Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon - Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks 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: Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Snow Goose
Ross's Goose
[Snow Goose X Ross's Goose]
Greater White-fronted Goose
[Snow Goose X Greater White-fronted Goose]
[Taiga Bean-Goose]
Brant
[Brant (Atlantic)]
[Brant (Black)]
Cackling Goose
Canada Goose
[Snow Goose X Canada Goose]
[Greater White-fronted Goose X Canada Goose]
Mute Swan
Trumpeter Swan
Tundra Swan
[Cygnus swan]
 Wood Duck
Garganey
Blue-winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal
[Blue-winged Teal X Cinnamon Teal]
Northern Shoveler
[Blue-winged Teal X Northern Shoveler]
Gadwall
[Northern Shoveler X Gadwall]
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
[Gadwall X American Wigeon]
Mallard
Mallard
[Northern Shoveler X Mallard]
[Gadwall X Mallard]
American Black Duck
[Mallard X American Black Duck]
Mottled Duck
 Northern Pintail
[Gadwall X Northern Pintail]
[Mallard X Northern Pintail]
Green-winged Teal
[Green-winged Teal (Eurasian)]
[Green-winged Teal (American)]
[Cinnamon Teal X Green-winged Teal]
Canvasback
Redhead
[Canvasback X Redhead]
Ring-necked Duck
[Redhead X Ring-necked Duck]
Tufted Duck
Greater Scaup
[Ring-necked Duck X Greater Scaup]
Lesser Scaup
[Ring-necked Duck X Lesser Scaup]
King Eider
Common Eider
 [Somateria eider]
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
[Bufflehead X Common Goldeneye]
Barrow's Goldeneye
[Common Goldeneye X Barrow's Goldeneye]
Smew
Hooded Merganser
Hooded Merganser
[Common Goldeneye X Hooded Merganser]
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Greater White-fronted Goose(Anser albifrons)
YearSeasonNS
1961SpringNone of the unusual waterfowl were recorded, although the White-fronted Goose was seen. A bird for which there are few recent published Minnesota records and which is quite similar, at a distance, to immature Blue Geese, is one that should be identified carefully. Seven were seen, at very close range, by R. Grant on 29 April at Mud Lake on the north end of Lake Traverse. Although isolated as a group of seven, they were in the company of many thousands of Blue and Snow Geese. On 21 May, William Pieper and the Huber brothers saw what must have been the last lingering flock of geese in that area. About 100 Blue and Snow Geese passed low overhead, and we observed at least six White-fronts among them. Snow Geese: by R. Grant on 7 April in Ramsey County, about 30 birds.
1962SpringApril 15 Lowry Elliott saw 46 at Swartz's slough, South Dakota, a few miles from the Lac qui Parle Co., Minnesota line. Blue and Snow Geese: May 12 Salt Lake Lac qui Parle Co., Avifaunal Club saw a small flock.
1962FallSeen for several weeks up until Nov. 26, Lac qui Parle Refuge, Arlin C. Anderson. Snow and Blue Geese: Several large flocks, Dec. 7, Lac qui Parle Refuge, Arlin C. Anderson and Avifaunal Club members.
1963SpringMarch 26, Da. kota County, 5 seen, A. C. Rosenwinkel; March 30, Salt Lake, Lac qui Parle County, 68 seen, Avifaunal Club; April 6, Salt Lake again, 30 seen, R. Grant; April 6, Titlow Lake, Sibley County, 9 seen, R. Janssen; April 12, Duluth, 1 adult, Jan Green; April 20 Salt Lake again, 6 seen, R. Grant. Snow-Blue Geese: March 26, Dakota County, A. C. Rosenwinkel; March 30, Salt Lake, Lac qui Parle County, about 250 of each, Avifaunal Club.
1964Spring3-15 Lac qui Parle Refuge, 5,RKO; 4-4 Swift Co, RBJ; 4-18 Salt Lake, RG; 4-18 Duluth, 1, JCG; 5-11 Marshall Co, 7, DLO.
1965Spring4-10 Two Harbors, RK; 4-13 Rice Co, CE, PE, JB; 4-15 Stevens Co, RAG and 5-11 Holt, DLO.
1966Spring3-29 Lac qui Parle Co, 5, EHH. Snow-Snow Goose (blue phase): earliest 3-16 Washington Co, WHL; 3-17 Beltrami Co, JAM and 3-18 Nobles Co, HSH, latest 4-22 Nobles Co, HSH; 4-25 Rice Co, EWJ and 5-3 Rice Lake Refuge, 150, CEP.
1967Spring3-22 Nobles Co., 6, HSH, MSB; 3-25 Lac qui Parle Co., 9, JAH; 4-8 (EHH) and 4-15 (DB) Lac qui Parle Co. Blue-Snow Goose: early 3-22 Nobles Co., enormous numbers, some estimates running to 50,000 birds, HSH, MSB; 3-25 Lac qui Parle Co., 20, JAH; 3-29 Seams Co., RPR and Olmsted Co., CMI, JPF; late 5-17 Wabasha Co., DGM, Marshall Co., A WR and Stearns Co., RPR; 5-20 Carver Co., RBJ; 5-23 Lake Co., JGH.
1968Spring 3-15 Wabasha Co., DGM; 3-16 Wright Co., EHD; 3-25 Wabasha Co., DGM; 3-26 Marshall Co., A WR; 3-30 Lac qui Parle Co., DB, EHH; 4-6 Traverse Co., KE; 4-10 Lyon Co., 1/0, BL; 5-3 Marshall Co., AWR; 5-12, 5-28 Duluth, JPP; more reports than we've had in the past eight years or more.
1968Winter12-2 RG, 2-16 ES Olmsted (Rochester). (First winter record.)
1969Spring3-13 Rochester, Olmsted Co., CCW. Snow/Snow Goose (blue phase): 4-6 Washington Co., WWL; 4-12 (50) Mille Lacs Co., MI, and (flock) Nobles Co., HSH; 4-13 (500+) Lac qui Parle Co., JLS; 4-19 Kanabec Co., JLS.
1969Fall10-11 Douglas 12 BAH; 11-11 Winona BTV; 11-11 Olmsted 3 KE; 11-28 Olmsted RGL. Snow /Snow Goose (blue phase): 10-9 Marshall 10,- 000 AR; 11-1 Lac qui Parle 1000s RBJ; 9-25 Aitkin JGH; 9-26 Marshall AR and ETS; latest north 10-18 St. Louis JCG; 11-7 Marshall AR; early south 10-4 Washington WHL; 10-11 Blue Earth EDK; late 11-15 Washington RHJ; 11-22 Olmsted ETS.
1969Winter12-7 Wabasha, BTV, 1-7 (BTV), 1-11 (VL), 1-27, 31 (CW) Rochester, Olmsted Co. 63 }UNE 1970
1970Spring4-5 Lyon {70} KE, PE; 4-5 Sibley, 4-12 Lac qui Parle, 4-26 Hennepin, DB; 5-2 Marshall AR; only reports. Snow/Snow Goose (blue phase): early south 3-15 Dakota EB and Wabasha (90} TV; 4-4 Lac qui Parle KE, PE; early north 4-16 Duluth MMC; 4-22 Marshall AR; peak 4-5 Lyon (300} KE; late 5-3 Lyon KE, PE; 5-4 Wabasha WDM.
1970Fall10-11 Kittson (35) MMC; only report. Snow/Snow Goose (blue phase): early 9-22 Marshall A R; 9-23 Chisago VL; late south 11-1 3 Watonwan LF; 11-16 Hennepin CH; 11-20 Hennepin VL; late north 11-14 Duluth PH; 11-19 Marshall AR; peak 11-10 Itasca (700), R. Kohlbry.
1971Spring9 reports, more than usual: 4-4 Lyon (40) KE, PE HK; 4-8 and 5-31 Sherburne RLD; 4-9 Lac qui Parie DB and Clay (500) BH; 4-10 Nicollet BL; 4-11 Lac qui Parle RBJ; 4-12 Washing ton BL; 4-30 and 5-6 Marshall AR; 5-8 Roseau KE, RR. Snow /Snow Goose (blue phase): early south 3-28 Houston FL; 3-29 Winona TV; 3-30 Cottonwood LF; early north 4-11 Clearwater RCD; 4-23 Marshall AR; late 5-24 Sherburne RLD; 5-26 Wadena ES; peaks of 2000 on 4-4 Lyon KE. PE, HK and 5-1 to 5-12 Lac qui Parle BH, RR. The Loon
1971Fall3 reporis 10-22 Marshall KE; 10-15 to 11-10 Olmsted (3) CW. Snow/ Snow Goose (blue phase): early 9-11 Marshall; 9-22 Murray; late south 11-7 Wabasha; 11-10 Olmsted; 11-14 Cottonwood; late north 11-7 Becker; 11-12 Crow Wing; peak 10..7 Marshall (1585) AR.
1971Winter1-2 (1,CW), 1-7 (2,FVS), 3-14 (3,D. Raveling) Rochester.
1973Fall Reported from Marshall, Sherburne. Late north 10-27 Crow Wing (3) (TS). Late south 11-4 Olmsted (RPR). Peak 10-14 St. Louis (50 (JCG); this species is casual in northeast Minnesota. More reports than usual. Snow-Snow Goose (blue phase) Reported from 13 counties. Late north 11-10 Marshall (AWR), Cook (KRE), and Mille Lacs (2) (MI). Late south 11-17 Le Sueur 60) (GR); 11-28 Ramsey (40) (JAB); 11-28 Sherburne (4) (SWR). Peak 10-23 Marshall (699) (AWR).
1973Winter One seen at Rochester, Olmsted Co. on 2-24 (RBJ); was this an injured overwintering bird as has been seen here in the past, or perhaps a very early spring migrant?
1974Spring 10 reports; south 3-13 Cottonwood (2) RD; 3-15, 4-15 and 5-23 Chippewa (12) CLH; 3-16 Olmsted DR; 4-5, 4-27 Olmsted (1) JF; 4-6 (200), 5-18 (3) Lac qui Parle KE; 4-17 Lacqui Parle (12) JS; 5-18 Lacqui Parle HCK; north 4-19 Marshall (2) AR; 5-12 St. Louis J. Gallion; 5-12 Crow Wing (1) TS.
1974Fall 11-19 Olmsted JF (only report) Snow/ Snow Goose (blue phase) Early 9-15 Lac qui Parle AFE; 9-17 Marshall AR; late south 11-17 Murray LR; 11-24 Lac qui Parle AFE; 11-27 Wabasha PZ; late north 11-3 Cook RBJ; 11-7 Marshall KE.
1974Winter A late migrant recorded during the Winona Christmas Count week.
1975Spring 4 reports: 4-11 Yellow Medicine (4) GLO; 4-12 Lac qui Parle (4) RAG and Big Stone (8) DWS; 4-13 Rock (5) KE.
1975Fall10-8 to 10-27 Wabasha (6) RB: 10·13 Olmstead JF; 10-18 Lincoln RJ, BL; 10-30 Lyon (2.. Glen Scott fide KE; more reports than usual.
1976Spring 18 reports of 750+ individuals, more reports than usual. Early 3-20 Chippewa RBJ (8); 3-21 Lac qui Parle HCK (2); 3-23 Cottonwood ED; peak 3-31 Big Stone (300) BS.
1976Fall 10-25 Chippewa (30) CH, 11-5 Otter Tail (5) SM.
1977Spring 22 reports of 400+ individuals; early 3-8 Otter Tail (2) GO; 3-25 Lyon (8) HK; peak 4-17 Lincoln (80) KE; late 5-8 Big Stone (8) GSP. Snow/Snow Goose (blue phase) Early south 3-1 Hennepin GSP; 3-11 Stearns NH; 3-15 Lac qui Parle CB; early north 3-15 Wilkin GO; 3-24 Otter Tail SM; peak 3-27 Murray (4,000) KE; late 5-25 St. Louis GN.
1977Fall All reports 10-4 Otter Tail (GO), 1020 Marshall ANWR (fide SV).
1977Winter One. until 12-20 at Rochester, Olmsted Co. (JF, VH).
1978Spring 4-1 Lac qui Parle (38) CMB and Brown (5) RBJ; 4-29 to 5-20 Hennepin OJ captive?
1978Summer 11-25 Olmsted VH, only report.
1978Fall 11-25 Olmsted VH, only report.
1979Spring 3-31 Wabasha DGW, 4-8 Anoka KL, 4-14 Otter Tail GMO, 4-16 Lac qui Parle JS (25), 4-20 Lac qui Parle KE.
1979Fall 10-2 Lac qui Parle CMB; only report.
1979Winter Lake Elmo, Washington Co. 1-1 (DMB), Afton CBC. Very few winter records for this species.
1980Spring Early south 3-22 Faribault RJ, 3-23 Wabasha DGW, 3-26 Blue Earth JCF; early north 4-16 Otter Tail GMO, 5-6 Marshall ANWR, 5-19 Roseau RJ.
1980Fall 11-16 Olmsted JF and J. Heather.
1981Spring Early south 3-28 Cottonwood JEB, JSD, 4-4 Dakota JD, Blue Earth MF; early north 3-21 Clay LCF, 3-26 Hubbard DJ, 4-28 Otter Tail GMO (19); peak 4-24 Nicollet JCF.
1981Fall 10-6 Pennington GMO (40), 11-10 Olmsted JEB, 11-14 JPI AM. Sno·w Goose Early north 9-16 Traverse SDM, 9-23 Marshall KSS; early south 9-29 Murray JP, 10-2 Hennepin ES; late north 10-26 Duluth SDM, 11-25 Otter Tail SDM; late south 11-8 Houston FL, Renville FKS, 11-18 Nicollet FKS (5000).
1982Spring Early south 3-24 Blue 'Earth JCF, 3-27 Olmsted BE, 3-29 Wabasha DWM; early north 3-23 Becker E!!fSS, 3-28 Otter Tail SDM. Malla·rd Permanent resident; reported from 20 counties south, 13 north.
1982Fall 10/16-23 Olmsted RE.
1982Winter A late migrant at Rochester on 12/7 (KE).
1983Spring Early south 3/13 Lincoln KL, 3/19 Rice BL, 3/26 Wabasha DGW; early north 3/21 Otter Tail GMO, 4/27 Marshall ANWR, 3/30 Clearwater AB, late north 5/14 Roseau KL.
1983Fall 10/23 Cottonwood D. Wells (58), 10/28 Olmsted JEB.
1983Winter Reported on the Rochester CBC.
1984Spring Early 3/3 Olmstead RE; also 3/17 Faribault RJ, 4/5 Rice KJ, 5/4 Marshall ANWR, 5/26 Lac qui Parle SC, PL.
1984Summer 7/11 Agassiz NWR, Marshall Co. (freeflying ad. -JM).
1984Fall Late north 10/18 Pennington KSS, I 0/26 Lake SWIMS, 11/25 Otter Tail SDM; late south 10/13 Chippewa AB, 11/20 Olmsted IT, 11/30 Wabasha KE.
1984Winter Reported in Rochester 12-2 (JEB).
1985SpringEarly south 3/17 Rice AB, 3/18 Cottonwood RE; early north 3/21 Otter Tail KE, 3/26 Marshall ANWR: late south 4/27 Lac qui Parle m.ob., 5/24 Chisago  KL.  
1985Fall Reported 10/13 Otter Tail SDM, 10/19 Chippewa AB, 11/27 Olmsted JEB.
1985Winter Two reports; Hennepin County, 1/1 (2) (AB) and the Rochester CBC.
1986Spring Early south 3/8 Cottonwood E. Duerksen, 3/22 Nobles KE (200) ; early north 4/2 Wilkin GAM, SDM; late south 4/23 Fillmore AMP, 4/26 Lac qui Parle TTu; late north 5/7 Marshall ANWR, 5/17 Clearwater AB.
1986Fall 9/9 Marshall ANWR, 9/28 Cottonwood BF, 10/5 Polk DS, 10/17 Marshall ANWR.
1986Winter One on the Rochester CBC.
1987Spring Early south 3/11 Faribault JCF, 3/22 Nicollet KR and Olmsted RSE; early north 3/22 Clay LCF, 3/31 Becker BK; late south 3/28 Lac qui Parle m.ob. ; late north 5/7 Marshall ANWR, 5/10 Clearwater RG, RJ.
1987Fall Only report ll/6-7 Otter Tail KE.
1988Spring Early south 3/5 Blue Earth JF, 3/15 Cottonwood ED; early north 4/6 Marshall ANWR, 4/17 Aitkin WN; late south 4/17 Lincoln IT, 4/25 Lac qui Parle TBB.
1988Fall Only report 10/14 Chippewa AB.
1988Winter One in Rochester during CBC week.
1989Spring Early south 3/22 Olmsted BSE, 3/24 Blue Earth JCF and Martin AP; early north 4/2 Clay LCF, 4/15 Aitkin fide WN; late south 5/14 Pipestone AB, 5/27 Cottonwood ED; late north 4/29 Duluth KE, 5/11 Aitkin SC.
1989Fall Reported 10/13 and 10/28 Lac qui Parle AB, CMB, 10/21 Olmsted PS.
1990Spring Early south 3/10 Nobles RJ, 3/11 Cottonwood AP, and Murray AP, ED; early north 4/8 Clay LCF, 4/28 Duluth JG; late south 5/11 Rock RJ, 5/23 Hennepin AB, DB, OJ; no late reports north. Winter 1990
1990Summer One late individual observed 6/9 St. Louis BS; only second summer record for state.
1990Fall Reported 9/16 Itasca AB, 9/21 Blue Earth BB, 9/30 Duluth KE, 11/10 Otter Tail MO.
1991Spring Early south 3/6 Pipestone ND, JP, 3/9 Cottonwood ED, Martin BB, Rock ND; early north 3/29 OtterTail MO, 3/31 Clay AB; late south 4/27 Lac qui Parle mobs., 5/14 Steele AP; late north 5/23 Roseau KB; peak 4/17 Yellow Medicine HK (200 +).
1991Fall Reported 10/12 Lac qui Parle AB, 11/2 Cook SOL.
1992Spring Early south 3/1 Lincoln HK, 3/7 Nobles KB; early north 3/28 Otter Tail SDM, 4/12 Becker MO and Kittson MCBS; late south 5/9 Lyon HK, 5/15 Houston KF; late north 5/16 Duluth MH, 5/27 Norman PS.
1992Summer Third summer record for the state; one apparently healthy individual observed on 7/4 at Greenbush Sewage Ponds in Roseau Co. DNe.
1992Fall Early north 10/24 Wilkin EL, 10/30–11/8 Duluth mob; early south 10/18 Anoka fide PB, 11/5 Dakota DM; late south 11/15 Wabasha KB, 11/24 Olmsted JB.
1992Winter Several flocks of up to 100 individuals migrating overhead with Canada Geese and Snow Geese on 12/14 in Marshall, Lyon County HK. Record late date for migration in state.
1993Spring All reports: 4/1 Cottonwood ED, 4/12, 17–18 Big Stone KB, RJ, DN, 4/18 St. Louis (1) AE, 4/20 Washington SK, 5/11 Clearwater DJ.
1993Fall Reported 9/2, 9/30 Aitkin fide WN, 10/14 Red Lake KSS.
1993Winter Reported 12/18 Olmsted JBo.
1994Spring Early south 3/14 Martin BB, 3/18 Cottonwood JBo; early north 3/26 Traverse SDM, 3/27 Lake of the Woods DS; late south 4/1 Big Stone DN, Lincoln DN, Hennepin SC and Stevens AB, 4/3 Rice TF; late north 4/17 Wilkin SDM, 5/15 Roseau PS.
1994Fall Reported 9/10–18 Aitkin (2) WN, 10/2 Carver (47) WM, 10/22 Douglas (20) DN, 11/1 Lac qui Parle AB, 11/19 Olmsted JW.
1994Winter1/21 Hennepin SW
1995Spring Early south 3/11 Dakota County PJ, 3/12 Kandiyohi County RF/JC; early north 3/14–16 Duluth (max. 14) fide KE, 3/31 Clearwater DJ; late south 4/16 Fillmore AB and Traverse PJ; late north 4/14 Cook (4) KMH; peak 3/12 Dakota (22) TT.
1995Fall Reported in three north and eight south counties, plus a second earliest record 9/7 Roseau (2) PS.
1995Winter Late migrant reported 12/9 Kandiyohi RF and earliest migrants on record reported 2/25 Martin (3) BBo.
1996Spring Reported from 22 counties. Early south 3/1 (ties earliest date) Olmsted (10) CK, Cottonwood ED and Jackson JCBC. Peak counts 4/9 Martin (125) BBo, 4/13 Big Stone (200+) WM. Early north 4/7 Wadena PBi, 4/20 Polk DJo, 4/21 Wilkin SDM. Unusual report 5/18 Duluth (1) mob.
1996Fall All reports shown. Early north (median 9/16) 9/22 St. Louis (18) US, 9/28 St. Louis (17) FN, 9/30 Marshall (1) PS. Early south (median 10/12) 8/5–9 Scott RJ, GS (wild?), 8/26 Freeborn ABa (summering? details requested); also reported 10/7 Cottonwood (30) ED, 10/12 Murray RgS. Late north (only report) 11/3 Otter Tail SDM.
1996Winter Late migrant reported 12/7 Olmsted CH.
1997Spring Reported from 21 counties. Peak counts 4/13 Jackson (620) KB; 4/19 Lac qui Parle, Lyon, Lincoln, Big Stone (2,500 combined) PJ, DN. Late south 5/12 Jackson (1) PS, 5/17 Dakota TT, 5/18 Big Stone LE.
1997Fall Reported from six counties. Early south 9/24 Hennepin mob, 9/30 Stearns MJ/DT. Late north 10/29 Traverse KE.
1997Winter Earliest migrants on record reported 2/24 Olmsted (10) DA, BE.
1998Spring Reported from 15 counties. Peak counts 3/26 Lyon (700+) RgS, 4/7 Wilkin (470) KB. Delayed report of early migrants 2/28 Murray RgS (twelve-year median early date 3/10). Early north 3/29 Aitkin (100+).
1998Fall Reported from only six counties, same as last fall. Early south 9/29 Stearns MJ/DT. Unusual report 10/7 Itasca ABo. Late south 11/13 Olmsted RgS, 11/18 Cottonwood ED.
1998Winter Early migrants noted 2/28 Big Stone (7) SDM.
1999Spring Reported from all nine regions. Early south 3/1 and 3/3 Cottonwood ED, 3/14 Rice JL; also see winter report. Early north 3/21 Otter Tail SDM, 3/27–28 Douglas (15) SWa. First county record 4/20 Cass (40) MRN. No unusual late dates except 5/19 Kittson AH, PS, 5/22–23 St. Louis mob. Peak count lower than last spring: 3/27 Freeborn (300) PJ.
1999Summer First summer record since 1992: 7/24 Rock (injured?) KE.
1999Fall Scarce throughout the state. Only north report: 10/14 Aitkin (32) PJ. All south reports: 10/2 Lyon (43) RgS, 10/7 Jackson (30) MJC, 10/23 Chippewa ABo.
1999Winter Overwintered in Otter Tail (Fergus Falls) †SDM, mob. Late south 12/19 Martin (2) EBK. As many as 802 migrants reported from 14 south counties beginning 2/25 Wright (Otsego) KB. Peak 2/28 Lyon (171) RgS.
2000Spring Seen in total of 27 south and 7 north counties. Continuing trend noted in winter season, excellent numbers reported throughout southern regions, including 3/4 Lincoln (1500+) PJ, DN, 3/11 Murray (710) RgS, 3/11 Freeborn (1500) PJ, DN, 3/19 Lac qui Parle (768 in Perry Twp.) PC. First county record 3/3–5 Dodge RJ, JSt. Early north (excluding Otter Tail where one overwintered) 4/1 Traverse CN and Clearwater DJo, 4/2 in three counties. Unusual location 4/27 St. Louis (Whitewater L. near Hoyt Lakes) AE.
2000Summer Mid-summer record: 7/2 Meeker (Boon L.) †DMF.
2000Fall Very scarce. Only north report: 10/15 Norman CMN. Five south reports: 9/23 (second earliest south) Dakota (1) TAT, 10/1 Hennepin (1) PEJ, 10/6 Lac qui Parle (5) BEO, 10/13 Freeborn AEB, and 10/24 Lac qui Parle (6) BEO.
2000Winter None.
2001Spring Seen in 22 south counties, where arrived later than usual (median 3/8) beginning 3/18 Dakota (6) PEJ. Unusual location 5/16–19 St. Louis (40th Avenue West in Duluth) mob, but only two additional reports north: 4/3 Traverse SPM, 5/13 Pennington JMJ. Record high count 4/14 Big Stone (3415) PEJ. Late south 5/20 Rock (Jasper) BRL, 5/29 Hennepin (French L.) SLC.
2001Fall Only north observations: 9/25–27 St. Louis FJN, 10/27–28 Otter Tail DPS, 11/30+ St. Louis DAG, JWL. Apparently healthy and not detected during earlier surveys was one seen 8/19 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) PCC, PHS. No subsequent south reports until 10/9 Rice TFB, 10/12 Lac qui Parle BEO. Late south 11/18 Brown (20) JSS, 11/21 Lac qui Parle (9) PCC.
2001Winter Record late north through 12/9 St. Louis (Duluth) DAG, JWL, PHS et al. (injured, also see fall report). Two reports of late lingering birds south: 12/15–1/11 Martin †BRB and 1/27 Wright DFJ. Total of 675 spring migrants reported in 15 counties. Early north (only date and earliest on record) 2/14–25 Otter Tail (7) JLH. Early south 2/18 Big Stone (5) and Swift (4) SPM, 2/20 Lac qui Parle (1) RBJ, 2/21 Olmsted (6) CBe (previous early date was 2/24). Peak 2/23 Olmsted (150+) RLE, CBe, CRM, Nobles (90) PEJ, and Jackson (190) PEJ.
2002Spring Seen in 34 south and 6 north counties, and in all regions except the North-central. See winter report for first migrants south and north. Late south 5/26 Stearns (St. Martin Twp.) HHD, 5/30 Scott (Spring L.) fide AXH. Late north 5/12 Clay CMN, 5/18 St. Louis m.ob. Many reports of “thousands” in western Minnesota, including 3/29 (8000+ in three Southwest counties) RBJ. Record high count 4/3 Big Stone (10,585) KJB; additional specific counts 4/8 Lincoln (1200 at L. Shaokatan) JEB, RBJ, DDM, 4/9 Otter Tail (1500, Western Twp.) EJE. An article will appear in a future issue about the Spring 2002 goose migration.
2002Summer Three reports: 6/6 Sherburne (Sherburne N.W.R.) RBJ, 6/7 Isanti (no location) fide AXH, 7/3 Stearns (no location) RPR. The proximity of these counties raises the question of whether these sightings were all the same bird.
2002Fall Only north observations: 10/4–11 Lake (3 at Two Harbors) JWL, m.obs., 11/10 Otter Tail DPS. Low numbers (single digits) observed in six south counties. Possibly summering was an apparently healthy individual 9/6 Lac qui Parle (Salt L.) KJB. Only other September report: 9/24 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) BEO. Late south 11/16 Stearns BWF, but also see winter report.
2002Winter Only report 1/8 Martin (Fox Lake) BRB.
2003Spring Seen in 23 south and 4 north counties, and in all regions except the Northeast and the North-central. Early south (median 3/8) 3/13 Freeborn AEB, 3/14–16 in nine counties. Early north 3/23 Traverse and Grant DDM, BJM, 4/3 Traverse (105) KJB. Late south 5/4 Stevens RMD, 5/8 Big Stone (8) BJU. Late north (only May report north) 5/4 Marshall ALE. Peak migration 3/23, including 3206 at H.P.B.C. (seasonal total 4759 individuals) KJB, 2078 in Jackson, Martin and Nobles PEJ, and 1404 in Big Stone, Chippewa, Grant and Traverse DDM, BJM.
2003Fall Scarce throughout the state. Two north reports: 8/18–22 Otter Tail (record-early fall date, near Underwood) EJE, DTT, SMT, 10/17–24 Aitkin (6) PEJ, DFN. Two south reports: 9/20–10/4 Brown (2) BTS, 10/17 Big Stone (5) BJU.
2003Winter All reports: Apparent late migrant on the Rochester CBC (count week). Early migrants 2/28 Nobles (24) and Jackson (105) PEJ, 2/28 Dakota (H.P.B.C.) KJB. Reports of one at Monticello were unconfirmed since some observers reported a domestic goose and others a Greater White-fronted X Canada Goose hybrid (2/7 †ABi).
2004Spring Seen in 30 south and 7 north counties, and in all regions except the Northeast. See winter report for early south migrants. Early north 3/13 Grant SPM, 3/20 Otter Tail EJE. Late south 5/18 Murray JJS, 5/22 Lac qui Parle (6) BJU. Late north 5/16 Beltrami DPJ. Peak counts 3/15 (3115 in Cottonwood and Jackson) KJB, 3/17 (2450 in Lac qui Parle) BJU, 3/21 (5690 in Big Stone, Lac qui Parle, Chippewa, and Swift) BJU. Seasonal total of 1005 at H.P.B.C (peak of 5/9 on 3/26) KJB.
2004Summer A single individual reported 6/26–7/17 Lac qui Parle (Salt Lake) BJU, †JMJ, PHS, PCC (The Loon 77:51–52).
2004Fall Only reports: 10/12 Itasca (41) RBJ, 11/11 Red Lake (25) SAS.
2004Winter All reports: Late migrant 12/8 McLeod (one juvenile, Hutchinson) BTS. Early migrants 2/26 Jackson (113), Nobles (188), Cottonwood (25) PEJ.
2005Spring Seen in 26 south and 9 north counties, and in all regions except the North-central and Northeast. Early south 3/5 Cottonwood BRB, 3/6 in six counties; peaks 3/31 Traverse (5,000 at Mud L.) KJB, 3/6 Jackson (4,050) DFN, PEJ. Early north 3/5 Otter Tail RAE, HHD, then none until peak north concentrations of “thousands” on 3/26 in Grant, Wilkin, Otter Tail and Stevens SPM, HFe. Late south 5/15 Dakota (4) JPM. No north reports after early April.
2005Summer A northbound flock of 43 reported 6/1 Lac qui Parle BJU.
2005Fall All reports: 8/20 (second-earliest south date) Yellow Medicine (apparently healthy bird at Lanners W.M.A.) PHS, 10/4 Dakota fide AXH, 10/13 Wilkin (250) BJU, 11/23 Lac qui Parle (35) BJU.
2005Winter All reports: early migrants 2/25 Martin (32), Jackson (15), Nobles (78), and Cottonwood (30) PEJ, 2/28 Houston (38 near New Albin) FZL.
2006Spring Seen in 28 south and 7 north counties in all regions except the Northeast. Please see winter report for early south migrants; unusually far east was a concentration of >1,500 at Lake Byllesby 3/11 Dakota/Goodhue DWK, ADS, LS. Early north 3/18 Grant HHD, 3/24 Traverse MO (median 3/29). Late south 5/10 Dakota JPM, 5/16 Lac qui Parle BJU and Yellow Medicine WCM. Late north 4/15 Todd (2 at Browerville lagoons) BWF, 4/26 Beltrami RBJ. Record high count 4/4 Traverse (18,200 flying over Mud L.) KJB; this compared well with a two-day count of 18,645 in flooded fields 4/2–3 Traverse. Other notable counts 3/25 Lac qui Parle (9,600) BJU and Cottonwood (6,000) BRB. Leucistic individual 3/30–4/3 Dakota ph. JPM.
2006Fall Found in four north and eight south counties (only four reports last fall). All north reports: 10/6 St. Louis (10) JCG, 10/27–29 Polk (66 at Crookston W.T.P.) PHS, JMJ, 10/30 Traverse BJU, 11/2 Grant (2) RBW. Early south 9/19 Lac qui Parle (36) BJU, 9/30 Dakota DWK. Please see winter report for late south migrants.
2006Winter5 Very late and possibly overwintered 1/12 Lac qui Parle BJU, 1/27 Dakota (2, Vermillion) BAF. Also reported 12/1 Chippewa BJU, 12/3 Washington (Pt. Douglas Park) KRE, 1/1 Olmsted (Silver Lake) JWH.
2007Spring1034 Early south 3/7 Lac qui Parle BJU, 3/9 Brown BTS (median 3/6). Early north 3/17 Otter Tail SPM, 3/23 Mille Lacs NSc (median 3/28). High counts 3/15 Lincoln (2,800) BJU, 3/16 Lac qui Parle (8,120 in Providence Twp. and 3,775 at Borchardt Rosin W.M.A.) BJU, 3/31 Traverse (1,500) JCC. Late south 5/15 (median) Dakota LEC, 5/20 Mower JWH. Only north reports in May were from Northeast: 5/19 Lake ph. JWL and St. Louis TPW.
2007Summer13 Found in Lac qui Parle throughout the season. Also reported 6/5 Douglas KRE, Martin MCBS, 7/11 Swift BJU (same as Lac qui Parle bird?).
2007Fall47 All north reports: 10/17 Marshall (24 at Agassiz N.W.R.) GT, 10/20 Pennington JMJ, 10/21 Clay (13) DWR, 10/26 Douglas PEJ. Early south 10/15–16 Hennepin ADS, m.ob., 10/27 Meeker DMF. Late south 11/26 Waseca JPS, 11/28 Yellow Medicine PME, but also see winter report.
2007Winter1 Only report 12/3 Lac qui Parle (2 adults at Lac qui Parle Lake) BJU.
2008Spring629 Early south (median 3/7) 3/11 Lac qui Parle BJU, Olmsted LAV, 3/12 Chippewa BJU. Early north (median 3/27) 3/19 Otter Tail SPM, 3/21 Traverse MCA. Late south 5/2 Swift BJU, 5/10 Mower ARW (median 5/15). Only north report in May: 5/13+ St. Louis (Duluth) †PHS, SZi, m.ob. High counts 3/15 Jackson (5,500) and Nobles (3,060) PEJ, 3/12 Lac qui Parle (2,350) BJU.
2008Summer1 One lingering spring migrant reported 6/1 St. Louis DBM.
2008Fall13 Only north report: 9/30 St. Louis (7 at H.R.B.O.) KJB. All south reports: 10/11 Meeker DMF, 10/15 Stearns MJB, 10/23–30 Lac qui Parle BJU, 11/17 Meeker (17 on Lake Ripley) DMF.
2008Winter5 Over-wintered Scott. A single bird present 1/1 to early February at Old Mill Pond in Shakopee was joined by a second and possibly a third individual and remained through the month DWK, CMB, PEJ. First migrants reported 2/28 Jackson, Nobles, Murray, Pipestone.
2009Spring540 Early south (median 3/7) 3/1 Pipestone DBM, 3/3 Scott SWe, CRM. All north reports: 3/20 Otter Tail SPM, 4/2 Grant (12) EEO, 4/10 Otter Tail (2,500 in a single field in Aastad Twp.) KRE, 4/11–12 Wilkin LS, 4/18 Clearwater HHD, Polk JMJ. High counts 3/15 Jackson (estimated 10,000 near Sioux Valley and Skunk Lake W.M.A.s), Nobles (3,000) JCC. Late south 5/16 Dakota SWe, 5/17 Stearns RMD, JWH (median 5/15).
2009Summer2 All reports: late spring migrant 6/1 Kandiyohi DBW; early fall migrant 7/26 Lac qui Parle (Garfield Twp., summering?) †PCC.
2009Fall16 Only north report: 9/29 Traverse DBM. All south reports: 8/9–15 Lac qui Parle (present since late July) PCC, 10/11 Meeker DMF, 11/1 Freeborn DAB, JWH, 11/21 Pipestone HHD, 11/22 Waseca DAB, 11/27 Houston BAF.
2010Spring433 Early south 3/7 (median) Fillmore RBW, JWH, 3/12 Olmsted DMA, JWH. All north reports: 3/21 Grant, Traverse HHD, 3/27 Norman JMJ, 3/30 Mille Lacs ASc. High counts 3/18 Houston (3,015), Goodhue (375), Wabasha (375) PEJ. Late south 5/8 Dakota BAF, 5/30 Hennepin HHD (median 5/15).
2010Summer2 Observed 6/10 Lac qui Parle ph. BJU, 6/30 Blue Earth ChH.
2010Fall34 All north 9/25–26 Lake (3, Beaver Bay W.T.P.) DBz, DAB, JWH, 10/2 St. Louis (McQuade public access) MTA, 10/10 Clearwater (Clearbrook W.T.P.) HHD. All south 9/25 Fillmore (12, Forestville S.P.) DAC, RBJ, 10/18 Lac qui Parle (3, Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU, 10/25 Big Stone (Thielke Lake) BJU, 11/14 Lincoln HHD, 11/21 Lac qui Parle (14, Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU.
2010Winter2 All reports: 12/18 Fairmont CBC, 2/15 Lac qui Parle (three small northbound flocks totaling 27 birds, Walter Twp.) ph. BJU, 2/28 Lac qui Parle BJU.
2011Spring739 Early south (median 3/7) 3/11 Brown BTS, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle (400), Swift BJU, 3/13 Nobles, Pipestone HHD, RAE, 3/14 Hennepin m.ob., Jackson DOB, Olmsted JWH, JPr, LAV. All north reports: 3/26 St. Louis (Canal Park; no other details) DED, 4/2–8 OtterTail GO, m.ob., 4/2–10 Traverse (max. 2,000) JoJ, RMD, m.ob., 4/7 Clay RHO, 4/9–10 Grant (max. 9,500) BJU, m.ob., 4/17–18 Kittson LW, TrB. High counts 3/27 Jackson (19,820, record high) PEJ, DFN, 3/26 Cottonwood (10,000, near Talcot W.M.A.) BRB. Late south 5/7 Nicollet KRE, m.ob., 5/17 Lac qui Parle ASc (median 5/15).
2011Fall39 All north 10/18 Polk DBM, 10/19–21 Marshall (6, Warren) HHu, 11/7 Clay (2, Felton Prairie) RHO. Early south (median 10/1) 10/8 Murray (200, high count) GWe, Nobles KRE, m.ob., 10/9 Lac qui Parle (71, Salt Lake) ACr. Please see winter report for late south migrants.
2011Winter7One adult overwintered Blue Earth (Sibley Park, Mankato) 12/28–2/6 AnK. Two January reports 1/6 Jackson (2) and Martin (4) PEJ were probably late migrants, not overwintering. Several reports early to mid-December Lac qui Parle, McLeod, and one 1/31 Lac qui Parle ph. BJU. Returning migrants starting 2/20 Rice (14) TFB with a high count 2/25 Martin (58) PEJ.
2012Spring1348 Early south (median 3/7) 3/3 Rice m.ob., Wabasha DBM, 3/6 in eight counties. Early north (median 3/26) 3/10 Douglas, Grant DBM, 3/12 Traverse BJU. Unusual Northeast reports: 3/13 St. Louis (W.S.H.C., Duluth) PHS, 3/17–18 St. Louis (max. 23, Mud Lake, Duluth) ALo, SSp, JCC, 4/24 St. Louis (near Hibbing) JMa. High counts 3/10 Jackson (5,633) PEJ, DFN, 3/12 Traverse (~4,500) BJU, 3/11 Dakota (~3,600, Lake Byllesby; exceptionally high count for eastern MN) BAF, SHF. Late south 5/19 Blue Earth AnK, ChH, 5/27 Wabasha (injured?) JWH (median 5/15). Late north 5/17 Wadena HHD (median 5/16).
2012Summer22 Found 6/8 Cottonwood RBa, 6/12, 6/13, 6/15 Norman (2) RAE, HHD, 6/17 Scott PEJ, 6/22 Red Lake RBW.
2012Fall515 All north (median arrival 10/4) 9/9 (Duluth lakewalk) St. Louis †PHS, 9/16 Polk SAu, 10/11 Norman ALo, CRM, 10/17 Cook SC, 10/22–11/22 St. Louis (2 juveniles, Bayfront Park, Duluth) ph. DOK, m.ob. Early south (median 10/1) 9/16 Wabasha DBz, 9/29 Rice DAB, ANy, 9/30 Hennepin (40) BAF, Rice GHo. High count 11/22 Murray (45) GWe.
2012Winter13 All reports: 12/1 Big Stone (2, Big Stone Lake) DLP, 12/2–8 Clay (1–2 adults, Moorhead) DWR, PBB, 12/4 Houston NBO, 12/15 McLeod PRH.
2013Spring640 Early south (median 3/7) 3/15 Jackson (155), Nobles (42) PEJ, 3/17 Martin DBz, ANy, 3/18 Rock ANy. Early north (median 3/26) 4/2 Traverse DLP, 4/13 Grant, Traverse RAE, HHD, 4/20 Clay TCL. High counts 4/6 Swift (est. 5,000, near Appleton) WCM, 3/30 Jackson (3,400) PEJ, DFN, 3/29 Lyon (2,500, Cottonwood W.T.P.) GWe. Late south 5/17 Wright ALo, 5/18 Le Sueur ChH, AnK, Stevens DLP (median 5/15). Late north 5/5 Mahnomen RAE, 5/15 Grant WCM, but also see summer report.
2013Summer13 All reports: 6/4 Nobles (1 mi. N of Reading) †DBi, 6/12 Red Lake (Red Lake Falls W.T.P.) ANy, 6/29 Kandiyohi (7 mi. S of county road 7) RAE, 7/20 Scott BAb, GLa, (state highway 19, about 2 mi. W of New Prague) HHD.
2013Fall18 All north 9/5 St. Louis (Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census) KJB, 9/9–19 St. Louis (4, Duluth, Bayfront Festival Park) GrG, m.ob. Early south (median 10/1) 8/15 Scott (injured bird lingering from July) m.ob., 9/5 Freeborn (southeast of Geneva) DBM, 9/7 Cottonwood (Rat Lake) DBM. Late south 11/10 Big Stone DLP, 11/17 Murray GWe (median 12/7).
2013Winter2 All reports: 12/14 Olmsted (below Silver Lake dam, Rochester) CHa, JWH, CH, 2/21 Lac qui Parle DLP.
2014Spring844Early south (median 3/7) 3/9 Jackson (9) and Nobles (45) PEJ, 3/12 Nobles RMD. Early north (median 3/26) 3/14 Traverse DLP, 3/28 Traverse CRM, JMs, 4/5 Clay (21) TCL. High counts 4/5 Cottonwood (7,500) LHl, 3/16 Jackson (6,034) PEJ, DFN, 3/29 Jackson (5,600) PEJ, DFN. Late south 5/6 Sibley BAb, 5/13 Blue Earth (5) ChH, 5/17 Stevens (2) DLP (median 5/15). Late north 4/25 Norman RAE, 5/3 Traverse HHD, 5/23 Clearwater CRM (median 5/16).
2014Summer1All reports: 7/19–30 Stearns (Albany W.T.P.) HHD, †RBo.
2014Fall18 Only north report 11/3 Aitkin (6, Rice Lake N.W.R.) RBJ. Early south (median 10/1) 8/4–6 Hennepin (1, Bloomington) ph. JRg, m.ob., 8/7–26 Stearns (Albany W.T.P.) HCT, m.ob. Late south 10/26 Lyon (3, Cottonwood) GWe, 11/6 Lac qui Parle (4) PEJ, 11/10 Lyon (100, Cottonwood) GWe (median 12/7).
2015Spring1545 Early south (median 3/7) 3/8 Lyon (130) GWe, 3/9 in 9 counties. Early north (median 3/26) 3/13 Traverse (60) MO, 3/14 Clay BPa, Traverse DLP, 3/15 Clay PBB, Polk (4) SAu. High count 3/14 Jackson (4,265) PEJ, DFN. Late south 5/19 Stearns (2) PCC, 5/22 Jackson (2) KJB, 5/23 Yellow Medicine PCC (median 5/15). Late north 4/29 Aitkin (54) JPR, 5/2 Becker (22) ASM (median 5/16).
2015Summer1 One individual seen 6/19, 7/19 Scott (New Prague W.T.P.) †SWe, BAb.
2015Fall218 All north 10/18 Grant (3, North Ottawa Impoundment) DWK, m.ob., 11/4 Traverse DLP. One summered in Scott and was reported 8/1–2 Scott (New Prague W.T.P.) BAb, WPe. Early south (median 10/1) 9/24 Sherburne (2, Sherburne N.W.R.) JGb, 9/29 Lyon (2, Cottonwood) GWe. High count 11/8 Murray (300, flying overhead) GWe. Late south 11/25 Lyon (25, Cottonwood) GWe, 11/27 Hennepin (12) NWa, 11/29 McLeod BHa (median 12/7), but also see winter report.
2015Winter26 Scattered south reports through mid December, then none until 2/6 Kandiyohi (5) MJB. Early returning migrants starting late February, with many reports 2/26–29 from 24 south counties. High counts 2/27 Jackson (8,733) PEJ, Yellow Medicine (4,500) RBJ, Nobles (4,000) PEJ.
2016Spring1447 Many south migrants appeared in February. Early north (median 3/25) 3/7 Traverse DLP, 3/10 Douglas JPE, 3/11 Clay SAu. High counts 3/6 Watonwan (5,900) PEJ, DFN, 3/6 Yellow Medicine (4,000, Miedd Lake) GWe, 3/12 Lac qui Parle (4,000) KeL. Late south 5/21 Brown (2) ChH, APi, Mower SWm, 5/27–31 Nobles (2) KRE, m.ob. (median 5/17). Late north 5/14 Marshall PEB, 5/17 Clay (3) ANy, DBz, 5/19 Norman CRM, m.ob. (median 5/18).
2016Summer11 Found 6/6 St. Louis (Park Point) BeA, 6/16 Sherburne (Sand Prairie W.M.A.) ph. †REr.
2016Fall1125 Significantly more north reports for the fall season than had been reported for the past five years (10 vs. 2–3 counties). Early north (median 10/3) 10/13 Clearwater (3) HHD, RAE, Pennington (3) HHD, RAE, JMJ, 10/13–15 Grant (max. 17) WPl, CNn. Early south (median 9/24) 8/6–24 Carver (Tacoma Ave. fields) ph. JuW, m.ob., 8/12 Big Stone BAb, DOr, 9/26 Hennepin GNu. High counts 11/1 Winona (300, flying overhead, Dresbach Twp.) SHo, 11/7 Cottonwood (250, cumulative of three flocks, Wolf Lake W.P.A.) KEm. Late north 11/8 Grant (20) WPl, Wadena (34) PJB, 11/12 Douglas (23, Lake Osakis) AaL, 11/13 Otter Tail (35) DOr (median 10/27).
2016Winter337 Early December reports from Scott, Pipestone and finally 12/9 Lyon (20) GWe, then none until 2/13 Faribault (WAF). Many reports beginning 2/13 Faribault WAF through the end of the month from a season-record 36 south counties and three north (Grant, Otter Tail, Todd). Seven counts in Jackson and Yellow Medicine were of 2,000 or more, including 2/21 Yellow Medicine (13,000, Miedd Lake) JtH, 2/22 Jackson (7,000, Jerry Schotzko W.P.A.) KEm, 2/20 Yellow Medicine (5,100, Miedd Lake) GWe, and an additional eight reports, from five counties, were of 500 or more.
2017Spring2149 Please see winter report for early south migrants. Early north (median 3/22) 3/1 St. Louis PHS, 3/5 Grant (2) WPl, Traverse (1,450 reported from three locations) KnM. High counts 3/11 Freeborn (10,200) PEJ, 3/10 Lac qui Parle (7,500, Lake Shore Twp.) DOr, 3/19 Swift (6,775, Marsh Lake Dam) KnM. First county record 5/1 Pine (2, Pine City W.T.P.) KrM, HHD. Late south 5/18 Dakota (2) BAF, REn, 5/21 Faribault (3) PEJ, 5/23 Isanti KrM (median 5/17). Late north 5/21 Koochiching RAE, HHD, 5/27 Aitkin ASu, LiH, 5/28 St. Louis JLK (median 5/16).
2017Summer12 Reported 6/8 Hennepin ABL, 6/24 – 7/30 Lac qui Parle (bird with injured wing, Salt Lake) LiH, ASu, m.ob., 7/5–7 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) ebd, CRM, BBi, BHe, CRa.
2017Fall226 All north 10/10 Traverse (max. 33) KnM, DOr, 10/18 – 11/5 Grant (max. 30, North Ottawa) WPl, m.ob. One injured bird summered south through 8/5 Lac qui Parle (Salt Lake) LiH, ASu, m.ob. Early south (median 9/24) 8/12 Watonwan STa, 8/29 Faribault WAF. High counts 10/27 Lyon (300, Marshall) GWe, 10/4 Pipestone (255, Pipestone) KnM, 10/22 Jackson (250, Heron Lake W.M.A.) SEm, KEm, MEm.
2017Winter18 One north report: 12/16 Clay PBB. Four south reports (all singles) through mid December (Faribault, Kandiyohi, Pipestone, Wabasha), then none until 2/27 with four reports including high count Rice (22) TFB.
2018Spring1048 Early south (median 2/28) 3/2 Blue Earth ChH, Cottonwood (2) LHl, Freeborn (20) ASu, Scott JEB, Steele (35) LiH, ASu. Early north (median 3/21) 3/25–28 Traverse DLP, ANy, 3/28 Douglas BEc, Grant (max. 200) WPl, EGa. High count 3/16 Jackson (11, 000) PEJ. Late south 5/28–31 Watonwan KEm, m.ob., 5/30 Big Stone DLP, 5/31 Le Sueur RBW. Late north 5/15 Red Lake DBz, ANy, 5/16 Polk ANy, 5/17 Grant (26) ebd (median 5/16).
2018Summer3 Seen 6/1 Hennepin (Richfield L.) ebd, 6/5 Watonwan (continuing at 320th St. Marsh) RBW, 7/6 Freeborn (125th St.) ph. LiH.
2018Fall413 All north 9/3–18 St. Louis (max. 6, H.R.N.R.) JPR, m.ob., 10/18–11/2 Polk SDi, HHD, 11/2–5 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) MO, LiH, ASu. Up to 3 birds summered in Watonwan south of Madelia through 9/21. Early south migrants (median 9/24) 9/11 Lyon GWe, 9/24 Hennepin MaJ, 9/26 Washington ebd. High count 11/5 Grant (75, North Ottawa Impoundment) LiH, ASu).
2019Spring1247 Early south (median 2/28) 3/8 Martin DWK, 3/9 Dakota FFa, 3/12 Ramsey, followed by reports from 10 other counties on 3/19. Early north (median 3/20) 3/27 Grant (300, North Ottawa Impoundment) MGi, Kanabec HHD, KMa, Traverse DLP, DgM, 3/28 Otter Tail TJa. High counts 3/22 Jackson (15,000) PEJ, 4/2 Lyon (15,000) NMe. Late south 5/28 Ramsey HHD, m.ob., Watonwan STa, 5/29 Dakota IVa (median 5/23). Late north 4/15 Norman (4) REn, AxB, Polk (4) REn, 4/20 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) IVa, 5/4 Clearwater (2) RAE, HHD (median 5/16).
2019Summer3 Observed 6/5 Lyon (Marshall) GWe, 6/9–16 Hennepin (Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis) ADi, m.ob., 7/11 McLeod (Underwood Ave.) BHa.
2019Fall422 All north included periodic reports from the North Ottawa Impoundment in Grant 10/9–11/7 WCM, m.ob., also 10/9 Traverse (4, Reservation Dam W.M.A.) WCM, 10/16 St. Louis (8) H.R.B.O., 11/2 Polk (5) BDo, LiH. Early south (median 9/24) 9/24 Big Stone DLP, 10/7 Lac qui Parle WCM, 10/7 Lyon (Rock Lake) GWe. High count 11/5 Grant (1,300, North Ottawa Impoundment) WCM.
2019Winter12 Two early December reports (singles): 12/4 Martin PEJ, 12/7 Kandiyohi RAE. No others until 2/29, when early migrants were reported from 11 counties in the southwestern quarter of the state, with high counts at three locations in Rock (1,711; 1,160; 1,100) ASu and Nobles (720) PEJ.
2020Spring1352 Please see winter report for early south arrivals. Early north (median 3/20) 3/8 Grant (10) WPl, Traverse DLP, 3/14 Traverse KEm, JWH, 3/20 Otter Tail (400) HeH, ShG, Grant (2) CNn. High counts 3/7 Nobles (6,000, near Bigelow) ASu, EzH, IsH, 3/7 Jackson (5,215) PEJ, DFN. Late south 5/16 Martin JGW, m.ob., 5/16–24 Stearns (max. 2, Albany W.T.P.) DGu, PLJ, PCC (median 5/26). Late north 5/14 Grant (4) WPl, 5/20 Norman JH, 5/29 Otter Tail TFu (median 17).
2020Summer12 Found 6/3 Stevens (Clear Lake) DLP, 7/22 Lac qui Parle (injured wing) DFN, 7/24–30+ Carlton (Forbay L., Jay Cooke S.P.) AVa, RAE, MJB, ebd.
2020Fall723 Early north (median 10/3) 8/1–11 Carlton (adult continuing from July) ebd, PHS, SCB, 10/1 Lake StK, ebd. Early south (median 9/22) 9/25 Steele ebd, 10/6 Olmsted (19, South Landfill Reservoir) MiD, 10/9 Lyon (4) GWe. High counts 11/8 Jackson (400, Heron Lake) ebd, 10/17 Steele (300, Armstrong Wetland Restoration; flyover, counted by tens) NiR, 10/24 Nobles (250, East Graham Lake) BTS. Late north 10/29 Lake JWL, 11/21 Clay (3) TCL (median 10/31). See winter report for late south migrants.
2020Winter11 Early to mid December reports from 11 south counties. Last reported 12/20 Martin BRB. High counts 12/4 Martin (91) PEJ, 12/16 Martin (33) BRB. CBC high counts 12/17 Fairmont (23), 12/19 Jackson County (9), 12/20 Murray County (5).
2021Spring1851 Early south (median 2/28) 3/2 Cottonwood (50, Wolf Lake W.P.A.) KEm, 3/3 Meeker (20) BNn, 3/4 Lac qui Parle DLP, Watonwan (40) KEm. Early north 3/7 Clay (5) PBB, Otter Tail ANy, Grant CnN, Traverse (360) ebd, DLP, AaL, CLu. High counts 3/13 Big Stone (12,000, Correll Access) FFa, ebd, 3/12 Redwood/Yellow Medicine (10,000, Timm Lake) MiO, BTS. Late south 5/22 Lyon GWe, 5/23 Sibley KEm, JWH, ASu, 5/28 Jackson KEm, JWH (median 5/30). Late north 5/23 Mahnomen (2) BAb, RLF, REn, 5/26 Clearwater ANy, DBz, 5/29 Otter Tail ebd (median 5/17).
2021Summer22 Observed 6/1 Dakota (Lebanon Hills R.P.) MwT, 6/7 Clearwater (Gonvick) SDz, 6/7 Redwood (Morgan W.T.P.) JSc, 6/17 Traverse (possible injured wing) DLP.
2021Fall721 Early north (median 10/5) 9/23 St. Louis JLK, 10/3 Pennington (5) DvP, 10/14 Grant (75) PEJ. Early south (median 9/22) 8/21–28 Stevens GWe, BWe, TWe, 9/19 Carver ANy, TWe. High counts 10/18 Grant (310, North Ottawa Impoundment, counted by fives) ebd, 10/22 Lyon (300, near Balaton) GWe. Late north 11/3 Otter Tail (6, Parker’s Prairie) BEc, Traverse (5) RAE, 11/15 Polk TJJ, 11/20 Otter Tail (39, Otter Tail Prairie S.N.A.) AaL, MtS, CLu (median 11/2). See winter report for late south migrants.
2021Winter6 Scattered reports through mid December of 1–5 birds from five south counties; last reported 12/18 Jackson KDS. No other reports until 2/28 Chippewa (34, early spring migrants) WCM. CBC high count 12/14 (9) Fairmont.
 
 Migrant mostly south and west.

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.