The Loon, journal of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union.
The last 2 years are available to MOU members.
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Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon - Gulls, Terns | 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 |
| Species: Gulls, Terns |
| Herring Gull(Larus argentatus) | ||||
| Year | Season | N | S | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Summer | Several nests of the Herring Gull containing from one to three eggs, were found by Gustav Swanson along the North Shore of Lake Superior on May 1Oth. The -writer found a nest of this species north of Two Harbors on June 14th; contents two eggs. | ||
| 1932 | Summer | On July 12 at lmchor Islands in Rainy Lake, Swanson found a colony of about 150 nests of this species. Sone had eggs (1 to 3), but in nost the young had hatched llnd were tu,nning abrut. Sone you."'1g wore already on -24-The Flicker, 1932 the wing. On Julx 8th near Two Harbors, Hr. Swedenborg found one downy young and two young about 1/3rd grOl-m. | ||
| 1933 | Summer | Fryklund visited the colony on Gull Rock, Lake;~ of the Woods, on May 20th, when there were n31 nests, with 1 to 3 eggs, 'With exception of one set with 4 eggs11, and adds that from a few of the larger sets collected he found all the eggs fresh. Swedenborg investigated a colony northeast of Two Harbors: on June 17th. He found nests with 3 eggs, 2 eggs, 1 egg and you~g, and young in various stages of development. 1/0ne nest in this colony still held three eggs on June 25th." The Flicker, 1933 | ||
| 1934 | Summer | P. o. Fryklund found JO nests of this beautiful scavenger on May 19th, when he visited GUll nock on Lake of the Woods. They held from 1 to 4 eggs, the average being J. Of a few eggs collected, all were fresh. Exactly a month later Dobie visited this colony and found both eggs and young. Only 15 nests were in use at that time. Mr. and Mrs. Swedenborg reported nests from Two Harbors, Lake County, on June 17th, and four days later, with Dr. Prosser, they found these Gulls nesting near Grand Marais. | ||
| 1935 | Summer | Sl.-ranson, who gets around the state more than the other Bird Blubbers, 1vas on hand at Lake Superior Nay 21st to find 20 nests with 1 egg, 11 with 2 eggs, ru1d 12 with 3 eggs. On June 25th, Prosser and Swedwnborg wore on Lake Superior near Grand Marais, Cook County. There they found 11 nests with 3 eggs, 3 with 1 egg, and 1 with 1 egg. Upson visited Beaver Bay on Lake Suporior, July 9th -13th. He noted adults feeding large, dark young, all 9f which were out of the nest and some of which could fly. | ||
| 1936 | Summer | Dr. E. D. Swedenborg reports eleven nests found near Grand Marais on June 23rd. Five nests held three eggs each, fi'V'e containing two eggs each, and one.nest held one egg. On July 10th Alden Risser and party saw small young at Crooked Lake. 33 -The Flicker, 1936 | ||
| 1938 | Summer | Prosser and Swedenborg saw nests on rocky islands in Lake Vermillion on June 10. At Lake of the Woods (Gull Rock) on June 7, G. Swanson found many young but only a few nests with eggs. · | ||
| 1940 | Summer | Mr. and Mrs. K. Carlander caught and banded 23 young birds on June 30, at Gull Rock, Lake of the Woods. In the middle of June an adult female, whic~ had cared for a brood of 7 young, was kil!ecl by accident at Lake Kabetogama. Six of the young were transported to Sand Lake, Minnesota where the author saw them on July I. They all survived. Lakela, Graybeal, Elwell, Maher, and Hero saw three young on July 3 at Silver Cliff, Lake Superior. | ||
| 1945 | Summer | 132 nests containing 329 eggs and 30 young, Beaver Island, Lake Superior, May 26, Olga Lakela, Evelyn Jones; 146 nests, 327 eggs besides young, May 24, Lake Superior on Pancake Island, Olga Lakela, Mary I. JDlwell. | ||
| 1945 | Winter | Present every winter in the Lake Superior region (Dr. Lakela) ; also in the Twin City region until the annual freeze-up. | ||
| 1946 | Summer | 93 nests (total of 16 eggs, 82 young), June 4, Knife Is., Lake Superior, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Boeder, and Mr. and Mrs. Joel Broenel; 2 eggs, June 5, St. Louis Co., Bro. Hubert; 135 nests (58 eggs, 44 young), June 22, Beaver Island, Lakela; 21 nests (17 eggs, 12 young), June 22, Mattson's Island, Lakela. | ||
| 1947 | Summer | 93 nests, 73 young, 9 dead, 16 eggs, June 4, Knife Island, Lake Superior, Boeder and Bronoel; 135 nests, 40 young, 4 dead, 58 eggs, June 22, Beaver Island, Lake Superior, Northup, Roberts, Elwell, and Lakela; 21 nests, 11 young, 1 dead, 17 eggs, June 22, Mattesons' Island, Lake Superior, Northup, Roberts, Elwell, and Lakela. | ||
| 1962 | Winter | The usual wintering population along the North Shore fluctuated in numbers this winter in direct accord with open water conditions. Most interesting record was one adult seen at Silver Lake, Rochester on Jan 19 by Avifaunal Club. | ||
| 1963 | Summer | Lake Co., Knife Island, June 12, 425 banded, Jan Green, P. B. Hofslund, et al. | ||
| 1964 | Summer | breeding in Cook (AEA) and St. Louis (HM, DM) Oounties. | ||
| 1964 | Winter | 2 at Rochester until last week of Dec, DP, RLH; usual wintering flock at Knife River, Lake Co; peak ob· served there on 1-3, about 800, JCG. | ||
| 1965 | Winter | Lake Superior: all winter -Lake Co., (6-800) until lake froze in late Jan., (10-50) after that, fewest in many years, no commercial fishing to attract them; Grand Marais, Cook Co. June, 1966 12/9 (500), 2/12 (42), JCG. North: early wanderers, 2/26 (3), Gunflint Lake, Cook Co., HH, not seen again. Central: hundreds until freeze-up on Mpls. lakes, 12/19; last on rivers, 1/5, Ramsey, DAB and Dakota, EMB; first wanderer, 2/19 (1 adult), Ramsey, WL. South: hundreds along the Mississippi until 1/1 (200), Goodhue, RG; greatest number 12/18 (1000), Wabasha, DGM; Xmas Counts, 12/29 (31), Wabasha and 1/2 (11), Winona; last, 1/4 (6), Wabasha, DGM and | ||
| 1966 | Summer | nested in Mille Lacs, Stearns and St. Louis Co's; also reported from Roseau, Lake, Cook, Murray and Crow Wing Co's. | ||
| 1966 | Winter | reported from Lake, Cook, St. Louis, Hennepin, Dakota, Wabasha and Winona Co's; largest number reported was 800+ at Knife River on 1-28 by RPR. | ||
| 1967 | Spring | early 3-20 Nobles Co., 4, HSH; 3-24 Houston Co., 17, FL and Rice Co., OAR; 3-25 Lake Vermilion, St. Louis Co., MMP and Lac qui Parle Co., JAH. | ||
| 1967 | Summer | nested in Cook Co.; also reported from Lake, Washington, St. Louis, Crow Wing, Wabasha, Nobles, Cottonwood Co's. | ||
| 1967 | Winter | reported from Dakota, St. Louis, Lake, Cook, Hennepin, Goodhue, Wabasha and Ramsey Co's. | ||
| 1968 | Summer | nested at Mille Lacs Lk, NMH; also reported from Lyon, Lake, Clay, Cook, St. Louis, Nobles, Washington, Pope, Carlton, Crow Wing Co's. | ||
| 1968 | Fall | 10-2 Cottonwood (Mountain Lake) 1,000 in mixed flock LAF; 10-25 Ramsey 300+ MO; late north 11-23 Mille Lacs MSB; 11-30 Lake (Two Harbors) MC; late south 11-24 Hennepin (Lake Harriet) FNIMAS; 11-30 Washington WHL. | ||
| 1968 | Winter | Last 12-7 Hennepin (Minneapolis) CLH, VL; all winter Lake Superior. | ||
| 1969 | Spring | 3-19 Nobles Co., HSH, and Mpls., EMB; 3-22 Goodhue Co., EIS; 4-5 (20) Chisago Co., FVS, St. Louis Co., NJH, and Mille Lacs Co., MI; 4-20 (15) Washington Co., DS; 422 Hibbing, HM; 5-3 Kanabec Co., RHJ; 5-24 (10+) Roseau Co., EIS; 5-25 Washington Co., DS. | ||
| 1969 | Summer | reported from St. Louis, Cook, Lake, Wright, Mille Lacs, and Nobles Co's. | ||
| 1969 | Fall | 11-4 Winona 60 BTV; 11-8 Ramsey 8+ RHJ; 11-10 Pope 5 WH; 11-29 Hennepin 50+ ETS; 11-30 Wabasha 10 DG M. | ||
| 1969 | Winter | Last South on 12-27 (6) Ramsey BL; 1-6 Dakota EMB. Wintered on Lake Superior (maximum count, 500, 1-11, Lake, JCG). | ||
| 1970 | Spring | early south 3-3 Nobles HH; 3-22 Wabasha KE, PE, TV; 3-23 Dakota RG; early north 4-1 St. Louis NH; 4-5 Beltrami JM. | ||
| 1970 | Summer | n~sted in St. Louis and Mille Lacs Co's. (2 nests on Mille Lacs, Ml}. Also reported from Pope, Lake, Beltrami, and Cook Co's. | ||
| 1970 | Fall | late 11·7 Wright PF; 11·15 Wright ES; 11-30 Hennepin ES; peak 11·7 Duluth (3000) )G. | ||
| 1970 | Winter | last South 12-6 (25) Wabasha BTV, 12-8 (6) Dakota RC; one, Black Dog, Dakota Co. 12-26 (HFH) 1-1 (RBJ, RG) 2-20 (RBJ); peak wintering counts Lake Superior 12-1 3 (700) Eagles Nest Lake, rural Duluth, 1-16 (400) Knife River, 1-24 (175) Grand Marais, JCG, 2-17 (125) Duluth city dump MMC. | ||
| 1971 | Spring | early south 3-14 Wabasha KE, PE and Dakota KJG; 3-28 Houston FL; early north 3-31 Crow Wing JB; 4-4 St. Louis NJH. | ||
| 1971 | Summer | nested in Cook; also reported from St. Louis, Pope, Marshall, Beltrami, Wright, Houston and Roseau. | ||
| 1971 | Fall | late south 11-14 Cottonwood; 11-27 Hennipen; 11-28 Dakota; late north 11-27 Crow Wing; 11-29 Douglas; peak 11-12 Duluth (3000) JG. | ||
| 1971 | Winter | migrants 1-1 Ramsey JAB; 1-1, 2-13 Dakota VL; 1-2 (2) Dakota RG. Lake Superior: 12-6 (400) Duluth: mid-Dec. to mid-Jan. (100-150), mid-Jan. to mid-Feb. (50) Duluth- Two Harbors area; 2-27 (200) Two Harbors; 1-30 (130) Grand Marais. Rina-billed Gull: 12-5 Dakota KRE; 12·6 Duluth JCG: 12-5 (200), 12-11 Wabasha DGM; 12-12 Henne pin VL. Mournina Dove: North last. 12-30 Cook Co. K. Carr; all winter, 12-1 -2-18 Duluth MMC. South all winter, reported by 23 neoplP. in 17 counties; nsuallv 1 or 2; largest number: 15 three places in Twin Cities and 46 on one farm (12-19 Sherburne). | ||
| 1972 | Summer | nested in N. St. Louis; seen also in S. St. Louis, Lake, Cook, Mille Lacs, Pope (6-4HCK), Cottonwood (7-22 Mrs. LAF), Ramsey (REH), Hennepin (EWM). | ||
| 1972 | Winter | Migrants (3) Read's Landing FZL; 12-31 Rochester JAB. Lake Superior: 12-17 (142) Duluth; 12-27 (150) Grand Marais; 12-28 (175) Silver Bay; 1-9 (200) Grand Marais; 1-10 (100) Knife River; 1-27 (25) Cook Co.; 2-24 (200) Lake Co. | ||
| 1973 | Summer | Nested in St. Louis; seen also in Lake, Cook, Itasca, Aitkin, Mille Lacs, Washington, Dakota, Winona, & Lac qui Parle. ICELAND OR THAYER'S GULL 6-5 St. Louis (Stony Pt. MMC). | ||
| 1973 | Fall | Reported from 11 counties. Peak 11-5, 11-17 St. Louis (2000) (JCG, RBJ). Late 11-26 Anoka (SC). | ||
| 1973 | Winter | Not as common on L. Superior as in most winters; also seen on the Bloomington, St. Paul and Hastings Christmas Counts; also on 12-3 in Scott (RH) and Anoka (SC). | ||
| 1974 | Spring | Early south 3-1 Houston FL; 3-3 Wabasha DWM; 3-3 Dakota DR; early north 3-2 St. Louis GJN; 3-10 St. Louis BH. | ||
| 1974 | Summer | Nested in St. Louis and Lake; also reported from Cook, and non-breeding birds and migrants seen in Aitkin, Mille Lacs, Pope, Washington, Dakota, Goodhue. | ||
| 1974 | Fall | Peak 9-3 Duluth (3000) MMC. | ||
| 1974 | Winter | Seen in Cook, Lake and St. Louis Co's on Lake Superior as usual, but migrants also lingered inland on the Minneapolis, St. Paul (152), St. Paul N.E., and Bloomington (311) Christmas Counts; last seen 1-8 Dakota (RG). | ||
| 1975 | Spring | Early south 3-1 Dakota BDC; 3-21 Dakota RAG; early north 3-4 Cook MMC; 3-14 Cook ETS; 4-10 St. Louis GJN. | ||
| 1975 | Summer | Nested in Lake, St. Louis (DM) and Mille Lacs (6-24, Hennepin I., NH); also reported from Cass, Itasca, Cook and Washington (7-14 to 19, WL; early migrants?). | ||
| 1975 | Fall | late north away from Lake Superior 11-9 Ottertail LCF; 11/7 Mille Lacs Ml; late south 11·26 Hennepin CH; 11-30 Wabasha DWM; peak 11-29 Cook (2000) RJ, JG, PE. | ||
| 1975 | Winter | down in numbers in all 3 Lake Superior counties; apparently overwintered at Black Dog L., Dakota Co.; lingered until 1-1 in Washington and Ramsey Co's (Afton Christmas Count, RH); late fall and early spring migrants in Wabasha Co. on 12-6 and 2-26 (WDM, RL). | ||
| 1976 | Spring | Early south 3-14 Wabasha WM; 3-19 Rice OR; 3-20 Swift RBJ; early north 3-29 St. Louis NJH; 4-1 Mille Lacs MI. | ||
| 1976 | Summer | nesting in St. Louis and Lake; also reported from Cook. Cass, Mille Lacs, Itasca, Pope (late migrants at Glenwood, BSH), Washington (WL) and Lyon (7-15, 2nd year imm., JG). | ||
| 1976 | Fall | Late north 11-7 Otter Tail, 11-14 Crow Wing; late south 11-26 Washington, 11-28 Big Stone, 11-30 Ramsey. | ||
| 1977 | Spring | Early south 3-5 Dakota SH; 3-6 Dakota DGW; 3-12 Freeborn RK and Washington LF; early north 3-22 St. Louis KLF; 3-24 St. Louis HPD; 3-25 St. Louis MH and Crow Wing DK. | ||
| 1977 | Summer | Nested in St. Louis, Lake and Cook; also reported from Lake of the Woods and Roseau. | ||
| 1977 | Winter | Overwintered on L. Superior and at Black Dog L.; also December sight- ings from Big Stone, Hennepin, Wabasha, Houston and Mower. | ||
| 1978 | Summer | Breeding reported from Cook, Lake, St. Louis (Duluth harbor, 23 pair, GN); also seen in Big Stone, Marshall, Otter Tail, Roseau, Beltrami, Anoka. | ||
| 1978 | Fall | Late north 10-30 Itasca MS and 1031 St. Louis RJ (1,000+); late south 11-25 Wabasha OJ, 11-26 Black Dog RJ (300+ ). | ||
| 1978 | Winter | Fewer than normal wintered on L. Superior (only 2 were seen at Grand Marais on the, M. 0. U. trip!); also seen 12-5 Olmsted (VH) and 2-19 Goodhue (WL). | ||
| 1979 | Spring | Early south 3-6 Wabasha DWM, 3-17 Dakota RE, Goodhue DGW, Wabasha RJ; early north 4-2 Bemidji JM, 4-4 Traverse SM. | ||
| 1979 | Summer | Breeding reported from Cook, Lake, St. Louis, Mille Lacs; also reported from Itasca, Lac qui Parle, Dakota, Wabasha. | ||
| 1979 | Fall | Reported from these counties: Cass, Cook, Beltrami, Hennepin, Itasca, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Ramsey, Stearns, Wabasha, Washington. Tha,yer's Gull Three reports 11-17 St. Louis KE, JG, 11-20 St. Louis JG. | ||
| 1979 | Winter | Down in numbers in the three Lake Superior counties. Also reported from Sherburne, Hennepin, Washington, Dakota, Ramsey and Wabasha. | ||
| 1980 | Spring | 3-1 to 4-26 reported from 16 counties. | ||
| 1980 | Summer | Breeding reported in Lake, St. Louis; also seen in Cook, Pine, Chisago, Anoka, Aitkin, Crow Wing, Itasca, Beltrami. | ||
| 1980 | Fall | Reported from 18 counties. Late north 11-30 St. Louis LW. | ||
| 1980 | Winter | Reported from Cook, Lake, St. Louis (absent from Duluth from mid January to mid February. Reported also from Anoka, Ramsey, Dakota, Swift, Wabasha and Houston. | ||
| 1981 | Spring | Reported from 14 south counties and 12 north counties. | ||
| 1981 | Summer | Breeding data from Cook, Lake, St. Louis, Lake of the Woods. Scattered reports in the North plus Pope, Washington. | ||
| 1981 | Fall | Reported from 29 counties. Late north 11-28 Itasca TL. | ||
| 1981 | Winter | Late inland north migrants in Itasca 12-16 fide (TL) and Mille Lacs 12-5 (KL). Lake Superior reports from Grand Marais, Cook County until 1-27 and 2-17 on (KMH); Lake 1-11 and 2-20 (SWMS) and Duluth where there were 552 on the CBC, 300 at the dump until 1-9 and returning showed up on 2-23 (KE). migrants | ||
| 1982 | Summer | Breeding data from Cook, Lake, St. Louis. Seen in 11 other counties including Washington (WHL), Ramsey (OLJ). | ||
| 1982 | Fall | Reported from 12 north and eight south counties. | ||
| 1982 | Winter | Late north migrants inland from Lake Superior were recorded on 12/5 in Hubbard (JP), Crow Wing and Mille Lacs (PKL). In the Twin Cities area and the SE late migrants remained until 12-25. Spring migrants returned to theSE on 2/12, Wabasha, (JB, BE) and the Twin Cities area on 2/13, Dakota (MW). On Lake Superior 681 were recorded on the Duluth CBC, 50+ overwintered in Lake and 200 in Cook. Returning migrants increased the Cook Co. numbers to 500 by late Feb. (KMH). | ||
| 1983 | Spring | Reported from 16 counties south, 12 north. | ||
| 1983 | Summer | Breeding data from Mille Lacs, Lake, Lake of the Woods. Also seen in Goodhue, Washington, St. Louis, Cook. | ||
| 1983 | Fall | Reported from nine north and eight south counties. | ||
| 1983 | Winter | Overwintered in Cook and absent in Duluth from late December until 2-12. One in Lake on 1-1 (SWMS). In the south, December migrants lingered until the St. Paul CBC and spring migrants returned to Dakota on 2-21 (RG) and Wabasha 2-25 (KL). | ||
| 1984 | Spring | Reported from eleven north and 15 south counties. | ||
| 1984 | Summer | nested in Cook, Lake and St. Louis; also seen in Koochiching, Roseau, Lake of the Woods, Beltrami, Stearns and Anoka. | ||
| 1984 | Fall | Reported from nine north and eight south counties. | ||
| 1984 | Winter | Late inland north in Koochiching 12-2 (KL). Along Lake Superior they were absent from late January and February in Cook (KMH) and present in Lake until 1-8 (SWMS) and in St. Louis until early Jan. (KE). Two in Duluth on 2-9 (KE) may have been early migrants. Late December migrants remained in the Twin Cities until 12-4 (500) (SC) and in Houston until 12/5 (33) (FL). | ||
| 1985 | Spring | Reported from ten north and 17 south counties. | ||
| 1985 | Summer | Nested in Cook, Lake, St. Louis. Also seen in Cass, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Roseau, Wilkin, Hennepin, Nicollet, Cottonwood. | ||
| 1985 | Fall | Reported from seven north and eight south cqunties. | ||
| 1985 | Winter | The only non-Lake Superior report was from Dakota, 17 on 12/8 (TI). Along the Lake they overwintered in Grand Marais but were quite scarce by late February. In Duluth most left by early December with the last on 1/9 (KE). | ||
| 1986 | Spring | Reported from ten north and 18 south counties. | ||
| 1986 | Summer | Nested in Cook, Lake, St. Louis, Koochiching (FS). Also seen in Lake of the Woods, Beltrami, Itasca, Hubbard, Todd, Pope, Freeborn (6/2, NHo). | ||
| 1986 | Fall | Reported from seven north and nine south counties. | ||
| 1986 | Winter | Seven reports of migrants in the Twin Cities area with the last on III (AB,TT). Returning migrants in Houston 2/28 (FL) and Ramsey 2/27 (TT). In the northeast up to 500 were present in Duluth (KE) and 100 + overwintered in Grand Marais (KMH). For a detailed discussion of this and the following gull species in the Duluth area see The Loon 59: 100-101. | ||
| 1987 | Spring | Reported from 15 north and 21 south counties . | ||
| 1987 | Summer | Nested in Cook, Lake, Lake of the Woods. Also seen in St. Louis, Koochiching, Beltrami , Wilkin, Todd, Washington, Wabasha. | ||
| 1987 | Fall | Reported from II north and ten south counties. | ||
| 1987 | Winter | A late migrant in Lake of the Woods on 12/3 (KL). Overwintered in Grand Marais, Cook Co., but scarce in February (KMH). CBC reports include Grand Marais (274), Duluth (745), St. Paul (96) and Winona (22). Also reported in December in Anoka, Houston and Dakota counties and an additional Dakota report on 1/19 (2, TT). | ||
| 1988 | Spring | Reported from 13 north and 18 south counties . | ||
| 1988 | Summer | Nested in Duluth, Cook. Also seen in Roseau, Lake of the Woods, Koochiching, Lake, Hubbard, Todd, Stearns, Swift. | ||
| 1988 | Fall | Reported from nine north and 12 south counties. | ||
| 1988 | Winter | Recorded on the Grand Marais, Duluth and St. Paul CBCs. Present throughout the period on Lake Superior. In the Twin Cities a high count of 2,500 in Hennepin 12/5 SC, and last recorded in Ramsey on 12/23 RJ. Farther south in Wabasha they remained until 12/24 WDM. | ||
| 1989 | Spring | Reported from 15 north and 21 south counties. | ||
| 1989 | Summer | More reports than in recent years. Nested in Cook; seen in 14 other counties in all regions except central, southwest, south central. Only reports; 7/27 Dakota and SABINE'S GULL Washington. | ||
| 1989 | Fall | Reported from eight north and ten south counties. | ||
| 1989 | Winter | Recorded on the Duluth, St. Paul, and Hastings-Etter CBCs. Overwintered on Lake Superior in St. Louis. Late migrants in Hennepin 12/12 SC and Wabasha 12/3 CS. Early arrivals in Houston and Dakota by 2/7 and Hovland, Cook Co. by 2/26. | ||
| 1990 | Spring | Reported from 15 north and 20 south counties . | ||
| 1990 | Summer | Seen in Lake of the Woods, Beltrami, Koochiching, St. Louis, Lake, Cook, Cass, Morrison, Carver, Goodhue. | ||
| 1990 | Fall | Reported from 12 north and nine south counties. | ||
| 1990 | Winter | Overwintered on L. Superior in Cook and St. Louis (a few); recorded on the Carlton CBC with December records from Mille Lacs L. in Crow Wing and Aitkin, Sherburne, Wright, Hennepin, Dakota, Anoka, Wabasha, Rice and Winona. | ||
| 1991 | Spring | Reported from 18 north and 22 south counties. | ||
| 1991 | Summer | Probable nesting in Cook; seen in seven other counties in northeast and north central plus Roseau. | ||
| 1991 | Fall | Reported from 11 north and 13 south counties. | ||
| 1991 | Winter | CBC counts of 1 on Bloomington, 1 on Rochester, 34 on St Paul, 37 on Duluth and 220 on Grand Marais. Overwintered in Cook at Grand Marais, and in Lake at Knife River (but most individuals apparently wintering in Superior, WI). Seen in Ramsey until 1/3 KB, and in Olmsted from 12/14–1/18 BSE & 2/11 KB (injured). Returning migrants in Hennepin 2/18 KB (earliest migrant on record) and in Dakota, Goodhue, and Wabasha on 2/29 mob. | ||
| 1992 | Spring | Reported from 18 south and 20 north counties. | ||
| 1992 | Summer | Observed in seven northern counties plus Wright, Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota. | ||
| 1992 | Fall | Reported from 9 counties north and 13 counties south. | ||
| 1992 | Winter | Overwintered along the North Shore in Cook, Lake and St. Louis (but number unknown). Thousands still present 12/4 Lake Pepin, Goodhue/Wabasha KB, and last seen in southeast on the La Crosse, Rochester, and Winona CBCs. In the Twin Cities area, peak of 2,000 on 12/11 at Lakes Calhoun/Harriet, Hennepin Co. KB, and last seen there 12/22 SC. The 450 at Black Dog Lake, Dakota Co. present 12/22 KB reduced to only 3 by 1/5. One lingered at Black Dog Lake until 2/5 RJ et al., but apparently did not overwinter. Also present in mid-winter 1/22 Colville Park, Goodhue Co. (six) TBe. | ||
| 1993 | Spring | Reported from many north and 17 south counties. | ||
| 1993 | Summer | Nested in Lake of the Woods; observed in eight other northern counties plus Hennepin, Carver, Cottonwood. | ||
| 1993 | Fall | Reported from five north and 14 south counties. | ||
| 1993 | Winter | Overwintered along the North Shore in St. Louis and Cook but scarce in late Jan. in Cook. In the Twin Cities area, peak of 4,000 at Lakes Calhoun/Harriet, 12/4–9 Hennepin KB, and last seen there 12/23 SC. The 1,000 at Black Dog Lake, 12/22–24 Dakota KB reduced to only 1 by 1/4. Late migrants also noted 12/13 Winona CS, 12/17 Rice TBo, 12/19 Wabasha WDM. Early migrants noted 2/19 Winona TBr and 2/19 Dakota TT. | ||
| 1994 | Spring | Reported from 13 north and 21 south counties. | ||
| 1994 | Summer | Probable nesting in Roseau; observed in 12 other counties as far south as Cottonwood, Winona. | ||
| 1994 | Fall | Reported from six north and five south counties. | ||
| 1994 | Winter | Overwintered on Lake Superior in St. Louis, Lake and Cook counties. Late north migrants reported 12/3 Cass and Crow Wing PKL. December migrants noted in eight counties south, with many using the Mississippi River in St. Paul where 1,160 recorded on St. Paul CBC. Still 50+ on 1/2 Dakota TT. At least one bird lingered through late January at Black Dog Lake, Dakota Co., but there were no February reports. | ||
| 1995 | Spring | Reported from 15 south and 14 north counties. Early north 3/12–13 Koochiching SLM, GM. | ||
| 1995 | Summer | Nested in St. Louis; seen in eight additional northern counties plus Lac qui Parle, Washington, Jackson. | ||
| 1995 | Fall | Reported from 11 north and 11 south counties. | ||
| 1995 | Winter | Present along Lake Superior in December and January but by early February these birds were almost entirely gone. Peak of 3,000–4,000 noted on 12/2 at Black Dog Lake, Dakota Co. BF, and last reported in Twin Cities on 1/2 Dakota KB. Early migrant noted 2/23 Winona CS. | ||
| 1996 | Spring | Reported from 19 south and 14 north counties. Early south 3/12 Waseca JZ. Early north 3/29 Cook OSL. | ||
| 1996 | Summer | Nested in St. Louis; also seen in Koochiching, Cook, Itasca, Hubbard, Crow Wing, Carlton, Isanti, Hennepin, Cottonwood. | ||
| 1996 | Fall | Reported from 11 counties north and 12 south. | ||
| 1996 | Winter | Peak of 3,600 noted 12/1 Grand Marais, Cook Co. PS, and last reported on the North Shore 1/8 Cook AH. Twin Cities peak only 1,815 on 12/2 Black Dog Lake, Dakota Co. KB; last reported in south 12/21–28 on the St. Paul, Bloomington and Winona CBCs. Possible early migrants noted 2/22 Silver Bay, Lake Co. (2) SL. | ||
| 1997 | Spring | Reported from 18 south and 15 north counties. Early south 3/11 Renville KB. Early north 3/11 St. Louis NJ. Peak 3/29 Koochiching (1,200) PS. | ||
| 1997 | Summer | Seen in 15 counties in all regions except south central. | ||
| 1997 | Fall | Late north 11/8 Beltrami DJo, 11/20 Cook KMH, 11/22 Aitkin WN. Late south 11/30 Hennepin SC and Ramsey DS. High count of 5,000+ on 11/20 Cook (Grand Marais) KMH. | ||
| 1997 | Winter | Overwintered along the North Shore of Lake Superior. May have also overwintered in the Twin Cities (would be first time ever) since reported as late as 1/18 Dakota DN and as early as 1/31 Washington KB, but it is unknown if the same individuals remained throughout the season. The buildup of migrants on the St. Croix River at Point Douglas, Washington Co. steadily climbed from six birds on 1/31 to 100 on 2/16, and then 500 by 2/27 (KB). Unusually widespread in December, with a CBC total of 2,397. There were still 1,500 present 1/1 Dakota KB. | ||
| 1998 | Spring | Reported from 18 counties in the south. Unusually high numbers reported in the Twin Cities area for the spring; KB reported at least 1,000 individuals on 3/7 at Spring Lake and again on 4/9 at Pine Bend Landfill, both Dakota Co. | ||
| 1998 | Summer | Probable nesting in Cook; seen in ten other counties scattered statewide. | ||
| 1998 | Fall | See winter report for late north migrants. Peak count 10/14 St. Louis (2,888) KB. | ||
| 1998 | Winter | Reported from a total of 21 counties. Overwintered in Cook, Lake, and St. Louis. Late north (away from Lake Superior) 12/13 Otter Tail SDM, 12/17 Clay RO, and 12/17 Aitkin CMG. Late south 1/1 Hennepin SC, and 1/3 Dakota mob. CBC total 1,088. Peak 12/26 Dakota (1,200) KB. Early south 2/10 Olmsted BBr, 2/15 Winona RJ, 2/20 Ramsey (4) BL, 2/27 Anoka SC. | ||
| 1999 | Spring | See winter report for early south migrants. Few north reports except for the northeast region, where this species overwinters on L. Superior. | ||
| 1999 | Summer | Few reports. 562 nests at ten sites in Susie Island archipelago near Grand Portage JMc, and about 20 pairs at Silver Creek Cliff colony JLi; also observed in St. Louis, Lake of the Woods, Beltrami, Grant, Cottonwood, Goodhue. | ||
| 1999 | Fall | Reported from 7 north and 18 south counties. Peak counts 11/15 and 11/21 Cook (3,000+ in Grand Marais) RJ, PS. | ||
| 1999 | Winter | Reported from 25 counties in all regions except the northwest and west central. Overwintered along the North Shore in Lake and St. Louis PS. Late north (away from Lake Superior) 12/13 Mille Lacs Lake KB, 12/18 Grand Marais CBC. Late south 1/17 Dakota SC, 1/18 Goodhue SL. Early south 2/22 Dakota (1) KB, 2/26 Ramsey (5) KB, plus four additional counties 2/28–29. By 2/28, many had returned to North Shore colonies in Cook (319) and Lake (210+) KB. Peak 12/17 Dakota (1500–2000) KB. | ||
| 2000 | Spring | Reported from 25 south and 13 north counties. See winter report for migration summary. | ||
| 2000 | Summer | Few reports; observed in Lake of the Woods, Beltrami, St. Louis, Lake, Cook, Aitkin, Carver, Wabasha. | ||
| 2000 | Fall | Reported from 8 north and 13 south counties, principally in east and central regions. High count 10/20 St. Louis (1750) PHS. | ||
| 2000 | Winter | Overwintered on Lake Superior in St. Louis, Lake, and Cook. Late south 1/7 Dakota CRM, plus one that lingered to 2/5 Olmsted PWP. Apparent early migrant seen 2/6 Washington (Point Douglas) KJB, although no subsequent February reports. | ||
| 2001 | Spring | Reported from 18 south and 19 north counties. Probable migrants 3/14 Dakota KJB, PEJ, 3/15 Hennepin OLJ, but see winter report. Overwintered on Lake Superior but arrived 3/14 Becker BRK. Peak migration 4/1 at the Hastings-Prescott Bird Count (294) KJB. | ||
| 2001 | Summer | Fewest reports in 20+ years; almost half the previous ten-year average. Observed in Lake of the Woods, Beltrami, Cass, Crow Wing, St. Louis, Lake. | ||
| 2001 | Fall | Reported from 10 north and 19 south counties, mostly in eastern and central regions. High count 11/24 St. Louis (2400) PHS. | ||
| 2001 | Winter | Reported from 4 north and 17 south counties. Numbers at western end of L. Superior at Duluth-Superior variable, but overall number greater than normal (PHS). For the first time, a significant flock (170–200) overwintered away from L. Superior at Black Dog L., Dakota Co. (and adjacent Minnesota R. in Hennepin, and Mississippi R. along Hardman Ave. dike in Ramsey and Washington counties) m.ob. One pushed ahead of the season on 2/6 Anoka (Mississippi R. at Anoka) KJB. Only report of potential early migrants: 2/23 Goodhue RBJ. | ||
| 2002 | Spring | Seen in 26 south and 13 north counties. Overwintered north and south. First influx 3/12 Washington (150) KJB. Early north (away from L. Superior) 4/6 Polk EEF, 4/7 Wadena PJB. | ||
| 2002 | Summer | Observed in Cook, Lake, St. Louis, Cass, Traverse, Wright, Houston. | ||
| 2002 | Fall | Reported from 11 north and 13 south counties, mostly in eastern and central regions. Early south 8/24 Dakota (3) ADS, TAT. | ||
| 2002 | Winter | Reported from St. Louis, Lake and Cook counties in the north. Reported from six south counties through 12/29 Wabasha CBC, 1/20 Dakota KJB. Maximum reported number 12/26 Dakota (1,800) KJB. | ||
| 2003 | Spring | Seen in 14 south and 18 north counties. Early south 3/15 Dakota PEJ, 3/16 Dakota JPM and Hennepin SLC, OLJ. Early north (away from L. Superior) 3/26 Beltrami DPJ, 4/6 Clay RHO and Polk EEF. | ||
| 2003 | Summer | Reported in Lake of the Woods, Beltrami, Itasca, St. Louis, Lake, Cook, Stearns, Big Stone. | ||
| 2003 | Fall | Reported from 17 north and 11 south counties in all regions except Southwest. Highest reported counts 11/21 Cook (3000 at Grand Marais) and 11/26 Dakota (1532) KJB. Late north (away from L. Superior) 11/17 Todd JSK, SID. | ||
| 2003 | Winter | Overwintered in Lake and St. Louis but no reports from Cook. Reported from nine south counties through 1/24 Dakota PEJ. Peak 12/3 Dakota (1300) KJB. Early migrants reported from Dakota beginning 2/26 PEJ. | ||
| 2004 | Spring | Reported from 22 south and 16 north counties statewide. Please see winter report for early south migrants. Early north (away from Lake Superior) 3/28 Beltrami DPJ, 3/29 Otter Tail DTT, SMT. Numbers up at H.P.B.C. (2694 for the season, peak 403 on 3/27) KJB. Unusual local concentation 4/14 St. Louis (2055 at Baily's L. and Silver L., Virginia) SLF. | ||
| 2004 | Summer | Observed in Lake of the Woods, St. Louis, Lake, Itasca, Cook, Mille Lacs, Polk, Big Stone, Lac qui Parle, Chippewa. | ||
| 2004 | Fall | Reported from 11 north and 13 south counties in all regions. Highest reported count 10/15 St. Louis (2300 at Duluth) PHS. | ||
| 2004 | Winter | Overwintered Lake and St. Louis; late north away from L. Superior 12/11 Mille Lacs SPS. Apparent influx of migrants 2/12 Lake (150 at Knife Island) JWL. Reported from six south counties thru 1/22 Dakota (6) PEB. Total of 361 still present 1/8 Dakota PEB. | ||
| 2005 | Spring | Reported from 26 south and 13 north counties statewide. Early south (but see winter report) 3/6 Freeborn AEB, Jackson DFN and Rice DAB, FVS, 3/7 Rice TFB. Early north (away from Lake Superior) 4/3 Wadena PJB, 4/5 St. Louis (1,960 in Virginia) SLF. | ||
| 2005 | Summer | Fewest reports ever: 6/1 St. Louis ALE, TPW, 6/3, 7/8 Hennepin ADS, SWe, 6/3 Dakota ADS, 6/18, 7/2 Lake LS, MCA, 7/11, 7/16–17, 7/25 Cook PHS, HHD, DCZ, LBF. | ||
| 2005 | Fall | Reported from 17 north and 13 south counties. High count 11/27 Dakota (2,200 at Black Dog L.) KJB. | ||
| 2005 | Winter | Present through at least mid-winter and probably overwintered in Cook, Lake, and St. Louis. High count north 1/7 St. Louis (500) PHS. Reported from six south counties with a high count 12/2 Dakota (2,590 at Black Dog Lake) KJB. As many as 300 still present at Black Dog Lake 1/15 BAF. Probable early migrants 2/5 Goodhue (290, Lake Pepin) BAF. | ||
| 2006 | Spring | Reported from 26 south and 16 north counties statewide. Early south (but see winter report) 3/5 Rice TFB, 3/10–12 in six counties; peak migration 3/25 Dakota (425) and 3/28 Goodhue (455) KJB. Early north (away from Lake Superior) 3/26 Otter Tail (3) DTT, SMT, 3/27 Beltrami (3) DPJ, PJR. Highest reported count 4/7 St. Louis (2,361 on Bailey's and Silver lakes, Virginia) SLF, DBF. | ||
| 2006 | Summer | Seen in six counties in North-central, Northeast, plus Mille Lacs, Stevens, Swift, Lac qui Parle, Chippewa. | ||
| 2006 | Fall | Reported from 16 north and 25 south counties in all regions. No significant counts. | ||
| 2006 | Winter | 3 | 7 | Overwintered north in Lake and St. Louis m.ob. In the south, present most of January in Dakota, Hennepin, and Washington at usual open water sites. Larger than normal numbers lingered into late January, e.g. 1/23 Dakota (42, Black Dog Lake) DWK. |
| 2007 | Spring | 20 | 16 | Early south 3/8 Dakota ADS, PEJ, 3/10 Goodhue DAB. Early north (away from Northeast) 3/24 Clay RHO, 3/25 Pine JMP. High count 4/2 St. Louis (2,840 on Bailey's Lake in Virginia) SLF. |
| 2007 | Summer | 6 | 3 | Reported from Lake of the Woods, Cass, St. Louis, Lake, Cook, Mille Lacs, Big Stone, Lac qui Parle, Dakota. |
| 2007 | Fall | 17 | 26 | Early south 8/5 Goodhue LEC, 8/6 Big Stone (3rd-cycle in NW Prior Twp.) BJU (but also see summer report). High counts 10/10 St. Louis (4,100 at Superior Entry, mostly in Minnesota) KJB, 9/22 St. Louis (2,529; total includes Minnesota and Wisconsin sides of Superior Entry and Park Point, Duluth) PHS. |
| 2007 | Winter | 4 | 9 | Overwintered St. Louis and Lake. High count north 1/12 St. Louis (1,540 in Duluth harbor) PHS. High count south: 12/8 Dakota (2,000 at Black Dog Lake) BAF. Statewide total for CBCs down 14% percent from 20-year average. |
| 2008 | Spring | 17 | 35 | High count 4/9 St. Louis (3,265, Silver Lake and Bailey's Lake, Virginia) SLF. Last reported south 5/29 Hennepin (Purgatory Creek) DWK. |
| 2008 | Summer | 10 | 2 | Observed in northern regions plus Mille Lacs, Anoka, Dakota. High count 7/24 St. Louis (1,020) PHS. |
| 2008 | Fall | 18 | 20 | High count 11/7 St. Louis (4,587, Duluth and Minnesota side of the Superior Entry) PHS. |
| 2008 | Winter | 2 | 8 | High counts: 12/12 Dakota (1,500, Black Dog Lake) BAF, 12/5 St. Louis (560, 378 at 27th Ave West and 182 at Canal Park, Duluth.) PHS. Only January report north 1/18 Lake (41) RPR. Indicative of cold conditions, last reported south 1/6 Dakota (Black Dog Lake) MDu. |
| 2009 | Spring | 16 | 39 | Late south 5/10 Goodhue SWe, 5/13 Lac qui Parle ASc and Stearns FGo, but see summer report. High count 4/6 St. Louis (2,740) SLF. |
| 2009 | Summer | 6 | 3 | Reported from Cass, St. Louis, Lake, Cook, Mille Lacs, Kanabec in north. All south reports: 6/3 Goodhue (2) WOS, 6/8 Meeker (1) DMF, plus scattered reports from Hennepin. |
| 2009 | Fall | 10 | 13 | Observed north throughout the season. First reported south 8/11 Watonwan CRM, 9/13 Dakota BAF. High count 11/29 St. Louis (2,900, Minnesota side of Superior Entry) KJB. |
| 2009 | Winter | 5 | 10 | Near record numbers north. Large numbers over-wintered in Duluth area. High count 1/2 St. Louis (2,443, best estimate from multiple counts, plus an additional 1,280 at the Superior Landfill (Douglas County, WI), so the total number in the Duluth-Superior area was probably 4,000 – 4,500) PHS. Lingered south in larger than normal numbers as well. Non-CBC high count 12/16 JPM Dakota (600, Black Dog Lake). Large number for so late in the season 1/3 Dakota (325, Hastings, Lock and Dam #2) BAF. |
| 2010 | Spring | 17 | 38 | Last reported south 5/15 Pipestone (Pipestone) DAC, RBJ, 5/25 Big Stone CRM. High count 3/3 St. Louis (1,412 at Duluth) KJB. |
| 2010 | Summer | 12 | 4 | Seen in North-central and Northeast plus Dakota, Lac qui Parle, Mille Lacs. First county breeding record from Crow Wing PSP. |
| 2010 | Fall | 14 | 25 | First reported south 8/8 Houston AKe, 8/9 Ramsey (Vadnais Lake) BNW. High count 11/24 St. Louis (3,660, Duluth) KJB. |
| 2010 | Winter | 3 | 3 | Only found near Lake Superior (Cook, Lake, St. Louis) and near the Twin Cities (Dakota, Hennepin, Washington). North December high counts of 2,867 (12/25, Superior Entry, (MN and WI) KJB) and 1,807 (12/23 St. Louis (Canal Park) PHS) tapered off to 940 in January (1/16 St. Louis KJB) and 100 in February (2/23 St. Louis LKn). Last reported south 1/19 Dakota (21) KSm. South high counts 12/18 Dakota (600, Black Dog Lake) PEB, 12/26 Dakota (500, Black Dog Lake) JPM, 1/1 Dakota (295, near Hastings) BAF. |
| 2011 | Spring | 24 | 34 | Last reported south 5/21 Pope RPR, 5/29 Pope HHD, RAE, but see summer report. |
| 2011 | Summer | 12 | 6 | Observed in all regions except Southeast. Rooftop nesting documented in downtown Duluth ph. PHS. |
| 2011 | Fall | 13 | 23 | Observed north throughout the season. First reported south 8/6 Winona (2, Waterworks Park) MGo, 9/12 Hennepin JCC. High count 11/22 St. Louis (4,435, Duluth) KJB. |
| 2011 | Winter | 6 | 10 | Many overwintered St. Louis (Duluth area), with January high counts 1/4 (1,000) and 1/13 (900) Canal Park JLK, and February high count 2/6 (957, 27th Ave. West) PHS, JLK. As many as 3,508 were in Duluth/Superior area 12/18 (2,550 in Duluth) KJB. Also overwintered north in much smaller numbers in Lake (up to 35), Cook (up to 30). No north reports after mid-December away from Lake Superior. Many reports south (all but one from East-central and Southeast) with December high counts 12/17 and 12/23 Dakota (500, Black Dog Lake) MDu, CMB. Numbers dwindled to 10 or fewer after mid-January except 1/25 (30, Black Dog Lake) PEJ. A few individuals were reported in February, including 2/23 Dakota (3) PEJ. CBC high counts 12/17 Duluth (1,750), 12/17 Bloomington (253). |
| 2012 | Spring | 17 | 32 | Last reported south 5/5 Washington (2, Warner N.C.) PSm, 5/26 Wabasha (2, Lake City) JCC, but see summer report. High count 3/3 St. Louis (400) TPr, TKe. |
| 2012 | Summer | 11 | 2 | Reported from all northern regions plus Chisago, Dakota, Otter Tail. |
| 2012 | Fall | 17 | 27 | Observed north throughout the season. First reported south 8/2 Rice TFB, 8/6 Freeborn RTP. High count 11/4 St. Louis (6,300, Duluth, record high count) KJB. |
| 2012 | Winter | 5 | 11 | As in recent previous years, large numbers overwintered St. Louis (Duluth) with January high counts 1/1 (750, Canal Park) PHS, 1/6 (405, Superior Entry) KJB, and February high counts 2/8 (163) CRM, 2/2 (160 Canal Park) KJB. Also overwintered Lake with midwinter high count 2/4 (142, Two Harbors) KJB, and Cook with midwinter high count 2/2 (40, Grand Marais) CLW, m.ob. There were no midwinter north reports away from Lake Superior. Large numbers reported south through mid-December in the Twin Cities, but numbers dwindled quickly by the end of December. January south high count 1/5 Dakota (75, Black Dog Lake) BAF, and only one south report after mid-January: 2/5 Dakota (1, Black Dog Lake) PEJ.High counts 12/8 St. Louis (1,110, Canal Park) KJB, 12/15 Hennepin (1,000, Lake Harriet) BAF, 12/18 Dakota (1,000) TAT, Hennepin (1,000, Lake Harriet) RDa. CBC high counts 12/15 Duluth (1,167) CBC, 12/15 Bloomington (225), 12/22 Two Harbors (98). |
| 2013 | Spring | 23 | 37 | High counts 3/29 Lake (850, Knife River Marina) KJB, 4/17 Sherburne (800, Lake Orono) ADB. Last reported south 5/21 Stearns RAE, 5/22 Lyon (Sham Lake) GWe. |
| 2013 | Summer | 13 | 6 | Observed in all regions except South-central, Southeast. Rooftop nesting documented in downtown Duluth for third consecutive year JCG, PHS. |
| 2013 | Fall | 15 | 27 | First south reports in late July. High count 11/2 St. Louis (2,000, Superior Entry) TRK, RJ. Found north well into winter near Lake Superior. Late north away from Lake Superior 11/9 Roseau JWH, 11/10 Beltrami HHD, 11/13 Mille Lacs (6) ToL. |
| 2013 | Winter | 3 | 6 | Overwintered in much smaller numbers St. Louis (Duluth) than in recent winters, with very modest post-December high count 1/19 (49) JLK. A few reports after December from Cook (Grand Marais) including 2/24 (18) MJM, and a few of singles from Lake. No north reports away from Lake Superior. South reports after December included 1/4 Dakota (35, near Prescott WI) BAF, but no further reports after 1/5. High counts 12/1 St. Louis (1,000, Canal Park) JLK, 12/1 Wabasha (600, Maple Springs) HCT. CBC high count 12/14 Duluth (371). One report 12/8 St. Louis (Canal Park) of what was thought to be an adult Vega Gull (L. a. vegae) ph. †MLH, ph. †KJB, PHS, an eastern Asian subspecies previously unrecorded in Minnesota that may be elevated to full species status in the future. |
| 2014 | Spring | 23 | 42 | Last reported south 5/28 Anoka (4) KSk, 5/30 Hennepin (2) KdB. High count 4/22 Anoka (110, Centerville Lake) SBM. |
| 2014 | Summer | 9 | 2 | Observed in North-central, Northeast, plus Mille Lacs, Sherburne, Wright. |
| 2014 | Fall | 15 | 28 | Seen north throughout the season. First south reports 8/11 Sherburne (4) TSh, 8/23 Hennepin (6) PTn. High counts 11/22 St. Louis (1,500, Canal Park) PHS, JLK, MLH, 11/23 St. Louis (1,050, Canal Park) PHS. |
| 2014 | Winter | 3 | 6 | Overwintered St. Louis (Duluth) with peak January count 1/11 (450) JLK and peak February count 2/8 (200) TLK. Overwintered elsewhere along North Shore, with peak midwinter numbers 2/2 Cook (63, Grand Marais) LSz, 2/1 Lake (150, Two Harbors CBC) KDr. There were no north records away from Lake Superior counties. December high count north 12/21 St. Louis (1,600, Canal Park) KJB. All south reports were from Twin Cities counties and Goodhue. South high counts were from Dakota (Burnsville landfill): 1/1 (250) MJI, 12/31 (125) MJI, 1/2 (100) BAF. Numbers dwindled quickly in early January, and the last south report was 1/19 (9) PEJ. |
| 2015 | Spring | 24 | 36 | Early south (median 2/23) 3/10 Dakota PEJ, 3/12 Ramsey DVi, Rice DAB. Overwintered north. High count 4/20 Lake (610, Knife Island, counted by fives) JWL. After 5/21 Dakota SPy, only reported south from Wahibo Marsh in Carver where found into the summer season. |
| 2015 | Summer | 12 | 6 | Seen in all regions except West-central, South-central, Southeast. |
| 2015 | Fall | 17 | 24 | Reported north and south throughout the season. High counts 10/17 St. Louis (3,000, Superior Entry) KMS, RJ, 11/13 St. Louis (1,595, Superior Entry) JLK, JPR. |
| 2015 | Winter | 6 | 18 | Reported from 24 counties statewide, the most in at least the past ten winters. December high counts north 12/5 St. Louis (2,400, Superior Entry) RJ, JLK, 12/12 (1,200, Superior Entry) TRK. Overwintered St. Louis (Duluth) with peak January counts (Canal Park) 1/3 (725) JLK, 1/24 (475) JLK, MLH, and peak February count 2/21 (310) JWL. Also overwintered in smaller numbers in Cook and Lake with high counts in each county 1/25 Cook (52) KDS, 2/12 Lake (270, Two Harbors) JWL. The only north reports away from Lake Superior include 12/3 Beltrami DPJ, 12/16 Cass (3) DAY, 12/19 Walker CBC. High counts south: 12/30 Hennepin (1,775, Lake Harriet) PEB, 12/6 Hennepin (1,500, Lake Harriet) EzH. South numbers dropped quickly in early January, with peak 1/8 Washington (86) KvM but only a few scattered singles after that until late February. CBC high counts 12/19 Duluth (666), 12/26 St. Paul (Northeast Suburban) (150), 12/20 Two Harbors (120), 12/19 Willmar (96). |
| 2016 | Spring | 24 | 40 | Overwintered north and early south migrants appeared in February. High counts 3/29 Lake (975, Knife River Marina, counted by fives) JWL, 3/27 Isanti (800, pig farm; about 4,000 gulls, estimate 20% Herring Gulls) RCl. |
| 2016 | Summer | 13 | 3 | Seen in all northern and central regions. Breeding confirmed 7/4, 7/10 St. Louis (Miller Hill Mall area, Duluth, probably nesting on rooftops) JLK. |
| 2016 | Fall | 17 | 30 | Observed north throughout the season. Scattered reports south in late July, becoming more frequent in mid-August. High counts 9/29 St. Louis (1,000, Superior Entry) JLK, 10/25 St. Louis (900, Superior Entry) RJ. |
| 2016 | Winter | 3 | 18 | North reports only from Cook, Lake, St. Louis. December north high count 12/4 St. Louis (850, Duluth) JLK. Large numbers overwintered St. Louis (Duluth), with high count 1/22 (1,500, Canal Park) JLK. Numbers declined after that, with February high count 2/5 (380) JPR. Also overwintered in smaller numbers Lake (up to 196) and Cook (up to 120). In the south, December high counts were relatively low, with peak 12/8 Hennepin (250, Lake Calhoun) BAF. Numbers dwindled through December to just a few by the end of the month. There were no January reports south, and none until an influx of presumed early spring migrants starting 2/17; seen in 13 south counties by month's end, with peak 2/18 (22, Wabasha) DBz. CBC high counts 12/17 Duluth (461), 12/17 Grand Marais (80), 12/18 Two Harbors (35). |
| 2017 | Spring | 24 | 40 | Overwintered north along the North Shore. Early south migrants appeared in February. High counts all from the Knife River Marina in Lake County: 5/3 (785) JWL, 4/13 (665) JWL, SLL, 4/9 (525) JWL. |
| 2017 | Summer | 15 | 6 | Seen in every region except South-central, Southeast. |
| 2017 | Fall | 20 | 27 | Scattered summer south reports increased in late July. High counts 11/21 St. Louis (1,700, mouth of Miller Creek) JLK, 11/12 St. Louis (1,500, St. Louis River) KMi. |
| 2017 | Winter | 4 | 18 | One north report away from Lake Superior: 12/2 Cass DAY. December north high count 12/17 St. Louis (365, Duluth) JLK. Overwintered along Lake Superior, with post-December high counts by county: 1/29 Cook (108, Grand Marais) FJN, m.ob., 2/24 Lake (790) JWL, 1/1 St. Louis (130, Duluth) JLK. Peak midwinter numbers in Duluth were the lowest since winter 2013, and much lower than in the previous three winters. Reported from 16 south counties in December, with season high count 12/8 Hennepin (900, Lake Harriet) BAF, IVa. Numbers decreased rapidly after early December, and none were reported from January to mid February. Presumed early migrants 2/28 Wabasha (35), Winona (25) PEJ. CBC high counts 12/16 Duluth (911), 12/17 Two Harbors (39), 12/16 Grand Marais (27). |
| 2018 | Spring | 26 | 42 | Overwintered north; early south migrants appeared in February. High counts all from the Knife River Marina in Lake County: 5/1 (590) SLL, JWL, 3/10 (580) JLK. |
| 2018 | Summer | 15 | 5 | Seen in all northern and central regions, but primarily in Northeast and North-central. |
| 2018 | Fall | 23 | 32 | Â Observed north throughout the season. Scattered reports south in late July, becoming more frequent in early August. High counts 10/12 St. Louis (700, Superior Entry) EzH, IsH, 11/6 St. Louis (680, Superior Entry) JLK. |
| 2018 | Winter | 4 | 9 | December north high count 12/1 St. Louis (650, Duluth) JLK. Overwintered along Lake Superior with high counts after December by county: 1/4 Cook (45, Grand Marais) m.ob., 2/23 Lake (355) JWL, 1/6 St. Louis (330, Duluth) EzH. In Duluth, February counts were 65 or fewer. Reported from 9 south counties in December from Sherburne southeast to Houston, with high counts 12/9 Hennepin (111, Lake Harriet) IVa, 12/1 Washington (53, Grey Cloud Island gravel pit) PNi. No south reports after 1/6. CBC high counts 12/15 Duluth (434), 12/16 Two Harbors (187), 12/15 Grand Marais (23), Bloomington (8). |
| 2019 | Spring | 26 | 45 | Overwintered north. Early south (median 2/23) 3/2 Goodhue PEJ, m.ob., 3/14 Sherburne MAJ, 3/17 Dakota (2) LiH, MwT. High counts 3/24 Lake (550, Two Harbors) JWL, 3/22 Dakota (500, Spring Lake) EzH, m.ob. |
| 2019 | Summer | 14 | 4 | Â Found in all northern and central regions. High count 7/24 Lake (325, Knife River Marina) BAF. |
| 2019 | Fall | 24 | 25 | Observed north throughout the season. Scattered reports south in late July, becoming more frequent in early August, but few of these observations were supported by any details. High counts 11/13 St. Louis (900, Canal Park) AVa, 11/15 St. Louis (750, Canal Park) JLK. |
| 2019 | Winter | 4 | 11 | Â December north high count 12/26 St. Louis (528, Duluth) PHS. Overwintered along Lake Superior, with high counts after December by county: 1/25 St. Louis (1,500, Duluth) AVa, 2/23 Cook (220, Grand Marais) m.ob., 1/4 Lake (42, Two Harbors) m.ob. New winter county record 12/24 Morrison (Little Falls) BWF. Reported from 11 south counties in December, with high count 12/4 Hennepin (600, Bde Maka Ska) MZa, FFa. Reported from four south counties in early January, with high count 1/1 Dakota (48, Black Dog Lake) BAF. No south reports after 1/4. CBC high counts 12/14 Duluth (359), Grand Marais (66), 12/15 Two Harbors (56), 12/14 Bloomington (18). |
| 2020 | Spring | 24 | 41 | Overwintered north. Early south (median 2/23) 3/5 Scott RBW, 3/7 Le Sueur RBW, Rice DAB. High counts 5/13 St. Louis (2,000, Park Point R.A.) NMt, 4/4 Isanti (1,000, pig farm, Stanford Twp.) RCl. |
| 2020 | Summer | 13 | 6 | Found primarily in northern half of state, but also Big Stone, Carver, Chisago, Hennepin, Ramsey, Swift. High count 7/3 Lake (1,090, Knife Island) KJB. |
| 2020 | Fall | 24 | 30 | Observed north throughout the season. Scattered reports south in late July, becoming more frequent in early August, but few of these observations were supported by any details. High counts 8/28 St. Louis (1,250, Port Terminal) PHS, 10/10 St. Louis (1,200, Superior Entry) PHS, m.ob. |
| 2020 | Winter | 4 | 14 | North reports from the three Lake Superior counties plus 12/2 Hubbard (Kabekona Lake) REn, RLF. December north high counts 12/11 St. Louis (1,001, Duluth Port Terminal) PHS, 12/20 St. Louis (550, Duluth Port Terminal) JLK. Overwintered along Lake Superior with high counts after December by county: 2/28 Cook (200, Grand Marais) ALx, 2/27 Lake (260, Knife Island) JLK, St. Louis (450, Duluth harbor) REn, RLF. South high counts 12/22 Wabasha (400, Lake City, counted by 10s) SDz, 12/3 Sherburne (312, Elk River landfill) PLJ. There were only four south reports after December (of 1–3 birds); the latest was 1/17 Hennepin KMS. CBC high counts 12/20 Duluth (379), 12/19 Bloomington (155), Grand Marais (102). |
| 2021 | Spring | 27 | 43 | Overwintered north. Early south (median 2/26) 3/4 Anoka (2) SRo, 3/6 Houston ebd. High counts 4/17 Lake (750, Knife River Marina) JWL, 5/30 Lake (750, Knife River Marina) TLz, ebd. Last reported south 5/30 Goodhue ebd, 5/31 Sibley KEm, but also see summer report. |
| 2021 | Summer | 12 | 7 | Observed in all regions except Northwest, Southeast. High counts 7/29 St. Louis (550, Duluth, Port Terminal) PHS, 7/31 Lake (300, Knife River Marina) StK. |
| 2021 | Fall | 25 | 28 | Observed north throughout the season. Scattered reports south in late July, becoming more frequent in mid-August. High counts 10/30 St. Louis (1,124, Superior Entry) MLH, 8/28 St. Louis (632, Port Terminal) PHS. |
| 2021 | Winter | 4 | 15 | North reports from the three Lake Superior counties plus 12/1–4 Beltrami (Lake Bemidji) m.ob. Overwintered along the North Shore, with high counts by county: 2/12 Cook (139, Grand Marais) PAl, 2/15 Lake (120, near Two Harbors) JWL, 1/8 St. Louis (350, Duluth) ebd. Reported from 15 south counties in December (including Jackson, Pope), with high count 12/3 Hennepin (300, Bush Lake) ebd. Reported from four south counties after December, with high count 1/1 Ramsey (36, Lower Landing Park) BDo, LiH. Last south report 1/6 Dakota (6, Hastings) AJF. CBC high counts 12/18 Grand Marais (256), 12/19 Two Harbors (176), 12/18 Duluth (170). |
| Breeds north-central and northeast. Migrant throughout and winter visitant. | ||||
| 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. |