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 - Screech-Owls, Owls | 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: Screech-Owls, Owls |
| Snowy Owl(Bubo scandiacus) | ||||
| Year | Season | N | S | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1945 | Winter | One near Minneapolis, December 22, 1941, (Audubon Society members); numerous records for the state, winter of 1945-46. | ||
| 1961 | Spring | Joe Antonio saw one 21 March at Embarrass, St. Louis County. Sam Cox saw one the entire month of March on Minnesota Point, Duluth. Seen as late as 22 April at Duluth by Jan Green. | ||
| 1961 | Fall | Two were seen on 20 Nov. and two more, apparently different birds because of plumages, seen 28 Nov. at Duluth by Jan Green. | ||
| 1961 | Winter | One reported by Bill Longley at the Carlos Avery Refuge, Anoka County, on December 19. Several present at Duluth throughout December and January, seen by Jan Green and Joel Bronoel. Ray Naddy saw one there on February 10. | ||
| 1962 | Spring | Janet C. Green saw them at Duluth as late as April 1. | ||
| 1962 | Fall | Nov. 18, Faribault, Rice Co., 1 seen, Orwin Rustad Nov. 3, Duluth, St. Louis Co., 1 seen, Mrs. D. J. Gazett Nov. 10, Duluth, 1 seen, J. K. Bronoel Nov. 18, Knife R., Lake Co., 1 seen, Janet C. Green Dec. 16, Christmas Lake, Carver Co., 1 seen, Mrs. Herz Nov. 21, St. Paul, Ramsey Co., 1 seen, observer? Nov. 22, Mud Lake Traverse Co., 2 seen, R. Grant Nov. 26, Plainview, Wabasha Co.. 1 seen, Dr. D. G. Mahle Late Nov., Lac qui Parle Refuge, 1 seen, A. C. Anderson Hawk-Owl: Oct. 26, 20 mi S International Falls, 1 seen, Ray Naddy Oct. 27, 20 mi N Duluth, 2 seen, J. | ||
| 1962 | Winter | Dec. 19, near Hibbing, reported to Harriet Micensky. Dec. 23, Nimrod, Wadena Co., R. Oehlenschlager; Dec. 29, Mud Lake, Traverse Co., 2 seen, R. Grant; Jan. 1, Baudette, Lake-of-the-woods Co., Avifaunal Club; all Jan., Minn. Point, Duluth (3 there on Jan. 8, Janet Green) reported by J K. Bronoel; two seen there on Feb. 15 by Janet Green; one seen there on Mar. 9, Avifaunal Club. Hawl~ Owl: all Dec., Duluth and Range Cities 9 observations reported to Janet Green Dec. 26, Cass Co., E. of Nimrod, 1 seen R. Oehlenschlager Dec. 31, 5 mi. N. Two Harbors, Lake Co. 1 seen Avifaunal Club all Jan, Duluth and Range Cities 12 observations reported to Janet Green Jan. 1, Baudette to Washkish, 9 seen, | ||
| 1963 | Spring | March 23, Duluth, 2 seen, Jan Green; she saw them there last on April 5; last seen in Twin Cities on April 8, Minneapolis, Ray Glassel. Hawk-Owl: 2nd, one, Idington, St. Louis Co., Nels Hervi (seen again on 15th) 2nd, one, Beltrami County, R. Huber 2nd, one, Hubbard County, R. Huber 3rd, three, between Duluth and Iron Range, St. Louis County, J. K. Bronoel 9th, one, Carlton County, R. Huber 9th, two, Aitkin County, R. Huber 9th, one, 2 miles N. Hill City, Aitkin Co., W. J. Breckenridge9th, one, between Duluth and Iron Range J. K. Bronoel ' lOth, one, 2 miles N. Deer River., Itasca County, W. J. Breckenridge 17th, two, between Duluth and Floodwood Tom Adams ' 23rd, one, Hwy. 53, St. Louis Co., Ray Naddy | ||
| 1963 | Fall | As the following records show, the beginnings of an invasion are materializing. Nov. 3, Duluth, first report, many since, fide, Jan Green. Nov. 6, Hennepin Co., Mpls. Audubon Society. Nov. 9, Blue Earth Co., Maynard Nelson. Nov. 11, Sherburn Co., Maynard Nelson. Nov. 11, Morrison Co., Maynard Nelson. Nov. 12, Watonwan Co., Maynard Nelson. Nov. 16, Becker Co., Sam Rock. Nov. 18, W. Minneapolis, Harding Huber. Nov. 18, S. Minneapolis, Minneapolis Star for Nov. 19, picture, page 2C. Nov. 20-Dec. 10, White Bear Lake, Elizabeth Campbell. Nov. 23, Fargo-Moorhead area, fide | ||
| 1963 | Winter | Reported south into Iowa this winter. The invasion in Minnesota involved the following counties in approximately the numbers indicated: Hennepin 13, Ramsey 4, Winona 1, Wabasha 1, Blue Earth 1, Watonwan 1, Stevens 1, Wilkin 12, Sherburne 1, Mille Lacs 1, Morrison 1, Becker 1, Roseau 1, St. Louis 21, Lake 3, Cook 2, Goodhue 1 and Chisago 1. Largest concentrations were in St. Louis Co., between Sax and Zim, where 7 were seen on a ten-mile roadside count, and south of Breckenridge, Wilkin Co., where 12-13 were seen hunting mice in a single field on March 8. | ||
| 1964 | Spring | latest dates, 3-4 Beltrami Co, MG; 3-6 Duluth, fide JCG; 3-15 Hibbing, HM; 3-19 Hennepin Co, TEM; 3-22 Zim, St. Louis Co, NJH; 4-9 Warroad, JR; 4-13 Minneapolis, good details, ARF; 4-16 Marshall Co, 2, DLO; 5-28 Duluth, good details, RN. | ||
| 1964 | Fall | reported from 13 counties: earliest 10-21 Cook Co, fide RN; 10-22 Roseau Co, JLR; 10-22 Duluth, JKB; 1022 Beltrami Co, Dave Sovereign; 10-23 Anoka Co, LJ; 10-24 to 11-23 NE Minnesota, 31 observations by 13 observers, fide JCG. | ||
| 1964 | Winter | Situation parallels Roughlegged Hawk -widespread but small numbers; peak on 12-31 when DP saw 7 on Minnesota Point, Duluth; county records: St Louis 7 or more (DP, LP, JCG, BL, LJ, RN, JKB), Lake 1 (JCG, RK), Cook 1 (TP), Dakota 1 (WJB), Grant 1 (RAG), Stevens 2 (RAG, BMG), Morrison 1 (WRP, RG), Hennepin 2 (EMB, MHM, MAS), Clay 1 (XC), Nobles 2 (EHW) and Jackson 1 (RG, RO, RLH). Hawk-Owl: Dec, Cloquet Valley State Forest, Carlton Co, several, JCR fide JCG. | ||
| 1965 | Spring | latest 5-4 Duluth, JKR | ||
| 1965 | Fall | 10-27 Warroad, JLR, PEB; 10-29 Rice Lake Refuge, Aitkin Co, CEP; THE LOON 10-31 Duluth, JCG; 11-5 Holt, Marshall Co, DLO; 11-5 Shotley, Beltrami Co, MG; 11-16 Rice Lake Refuge, Aitkin Co, CEP. Hawk-Owl : 11-7 Polk City, Polk Co, 1 bird, good details, GSM. Great Gray Owl : 11-9 Gheen, St. Louis Co, fide LTM; 11-13 Rice Lake Refuge, Aitkin Co, CEP. | ||
| 1966 | Spring | latest 3-1 Rice Co, OAR; 3-7 Duluth, JKB; 3-11 Hibbing, HM· 3-26 Morris, RAG; 4-14 Collegeville, RPR. Hawk-Owl: 3-1 (DB, EHH) and 3-12 (BL) Meadowlands, St. Louis Co; only report. | ||
| 1966 | Fall | 10-29 Silver Bay, 1 photographed by HFH; 10-29 Grand Marais, HFH, BL, EMB, RG; 11-1 Adolf, RN; 11-4 Becker Co., GA; 11-5 Lakeside, LTM; 11-5 Gary, MJB; 11-6 Chippewa Co., 10 mi W Willmar, 1 shot, fide RPR ; 11-6 Duluth, 4 separate reports fide RN; 11-7 Duluth, JKB; 11-8 Roseau Co., Warroad, 1, PEB; 11-12 Clifton, DW; 11-13 Duluth, 4, JOT; 11-15 Ottertail Co., GHG; 11-14 Minneapolis, 1, RLH; 11-26 Duluth, 3, AR; 11-26 Traverse Co., 2, TW; 11-30 Ottertail Co., 1, GHG; 11-20 Beltrami Co., near Agassiz Refuge, A WR. Much of this information was supplied by Mr. Tom Nicholls at the Museum of Natural History; Mr. Nicholls is engaged in a survey of this species this winter. | ||
| 1966 | Winter | the invasion continued with 25 reports from 12 counties in December, 16 reports from 8 counties in January and 15 reports from 10 counties in February; there is undoubtedly some duplication in counting the owls, but Mr. Tom Nicholls will, in the near future, present an analysis of the invasion, with special emphasis on the upper midwest. Hawk-Owl: 1_15 near Meadowlands, St. Louis Co., DB. | ||
| 1967 | Spring | five reports in March; latest dates 4-21 Marshall Co., AWR; 5-5 Duluth, J. Bronoel 5-16 Beltrami Co., MG. | ||
| 1967 | Fall | 10-30 Tofte, Cook Co., 1, MOP and Anoka Co., 1, fide TN; 11-8 Watonwan Co., 5 mi. S. Madelia, 1, EDK; 11-17(1), 12-3(1) Crosby, Crow Wing Co., MSB; 11-20 Kettle River, Pine Co., 1, fide RN; 11-21 Duluth, St. Louis Co., 1, JKB; 11-27 Hibbing, St. Louis Co., 1 pursuing Sharp-tailed Grouse, John Micensky; 11-29 Morris, Stevens Co., 1, JAH; 11-29 Two Harbors, Lake Co., 1, JCG; 11-29 Duluth, 1, JCG and Palmers, St. Louis Co., 1, JCG; apparently the beginnings of an echo invasion following last year's influx. | ||
| 1967 | Winter | many reports, starting with northern records and working south Lake Co., Two Harbors, 12-22, 1, JCG, 12-24, 1, GEC; St. Louis Co., Virginia, 1-31, 1, M. E. Tuenge, Mt. Iron, 2-3, 1, KE, Duluth, 12-26, 1, AKA, 12-27 1, M. Sundquist, 12-28, 1, RK, 12-30, 4, Xmas Count, 1-7, 1, MIG, 1-14, 1, RL, 1-16, 2, DB, EHH, 1-18, 1, D. Erickson, 1-21, 1, BL, 2-5, 2, KE, 2-6, 1, BL, 2-18, 1, RL; Roseau Co., Warroad, 12-4, 1, PEB, 12-25, 1, Dick Myers; Aitkin Co., Rice Lake Refuge, 4 seen regularly, MSB; Crow Wing Co., Crosby, all winter, MSB; Polk Co., Crookston, January, 7 seen, J. R. Nelson; Clay Co., Buffalo River, 1-22, 1, D. Lais; Stevens Co., Donnelly, 2-18, 1, Del Holdgrafer; Washington Co., Lake Jane, 2-9, 1, JO; Big Stone Co., Artichoke Lake, 2-24, 1, JAH; Hennepin Co., Dayton, 1-7, 1, MHM; 24, 1, DB; Olmsted Co., Rock Dell Twp, 1-14, 1, HBW; Watonwan Co., 7 mi SE Medalia, 12-20, 1, EDK; no less than 24 observes reporting them from 13 counties. | ||
| 1968 | Spring | late 3-1 Aitkin Co., CEP; 3-7 Duluth, JKB; 3-29 Fargo-Moorhead, fide EGA; 3-31 Yellow Medicine Co., DB,EHH. | ||
| 1968 | Fall | 10-29 Lake JCG for Pearl Griffith; 11-9 and 11-13 Cook MOP; 11-10 St. Louis JCG for G. Flaim; 11-27 Morrison ELC. Hawk-Owl: 11-3 Duluth MC. | ||
| 1968 | Winter | 12-2-9 St. Louis (French River) fide JCG; mid-Dec. through early March (Duluth Harbor) 2 fide JCG; 12-29 Chisago (Shafer) EL; 1-4 Pine (Hinckley) fideJCG; 1-11 and2-3 Hennepin (Eden Prairie) LW; 2-1 Lake (Little Marais) S. Anderson; 2-1 near mouth of Split Rock River and 2-2 twelve miles farther sw on Lake Superior shore at Flood Bay, probably same very white bird JCG, movement along Superior shore or even birds seen along shore away from towns is most unusual after the end of fall migration; 2-12 Hennepin (Brooklyn Park) Mrs. J. Ewert. Hawk-Owl: 11-26 Aitkin (Rice Lake Refuge) CEP. | ||
| 1969 | Spring | 5-9 (1) Duluth, 50th Ave. and Superior St.; LTM and D. Hojnachi fide PBH. Hawk-Owl: 3-23 Zim, St. Louis Co., Bill Martin, fide NJH. | ||
| 1969 | Fall | This owl remained around Farmington, Dakota County for a few days around December 10, 1969. It was the only report for the species this winter. | ||
| 1969 | Winter | 12-5 Duluth 0. Finseth; mid-Dec. Duluth J. Avelar; 2-15 Clay (fide EGA). | ||
| 1970 | Spring | 3-16 Duluth MMC; only report. | ||
| 1970 | Fall | 4 reports 10-19 St. Louis, D. Chapinski; 11-7 Lake, Milt johnson; 12-15 Hennepin, Tom Nicholls. | ||
| 1970 | Winter | North rural OAF, mid-Dec. to mid-Feb. minimum of 18 birds fide JCG; 12-16 & 2-10 Agassiz NWR staff; 3 all winter Rice Lake NWR, JB; 1-23-24 Cook JCG; 2-11 Mille Lacs MI; 2-14 Sax, St. Louis MMC; 2-23 Crow Wing JB; Southwest: 12-14 Pope JAH; 12-26 Nobles fide JCG; 12-27 Rock JCG; Southeast: 1-11-23 Coates, Dakota Co. FN & RG; 1-18 Sherburne NWR, BD; 1-18-24 N. Mpls. ETS; 1-23 -2-3 Brooklyn Ctr. HFH; Feb. Wabasha fide KRE; 2-14 Wright EHD. | ||
| 1971 | Spring | 7 reports Cook JP; 4-4 Mille Lacs MI; 4-8 Duluth KE; 4-16 Duluth JG; 4-26 Duluth MMC 5-16 Duluth, D. Sheer. | ||
| 1971 | Fall | 9 reports 10-25 Rice OR; 11-10 Clay EA; 11-11 Duluth, E. Putnam; 11-17 Sherburne BD; 11-19 Winona TV; 11-24 Lac qui Parle, fide PE; 12·3 Clearwater RD; 11-24 Marshall AR. | ||
| 1972 | Winter | NORTH Reported from Becker, Cook, Marshall and St. Louis, with a maximum of six birds in the Duluth Harbor area 1-7. SOUTH Re ported from Hennepin and Pope. | ||
| 1973 | Fall | Only four reports (three from A WR): 11-17, 11-26 Marshall (AWR); 10-2 Crow Wing (TS) (quite early). Hawk-Owl Five reports (more than usual): 11-9 St. Louis (GN); 11-1 thru 11-14 Aitkin (TS); 11-12 St. Louis, F. Kaliher; 11-17 St. Louis (DB, RBJ). | ||
| 1973 | Winter | More widespread than usual: a peak of 8 in Duluth harbor, as many as 4 in the Sax-Zim area (St. Louis Co.), Cook, Koochiching, Marshall, Aitkin, (5), Todd, Clay, Stearns (12-1 to 18, NH), Washington (Afton Christmas Count), Ramsey (St. Paul Christmas Count), and Dakota (Hastings Christmas Count). HAWK-OWL A major invasion year: 3 were present in the Sax-Zim bog (St. Louis Co.) from 12-19 to 2-23 (several observers); 1 at Twig (St. Louis Co.) from 12-21 to 2-23 (several observers); 1 at Island Lake, St. Louis Co. on 12-23 (GN); 1 in Cook Co. on 1-26 (T. Dyke); 1 in Crow Co. on 12-7 (TS); 3 in Aitkin Co. from 1-12 to 2-9 (TS); 1-21 McGrath, Aitkin Co. (P. Hubert, A. Smith); 1-27 Pliny, | ||
| 1974 | Spring | 9 reports: 3-1, 3-17, 3-31 Freeborn DG; 3-2 St. Louis MMC; 3-3 Aitkin TS; 3-28 Clay LCF; 3=31 St. Louis B. Hoj nacki; 4-24 Aitkin C. Orjala; 5-18 Aitkin (1) KE, HCK, TS. | ||
| 1974 | Fall | Early 10-12 Hennepin CH; 10-12 Carver MM; 10-18 Clay FMAS; 9 additional reports from Duluth, Marshall, Aitkin, Mille Lacs, Clearwater. | ||
| 1974 | Winter | More widespread than usual: reported from Clay, Ottertail, Marshall, Wilkin, Crow Wing, Aitkin, St. Louis (only 2 at Duluth but 8 at Sax-Zim), Lake, Stearns, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Murray, Hennepin (4), Olmsted, Ramsey, Dakota and Lyon Co's. | ||
| 1975 | Spring | 11 reports: 3-1 (2), 4-15 (1) St. Louis GJN; 3-7 (1) Mille Lacs MI; 3-9 (1), 329 (1) Clay LCF; 3-21 (1) Rice FKS; 3-31 (1) St. Louis NJH; 4-5 St. Louis (2) RBJ, RAG; 4-21 (2) St. Louis MMC; 4-27 Aitkin JB; 4-29 (1) Marshall SV. Burrowing. Owl 1 report, two birds late March near Lake Benton, Lincoln Co. (Leon Krog). | ||
| 1975 | Fall | early north 9·13 Aitkin J. Cole; 10-31 Duluth D. Evans; 10-31 Marshall SV; also reported from Hubbard, Cook, and St. Louis counties; no reports south. | ||
| 1975 | Winter | common again this win ter; reported from 21 counties south to Murray, Cottonwood and Mower Co's; peak of 7 on the Duluth Christ mas Count. | ||
| 1976 | Spring | 5 reports: 3-8 Aitkin (1) JB; 3-13 St. Louis JCG; 3-17 to 3-22 Anoka WL; 3-18 Mille Lacs (1) MI; 5-2 St. Louis (1) NJH. | ||
| 1976 | Fall | Early north 10-26 Duluth, 10-28 Roseau; early south 11-11 Chippewa, 11-16 Anoka, 11-17 Washington. | ||
| 1976 | Winter | Reported from 16 counties south to Murray, Cottonwood and Dodge Co's. | ||
| 1977 | Spring | 11 reports: 3-2, 3-6 St. Louis DA; 3-13 Olmsted JF; 3-16, 3-22, 4-5 St. Louis GN; 3-20 Lac qui Parle CB; 3-31 Ramsey BSH; 4-2 Marshall SV A; 4-24 Lake PM and Becker John SchadweiHer. | ||
| 1977 | Fall | Minor invasion year, no unusual reports. | ||
| 1977 | Winter | A below average winter with reports from Koochiching, St. Louis (Hibbing and Duluth), Lake (Two Harbors and Silver Bay), Mille Lacs, Clay, Wilkin, Lac qui Parle and Cottonwood. | ||
| 1978 | Summer | Early north 9-17 Itasca Warren Nelson (fide JB); early south 9-23 Anoka KL. | ||
| 1978 | Fall | Early north 9-17 Itasca Warren Nelson (fide JB); early south 9-23 Anoka KL. | ||
| 1978 | Winter | A very good winter with reports from 21 counties south to Murray, and Cottonwood; the Duluth-Superior harbor area had perhaps its best winter ever with at least 30 individuals present (D. Evans). | ||
| 1979 | Spring | Wilkin 3-4 GMO, 3-10 SM, 3-24 FKS; 3-7 Murray AD, St. Louis 3-11 TH, 4-10 KE. | ||
| 1979 | Fall | Six reports, 10-16 Blue Earth MF, 10-17 Clay LCF, 11-4 Hennepin (Art Hager), 11-12 St. Louis KE, 11-24 Cottonwood LF, 11-28 Clay LCF. | ||
| 1979 | Winter | Numbers down from last year with 12 on the Duluth CBC, reports from eight north counties and only Dakota 1-27 (JD) in the south. | ||
| 1980 | Spring | Reported 3-1 Aitkin WN, 3-1-30 St. Louis DGW, SC, RJ, GP, KL, AE, FKB, 3-8 Dakota JD, 3-24 Stearns GMO, 4-14 Hennepin VL. | ||
| 1980 | Fall | Early north 10-28 Aitkin WN, 10-29 St. Louis P. Morton, 10-29 Agassiz NWR (8); early south 11-2 Hennepin RBA, 11-12 Stearns EH, 11-16 Sherburne JP; reports from seven south counties. | ||
| 1980 | Winter | An invasion year with reports from 29 counties including an overwintering populaton of 25-30 in the Duluth Harbor (D. Evans). | ||
| 1981 | Spring | Late south 3-11 Waseca JCF, 3-23 Lac qui Parle AE; late north 3-28 St. Louis TW, 4-19 KE, 4-20 Pennington KSS, 4-27 Cook P. Eikeland fide SW I MS; reports also from Aitkin, Beltrami, Lake of the Woods and Wilkin counties. | ||
| 1981 | Fall | Only reports: 11-2 Pennington KSS, 11-17 St. Louis fide KE, 11-20 Clay LCF, Otter Tail SDM, 11-24 Itasca TL. | ||
| 1981 | Winter | Reported from ten counties in the north and central zones south to Big Stone, Wright and Washington. In Duluth about 15 overwintered and a peak of 23 was noted in mid-February, all of which were banded by Dave Evans, fide (KE). | ||
| 1982 | Spring | 5-16 St. Louis S. Berdie. | ||
| 1982 | Fall | All reports: 10/16 St. Louis fide KE, Ill 7 Winona D. K. Palmquist, 11/9 Ramsey BH, 11/14 Wilkin SDM, ll/27 St. Louis KL, 11/28 Douglas fide RJ. | ||
| 1982 | Winter | Only ten overwintered in Duluth (D. Evans) but the species was fairly widespread in the north with reports from ten additional counties. In the south, reports were received from seven counties including a wing tagged individual in Nobles on 12/15. (JS). | ||
| 1983 | Spring | All reports: 3/13 Lyon HK, 3/16 Otter Tail GMO, 4/15, 5/10 Aitkin WN, 4/21 Marshall ANWR. | ||
| 1983 | Fall | 10/30 St. Louis (I) M. Stock, 10/31 Cook KMH, 1/15 Agassiz NWR, Marshall Co. (I) EH, 1/16 Sibley (I) RG, 11/8 Wabasha DWM, IIII I Roseau AJ -all reports. | ||
| 1983 | Winter | No concentrations in the Duluth Harbor area this year and the 20 individuals reported were widely spaced throughout the north and west regions of the state. Reported from ten north counties and Anoka, Renville, Lyon and Pipestone in the south. Only three on the Duluth CBC. | ||
| 1984 | Spring | 3/5 and 3/11 Aitkin WN. | ||
| 1984 | Fall | 1/14 Marshall (2) ANWR, 1/15 Clearw ater (I) RJ, I 1/12 Lake (I) SWIMS, 1/113 St. Louis KE, I 1/28 Lake of the Woods AJ, 11/30 Lake of the Woods (I) KL all reports. | ||
| 1984 | Winter | The 21 individuals reported (virtually the same as last year's 20) were widely dispersed throughout the state. Reported from 15 counties in all but the SW region and again no significant concentrations in the Duluth Harbor. | ||
| 1985 | Spring | 3/2 Olmsted (I) JEB, RE, 3/16 Kittson (I) RJ, 3/17 Roseau (I) RJ, 3/20 Grant/ Otter Tail Co. line (I) KE, SDM, 4/18 Marshall ANWR. | ||
| 1985 | Fall | All reports: 10/22-1 1/21 Duluth ( 1) fide KE, 11/21 Marshall ANWR. | ||
| 1985 | Winter | About six to seven in the Duluth Harbor area in mid-January. Also reported from six north, eight central and two south region counties with a total season count of about 27 (21 L.y.). | ||
| 1986 | Spring | All reports: 3/4 Marshall ANWR, 3/9 Pine (I) DS, 3/17 Wilkin (I) GAM, 3/30 Norman (I) BK, 4/4 Rice (l) FKS, 4/5 Freeborn (l injured) RRK. | ||
| 1986 | Fall | All reports: 11/12 Marshall ANWR, IIIJ8- 28 Duluth (2) KE, 11/24 Wilkin SEM, 11/25 Cook fide SL, ll/26-29Aitkin (2) SeC, WN, 11/27 Clearwater (5) AB. | ||
| 1986 | Winter | Widespread with reports from 20 counties (16 L.Y.) throughout that state. A total of about 38 individuals (27 L. Y.) with up to six in the Duluth Harbor area and three overwintering at Rothsay, Wilkin Co. In the southeast an adult male from 2/ I through 2/6 and an immature female from 2/10 through 4/17 in Winona Co. near Lewiston (AP). | ||
| 1987 | Spring | All reports: 2/l-4/17 Winona AP, m.ob., 3/2 Watonwan RG, 3/14 Aitkin RJ, WN, 3/30 Lyon HK, 4/13 Rice FS, 4/26 Faribault RG. | ||
| 1987 | Summer | One summered at Bemidji airport, Beltrami Co. (G. Maxson, KH). First summer record since 1890. | ||
| 1987 | Fall | All reports: 10/19-28 Pipestone ND, JP, 10/28 Duluth fide KE, 10/31 Lake KE, 11/2 Marshall ANWR, ll/6 Cook EH/RB, WP, 11/9 Beltrami KH, ll/11 Waseca AP, ll/17 Wabasha AP, 11/22 Wilkin (2) SDM, 11/24 Pope DO, 11/27 Aitkin WN and Clearwater AB. | ||
| 1987 | Winter | Fewer reports than normal with only 18 individuals (38 L. Y.) in seven north, one central and three south region counties. | ||
| 1988 | Spring | All reports: 3/3 Chisago JD, 3/11 Lac qui Parle fide JS, 4/10 Wilkin RG, 4/18 Lac qui Parle fide JS, 4/28 Duluth SW. Little Gull (center) with Bonaparte's Gulls, 8 May 1988, Hearding Island, Duluth, St. Louis County. Photo by Bill Penning. | ||
| 1988 | Fall | All reports: 11/7 MinneapolisAB, DB, 11/13 Duluth KE, 11/23 Wilkin SDM, 11/30 Otter Tail SDM. | ||
| 1988 | Winter | Continues to be scarce. Only one all season in the Duluth area fide KE and only one Twin Cities report on the 12/14 MRBA. Six additional reports, all from the western half of the state. | ||
| 1989 | Spring | Only reports: 3/5 Aitkin WN, 3/13 Kittson TR. | ||
| 1989 | Fall | All reports: 11/22 Duluth DEv, 11/26 Wilkin SDM. | ||
| 1989 | Winter | Slight increase from last year with five birds overwintering in Duluth harbor. Also reported from Hubbard, Lake, Clay, Otter Tail, and Olmsted. | ||
| 1990 | Spring | Only report: 3/29 Watonwan ED. | ||
| 1990 | Fall | All reports: 10/27 Cook mob and Duluth fide KE, 10/31 Cook PS, 11/3 Aitkin PS, 11/4 Otter Tail (2) SDM, 11/13 Todd DB, 1/115 Aitkin RG. | ||
| 1990 | Winter | At least 14 birds reported statewide from Redwood, Wilkin, Clay, Mower, Polk, Otter Tail, Aitkin, St. Louis, and Lake of the Woods. | ||
| 1991 | Spring | All reports: 3/1-4118 St. Louis mob, 3/3 Pine AB, 3/5 Pipestone ND. Great Horned Owl with young, 27 April 1991, Aitkin, Aitkin County. Photo by Warren Nelson. | ||
| 1991 | Fall | An invasion year with good numbers reported from the northeast, including no fewer than 22 individuals in November alone! Early north 11/7 Aitkin WN, 11/8 Cook PB, KR and St. Louis KR, 11/14 Cook (3) KMH. | ||
| 1991 | Winter | Record invasion year. Total of 105 individuals (fide KE) reported from at least 17 counties. Most reports in northeast and northcentral, plus Roseau, Polk, Wilkin and Morrison in the north. Only south reports Cottonwood, Dakota, and Rice. | ||
| 1992 | Spring | All reports: 3/1 Carlton KB, 3/2 – 4/21 Aitkin Gs, WN, 4/4 Cottonwood ED, 4/8 Polk PS, 4/21–22 Hennepin OJ, KR, 4/25 Douglas RF, 4/27 Beltrami DJ and Lake DPV, last sighted in Duluth 5/13 mob. | ||
| 1992 | Summer | Second summer report for this century (the first was in 1987). One adult male observed 6/13–14 near Cottonwood in Yellow Medicine Co. HK (The Loon 64:172). | ||
| 1992 | Fall | Reported from Aitkin, Becker, Cook, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mille Lacs, Otter Tail, Polk, Roseau, St. Louis and Wilkin counties in the north; early north 10/18 Koochiching RG, RJ and Lake PB, 10/24 Roseau PS, 10/29 Becker BBE; one south report: 11/14 Wabasha BF, RB. | ||
| 1992 | Winter | Approximately 43–48 individuals reported from 22 counties throughout the state (105 from 17 counties l.y.). Most reports were from the northwest region, unlike last year's record invasion in the northeast. Reported as far south as Cottonwood ED and Jackson JCBC in the southwest, and Houston and Winona mob in the southeast. | ||
| 1993 | Spring | All reports: 3/7 Clay SDM, 3/21 Wilkin (3) SDM, Polk KSS, 3/4 St. Louis TD, 4/4 Aitkin WN, 4/9 Hennepin AH, 4/12 Clay LCF, 4/24 St. Louis ME, 5/10 St. Louis JC. | ||
| 1993 | Fall | The fall season had over 80 reports from as far south as Watonwan County. A full report of the Snowy Owl invasion of 1993 will appear in the next issue of The Loon. | ||
| 1993 | Winter | Record invasion. Over 60+ new individuals reported this season (70+ individuals already reported during the fall), surpassing previous record of 121 birds in 1991–1992. | ||
| 1994 | Spring | All reports: 3/1-5 Hennepin SC, RG, 3/2-6 St. Louis ME/SK, 3/5 Aitkin WN, 3/5 Polk KSS, 3/6 Wilkin SDM, 3/18 Nobles ND, 3/26 St. Louis MH, 4/10 Norman BK, 4/13 Stevens SDM, 4/17 Aitkin SC, 4/19 Carver MB, 5/15 Aitkin WN. | ||
| 1994 | Fall | All reports: 11/26 St. Louis TW, TB. | ||
| 1994 | Winter | After last year's record invasion of 351 birds (The Loon 66:160–65), only about 18 individuals reported, with the most southern in Cottonwood ED (2), on the Excelsior CBC, and 1/11 Dakota fide PBa. | ||
| 1995 | Spring | All reports: 3/12 Beltrami DJ and Morrison fide AH, 3/19 St. Louis TW. | ||
| 1995 | Fall | All reports: 11/8 St. Louis (dead) fide KE, 11/12 Aitkin BL, PS, 11/13 Pope fide AH, 11/13 Port Terminal, Duluth fide AH, 11/20 Park Point, Duluth DBM, 11/21 Becker BBe et al., 11/26 Wilkin SDM. | ||
| 1995 | Winter | Over 50 individuals reported from 24 counties throughout the state, with the south and west regions well-represented,; relatively few reports from the northeast. | ||
| 1996 | Spring | All reports: 3/5 Clay SDM, 3/9 Becker fide AH, 3/10 Otter Tail SDM, 3/17–20 Aitkin WN, 3/20 Wilkin SDM, 3/31 Clay CF. | ||
| 1996 | Fall | A major irruption started in early November with at least 33 individuals found by the end of the month. Reported from eight north counties plus Anoka, Big Stone, Cottonwood, Faribault, Hennepin, Jackson, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, Mower, Ramsey, Swift, and Watonwan in the south. | ||
| 1996 | Winter | Second highest documented invasion on record, with nearly 100 individuals reported this season alone. Reports came from throughout the state as far south as Jackson and Freeborn on the Iowa border. First county record 1/10 Mahnomen BBe; this species has now been recorded in all 87 counties. | ||
| 1997 | Spring | Second largest documented invasion on record (The Loon 69:114–124). Peak 3/6 western Minnesota (20) RG, RJ, SDM (The Loon 69:153–155). Late south 4/3 Lincoln fide RgS, 4/4 Mower fide AH, 5/18 Mille Lacs (Long Siding) fide KE. Late north 5/22 Duluth fide KE, 5/27 Roseau fide PS. | ||
| 1997 | Summer | Extremely late migrant observed on 6/6 at Agassiz NWR in Marshall Co. LS; only two other summer records (1987, 1992) exist for this century. | ||
| 1997 | Fall | All reports: 11/15 Duluth, St. Louis Co. fide KE, 11/21 Hennepin fide AH, 11/22 Stevens fide AH, 11/26 Polk fide AH, 11/30 Aitkin WN. | ||
| 1997 | Winter | Approximately 56 individuals reported throughout the state fide PS, but concentrated in the Northwest and West Central regions where a peak of five noted on the Crookston CBC. Numbers down in the Northeast with only two individuals present at Duluth fide KE. | ||
| 1998 | Spring | All reports: 3/1 Hennepin NWi, 4/2 Clay fide SDM, early April Becker fide AH, (no date) St. Louis mob. | ||
| 1998 | Fall | No reports. | ||
| 1998 | Winter | Only 20 individuals reported, much lower than average. | ||
| 1999 | Spring | All reports: 3/4–14 St. Louis (Mountain Iron) mob, 4/25 St. Louis (Pequaywan L.) fide DBe, 4/26 and 5/26 St. Louis (Duluth) ME, DG. | ||
| 1999 | Fall | All reports: 11/7–8 Becker BBe, 11/13 Aitkin WN and Anoka JHa, 11/14 Ramsey fide AH, plus two November reports from Cook. | ||
| 1999 | Winter | Only eleven individuals reported, including only two south reports, and only one wintering in Duluth (fide KE). | ||
| 2000 | Spring | Two reports: 3/6 Dakota fide AH, 3/20 Douglas JJ. | ||
| 2000 | Fall | Major invasion beginning 10/15 Lake of the Woods fide BAB, 10/16 Pine fide AXH. At least 15 were picked up starving, injured, or dead between late October and early November, including the earliest south (11/2 Wright). Total of 53 Snowys reported from 13 north and 6 south counties by end of period. | ||
| 2000 | Winter | From October through April, 1/1 individuals were reported, the fourth largest documented invasion (The Loon 73:135–143) | ||
| 2001 | Spring | Lingered as late as 4/6 Pennington fide BAB, 4/27 Marshall KJB. Also see The Loon 73:135–143. | ||
| 2001 | Fall | Recapitulating last year's influx, about one-fourth of the 64 Snowys reported in Minnesota this season were injured, starving, or found dead. Early north 10/17 Roseau SWd, 10/23 Lake of the Woods fide AXH. Early south 10/29 Olmsted CBe and Washington fide SKS. | ||
| 2001 | Winter | Widespread (please see Figure 1). PHS compiled 134 individuals in 40 counties 10/17–5/18, 61 of which occurred during the winter season. | ||
| 2002 | Spring | The last of 134+ Snowy Owls in the state from Fall 2001 through Spring 2002 (see map in winter report) lingered through 4/30 Marshall (Warren) MBr, 5/17–18 St. Louis (Duluth) †AXH, †PHS. Third largest documented invasion in state history, following 351 in 1993–94 and 153 in 1996–97. | ||
| 2002 | Fall | All north reports: (no date) Cook fide DRB, 11/20 Otter Tail EJE, 11/24–30 St. Louis (Morgan Park) JWB et al. Only south report: (no date) Lac qui Parle FAE. | ||
| 2002 | Winter | Eleven individuals reported from seven counties in the south and west. No reports from St. Louis. | ||
| 2003 | Spring | All reports: 3/15 Wilkin (Atherton Twp.) PCC, 3/18 Polk (2 at Glacial Ridge Project) DLT, 3/29 Grant/Stevens SPM, DKM, 4/2 Stevens (John A. Scharf W.M.A.) fide AXH. | ||
| 2003 | Fall | All reports: 11/4 Polk (5 along C.R. 41 east of Climax) HH, 11/14 Polk (3 at Burnham Creek W.M.A.) JEc. | ||
| 2003 | Winter | Total of 13 individuals reported from 13 counties in all regions except the Southwest and South-central. Only one report from Duluth fide KRE. | ||
| 2004 | Spring | All reports: 3/3 Polk (2 at Glacial Ridge) JEc, 3/11 Cass fide MRN, 3/27 Renville BTS et al. | ||
| 2004 | Fall | Total of 16 birds in 8 north counties beginning 10/19 Marshall fide CSt, 10/23 Cook PCC, PHS, 10/24 Polk fide JMJ. Only south report: found dead 11/22 Cottonwood (hit by motorized vehicle, Windom) BRB. | ||
| 2004 | Winter | At least 20 individuals reported from 10 north and 5 south counties. Immature male admitted to Raptor Center after being picked up 12/11 Nicollet (St. Peter) fide AXH. One died after being hit by vehicle 12/21 Yellow Medicine (US 75, north of Canby) fide PHS. All other south reports: 12/18 Ramsey (St. Paul NE Suburban CBC), 1/31–2/2 Lyon JT, 2/2 Dakota ADS. | ||
| 2005 | Spring | All south reports: 3/3 Dodge KV, mid-March Lac qui Parle fide JMJ. March reports north in Aitkin (2) and Kittson, then 5/1 Roseau (section 34, T161N R35W) JBi. | ||
| 2005 | Fall | Major invasion beginning 10/8 Becker (Spring Creek Twp.) BJU, 10/13 Clay (Flowing Twp.) BJU. Early south 10/30 Wright (injured, probably hit by vehicle) fide AXH, ~11/2 Dakota fide LRA. An emaciated bird was taken into care 10/28 St. Louis (Saginaw) fide DW, but starvation was not otherwise reported. | ||
| 2005 | Winter | PHS compiled records of 176 individuals in 52 counties between 8 October 2005 and 2 June 2006, 1/4 of which were first found during the winter season. Reported from all regions and as far south as Pipestone in Southwest, Freeborn in South-central, and Mower, Fillmore, and Houston in Southeast. High count north 12/31 Roseau (7, Roseau CBC) fide BJo. At least four individuals at Minneapolis airport most of January MCA, m.ob. | ||
| 2006 | Spring | Late south 4/10 McLeod PRH, 4/17 Olmsted fide OWB. Late north 5/1 Crow Wing (Garrison) MBJ, 5/12–26 Clay (Felton Prairie) m.ob., 5/30–6/2 Itasca (near Dora Lake) †SC. | ||
| 2006 | Summer | One reported near Dora Lake in late May was last seen 6/2 Itasca †SC. | ||
| 2006 | Fall | Early north 11/7 Lake of the Woods TCr; singles also observed in Aitkin, Hubbard, Itasca, Marshall, Roseau. Only south report: 11/16 Lac qui Parle BJU. | ||
| 2006 | Winter | 9 | 10 | PHS compiled a total of 47 individuals between 11/7/06 and 5/1/07, 31 of which were first found during the winter season. Overwintered beginning 1/5 St Louis (Duluth) DLE, m.ob. Most reports were from the Northwest region, especially in Kittson, where a high count of 4 was noted near Orleans 12/11 HHD, RAE. Scattered widely across the southern regions from Wilkin, Lac qui Parle, Murray, and Nobles, east to Winona and Wabasha. One found dead 1/9 Steele fide AEB. At least one bird was seen again at Minneapolis / St. Paul Airport in January and February (m.ob.). |
| 2007 | Spring | 2 | 2 | All south reports: 3/5–9 Hennepin (MSP Airport) DWK, JLO, 3/12 Meeker DMF. All north reports: 3/8 Hubbard MAW, 4/4 and 5/1 Kittson LW fide JMJ. |
| 2007 | Fall | 5 | 1 | North reports beginning 11/10 Kittson (near Lancaster) LW, then 11/11 Kittson (near Orleans) LW, 11/14–15 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) MA, 11/16 Cook BRL, 11/19 Polk (near Climax) DLT, 11/26 Roseau (Roseau River W.M.A.) SWd. Only south report: 11/20 Ramsey (Tamarack N.C.) m.ob. |
| 2007 | Winter | 6 | 9 | Reported throughout the season from 12/6 –2/28, but only 19 individuals reported, down from 47 last year. In the north, reports were concentrated in a triangle from Polk south to Clay, Wilkin and Otter Tail Counties, and then across the state to Aitkin and St. Louis (Duluth). In the south, reports extended in a broad band from Swift, Chippewa and Renville in the western regions east to Anoka and Wabasha. Far south was an individual 12/9 in Martin SaL. Frequently reported was one bird near the Duluth Airport 12/22–2/3 MSS, PHS, m.ob. This year two birds were seen at the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport 12/15–1/27 JCC, DWK, m.ob. |
| 2008 | Spring | 5 | 1 | Only south report 3/1 Rock (Touch the Sky Prairie) DBM. Reported north 3/1 St. Louis (Duluth) CCB, 3/6 Polk AdR, 3/15–22 Aitkin WEN, WMS, m.ob., 4/13 Kittson GMM, 4/19 Douglas (Osakis W.T.P.) JPE. |
| 2008 | Fall | 7 | 4 | Early north (median 11/7) 10/23 Roseau SWd and Wilkin GAM, 10/24 Pennington JoB. All south reports: 11/19 Lac qui Parle BJU and Meeker/Wright DBM, 11/26 Nicollet CKB. |
| 2008 | Winter | 6 | 7 | Approximately 18 individuals reported statewide, the lowest total since the recent peak of 1/4 tallied during the winter season 2005–06. All north reports split between St. Louis (Duluth) and far northwest counties. South reports all in Southeast or East-central counties plus Lac qui Parle in the far west. Many observers were able to see at least one at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport. A total of six individuals recorded on CBCs, including three in Duluth. |
| 2009 | Spring | 2 | 2 | All south reports: 3/6–25 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU, 3/21 Stevens DPG, 3/22 Lac qui Parle (location?) LCo, 4/12 Jackson fide ErH. All north reports: 3/13 St. Louis (Park Point, Duluth) SIv, 3/17 (2) and 3/24 Kittson LW. |
| 2009 | Fall | 3 | Early north (median 11/7) 11/12 Mille Lacs KAp. Only other reports: 11/22 Beltrami KVH, 11/27 Aitkin DPG, PHS. | |
| 2009 | Winter | 8 | 6 | A total of only 15 individuals reported, down considerably from recent years. Reported on the following CBCs: Cook, Crookston, Bloomington, Duluth, Grand Forks-East Grand Forks, Grand Marais, Northwest McLeod (Hutchinson), Wabasha. Unusual was an individual in south Minneapolis (Hennepin) 2/9 perched on a garage in a neighborhood near Lake Nokomis LSG, ph. RFo. |
| 2010 | Spring | 2 | 1 | Reported south 3/17 Lac qui Parle (Agassiz Twp.) ph. BJU. Only north reports: 3/17 Polk KLa, 4/2 Roseau BJS. |
| 2010 | Fall | 1 | Only report from Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) 11/18 MAn. | |
| 2010 | Winter | 6 | 3 | Widely scattered throughout the state excluding the extreme southern counties, with a total of only about 12 individuals observed, and continuing the downward trend in overall numbers since 2005. Seen on only 4 CBCs north and 1 south, with the high count 12/18 Duluth (2) . All south reports include 12/18 Hennepin SMC (and possibly later), 1/6 Rice TFB, and likely different birds 1/11–13 Rice fide DAT (possibly earlier according to locals), m.ob., 1/23–2/13 Rice fide TFB, m.ob., and 2/15 Lac qui Parle BJU. |
| 2011 | Spring | 1 | 1 | Only south report 3/16 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU. All north reports 3/4 Kittson (imm. female) RAE, 3/5 Kittson (ad. male) HHD, RAE. |
| 2011 | Fall | 14 | 13 | Early north (median 11/7) 10/28 St. Louis (Duluth) fide AXH, 11/14 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) MA. Also observed north in Aitkin, Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Itasca, Kittson, Lake, Morrison, Otter Tail, Pennington, Polk, Roseau. Early south (median 11/13) 10/31, 11/7 Lac qui Parle (Perry Twp.) BJU, 11/12 Chippewa ph. CAM. Also observed south in Benton, Big Stone, Fillmore, Hennepin, Houston, Isanti, Ramsey, Steele, Swift, Waseca, Winona. Reports increased both north and south during the third week of November. |
| 2011 | Winter | 17 | 31 | An invasion year for this species, with approximately 100 individuals reported, but not as massive as the previous invasion in 2005–2006. Reports began in the fall and actually continued into the following summer! Distribution of reports show no clear pattern of dispersal, and birds were oddly missing from large areas, particularly in the North-central region. Several individuals were reported as moribund or dead. The individual high count was 2/17 Dodge (3) DAC, and the CBC high count was 12/17 Duluth (2). [Corrected] |
| 2012 | Spring | 4 | 7 | Reported south in Big Stone, Fillmore, Houston, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Pipestone, Waseca as late as 4/9 Big Stone DLP. Reported north in Becker, Marshall, Otter Tail, Traverse as late as 4/4 Becker KAn. |
| 2012 | Summer | 2 | Seen 6/12, 6/17 Clay (south of Moorhead) ph. †DLW, ph. HdG, 6/17 Norman (just east of Perley) ph. †DLW (The Loon 85:44–46). | |
| 2012 | Fall | 6 | 1 | All north reports (early median 11/7): 10/24 Clay JoC, 11/1 Polk ph. JeH, 11/8 Beltrami fide DPJ, 11/9 Marshall (south of Warren) fide AXH, 11/12 Aitkin (Fleming Twp.) fide AXH, 11/24 St. Louis (Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census) ABL, KJB. Only south report (early median 11/13) 11/4 Hennepin (Maple Grove) ph. JaS. |
| 2012 | Winter | 13 | 12 | Widely scattered sightings statewide, with no clear pattern of dispersal. While reports were down from last year's invasion (48 counties, 100 individuals), the overall number of counties with records was higher than any of the five winters prior to last year, with approximately 40 individuals found during winter (but see The Loon 85:148–149 for a review of the complete incursion of all winter owls, which lasted from October into May) . The highest concentration of individuals was in the Duluth area, beginning 12/7–2/27 St. Louis (5), m.ob.; these included numerous observations of a bird at Canal Park. Only one bird was noted at the MSP airport, typically another hotspot, 12/16, 1/3, 1/29 Hennepin CMB, fide AXH. The farthest south reports were from Dodge, where two were frequently reported 1/1–2/9 KRV, m.ob. |
| 2013 | Spring | 4 | 3 | Lingering birds from the winter irruption included south reports 3/11 Chippewa JHa, 3/21 Stevens DLP, 4/22 Ramsey (Roseville) KRo. All north 3/10, 3/31 Lake (west side of Two Harbors) fide JWL, 3/14 Kittson (2) fide JMJ, 3/19 Polk (near Euclid) fide JMJ, 3/26 Becker JAr, 4/20 Lake (industrial park on the north side of Two Harbors) fide JWL. Also see The Loon 85:148–149 for a more complete summary of the irruption. |
| 2013 | Fall | 6 | Only reported north (median 11/7): 11/18 Polk (south of Crookston) fide HHu, 11/22 Crow Wing (Brainerd) ph. JPR, Roseau (Roseau) fide HHu, 11/24 Cook (Grand Marais) AHe, 11/25 Lake (Silver Bay Safe Harbor) AHe, 11/29 St. Louis (Park Point, dune bridge near airport) EPe, RoC, EPe, 11/30 St. Louis (Superior Entry) ClN. | |
| 2013 | Winter | 24 | 42 | A major invasion that began in the fall lasted well into the spring. For the winter season, birds were reported from 66 of 87 counties in the state, making this the most widespread invasion since winter 1993–94 (The Loon 66:160–165). High count 1/12 Dakota (6) RbC. |
| 2014 | Spring | 12 | 25 | The winter invasion of this species continued as birds were found widely. High count 3/29–31 Dodge (14, southwest corner of the county) RMD, NFT. Late south 4/15 Dakota (2, Great Western Industrial Park) DVe, 4/22 Swift DO, 4/23 Hennepin (Loretto) JCr, 5/29 Waseca AEB (median 4/2). Late north 4/30 Pine (Pine City) EEO, 5/7 Roseau BSi, 5/19 St. Louis (Park Point) KJB (median 4/19). |
| 2014 | Fall | 9 | 7 | Early north 10/28 St. Louis fide JWL, 10/31 Pennington fide JMJ, 11/9 Roseau fide JMJ, 11/11 Aitkin BU, Beltrami BDS, 11/12 Red Lake SAS. Early south 11/8 Winona KAK, 11/9 Meeker JfG, JWd, BNn, 11/20 Kandiyohi GSw, HCT. High count 11/28 Sherburne (4, along C.R. 17) CTa. |
| 2014 | Winter | 17 | 27 | Snowy Owls made another strong showing in the state with winter season reports from 44 counties. Though less than the 66 counties of the prior winter this total is double the average winter tally of counties for 2008–2012, which was only 22. Highest count 2/22 Polk (6, Tabor) SAu. |
| 2015 | Spring | 6 | 6 | High counts of three in Polk and Hennepin in March. Late south 4/9 Hennepin CMB, 4/10 Anoka AMa (median 4/2). Late north 4/6 Roseau BSi, 4/7 Polk SAu, 4/9 Beltrami fide JMJ, 4/11 Lake of the Woods GMM (median 4/19). |
| 2015 | Fall | 13 | 6 | Arrived north and south well prior to recent medians. Early north (median 11/4) 10/14 St. Louis AmJ, 10/18 Otter Tail fide JMJ, Roseau fide JMJ, 10/23 Polk EH. Early south (median 11/14) 10/18 Hennepin (MSP International Airport) SKe, 10/19 Anoka BAB, Hennepin (NE Minneapolis) KDR. Also reported south in Chisago, Lyon, McLeod, Mower. |
| 2015 | Winter | 15 | 16 | Reported from 31 counties statewide, fewer than each of the prior two winters but somewhat above average for a non-invasion year. High counts 2/28 St. Louis (6, St. Louis River between Bong Bridge and Erie Pier) PHS, 1/4 Dodge (4, five miles northeast of Blooming Prairie) ShS. |
| 2016 | Spring | 7 | 5 | Wintering birds were scattered around the state as the spring season began. Late south 3/15 Olmsted (C.R. 9 just west of C.R. 10) THu, 3/16 Jackson DOB, 4/2 Scott DAs. Late north 3/30 Pine fide MJB, 4/10 Polk (two miles east of Eldred) fide JMJ, 4/24 Polk (6 miles east of Climax) LnT. |
| 2016 | Fall | 4 | 1 | All north 11/8 Clearwater CoC, 11/12 Polk (C.R. 20 north of Sherack) fide JMJ, 11/27 Kittson (2, a few miles west of Lancaster) fide JMJ, 11/29 Cass (north of S.R. 64 and C.R. 24) FGo. All south 11/24–25 Hennepin (MSP International Airport) ASu, KvM, m.ob. |
| 2016 | Winter | 18 | 10 | Reported from about the same number of north counties as the average for the past five winters (17); in the previous five-winter period (2006–2010), the average was only seven. Most north reports were from Aitkin, Pine, and Polk, and only a few from St. Louis (about 3 individuals). North high counts: 2/9 Polk (7, various locations in county) JMP, 2/25 Polk (4) SAu. South reports (all singles) were from only ten counties, fewer than in any of the previous five winters (average 28); in the 2006–2010 winter period the average was seven counties. No reports from the southern three tiers of counties except Lyon. One cooperative bird spent January in downtown Minneapolis (Hennepin). Total south individuals about 20. |
| 2017 | Spring | 5 | 3 | High count 3/17 Polk (7, all on two fields near Sherack; 6 still present on 3/21) SAu. All south 3/14 Olmsted ByM, 4/6 Pope BBw, 4/15 Stevens (600 Ave. and 150 St.) KRE, m.ob., 4/17 Stevens (C.R.73 and 160th St. - about 2.5 miles from the 4/15 location) HCT, SBM. Late north 4/12–14 Aitkin JaF, KCR, KRE, 4/24 St. Louis DlG (median 4/20). |
| 2017 | Fall | 9 | 19 | Arrived north and south well prior to recent medians. More reports than usual from the counties immediately south of the Twin Cities. Early north (median 11/4) 10/17 Marshall HHu, 10/26 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) ArL, 11/6 Lake DWK, HCT, JWL, JPR. Early south (median 11/13) 10/25 Ramsey KnP, 11/3 Scott NyL, 11/5 Dakota RPR. High count 11/25 Polk (3) SAS, JMJ. |
| 2017 | Winter | 24 | 38 | Invasion year; widespread both north and south throughout the season. Reported from 62 counties statewide, over twice the season average for the past ten winters (29) and the second highest total in that period, somewhat behind the major invasion of winter 2013 (66). North high count 2/10 Polk (6) JMJ. South high count 12/16 Hennepin (4, MSP International Airport) DnS, MiS, MwT. CBC high counts 12/16 Bloomington (4), Duluth (4). |
| 2018 | Spring | 15 | 15 | High count 3/15–22 Hennepin (4, Cargo Road) ebd, DWK. Late south 4/25–26 Kandiyohi JWd, 5/18 Sherburne RCz, 5/29–31 Stearns PCC, m.ob. (median 4/4). Late north 4/20 Polk LnT, 5/10–12 Red Lake fide JMJ, 5/27 St. Louis (Port Terminal) MFu (median 4/20). |
| 2018 | Summer | 1 | Seen 6/1 Stearns (St. Augusta Twp., I-94 between MN 15 and 260th St. overpass, continuing from spring season) PCC, MJB. | |
| 2018 | Fall | 6 | 4 | Â All north 11/10 Clay ebd, 11/16 Crow Wing PSP, 11/18 Grant WPl, 11/19 Polk (C.R. 17) KuE, 11/20 Pine TCL, 11/29 Polk (Sullivan Twp.) SAu. All south 10/26 Pope ebd, 11/20 Ramsey (New Brighton) BDo, 11/24 Ramsey (Wilkinson Lake) MWS, m.ob., 11/25 Hennepin (MSP International Airport) ebd, 11/29 Dakota JBu. |
| 2018 | Winter | 16 | 14 | A non-invasion year; reported from 30 counties statewide, less than half of last winter†™s 62. The 10-year average is 34 (15 north, 19 south). Unlike last winter, most north reports came from St. Louis (especially Sax-Zim Bog). High count 12/24 Marshall (4) HHu; all other reports were of 1–2 individuals. CBC high count 1/1 Mountain Lake-Windom (3). |
| 2019 | Spring | 7 | 2 | No counts of more than one individual. All south 3/8 Dakota ebd, 3/17 Chippewa VKl. Late north 3/17 Becker NaH, St. Louis JLA, 3/18 Traverse DBz, ANy, 3/30 Clay PBB (median 4/20). |
| 2019 | Fall | 2 | 2 | All north 11/13–19 Polk (near Climax) LnT, HHu, 11/24 Crow Wing (C.R. 16) ebd, Polk (2) JMJ, 11/26 Polk HHu. All south 11/22–26 Hennepin (MSP International Airport) JuW, m.ob., 11/24 Kandiyohi SGa, JWd. |
| 2019 | Winter | 12 | 10 | Â Reported from only 22 counties statewide, the lowest number since 2010 and eight fewer than last winter. The ten-year average is 36 counties (range 9–62). Most north reports were from St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog), all of 1–2 individuals. North high count 2/3 Polk (4) JHs. All south reports were singles except 2/9 Stearns (2) MJB. No CBC reports. |
| 2020 | Spring | 3 | 1 | High count 3/20 Polk (3, Sherack Rd.) JHs. Only south 3/10 Stearns BRB. Late north reports all from Polk, where last reported from two locations 3/26 (near the towns of Warren & Euclid) HHu (median 4/20). |
| 2020 | Fall | 1 | 1 | Only north report 11/19 St. Louis (Armstrong Creek, west of Ely) ebd. Only south report 11/1 Mower (Sargeant Twp.) SWm. |
| 2020 | Winter | 14 | 23 | Reported from 37 counties statewide, which is close to the ten-year average (36.5; range 9–66) and the most since 2017 (the last invasion winter). Most north reports were from St. Louis (Saz-Zim Bog), all of 1–2 individuals. South high counts were from Hennepin in late December (3, MSP International Airport) m.ob. All others were of 1–2 individuals. |
| 2021 | Spring | 8 | 5 | High counts of two in Rice and Hennepin in early March and mid-April, respectively. Late south 3/13 Steele DFe, CBt, 3/16 Dakota MaJ, 4/16–18 Hennepin (max. 2) ebd, SHF, BAF (median 4/2). Late north 3/18 Clay PBB, 4/30 Cook (Grand Marais Harbor) LWd, 5/25 Grant/Otter Tail (C.R. 26) WPl, m.ob (median 4/19). |
| 2021 | Fall | 4 | 5 | All north 11/26–30 St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog) ebd, 11/27 Polk (2, Farley Twp.) SAu, (Keystone Twp.) SAu, 11/28 Clay (Felton Twp.) ebd, Polk (Tabor Twp.) SAu, JCJ, (Euclid) HHu, JMJ, 11/30 Lake (Two Harbors) JWL. All south 11/6 Steele (C.R. 45) ebd, 11/22 Blue Earth (Judson Twp.) ebd, 11/23–26 Hennepin (Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) CJE, m.ob., 11/28 Isanti SPS. |
| 2021 | Winter | 19 | 26 | Reported from 45 counties statewide, above the ten-year average (39) and the most since winter 2017. Most north reports by far were from St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog; all of 1–3 individuals). High count north: 1/3 Polk (4) ebd. South high counts were from Hennepin in December (MSP International Airport), with 5 seen 12/27 ebd, and 4 on several other December dates. Elsewhere, south counts were all 1–2 individuals. CBC high counts 1/2 Roseau (3), 12/18 Fargo-Moorhead (2), Bloomington (2). |
| 2022 | Spring | 8 | 8 | High count 3/22 Polk (3, C.R. 65) HHu. Late south 4/2 Yellow Medicine TWe, m.ob., 4/4 Lac qui Parle ebd, 4/8 Redwood ASu, DvN (median 4/2). Late north 4/9 Grant ebd, 4/11 Cass ebd, 4/21 St. Louis SeM (median 4/19). |
| Irruptive winter visitant mostly north. | ||||
| 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. |