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 - 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 |
| Species: Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks |
| Ross's Goose(Anser rossii) | ||||
| Year | Season | N | S | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Fall | 10-20 through present time, one seen and photographed by many observers at Silver Lake, Rochester, Olmsted Co. Second Minnesota record. | ||
| 1964 | Winter | The much-photographed immature wintered until 1-8 (NG) and 1-10 (EMB), | ||
| 1965 | Winter | 12/5 (D. Strom & K. Hanson) -12/ 29 (E. R. Sullivan), (2); 12/2226 (4), E. R. Sullivan; Howard Lake, Wright. Co. | ||
| 1968 | Winter | 12-2 BL, 12-8 FZL, KP, 1-4 RG, BL, 2-16 ES, 2-23 RG, 3-1 fide RG, all Olmsted (Rochester). (Fifth state record.) | ||
| 1969 | Winter | 12-20 (BVT), 1-11 (VL) Rochester, Olmsted Co. | ||
| 1977 | Spring | 1 report: 4-6 Cottonwood (11) ED, See Loon 49:186-187. | ||
| 1979 | Fall | One bird shot by a hunter at Twin Lakes, Kittson County; specimen at Bell Museum. | ||
| 1981 | Winter | What was most probably an intermediate Ross'/ Snow hybrid was reported at Black Dog, Dakota County from 12-12 to 12-14 (mob). Details in the Loon 54:105-111. | ||
| 1982 | Winter | An apparently wild, non-hybrid individual overwintered with Mallards and domestic geese in a small pond in southern Washington Co. (mob). For more comments on this observation see The Loon 55:84-85. | ||
| 1983 | Spring | 3/24 Olmsted JEB, 3/26 to 5/14 Washington DGW, many observers. Canda Goose Permanent resident; reported from 15 counties north, 27 counties south. | ||
| 1983 | Summer | The wintering bird in Washington County last seen on 6/17 (D&GW). | ||
| 1984 | Fall | 11/12-27 Olmsted m. obs. | ||
| 1987 | Fall | Reported 9/20 to 10/9 Marshall ANWR (The Loon 60:66-69), 10/21-29 Olmsted JEB (The Loon 59:215). | ||
| 1987 | Winter | One in Rochester remained until the CBC (The Loon 59:215). | ||
| 1988 | Fall | 9/30 Hennepin SC et al. (The Loon 60:181-182) 11/22 Rochester JB, PP (The Loon 61:50). | ||
| 1989 | Spring | Reported 3/30 Fillmore GMD, et al. (The Loon 61:88-89), 4/2 Cottonwood KE, et al. (The Loon 61 : 89-90), 4/17 Dakota/Goodhue AP (The Loon 61:88), 5/25 Thief Lake WMA, AP, Marshall Co. m.ob., 4/30 Steele/ Dodge AP (The Loon 61: 60-61). | ||
| 1989 | Fall | Reported 10/13 Becker RJ (The Loon 61:205). | ||
| 1990 | Spring | Reported 4/15 Winona AP (The Loon 62:117-118), 4/28 Lac qui Parle mob, 5/11 RG, RJ (The Loon 62:168). | ||
| 1991 | Spring | Many reports; south 3/6 Olmsted BSE, AP,....., 3/30 Renville PS (The Loon 63:136), 4/17 Lincoln PS (The Loon 63: 138), 4/21 Rock PS (The Loon63:202); north 3/28 (The Loon 63: 157-158) and 4/18 Traverse KE, RJ, 4/17 and 4/24 Marshall RJ, PS. | ||
| 1991 | Fall | Reported 10/10 Roseau PS. | ||
| 1992 | Spring | Early south 3/22 Goodhue HH, 3/29 Jackson (one), Nobles (13) mob (The Loon 64:121–122), 4/4 Nobles (two) RJ, 4/12 Big Stone DN, 5/12 Duluth KE, 5/23 Watonwan RJ. | ||
| 1992 | Fall | Reported 10/19 Olmsted JB. | ||
| 1993 | Spring | Reported 4/24–25 Lac qui Parle (1) MB, FE et al. | ||
| 1993 | Fall | Reported 9/18 Kandiyohi RE, RF, 10/15? Stevens fide LL. | ||
| 1994 | Spring | Reported 3/27?28 Duluth (1) PS et al., 5/7–15 Roseau (8) PS, 5/27 LeSueur (1) RJ. | ||
| 1994 | Fall | Reported 10/5 Dakota (1) SW. | ||
| 1995 | Spring | Reported 3/16 Duluth (2) DE (The Loon 67:108), 4/4–13 Goodhue (1) mob, 4/6 Rock (1) RJ, 5/28 Duluth (1) KE. | ||
| 1995 | Fall | Reported 11/18 Olmsted DA et al. | ||
| 1996 | Spring | All reports: 3/20 Brown CMa, 4/1 Olmsted JL, 4/5–6 Dakota (2) DBS, mob (The Loon 68:129–130), 4/20 Big Stone PJ, DN, 4/21–25 Brown RG, RJ, 4/23–5/14 Hennepin JK, OJ et al. Most of these records were documented. | ||
| 1996 | Fall | Only report 9/21–23 (second earliest north) Rice Lake NWR, Aitkin Co. (1) WN, CB. | ||
| 1997 | Spring | Eleven reports from nine south and one north counties, including 3/22–25 Rice (1) RG, 3/26–27 Anoka (1) mob, 3/27 Olmsted (3) DA, BE, 3/29 Meeker (7) RJ. Late south 5/3 Lac qui Parle (1) PJ. Late north 5/31 St. Louis (one at 40th Avenue West in Duluth and one at Meadowlands) mob. Singles also reported from Cottonwood, Dakota, Jackson, Renville. | ||
| 1997 | Summer | Single bird first discovered in late May, lingering until 6/1 at Duluth in St. Louis Co. PS. This represents only the second summer record for this species. | ||
| 1997 | Fall | All reports: 9/11–14 (record early date) Lake (five at Beaver Bay lagoons) mob, 11/4–9 Freeborn RG, ABa. | ||
| 1998 | Spring | Reported from at least 13 counties, including 3/21 LeSueur AH, 3/27 Redwood RJ, 3/27 Sibley (3) RJ, 4/1 Lyon (3) RgS, 5/13–18 Roseau PS, BSi, AH, 5/16 Marshall AH, PS, 5/26 Faribault RJ, 5/27–29 Aitkin WN. In Brown, storms killed one and the specimen was salvaged for the Bell Museum of Natural History (MRN). All other reports: 4/4–11 Aitkin (different bird) WN, plus Cottonwood (2), Jackson (2), Lincoln (5), Olmsted (2). | ||
| 1998 | Fall | All documented reports: 9/22–23 Dakota (one on L. Byllesby) DBS et al., 10/13 Clay (one with Snow Geese at Felton Prairie) KB, PS, 11/15+ Rice JLa, mob. | ||
| 1998 | Winter | Reported from Rice as late as the Faribault CBC (12/19). Second CBC record. | ||
| 1999 | Spring | Most reports ever for Minnesota. Reported from a total of 19 counties (The Loon 71:223–228). Early south 3/11 Washington KB,3/17 Jackson KB, 3/19 Meeker DF. Early north 3/31 Grant and Otter Tail SDM, 4/1–21 Douglas KB, SDM, 4/2 Otter Tail (18–20) SDM. Additional first county records 3/27 Freeborn PJ, DN, 3/29–4/1 Ramsey mob, RJ, 4/4 Wilkin (28–30) SDM, 4/10–17 Isanti KB et al., 4/19–26 Polk mob. Record high counts 3/20 Nobles (50) PJ, 4/3 Lincoln (70) PJ, DN. | ||
| 1999 | Fall | All reports: 10/19 Lake of the Woods (adult south of Rocky Point) †PS, 11/4 Chippewa (adult at Watson) †AH, 11/17 Lac qui Parle (3 adults at BSNWR) †BOl, 11/21 Big Stone (immature with 2 adults at Graceville) †KB. | ||
| 1999 | Winter | One overwintered in Rochester, Olmsted Co. 12/29–2/27 †CJu, †PS, †DN, mob (The Loon 72:184). Record early south migrants 2/27 Jackson (75) and Nobles (25) PJ (extrapolated from actual count of about 40 Ross's), 2/29 Lac qui Parle (1) †RgS. | ||
| 2000 | Spring | Approximate statewide total of 575 Ross's reported from 22 south and 2 north counties! See winter report for early south migrants; also arrived 3/1 Pipestone (2 at Split Rock Creek S. P.) RgS, 3/2 Jackson (93 at Round L., plus 5 at Sioux Valley WMA) †KB, 3/3 Steele (2) RJ. Record high counts 3/4 Lincoln (100+ at Shaokatan WMA) †PJ, †DN, and 3/11 Freeborn (198 at Bear L.) †PJ, †DN (see also The Loon 72:248–249). Record early north date 3/1 Otter Tail (3 at Neuman WPA) †SDM; only other north report 4/2 Traverse PJ, DN. In addition to Pipestone, first county records 3/11 Murray (5 at Current L.) RgS, 3/14 Blue Earth (23 at Lieberg L.) RJ, 5/12 Stearns (Paynesville) HD. Unlike previous years when a few migrants lingered into late May, the Stearns record was the only report after mid-April. | ||
| 2000 | Fall | Only one report: 10/14 Otter Tail (1) RBJ. | ||
| 2001 | Spring | Associated with low numbers of Snow Geese, reports were down sharply compared to recent years. Approximate statewide total of 30 birds in 14 counties (575+ in 24 counties last spring). Early south 3/20 Murray CRM and Rice FVS, KNS, 3/23+ Olmsted †PWP, †CMJ; additional reports from Jackson, Cottonwood, Lincoln, Lyon, Big Stone, Dodge, and (late south) 4/14–17 Dakota †TAT et al. Peak count 3/31 Olmsted (9 at Silver L., Rochester) CBe. All observations north: 4/3 Traverse SPM, 4/16 Wilkin (Prairie View Twp.) CRG, 4/26 Wilkin (Manston Twp.) KJB, 5/7–13 Pennington (near Thief River Falls) †PHS et al., 5/29 Aitkin (Cedarbrook) WEN. | ||
| 2001 | Summer | Third summer record for the state: 6/27 Kandiyohi (near L. Lillian) †RAE. | ||
| 2001 | Fall | All observations: 10/17 Olmsted (Rochester) JWH, CMJ, 10/24 Rice TFB, 11/3–26 St. Louis (Duluth) CRG et al., †PHS, 11/21 Big Stone (eight adults and five first-fall birds in Toqua Twp.) †PCC, 11/23–24 Wabasha TAT, RBJ. | ||
| 2001 | Winter | Up to five individuals lingered 12/11–15 Olmsted (E. Landfill Reservoir) RLE et al. Early south (only report) 2/28 Rice (Wells L.) TFB (second earliest date on record). | ||
| 2002 | Spring | Record high statewide total 993+, easily exceeding 575 during Spring 2000. Observed in 29 south and 7 north counties. First county occurrences 5/15 Clearwater and Mahnomen JEB, RBJ. Early south 3/6 Rice m.ob., 3/12 Freeborn AEB. Early north 4/12 Otter Tail SPM, DKM, 4/16 Wilkin RBJ. Late south 5/11–12 Rock JEB, RBJ et al., 5/18–19 Benton HHD, RBJ. Late north 5/7–24 St. Louis (Duluth) KJB, m.ob., 5/24 Otter Tail SPM, DKM, 5/26 Roseau MSS. Peaks 3/29 Nobles (101 at L. Ocheda) PCC, KJB, 4/10 Lyon (163, Coon Creek Twp.) KJB. | ||
| 2002 | Summer | Second consecutive summer report: 6/20–21 Dakota (adult at L. Byllesby) †ADS et al. | ||
| 2002 | Fall | All were single birds unless otherwise indicated. All north reports: 10/18 Traverse RBJ, 10/20–21 Lake (juvenile at Two Harbors, second county record) TWa, v.t. JWL, KRE, †PHS, late October Grant (Mud L.) EJE, 10/26 Otter Tail (3 at Orwell W.M.A.) †PHS. All south reports: 10/30–11/16 Steele (Owatonna) †NFT et al., 11/2 Freeborn (number?) AEB, 11/9–19 McLeod (juvenile at Otter L. near Hutchinson) RMD, RHy et al., 11/14 Olmsted (Rochester) PWP, 11/14–23 Mower (East Side L., Austin) RNS, m.obs., 11/19 Pipestone (Split Rock Creek S.P.) RBJ. | ||
| 2002 | Winter | Reported 12/14 Willmar CBC, 1/5 Meeker (2 at Lake Ripley) DMF, and 12/15–1/8 Martin (maximum two at Lake George) †BRB, †BSm. | ||
| 2003 | Spring | Numbers down from last year's record-high 993+. Approximate statewide total of 225 in 17 south and 2 north counties. Early south 3/15 Jackson and Nobles DFN, PEJ, 3/22 Dakota (H.P.B.C.) KJB. All north reports: 3/24–29 Grant RBJ, SPM, DKM, 4/6 St. Louis (Park Pt., Duluth) fide JCG. Late south 5/17 Lac qui Parle BJU and Lyon PHS et al. Peak counts 3/23 Jackson and Nobles (85) PEJ, 3/26 Martin (74) DDM, BJM. | ||
| 2003 | Fall | All north reports: 9/28 Pennington (Thief River Falls W.T.P.) †PHS et al., 10/4 Red Lake (near Red Lake Falls) †PHS, JMJ, 10/9 Polk (East Grand Forks W.T.P.) CRM, 10/11 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) †PHS et al., 10/12 Otter Tail CRM et al., 10/17–24 Aitkin (6 at Mallard Lake W.M.A.) PEJ, DFN, 10/18 Polk (Fosston) †PHS. Only south report: 11/2 Chippewa (2) RBJ. | ||
| 2003 | Winter | All reports: Early south 2/28 Jackson (3) PEJ, 2/29 Olmsted (one at Rochester) JWH fide CBe. | ||
| 2004 | Spring | Approximate statewide total of 326 individuals in 25 south and 2 north counties, including 3/13 Swift (5 at Marsh Lake) BJU. Please see winter report for early south migrants. All north reports: 3/21 Traverse (2) KJB, 4/17–5/28 St. Louis (Interstate Island, Duluth) †PHS, JRN, m.obs. Late south 5/24 Pope RBJ, 5/25 Benton HHD. Peak count 3/28 Lac qui Parle (84 near Salt Lake) BJU. | ||
| 2004 | Summer | Reported 6/10, 6/11 Lyon (2 and 3 individuals, Black Rush Lake W.M.A.) †RJS, ph. JGW. | ||
| 2004 | Fall | All reports: 9/8 Koochiching (record-early, five miles west of Littlefork) †LS, 9/30–10/17 St. Louis (Park Point) †MH, m.ob., 10/4 Steele (2 at Morehouse Park, Owatonna) ph. NFT, 10/14–16 Brown (Somsen Slough W.M.A.) †BTS. | ||
| 2004 | Winter | One white-morph adult in mixed flock of Canada and Cackling geese on Sleepy Eye L. 12/5–11 Brown ph. †BTS. | ||
| 2005 | Spring | Observed in 13 south and 6 north counties. Record high counts 3/6 (early south) in Jackson (400+) and Nobles (460+) DFN, PEJ. Otherwise scarce with only 37 birds reported elsewhere (325+ in 27 counties Spring 2004). All north reports: 3/26 Grant and Otter Tail SPM, 3/29 Clay (4) DPJ, 4/1 Traverse (4 at Mud L.) KJB, plus single birds 4/14 St. Louis (Hoyt Lakes) ALE, 5/12 Norman (Ada) PHS. Late south 5/1 Lac qui Parle PHS, ph. MLH, 5/2 Fillmore JJS, HHD. | ||
| 2005 | Summer | Adult white morph 6/4 St. Louis (Interstate Island, Duluth) ph. †PHS. | ||
| 2005 | Fall | Only north report: 10/21 Beltrami (L. Bemidji) BJU. Total of 25 birds in eight south counties. Early south (median 10/20) 10/10 Dakota (single near Rosemount) JPM, 10/16 Stevens (7 in Synnes Twp.) BJU. Late south 11/4–20 Steele (max. 7) FVS, ph. NFT, 11/22 Lac qui Parle (2 in Perry Twp.) BJU, 11/12–27 Hennepin (L. Hiawatha) BAF, m.ob. | ||
| 2006 | Spring | Seen in 18 south and 4 north counties. Seasonal total of 867+ included 3/12 Jackson (85) DFN and record high count 4/2 Traverse (529 carefully identified; 109 more found elsewhere in the county 4/3) KJB. Early south 3/3 Brown †BTS, HHD and Rice DAB, FVS, 3/4 Dakota ADS (median 3/21). Early north 3/28 Traverse BAW, 4/7 St. Louis (Virginia) †SLF. Late south 5/10 Dakota JPM, 5/12 Lac qui Parle BJU, also see summer report. Late north 5/24 Otter Tail SPM, 5/27 St. Louis (Interstate Island, Duluth) †DWK. First state record of blue-morph documented 4/2 Traverse †KJB. | ||
| 2006 | Summer | Seventh summer record 6/1 Cottonwood (Talcot Lake W.M.A.) †SPS. | ||
| 2006 | Fall | Statewide total of 59 individuals in 16 counties. Notable northeast report: 9/19 (third earliest north date) through 11/5 (second latest north date) Lake (2 at Two Harbors) †JWL, †KRE, ph. AXH, m.ob. All other north reports: 9/24 Marshall (record-high fall count of 21 at Agassiz N.W.R.) JMJ, PHS, 10/24–29 Polk (Crookston W.T.P.) †PHS, JMJ, 10/30 Traverse (Tara Twp.) BJU. Early south 9/11+ (record early south) McLeod (Hutchinson) RJS, ph. P. Kern, 9/19 Hennepin PEJ. Late south 11/16 Lac qui Parle (14 at Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU, 11/27 Chippewa (2 on Lac qui Parle L.) BJU; also see winter report. | ||
| 2006 | Winter | 3 | One overwintered 9/1–2/18 McLeod and was recorded on the Hutchinson CBC ph. †SM, BH, DMF. An interesting individual photographed 12/10 in Rice, and recorded on the Faribault CBC 12/16, lingered through 12/21 †GDB, ph. DAT, m.ob. Subtle characteristics of the head and bill suggested a possible backcross (3rd or 4th generation?) with Snow Goose. Although the size apparently is right for Ross's Goose, characteristics associated with hybrids include: 1) head slightly flattened, 2) bill slightly larger (thicker), 3) hint of a grin patch, and 4) slightly curved (not straight) border of facial feathering along the base of the bill. Only other report: 1/1 Cottonwood (Fish Lake, no details) BTS. | |
| 2007 | Spring | 5 | 20 | Seasonal total of 7/6+ including high counts 3/15 Lac qui Parle (208 in Manfred Twp.) and Lincoln (119) BJU, 4/1 Lac qui Parle (100 near Salt L.) DFN. Early south 3/3 McLeod DMF, 3/12 Steele NFT (median 3/20). Early north 3/25 Mille Lacs (2, no details) HHD, 3/26 Grant BJU (median 3/28). Documented 3/28–31 Kanabec (3) †CAM. Late south 4/21 Martin LS, 5/13 (median) Lac qui Parle BJU. Late north 4/27 Clay BWF (median 5/26). |
| 2007 | Fall | 3 | 3 | All north reports: 9/17–27 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) GT, 9/24 St. Louis (Virginia) †DBF, †SLF, 9/28 St. Louis (H.R.B.O., Duluth) KJB, 10/13–19 Lake (Two Harbors) †JWL, JCG, †PHS. All south reports: 11/7 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU, 11/14 Lac qui Parle (Perry Twp.) BJU, 11/26–30 Waseca (Loon L.) †JPS, DAB, 11/30 Steele (L. Kohlmeier) DAB. Also see winter report. |
| 2007 | Winter | 1 | One report 12/1 Meeker (Lake Ripley) DMF, MCA. | |
| 2008 | Spring | 3 | 19 | Early south (median 3/20) 3/6 Olmsted JWH, 3/14 Lac qui Parle BJU, 3/15 Jackson and Nobles DFN, PEJ. Only north records: 3/30 Grant SPM, 4/25–5/5 St. Louis (Virginia) DBF, †SLF, 4/28 Traverse (2 in Folsom Twp.) BJU. Only May south report: 5/5 Big Stone (Thielke Lake) KRE. |
| 2008 | Fall | 3 | 8 | All north reports: 9/24 Lake (7 at Two Harbors) †KRE, 9/27–28 St. Louis (9 total at H.R.B.O.) KJB, 10/1–10 St. Louis (ad. at Park Point) MLH, ph. PHS, ph. SCZ, 10/2–5 St. Louis (juv. at 40th Ave. West) ph. KRE, MLH, 10/4–21 Lake (Two Harbors) SC, JCG, 10/24 Wilkin (2) RBJ, DAC, 10/26 St. Louis (55th Ave. West, Duluth) SCZ. All south reports: 9/27 Stearns (Paynesville) PHS, 10/2 Big Stone (Otrey Twp.) PHS, 10/3 Lac qui Parle (2 at Big Stone N.W.R.) PCC, PHS, 10/18–19 Hennepin (juv. at Eden Prairie) JCC, †PEB, m.ob., 10/20 Mower (East Side Lake) ARW, 10/23 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU, 10/26 Kandiyohi JoS, 10/27 Hennepin (Lake Hiawatha) DDo, 11/9 Blue Earth (juv. at Lake Crystal) †ChH, 11/18 Brown (juv. at Sleepy Eye Lake) †BTS, 11/22 Nicollet (North Mankato) RMD, ChH. |
| 2008 | Winter | 1 | One present 2/10–20 Olmsted (Silver Lake, Rochester) LAV, JWH. | |
| 2009 | Spring | 5 | 24 | Early south (median 3/18) 3/7 Jackson and Nobles PEJ, DFN, 3/15 Brown †BTS, Dakota JPM, Goodhue and Winona PEJ. All north reports: 3/22 Douglas †JPE, 4/5 Grant, Otter Tail SPM, 4/11 Wilkin LS, KRE, 5/9 Douglas PEJ, DFN, 5/27 Lake of the Woods DBW. High counts 3/29 Freeborn (30) PEJ, 3/16 Lac qui Parle (24, Walter Twp.) BJU, 3/17 Goodhue (22) PEJ, 3/20 Dakota (18, Spring Lake) †BAF. Late south 5/16 Watonwan CRM, 5/20 Kandiyohi †JCC (median 5/13). New county record: 3/24 Houston (near Reno) DBz. |
| 2009 | Fall | 1 | 5 | Only north report: 9/23 St. Louis (2, H.R.B.O.) KJB. All south reports: 9/28 Blue Earth ChH, 10/4 Waseca ChH, 10/16 Yellow Medicine (Canby W.T.P.) KRE, LS, 10/17 Chippewa (2, Lac qui Parle W.M.A.) KRE, LS, 11/7 Houston (2, Pool #8) PEJ, DFN, 11/22–29 Waseca (Loon Lake) DAB, m.ob. |
| 2009 | Winter | 2 | Only reports: 12/1 Mower (1, East Side Lake) ARW, ph. JEM, Waseca (Loon Lake) DBM. Expanding continental populations of both Ross's and Snow Goose have resulted in increased reports of hybrids including in Minnesota; therefore, documentation is appreciated whenever possible, especially pertaining to bill size/shape and the bill/facial feathering interface. | |
| 2010 | Spring | 2 | 14 | Early south (median 3/18) 3/12 Olmsted (South Landfill Reservoir) DMA, JWH, 3/17 Lac qui Parle (Ten Mile Lake Twp.) BJU, 3/18 Dakota (Lake Byllesby) LEC, JPM, Houston PEJ, Mower, Steele DBM. All north reports: 3/22 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) GT, 3/27 Norman JMJ. High count 3/27 Nobles (18) DAB. Late south 5/4 Dodge JWH, 5/6 Blue Earth ChH, 5/8 Meeker (Pigeon Lake) HHD (median 5/13). |
| 2010 | Fall | 4 | 9 | All north reports: 9/3 (record early) Roseau (3, Greenbush W.T.P.) KRE, 10/5 Cass (near Pine River) ABi, †DAY, 10/9 Roseau (Badger W.T.P.) HHD, 10/14 – 11/17 Lake (Two Harbors) KRE, JWL, m.ob., 10/22 Mahnomen HHD, KRE, LS. All south reports: 9/22 Lac qui Parle (Colbert W.P.A.) BJU, 10/1–3 Olmsted (2, Rochester) JWH, JPr, 10/3 Faribault CRM, Stearns (Paynesville W.T.P.) †PCC, 10/16 McLeod (Hutchinson) PLJ, 10/17–21 Hennepin (Rogers W.T.P.) HHD, m.ob., 10/31 Carver HHD, RAE, Lac qui Parle (Salt Lake) †RBW, DWK, 11/12 Lac qui Parle (18) PEJ, BJU, 11/12 Lac qui Parle (Perry Twp.) BJU, 11/21 Big Stone (2, Odessa) BJU, 11/27 Kandiyohi (Eagle Lake) BWF. |
| 2010 | Winter | |||
| 2011 | Spring | 6 | 23 | Early south (median 3/18) 3/11 Brown (5, Sleepy Eye Lake) †BTS, 3/13 Scott DFN, PEJ, 3/17 Olmsted (2, Silver Creek Reservoir) JWH. All north reports: 4/1 Cass (4, Walden Twp.) BAW, 4/3 Otter Tail GO, 4/8–10 Traverse (max. 24) BJU, m.ob., 4/8 Wilkin m.ob., 4/9 Grant (2, North Ottawa Impoundment) BJU, 5/25 St. Louis (Duluth Harbor) MSS. High counts 3/27 Jackson (600, estimated after carefully counting several flocks of white geese and finding 5% of them to be Ross's Geese) PEJ, DFN, 4/1 Lac qui Parle (348), Big Stone (40, Odessa) BJU. Late south 4/17 Brown (2, Boise Lake) BTS, DWK, Dakota (Lake Byllesby) RTe, 5/15 Steele †PSu (median 5/13). |
| 2011 | Fall | 3 | 5 | All north reports: 9/16 Itasca (8, Cohasset) ph. †SC, St. Louis (3, H.R.B.O., Duluth) KJB, 10/22–29 Mille Lacs ASc, †DWK, m.ob., St. Louis (11, H.R.B.O., Duluth) KJB, 11/7 St. Louis (16 (high count), H.R.B.O., Duluth) KJB. All south reports: 10/10 Olmsted JPr, 11/4–18 Big Stone (near Barry) DLP, 11/7 Lac qui Parle (Perry W.M.A.) BJU, 11/9–12 Kandiyohi (Foot Lake) RAE, HHD, 11/14 Houston (10) DFN, 11/17 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU, 11/18 Lac qui Parle (Walter Twp.) BJU. |
| 2011 | Winter | 1 | 1 | All reports: 12/13 Brown (Sleepy Eye Lake) †BTS, 1/10 Otter Tail (1 in Canada Goose flock) †RAE. |
| 2012 | Spring | 7 | 31 | Early south (median 3/18) 3/3 Mower (Austin) ph. BJL, 3/6 Hennepin (Bass Ponds) ph. †CMB, Lincoln (3) RAE, Watonwan (2) ChH, AnK, 3/7 Dakota (30, Lake Byllesby) AFo, ANy. All north reports: 3/12 Traverse (~800, Croke and Tara Twps.) BJU, 3/19 Mille Lacs ASc, 3/21 Kanabec (2) RAE, 4/7 Clay (Moorhead) RAE, 4/13 Pine (Pine City W.T.P) RBJ, DAC, 5/14 St. Louis SC, 5/15 Kittson (Joe River S.W.A.) TrB. High counts 3/10 Jackson (1,077, record high spring count) PEJ, DFN, 3/12 Traverse (~800, Croke and Tara Twps.) BJU, 3/12 Lac qui Parle (~350) BJU, 3/12 Big Stone (283) BJU. Late south 5/10 Sherburne ph. BeA, 5/20 Lac qui Parle (Salt Lake) BJU (median 5/13). |
| 2012 | Fall | 5 | 11 | All north (median 10/4) 9/14 Lake ALo, CRM, St. Louis LMS, 9/16–10/7 Lake (Two Harbors golf course) ph. LMS, JWL, m.ob., 9/22 St. Louis KJB, ABL, 9/23 Morrison (Upsala W.T.P.) JCC, 9/28 Cook (Lutsen W.T.P.) HHD, RAE, 11/9 Traverse (St. Mary's Lake) BJU, 11/10 Morrison (Lake Shamineau) RPR. All south reports: 10/16 Blue Earth ChH, 10/21 Stearns (Albany W.T.P.) DPG, 10/26 Faribault (Wells W.T.P.) MGo, HHD, RAE, McLeod ALo, CRM, 11/6 Steele (Lake Kohmier) NFT, 11/9 Big Stone (Toqua Twp.), Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU, 11/12 Olmsted JPr, 11/13 Pope DBM, 11/14 Big Stone (Big Stone Lake), Lac qui Parle ph. BJU, 11/16 Chippewa DLP, 11/22 Nobles BTS. A presumed Snow x Ross's Goose hybrid was present 10/9–11/22 St. Louis (Bayfront Park) ph. DOK, PHS, KRE, m.ob. (median 10/18). |
| 2012 | Winter | 3 | All reports: 12/1 Chippewa / Lac qui Parle (Lac qui Parle Lake), 12/8 Big Stone (Big Stone Lake) DLP. | |
| 2013 | Spring | 5 | 23 | Early south (median 3/18) 3/22 Lincoln (2) CRM, 3/23 Jackson ALo, 3/24 Nobles (6, Lake Okabena) DAB, Rock RAE. All north reports: 3/29 St. Louis (Duluth Harbor) KJB, 4/13 Grant RAE, HHD, 4/26 Grant, Traverse (16) DBM, 4/27 Wilkin (100, high count) KRE, m.ob., 4/28 Grant ALo, 5/2 Grant (5, North Ottawa Impoundment) PEB, 5/17 St. Louis (Spirit Lake, Duluth) KRE. Late south 5/7 Faribault WAF, 5/9 Rock CRM (median 5/13). |
| 2013 | Fall | 4 | 4 | All north (median arrival 10/4): 9/13 St. Louis (3, Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census) KJB, 9/21 Lake of the Woods (12, C.R. 1) BWF, ANy, St. Louis KJB, ABL, 9/26 Cook (no details) CRM, 10/6 St. Louis (2, Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census) KJB, 10/9–11/9 Lake (juvenile, Two Harbors) †MLH, SBM, m.ob. All south (median arrival 10/17): 9/15–18 Washington (1 with possible Snow x Ross's Goose hybrid, Hugo) †MHe, †KFi, m.ob., 9/28 Olmsted (South Landfill Reservoir) JWH, DMs, JPr, 10/21–24 Hennepin (Hopkins) DMa, m.ob, 10/22 Nobles (Lake Okabena) BTS. |
| 2014 | Spring | 5 | 28 | Early south (median 3/18) 3/13 Cottonwood RMD, Jackson RMD, Martin (5) RAE, RMD, Watonwan RMD. All north 3/14 Traverse (blue morph) DLP, 3/28 Traverse CRM, JMs, 4/10 Clay (4, C.R. 18 wetland) PBB, 4/13 Traverse HHD, (15) RAE, 4/30 Hubbard CRM, 5/18 Becker ShG, HeH, 5/23 Clearwater CRM. High counts 3/29 Nobles (58) PEJ, DFN, 4/9 Freeborn (51) PEJ. Late south 5/17 Stevens (Crystal Lake) DLP, 5/25–26 Hennepin (Bloomington) NRa, ph. MZa (median 5/13). |
| 2014 | Fall | 6 | 5 | All north (median 10/4): 10/3–19 Crow Wing (4, Garrison) HHD, ph. PSP, m.ob., 10/10 Itasca SC, 9/24–11/9 Lake (max. 3 in Two Harbors) †KRE, ph. AnG, m.ob. 9/25 Pine KMS, 9/29–10/11 St. Louis (max 11. Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census) KJB, m.ob., 10/9–13 St. Louis (adult, Duluth Harbor) KRE, m.ob. All south 9/30–10/2 McLeod (3) BHa, PRH, m.ob., 10/7–8 Chisago (juvenile, North Branch W.T.P.) JSa, RBW, 10/23 Mower RZi, 11/6 Lac qui Parle (58, record southbound high count) PEJ, 11/7 Lac qui Parle (2) PEJ, 11/10 Lyon (45, Cottonwood) GWe. |
| 2014 | Winter | 2 | Two reports (neither with descriptive details): 12/20 Stearns (C.R. 133, 0.7 miles southwest of C.R. 4) HHD, Fairmont CBC. | |
| 2015 | Spring | 5 | 21 | Early south (median 3/18) 3/10 Lyon GWe, 3/12 Jackson (100) PEJ, Nobles (141) PEJ, 3/13 Lac qui Parle DLP. All north 3/13 Traverse (2) MO, 3/28 Otter Tail DAY, 4/3 Todd RAE, 4/4 Wilkin ODa, BMc, 4/18 Norman ANy, m.ob., 4/20 Norman RAE. High counts 3/12 Nobles (141) PEJ, 4/4 Faribault (135) DFN, PEJ. Late south 4/29 Hennepin CMB, 5/1 Lac qui Parle BAF, SHF (median 5/13). |
| 2015 | Fall | 2 | 5 | All north (median 9/24) 9/11–10/28 St. Louis (max. 3, Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census) KJB, m.ob., 9/28 Mille Lacs ToL. All south (median 10/10) 10/4 Sherburne PMJ, 10/28 Lac qui Parle DLP, 11/7 Hennepin (2) NRa, Stevens DLP, 11/14–11/21 Sherburne (Keller Lake) PLJ, m.ob., 11/24 Big Stone (reported as a dark morph without details, East Toqua Lake) DLP. |
| 2015 | Winter | 7 | One December report 12/8 Olmsted (Silver Creek Reservoir) JmP. No others until late February, when there were a few reports from 6 south counties 2/26–29. High counts 2/27 Nobles (111), Jackson (28) PEJ. | |
| 2016 | Spring | 5 | 35 | See winter report for early south. All north 3/7–12 Traverse DLP, MO, 3/12 Grant AaL, Crow Wing PSP, ph. EGa, m.ob., 4/6 Douglas ALu, 5/15 Polk (Brandt-Angus Impoundment) PEB, 5/21 Polk (Angus-Oslo Impoundment) SAu. High counts 3/6 Nobles (187) PEJ, DFN, 3/8 Lyon (100) GWe. Late south 4/12 Rice DAT, 4/13 Yellow Medicine GWe, 5/14 Washington JEc (median 5/14). |
| 2016 | Fall | 3 | 6 | All north 9/23–27 Lake (2, Two Harbors) JWL, m.ob., 10/9 St. Louis (1) JLK, 10/15 Grant (2, North Ottawa Impoundment) WPl. All south 10/15 Yellow Medicine (2, Clarkfield W.T.P.) WCM, 11/4 Big Stone DLP, 11/7 Washington † LMS, 11/14 Lyon (Lake Marshall) RAE, 11/21 Faribault WAF, 11/25 Nobles (2, Okabena Lake) BTS. High count 10/3 St. Louis (6, Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census) KJB. |
| 2016 | Winter | 1 | 12 | Two early December reports, both singles: 12/4 Stevens DLP, 12/7 Pipestone DAk. First returning spring migrants 2/17 Cottonwood (1–2) RBJ, RBW, then many reports through the end of the month from 10 south counties, with high count 2/20 Jackson (40) PEJ. One north report: 2/21 Grant (4) HCT, DWK, SBM. |
| 2017 | Spring | 12 | 36 | See winter report for early south migrants. Early north 3/5–4/6 Grant (max. 20, North Ottawa Impoundment) WPl, 4/10 Wilkin ANy, 4/11 Beltrami (2) ph. DPJ. High counts 3/5 Jackson (344, near Sioux Valley; flock included one adult “Blue-morph”) †PEJ, DFN, 3/11 Freeborn (315) PEJ, 3/26 Faribault (90) ClN. Late south 4/18 Chippewa DaB, 4/30 Lac qui Parle CEl, ToL, 5/7 Stearns FGo (median 5/14). Late north 5/19 Cass DAY, 5/20–24 Pine (2) ELC, KrM, LEv, 5/23 St. Louis ToL (median 5/17). |
| 2017 | Fall | 4 | 7 | All north 10/2 Polk (3, East Grand Forks W.T.P.) SAu, 10/4 St. Louis H.R.B.O., 10/5 St. Louis (Duluth) JPR, DOr, 10/24–27 St. Louis (Park Point/Bayfront Park) ph. PHS, m.ob., 10/8 – 11/11 Clay (max. 2) ShG, HeH, MO. All south 9/19 Pope HHD, Stearns HHD, 9/19–20 Wright (10, Pelican Lake) ToL, m.ob., 10/4 Sibley (Gaylord W.T.P.) RBW, 10/13 – 11/11 Chippewa RBW, DLP. 10/27 Lyon GWe, 11/8–9 Mower KnM, SWm. High counts 10/27 Lyon (25) GWe, 9/19–20 Wright (10) ToL, m.ob. |
| 2017 | Winter | 1 | 3 | Three December reports: 12/1 Lac qui Parle (3) DLP, 12/16 Fairmont CBC, Fergus Falls CBC. Only one report after December: 2/27 Rice TFB. |
| 2018 | Spring | 6 | 30 | Early south (median 3/11) 3/2 Scott JEB, 3/3 Brown (4) BTS, Freeborn (5) BDo, Olmsted (3) SHo, m.ob., Pipestone (13) VKl, Rice (3) DAB, Watonwan (2) BTS. All north 4/6 Beltrami REn, 4/19 Traverse (44) DLP, 4/22 Morrison (5) SEm, 5/16 Marshall ANy, DBz, 5/21 Red Lake JWH, RBJ, REn, 5/23–25 Roseau JPr, JJS, CAs. High counts 5/4 Freeborn (155) PEJ, 4/29 Lyon (72, Lone Tree Lake) GWe. Late south 5/14 Big Stone (4) DLP, 5/15–22 Lyon (max. 2) NMe, RJS (median 5/14). |
| 2018 | Fall | 3 | 2 |  All north 8/30–9/1 Lake (early adult found at Castle Danger W.T.P.) RBW, JWL, SLL, 10/12–13 Hubbard (1) REn, 10/26 Carlton (1) KEm, JWH. All south 11/9 Lyon (3) GWe, 11/23 Martin (1) HHD. |
| 2019 | Spring | 5 | 17 | Early south (median 3/11) 3/15 Washington BDo, 3/19 Goodhue (2) PEJ, 3/22 Brown ARW, Jackson (22) PEJ, DFN. All north 3/27–4/17 Grant (max. 50, North Ottawa Impoundment) LiH, MGi, m.ob., 3/27–4/3 Traverse (max. 10) DgM, AFo, m.ob., 3/30–4/6 Wilkin (max. 25) AaL, ASu, NMr, 3/31 Kanabec (2) SPS, 4/7–10 Clay (max. 45) CMK, MAh, TCL. High counts 3/31 Traverse (200, Parnell Twp.) LiH, 3/28 Lyon (73, near Cottonwood) GWe. Late south 4/20 Yellow Medicine GWe, 5/5 Goodhue ClB, LiH, 5/27 Pipestone (Split Rock Creek S.P) VKl (median 5/14). |
| 2019 | Fall | 5 | 2 | All north 8/30 Roseau (Warroad W.T.P.) ph. CRM, m.ob., 9/5–6 Cook (Grand Portage N.M.) ebd, SDz, 9/30 Polk ANy, 10/31 Cass ebd, 10/19–11/7 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) ASu, CNn, KnM. All south 10/11 Mower (2, Lyle W.T.P.) BAb, m.ob., 10/19 Scott (New Prague W.T.P.) ph. BAb, DAB. |
| 2019 | Winter | 3 | Â No reports until 2/29, when early migrants were found in three Southwest counties, with high count Rock (9) ASu. | |
| 2020 | Spring | 7 | 21 | Earliest south migrants 2/29, followed by 3/4 Lyon (20) GWe and in seven counties on 3/7. All north 3/8–21 Grant (max. 50, North Ottawa Impoundment) WPl, m.ob., 3/25 Otter Tail (5) REn, RLF, Wilkin (5) REn, RLF, 3/26 – 4/9 Traverse DLP, ANy, 3/27 – 4/1 Clay (max. 6) PBB, m.ob., 4/4 Itasca SC, TCL, 4/6 Douglas ANy. High count 3/7 Jackson (150, estimated count) PEJ, DFN. Late south 5/12 Lyon RLF, REn, RJS, 5/17–18 Carver MwT, JTg (median 5/14). |
| 2020 | Summer | 2 | Observed 6/2 Hennepin ebd, 6/9–10 Stearns (Albany W.T.P.) HHD, DOr, MtS, PCC, PLJ, ebd. | |
| 2020 | Fall | 1 | 7 | One north 9/17–21 St. Louis (max. 3, Duluth) AVa, JPR, ebd. Early south 10/12–17 Dakota MwT, m.ob., 10/24 Olmsted LAV, m.ob., 10/25 Lyon (40, season’s high count near Cottonwood) GWe. Found in Blue Earth, Jackson, Hennepin, and Yellow Medicine in November. See winter report for late south migrants. |
| 2020 | Winter | 2 | All reports: 12/4–20 Martin PEJ, m.ob., 12/5 Lac qui Parle (2) GWe. | |
| 2021 | Spring | 6 | 27 | Early south (median 3/11) 3/5 Nobles (2) BTS, MiO, 3/6 Big Stone DLP, (4) WCM, 3/7 Faribault (2) RLF, REn, Lyon (3) ASu, Nobles (5) ASu, Yellow Medicine (2) ASu. Early north (median 3/25) 3/4 Otter Tail WPl, 3/7 Traverse (3) ebd, 3/9 Grant (2) ebd. High counts 3/28 Big Stone (170, near Graceville) WCM, 3/19 Yellow Medicine (82, Lanners W.M.A.) WCM. Late south 4/26 Kandiyohi SGa, JWd, 5/9–11 Nicollet ARh (median 5/14). Late north 4/17 Aitkin KCR, NSg, SKS, ebd, 5/26 St. Louis (Meadowlands W.T.P.) JHn. |
| 2021 | Fall | 1 | 5 | One north 9/12 – 11/7 Lake (Two Harbors) ClB, JWL, SLL, GWe, ebd. All south 10/21 – 11/3 Brown (max. 9, season’s high count at Somsen Slough W.M.A.) ph. BTS, MiO, m.ob., 10/21 Ramsey LiH, 11/6 Lac qui Parle KeL, 11/21 Yellow Medicine (4) GWe, 11/29 Washington ebd. |
| 2021 | Winter | 2 | One record (presumably the same individual) 12/19 Blue Earth (Mankato) JCF, 12/25–27 Le Sueur (Kasota Prairie) APi, ChH. | |
| Migrant mostly south and west. | ||||
| 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. |