) ebd.
2021Fall1348 High counts 8/4 Anoka (257, Marshan Lake) ELC, 8/21 Pope (250, Minnewaska Twp.) GRe. Late north 10/9 Otter Tail (Orwell W.M.A.) BAr, (C.R. 6) SDi, Traverse DWK, 10/10 Otter Tail NaH, 10/14 Traverse (2, Traverse C.P.) ebd (median 10/20). Late south 11/8 Scott BHe, 11/12 Hennepin KBg, Houston EHi (median 11/10).
2022Spring2048 Early south (median 3/20) 4/1–2 Hennepin JRg, ebd, 4/2 Washington (St. Croix River) RNe, (Hugo) ebd. Early north (median 4/2) 4/2 Traverse LiH, 4/9 Otter Tail (2) JsS, 4/12 Douglas (25) BEc. High counts 5/26 Grant (500, Pelican Lake) MJM, 5/26 Pope (200, Lake Johanna) MJM.
 
 Breeds south and west-central. Migrant throughout, but rare northeast.

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.