Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon - Finches Occurrence
This is the 1930 to present seasonal report archive for
The Loon, journal of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union.
The last 2 years are available to MOU members.
Seasons
Families
Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks
New World Quail
Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys
Grebes
Pigeons, Doves
Cuckoos
Nightjars
Swifts
Hummingbirds
Rails, Gallinules, Coots
Limpkin
Cranes
Stilts, Avocets
Plovers
Sandpipers
Jaegers
Alcids
Gulls, Terns
Loons
Shearwaters and Petrels
Storks
Frigatebirds
Boobies and Gannets
Cormorants
Pelicans
Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons
Ibises
New World Vultures
Osprey
Kites, Accipiters, Hawks, Eagles
Barn Owls
Screech-Owls, Owls
Kingfishers
Woodpeckers
Caracaras, Falcons
Flycatchers
Vireos
Shrikes
Jays, Nutcrackers, Magpies, Crows
Chickadees, Titmice
Larks
Martins, Swallows
Kinglets
Waxwings
Silky-flycatchers
Nuthatches
Creepers
Gnatcatchers
Wrens
Thrashers, Mockingbirds
Starlings
Dippers
Thrushes
Old World Flycatchers
Old World Sparrows
Pipits
Finches
Longspurs and Snow Buntings
Towhees, Sparrows
Yellow-breasted Chat
Blackbirds, Orioles
Warblers
Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks

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

House Finch(Haemorhous mexicanus)
YearSeasonNS
1971Summer1 male may have been seen on 6-17 in Excelsior, Hennepin Co. by D. Freeland, an experienced birder from Pennsylvania; Freeland had never seen this species before, but his details were excellent and will be published here in full.
1980Winter The first fully documented record for the state, 11-21 and 12-15, Minnetonka, David Bruggers, details in The Loon 53:109.
1983Winter One photographed at Dr. Breckenridge's feeder in Dec. See The Loon 56:64.
1984Spring Two reports 3/18 Stearns N. Ford (The Loon 56:194) and 4/25 Mower RRK (The Loon 56: 198).
1984Summerthrough 6/15 in Aitkin Co., I male at feeder, The Loon 56: 189-190.
1985Spring 5/12 Winona H. Schneider (The Loon 57: 137).
1985Summer Seen 7/6-7 in LeSueur (HJC, The Loon 57:134).
1985Fall 9/2 Pipestone R. Glassel; first non-feeder record.
1986Spring 4/7-8 Steams NH (The Loon 58:204); 5/6 Otter Tail SDM.
1986Winter Reported in Marshall 12/21-27 (KH), and in Hennepin; male and a female at a Brooklyn Park feeder 12/30-2/28 (m.ob.).
1987Spring 31 l Hennepin SC, 4/22 Olmsted JB, RSE.
1987Fall Two reports 10/14 Hennepin SC, 10/19thru 10/28 Washington WL.
1988Spring All reports: 3/5 and 5/18 Aitkin WN, 5/8 Anoka SC, 5/10-14 Hennepin m.ob., 5/16 Pennington JM (The Loon 60: 131), 5/17 Clay LCF, 5/18-22 Blue Earth JB (The Loon 60:160).
1988Summer Several reports: one at a feeder in St. Cloud (7/11-12, fide NHi) ; seen in St. Paul (7/9, AB); a male at Albert Lea (6/15-7/31, The Loon 60:186).
1988Fall 10/22 Dakota JD, plus many reports from the Twin Cities where the species is now regular.
1988Winter Reports increasing. Otter Tail 12/18-1/15 SDM, Hennepin 1/16-26 (max. 29, m.ob.) Ramsey 1/19 AB and on the St. Paul (24 during CBC week), Faribault and Rochester CBCs.
1989Spring Reported from Duluth, Brown, Goodhue, Hennepin, Lac qui Parle, Mower, Nicollet, Olmsted and Steele Counties.
1989Summer The status of this species is rapidly changing from accidental to regular. The first positive nesting in Minnesota was documented in May 1989 in Winona (The Loon 61:93). The second and third state nesting record soon followed in Rice (The Loon 61:207). Probable nesting was recorded in Lac qui Parle (The Loon 61: 144-145) and at New Ulm, Brown Co. BB, JSp. Also seen in Hennepin AB, DB, JF, Ramsey RH, Steele RJ, AP.
1989Fall Reported from Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Faribault, Hennepin, Nicollet and Ramsey counties.
1989Winter Population exploding! Reported in 17 counties (6l.y.) north to OtterTail and Benton and west to Lac qui Parle and Jackson. High counts of 23 on the Owatonna CBC and 19 at New Ulm, Brown Co. 1/20 RJ.
1990Spring Reported from Clay, Morrison, Otter Tail, St. Louis Counties north and 30 counties south.
1990Summer Exponential growth in reports continues; seen in 21 counties as far north as Clay, Todd, Benton. Probable breeding in Hennepin, Olmsted, Mower, Houston.
1990Fall Reported from Clay and Otter Tail and ten counties south.
1990Winter Reported from 23 counties (I. y. 17) in the south and central regions with a CBC total of 148 (l.y. not tallied). Well established in southeast and south central and rapidly colonizing central (BT notes population explosion in Kandiyohi) and west central where increasing in Otter Tail. Species likely established now in many towns and cities south of a line from Fergus Falls to St. Cloud to St. Paul. CBCs in southeast reporting numbers of Purple Finch and not reporting this species need to inform feeder watchers of critical field marks of these two similar birds. Species now being recorded at Grand Forks, North Dakota so birders in northwest Minnesota should be on the lookout for this species.
1991Spring Reported from Becker, Douglas, Grant, Hubbard, Mille Lacs, OtterTail, Pine and33 counties south.
1991Summer Number of reports similar to last year. Nested in Otter Tail SDM, Mower JM, Fillmore GMD, Winona; probable nesting in five southern counties plus Becker. Seen in eight other southern counties plus Clay, Pennington and Polk.
1991Fall Reported from Duluth and 15 counties south.
1991Winter Fewer reports than last year. Reported from only 19 counties (23 l.y.), but more individuals with 262 on CBC's (148 l.y.). High numbers of 67 on St. Paul NE and 62 on Fergus Falls CBC's, plus a peak of 39 in Rice 1/13 TB. Only reports north in Otter Tail and on Detroit Lakes CBC. Reports on CBC's and not in seasonal reports suggest not all observers are being careful to report this species.
1992Spring Reported from 15 counties north (to Roseau) and 22 counties south.
1992Summer Population explosion continues. Nested in Winona, Aitkin WN, Olmsted JB, Pipestone JP, ND; probable breeding in Morrison, Hennepin, Brown. Seen in 20 other southern counties plus Clay, Otter Tail, Todd, Pine, Beltrami DJo.
1992Fall Reported from seven counties north and 14 counties south.
1992Winter Numbers much higher than previous. Reported from 36 counties (19 l.y.) as far north as Hoyt Lakes, St. Louis Co. AE; and Thief River Falls, Pennington Co. KSS. CBC total 835 (262 l.y.) with 204 on the Rochester CBC.
1993Spring Reported from 34 counties south, 14 north.
1993Summer The explosive invasion into the state is essentially complete; virtually every county has recorded this species. Nested in Nobles ND, Brown JS, Hennepin TJB, Goodhue HH, Wabasha DWM, Mower, Winona; probable nesting in Aitkin, Washington, Dakota, Nicollet, Cottonwood, Olmsted. Seen in 30 additional counties in all regions of the state; this includes counties as far north as Kittson, Roseau, Beltrami, St. Louis (Ely, SSc), Lake (Two Harbors, DPV).
1993Fall Reported from five counties north and 21 counties south.
1993Winter Reported from only 24 counties (36 l.y.) statewide as far north as Pennington and St. Louis.
1994Spring Reported from 18 north and 41 south counties.
1994Summer Nested in Kanabec CM, Aitkin, and Winona; probable nesting in six other counties. Observed in 29 other counties statewide.
1994Fall Reported from ten counties in the north and 14 counties in the south.
1994Winter Reported from 36 counties throughout the state. Exponential increase in numbers continues since 2000+ individuals counted on CBCs (only 835 two years ago), with many counts in excess of 200 individuals.
1995Spring Reported from 29 counties south and 17 north counties, including nest building in Tofte, Cook Co. (RJ) and the first breeding record for Ely, St. Louis Co. (SS).
1995Summer Nested in nine counties including Dakota RHf, Washington WL, Pennington SKS, Roseau KB, PS; probable breeding in Becker, St. Louis, and Nicollet counties. Recorded in 31 additional counties statewide.
1995Fall Reported from 15 counties north, 22 south. As a sign of the continued explosion in numbers of this species, KB observed 800–1000 individuals on 9/23 at Locke Park, Anoka Co.
1995Winter Numbers continue to increase. Reported from a record 41 counties (36 l.y.) throughout the state. CBC total a record 2,478 (2,118 l.y.).
1996Spring Reported from 36 south and 24 north counties.
1996Summer Nested in McLeod RbS, Martin BBo, Hennepin, Rice; probable nesting in nine counties. Observed in 35 other counties statewide. Lyon (L. Marshall) RJS.
1996Fall Reported from 14 north and 33 south counties.
1996Winter Numbers continue to increase. Reported from a record 43 counties throughout the state (41 l.y.). CBC total a record 4,920 (2,478 l.y.), with a peak of 738 on the St. Paul CBC.
1997Spring Reported from 32 south and 21 north counties.
1997Summer Reports continue to increase; observed in 51 counties. New nesting records in Anoka MM, Carver JS/MN; probable breeding in six counties.
1997Fall Reported from 11 north and 27 south counties.
1997Winter Reported from a record 52 counties throughout the state (43 l.y.), but CBC total only 2,392 (record 4,920 l.y.).
1998Spring Reported throughout the state.
1998Summer Seen in 46 counties statewide. New nesting records in Stearns SWi, Crow Wing JS/MN; probable nesting in seven counties.
1998Fall Reported throughout the state.
1998Winter Reported from 47 counties throughout the state. CBC total 3,040.
1999Spring Reported throughout the state.
1999Summer Reported in 46 counties throughout state; new nesting record in Ramsey RH.
1999Fall Reported throughout the state, though only one report from the less-frequently birded northwest corner of the state (9/6 Polk EF).
1999Winter Reported from 47 counties throughout the state.
2000Spring Seen in 49 counties throughout the state.
2000Summer Record high number of reports. Observed in 58 counties statewide; new nesting record in Douglas REH.
2000Fall Observed statewide.
2000Winter Reported from 37 south and 10 north counties. Maximum count on Minneapolis CBC (499).
2001Spring Seen in 58 counties throughout the state.
2001Summer Reported in 43 counties throughout state.
2001Fall Observed statewide.
2001Winter Reported from 12 north and 35 south counties. Maximum 12/15 Rochester CBC (430).
2002Spring Reported from 30 south and 13 north counties in all regions. No significant counts.
2002Summer Observed in 53 counties throughout state; new nesting records in Cass MRN, Lake N.R.R.I.
2002Fall Found throughout the state.
2002Winter Reported from 43 counties throughout the state.
2003Spring Reported statewide.
2003Summer Observed in 41 counties statewide.
2003Fall Reported statewide.
2003Winter Reported from 45 counties throughout the state. Highest reported count 12/20 St. Paul (North) CBC (315).
2004Spring Reported statewide.
2004Summer Observed in 48 counties statewide; new nesting records for Beltrami JWL, Todd JSK.
2004Fall Reported statewide.
2004Winter Reported from 8 north and 24 south counties in all regions.
2005Spring Reported statewide.
2005Summer Observed in 45 counties in all regions. First nesting record for Lac qui Parle BJU.
2005Fall Reported statewide.
2005Winter Reported from 13 north and 27 south counties statewide. Non-CBC maximum 1/5 St. Louis (47) JRN.
2006Spring Reported statewide.
2006Summer Found in 69 counties throughout state.
2006Fall Reported statewide.
2006Winter1236 Highest number of reports in the last five years. Number of counties north similar to last year (13), whereas the increase in the number of counties south (last year 27) likely reflects better coverage. High count 12/23 Renville (46) PBB.
2007Spring Reported statewide.
2007Summer2446 Observed statewide.
2007Fall2339 Reported statewide.
2007Winter1233 Reports were down slightly from last year, which had a record number of reports. CBC high count was from Rochester (253).
2008Spring2649 Reported statewide.
2008Summer2131 Reported from all regions except Southwest.
2008Fall2735 Reported statewide.
2008Winter1043 Highest number of reports over the last five years. Seen throughout the season and in all regions south of a line from Kittson in the far Northwest, to Cass in the North-central, and to Chisago in the East-central Region; absent from the Northeast. This pioneering species continues to consolidate its status in the state as a year-round resident. High count 1/19 Olmsted (35) LMg.
2009Spring2651 Reported statewide.
2009Summer1833 Observed throughout state. First county breeding records from Benton MRN, Scott JEB, Nicollet RMD, St. Louis SLF, Stevens MKu.
2009Fall1335 Reported from all regions.
2009Winter1538 Reported from the same number of counties as last year, with records from all parts of the state (except extreme northwest and extreme northeast) and throughout the period. High count 1/2 Washington (34) JFi, 1/3 Wright (34) JCC, 2/8 Ramsey (34) BNW. CBC high count 12/19 Bloomington (240).
2010Spring2651 Reported statewide.
2010Summer2138 Found in all regions of the state. First county breeding records for Chisago fide BBA, Dodge fide BBA, Houston fide BBA, Yellow Medicine PME.
2010Fall2643 Reported from all regions.
2010Winter1541 Reported from about the same number of counties as last year, from throughout the season. High count 12/14 Blue Earth (60) ChH; north high count 1/4 Polk (18) SAu. CBC high counts 12/18 Bloomington (335), 12/26 St. Paul (Northeast Suburban) (275), 12/18 St. Paul (North) (256) CBC high count north 12/18 Duluth (63).
2011Spring2953 Reported statewide.
2011Summer2447Reported throughout state.
2011Fall2645 Found statewide. High count 8/19 Wilkin (110, Breckenridge, mostly juveniles) PHS.
2011Winter1642Reported throughout the state and season from more counties than in any of the previous 5 years. North high counts Polk (up to 45 in yard) SAu, 1/5 Lake (30, Two Harbors) JWL. South high counts 12/5 Ramsey (100) BNW, 1/13 Washington (61) JHg, 12/17 Hennepin (51) MDu. CBC high counts 12/17 Rochester (309), 12/31 Hastings-Etter (263), 12/17 Faribault (248).
2012Spring3150 Reported statewide.
2012Summer3251 Found in all counties except Cook, Faribault, Freeborn, Traverse. High count 7/17 Hennepin (60, Coon Rapids Dam R.P.) TLo. First county breeding records for Meeker fide BBA, Morrison LaM, Pope fide BBA, Renville JoS, Watonwan fide BBA, Wilkin CCa.
2012Fall2446 Found statewide.
2012Winter1846Reported statewide from all regions, with more reports than any of the previous five winters. Less concentrated in the far Northwest and North-central regions. High count 12/7 Polk (63) SAu. CBC high counts 12/15 Owatonna (241), 12/15 St. Paul (North) (167), 12/15 Bloomington (154), 12/15 Henderson (152).
2013Spring2952 Reported statewide.
2013Summer3150 Reported statewide. First county breeding records from Jackson DVr, Sibley CCa.
2013Fall2442 Reported statewide.
2013Winter1543 Number of reporting counties down from last year (64), but comparable to other years in the previous five-year period. High count 12/14 Polk (58) SAu. CBC high counts 12/14 Winona (331), 12/14 Owatonna (262).
2014Spring2752Reported statewide.
2014Summer2442Found throughout state. High counts 6/30 Hennepin (30, Lake of the Isles) BMi, 7/9 Hennepin (25, Elm Creek Park) TLo.
2014Fall2248 Found statewide, though with few reports along the northern tier of counties.
2014Winter1238 Reported throughout the state and season from fewest counties in past five years. High counts 12/28 Goodhue (53) DAB, 1/31 St. Louis (50, Sax-Zim Bog) JEc. CBC high counts 12/20 Rochester (204), 12/20 Owatonna (203), 12/20 Faribault CBC (168).
2015Spring2853 Reported statewide. Notable high counts 3/10 Ramsey (50) JEl, 4/10 Pipestone (40) TKa.
2015Summer3043 Reported throughout state. First county breeding record for Norman AXH.
2015Fall2341 Reported statewide.
2015Winter1446 Reported throughout state and season from comparable number of counties as past five years. High counts 1/22 Blue Earth (80, single flock) ChH, 1/16 Ramsey (40) WSc, 1/24 Washington (40) SBE, 2/8 Mower (40) JGn. CBC high counts 12/19 Rochester (222), 12/19 Owatonna (189), 12/19 Excelsior (137).
2016Spring3253 Reported statewide.
2016Summer2744 Reported from all regions. High count 6/3 Hennepin (26, Minneapolis) TLo.
2016Fall2247 Reported statewide.
2016Winter1349 Reported throughout state and season from comparable number of counties as past five winters. High counts 12/25 Lyon (57) GWe, 12/20 Stevens (50) KeM, 1/5 Brown (40) STa, 1/16 Pipestone (40) VKl. CBC high counts 12/17 Owatonna (237), 12/17 Faribault (146), 12/31 Hastings-Etter (134).
2017Spring3053 Reported statewide. Notable high count 3/23 Rice (45, Northfield) RMl.
2017Summer3146 Found statewide.
2017Fall2452 Reported statewide, though with few reports along the northern tier of counties.
2017Winter1550 Number of reporting counties reached a new record high of 65, one more than last year's winter season, albeit only a single report from the North-central Region. High counts 2/11 Hennepin (40) ADr, 1/1 Lyon (38) GWe, 12/23 Winona (35) JmP. CBC high counts 12/16 Rochester (369), 12/16 Owatonna (241), 12/16 Faribault (239).
2018Spring2953 Reported statewide.
2018Summer2952 Found statewide.
2018Fall2549 Reported statewide.
2018Winter2250 Observed in a season-record high 72 counties (ten-year average 58) in all regions of state. Unusual winter reports 12/4 Wadena RAE, 12/23 Swift JST, 1/6 Clearwater SAu, 2/21 Mahnomen REn. High counts 12/28 Meeker (93) DOr, 1/6 Meeker (70) BDo, KDS, 12/15 Rice (50) KeM. CBC high counts 12/15 Owatonna (161), 12/15 Rochester (154), 12/29 Hastings-Etter (151).
2019Spring3253 Reported statewide.
2019Summer2949 Reported statewide.
2019Fall2950 Found statewide.
2019Winter1648 Reported from 64 counties, somewhat below last winter’s season-high of 72 but still higher than the ten-year average of 60. Unusual winter reports 12/11 Pennington ZL, 2/28 Clearwater JCJ. High counts 1/31 Washington (52, Carpenter N.C.) CNC, 2/8 Wright (47, Delano) ebd, 12/8 Polk (44, East Grand Forks) SAu. CBC high counts 12/14 Rochester (361), 12/14 Owatonna (324), 12/21 Mankato (198).
2020Spring3252 Reported statewide. Notable high count 3/29 Dakota (36) ebd.
2020Summer3052 Reportred in all regions. First county breeding record 5/29 Kittson CRM. High count 7/20 Hennepin (40, Father Hennepin Bluffs) ebd.
2020Fall2751 Detected across the state. High count 9/18 Rice (60) NiR.
2020Winter1452 Reported from 66 counties, including all south counties except Nobles. High counts 12/19 Clay (80) ebd, 12/29 Ramsey (80) JbS, 12/24 Fillmore (58) ebd. CBC high counts 12/19 Faribault (293), 12/19 Owatonna (247), 12/19 Rochester (241).
2021Spring2953 Reported in all but 5 northern counties.
2021Summer3253 Reported from all counties except Roseau, Traverse.
2021Fall2852 Reported across the state.
2021Winter2451 Reported from all regions of the state in a season-high total of 75 counties, including a season-high 24 north counties. High counts 12/26 Goodhue (90, Belvidere Twp.) AJF, 12/11 Clay (80, Hawley) DPW, 1/17 Ramsey (75, University of Minnesota, St. Paul campus) EHi. CBC high counts 12/18 Rochester (330), 12/18 St. Paul (North) (309), 12/18 Willmar (248).
 
 Permanent resident throughout, except far northeast.

Notes:

Click on the bird name to see a photographic image of the bird.
Column N  Number of counties where the bird was seen in the North.
Column S  Number of counties where the bird was seen in the South.