Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon - Rails, Gallinules, Coots 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: Rails, Gallinules, Coots
King Rail
Virginia Rail
Sora
Common Gallinule
American Coot
Purple Gallinule
Yellow Rail
Black Rail

Virginia Rail(Rallus limicola)
YearSeasonNS
1930SummerNest, ten eggs, at Oxboro Pond, May 29th (the writer. Dc\·.rny young, one-third grow, were seen by Alden Risser, near St. Paul on August 11th.
1932SummerDobie found the first nest, l-1ny 22. It harbored 7 eggs. Tr.o last one was found on Juno 11 with 9 eggs, most of which were pipped (the writer).
1933Summer We have reports of three nests of this bird. Mr. Swedenborg flushed a female from a finished but empty nest near Minneapolis on May 22nd. On May 29th a nest containing 4 eggs was found by Eisele & Downey near Minneapolis, while the last, containing 6 eggs, was located on June.3rd noo.r Long Mendow by Upson, Cnrlander, Evans and Du.Toit. §.2M Five nests reported. Eisele discovered the first on May 24th, near Minneapolis. It held 9 eggs, and was subsequently destroyed by rising water. Throe nests wQJ."e found nenr Bakus by Hiemenz on June 5th (7 eggs), Juno 8th (10 eggs) and on June 15th {12 eggs). Morse reports the last nest, found on June 2oth near Robbinsdale and containing 8 eggs. l'ho Flicker, 1933
1934Summer Woolsey reported tho earliest nest of this species, one 'With 8 o{;;gs £ound near Vergas on Juno 3rd. The last nest was found near St. Cloud by Hiemenz o.nd Hanson on June 12th, when it contained 9 eggs.
1935Summer Barthel saw 10 eggs of an early bird o.t Lake Kl.:tito May 9th. May 30th Turner saw 9 eggs lO Brackenridge saw 3 eggs Mny 31st, 8 eggs June 21st, and 10 eggs June 28th. Breckenridge found 3 nests, the first 2 on May 28th contained 12 and 5 eggs respectively. On May 31st he found another with.3 eggs.
1936Summer E. D. SwCdenborg located a nest of nine eggs on May 28th. Anest completed but empty was found two days later by Swedenborg. A nest containing six eggs wns fcund on May 31st by Robert Upson.
1937SummerOn May 27 B. Up-son found a nest near Minneapolis that held six eggs.
1938SummerMilton Thompson and Bob Upson found 2 nest near Min­neapolis; the first, on May 26, held 2 eggs; the second, on June 30, held 3 eggs.
1940SummerFour observers re­ ported this species. On June 7, Mr. DuBois found two nests with IO eggs each at Lake Minnetonka. Arno1d Erick­ son and Dana Struthers located a nest with I newly hatched young and 2 eggs at Mendota on June 29, and Rhoda Green found a nest near St. Paul which contained 9 eggs on May 29.
1943SummerMay 31 and June 6, Ramsey County. Bros. Lewis and Pius. Mpls., 5 young, July 4, F. S. Davidsoo.
1946Summer2 large young, July 7, Ramsey Co., Moore. 5 young, Aug. 1, Hennepin Co., Barrett.
1947SummerBroken eggs in nest, May 30, Heron Lake, Jacobs; 6 young, June 23, Hennepin Co., Jacobs; 2 eggs and young, June 29; 9 eggs, July 5, Lac qui Parle Co., Willis.
1961Spring"abundant" at Swan Lake, on 20 May when six were seen by R. Janssen.
1961SummerOn 8 July, A. C. Rosenwinkel saw five young in Washington County. The Huber brothers found a nest with five eggs at Swan Lake on 24 June. Avifauna} Club members saw two chicks near Waubun on 4 July and four chicks at Syre, on the same day.
1961FallOne was seen at Heron Lake. Jackson County by the Avifaunal Club on 1 Oct.
1962SpringMay 24 Winona, Hiawatha Valley Bird Club; May 20 Hennepin Co., R. Huber and R. G!assel; May 27 Swan Lake, Nicollet Co., one heard, Avifaunal Club; May 30 one flushed in Becker Co., Avifaunal Club.
1962SummerAug. 28, Minnneapolis, 4 young, Brother Theodore; late Aug., Winona, 7 young, Mrs. Lamberton.
1962FallSept. 8, Swan Lake, Avifaunal Club.
1963SummerAnoka Co., Carlos Avery Refuge, Aug. 10, ad, 1 downy black y, R. B. Janssen. Stevens Co., Alberta, several ad with 8-10 large y, R Grant. Ramsey Co., Bald Eagle Lake, ad, 3 downy y, Elizabeth Campbell.
1963Falllatest Oct. 5, Nicollet Co., Avifaunal Club.
1964Spring5-15 Ramsey Co, ACR; 5-21 Duluth, PBH; 5-23 Ramsey Co, MAS.
1964Summer6-6, Minnepolis, ad and y, MAS.
1964Fall9-5 and 9-18 Ramsey Co, ACR; 10-6 to 11-3 Hennepin Co, 1 imm, Irene Dahl.
1965Springearliest 4-8 Olson Lake, DS and Hennepin Co, EMB, RBJ.
1966Springearliest 4-27 Rice Co, OAR; 5-1 Rochester, JPF; 5-5 Forest Lake, Washington Co WHL; 5-9 Stevens Co, ES.
1966Summerreported from Hennepin, Nicollet, Faribault, Wright and Benton Co's; one seen at Island Lake, St. Louis Co, on 6-20 PBH.
1966FallLatest 9-13 Lac qui Parle Co., JAH; 9-22 Redwood Co., PE.
1967Springearly 4-16 Hennepin Co., RBJ; 4-18 Winona Co., GD; 4-29 Stearns Co., RPR.
1967Summernested in Hennepin, Carver Co's; also reported from Crow Wing, Wright, Houston, Swift Co's.
1967Fall latest 8-29 Nicollet Co., EHH; 9-18 Yellow Medicine Co., PE.
1968Spring early 5-l 0 Fargo-Moorhead, fide EGA; 5-11 Sherburne Co., KE.; 5-18 St. Paul, BL; 5-19 Ramsey Co., RJC.
1968Summer Nested in Clearwater Co (LWJ); also reported from Anoka, Morrison, Hennepin, Wright Co's.
1968Fall8-14 Watonwan 1 imm. DMF; 9-4 -9-5 Crow Wing 1 imm. found in back yard MSB; 9-7 Carver RDT; 9-14 Watonwan DMF; 9-14 Hennepin KP. Four reported during the season in Wright by ETS.
1969Spring5-18 Anoka Co., CKS, and Sherburne Co., DB; 5-25 Watonwan Co., WF.
1969Summernested at Crosby Beach, Crow Wing Co.; at Sugar Lake, Wright Co.; and in Watonwan Co. New nesting locale was PINE Co. (along Route 23), 1y in the road, VL. Also reported in Anoka, Sibley, Mahnomen, and Nicollet Co's.
1969Fall9-7 Wright ETS; 9-21 and 11-6 Carver TH; 10-21 Watonwan EDK; 10-30 Lyon PE.
1970Spring5-2 Nicollet KE, PE; 5-9 Cottonwood BL; 5-9 (20} and 5-16 Lyon KE, PE; no date Clearwater RD; only reports.
1970Summernested in Hennepin (Long Lake) and Wright (Pelican Lake) Co's; also reported from Ramsey Co.
1970Falllate south 9-10 Hennepin, Marv Borell; 9-13 Hennepin VL; 9-26 Lyon PE; only report north 9-1 Crow Wing )B.
1971Spring10 reports BDC, DB; 5-6 Lyon HK; 5-12 Ramsey DM; 2 reports north: 5-16 Duluth, D. Sheer; no date, Clearwater RCD.
1971Summernested in Wright, Hennepin and Houston; also reported from Marshall, Carver and Lyon.
1971Falllate south 9-3 Cottonwood; 10-2 Pope; 10-12 Hennepin; late north 9-6 Crow Wing TS.
1971Winter1-8 Winona RBJ, RG -third winter record.
1972Summernested in Nicollet; seen also in Mahnomen, Aitkin, Pope, Hennepin, Wright.
1973Summer Nested in Wright; seen in Cottonwood, Dakota, Hennepin, Sherburne, Mille Lacs, Aitkin, & St. Louis (6-23 St. Louis River JCG).
1973Fall Fewer reports than usual. Seen 8-18 St. Louis (RBJ); 9-30 Wright (ETS). One very late date: 11-17 Aitkin Mark Carlson.
1974Spring 13 reports: early south 4-20 Houston KE; 4-28 Hennepin DR; 4-30 Hennepin ETS, VL; only report north 5-25 Cass MS.
1974Summer Only reported from Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Hennepin.
1974Fall Late south 8-16 Wright ES; 8-24 Blue Earth RBJ only reports.
1975Spring Early south 5-4 Hennepin KG and Stearns NMH; 5-5 Hennepin RAG: 5-6 Hennepin VRL; early north 5-7 Marshall AR; 5-15 Morrison LSR and Clay ABNGP.
1975Summer Nested in Marshall and Aitkin; also reported from Cass, Hubbard, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Wright, Hennepin and Freeborn.
1975Falllate north 9-28 Marshall SV; 10-21 Duluth D. Evans; late south 9-29 Washington GA; 10·1 Wabasha DWM; 10-19 Wright ES.
1975Winter1 present at Long Meadow Slough, Hennepin Co. from 2-21 to 2-28 (BDC, RJ); 4th winter report on record; why it showed up in late February is hard to figure unless it was an extremely early spring migrant.
1976Spring Early south 3-2 Hennepin RBJ (wintering?); 4-19 Hennepin JG; 4-28 Cottonwood LR; 2 reports on 4-30; early north 4-29 Aitkin JB; 5-7 Marshall SV; 5-11 St. Louis JCG.
1976Summernested in St. Louis (Duluth), Kandiyohi, Anoka, Hennepin and Houston; also reported from Marshall, Wright and Ramsey.
1976Fall Late north 9-11 Marshall; late south 9-12 Anoka, 10-20 Hennepin.
1977Spring Early south 4-16 Hennepin HCP; 4-17 Goodhue DGW; 4-23 Hennepin OJ; early north 4-17 St. Louis DA; 5-5 St. Louis GN; 5-7 Wilkin GO.
1977Summer Nested in Morrison, Chippewa, Wright and Hennepin; also reported from Roseau, Marshall, Otter Tail, Aitkin, Anoka and ~ouston.
1978Summer Breeding reported from Watonwan; also seen in Marshall, Mahnomen, Otter Tail, Big Stone, Lac qui Parle, Pope, Aitkin and Anoka.
1978Fall Late north 9-1 Otter Tail GO, 9-8 Duluth KE; late south 9-19 Martin EB.
1978Winter Reported on the St. Paul N. E. CBC; only about the fourth winter record.
1979Spring Early south 4-19 Ramsey RH, 4-21 Anoka KL, 4-29 Ramsey DGW; early north 4-20 Marshall ANWR, 5-16 Otter Tail GMO, 5-29 Aitkin SM.
1979Summer Breeding reported from Anoka, St. Louis (Alden Twp.); also seen in Crow Wing, Otter Tail, Lyon, Hennepin, Washington, Olmsted.
1979Fall 8-2 Lac qui Parle CMB, 8-16 Hennepin VL, 8-22 Hennepin OJ, "present" Sept. Otter Tail GMO, 9-15 Ramsey DGW, 9-29 Washington DS, 10-2 Anoka BH.
1980Spring Early south 4-28 Mower RRK, 5-4 Olmsted JF, 5-8 Stearns NH; early north 4-21 St. Louis KE, 5-1 Marshall ANWR, 5-9 Red Lake KSS.
1980Summer Breeding reported from LeSueur, Hennepin, Stevens; also seen in Wabasha, Nicollet, Washington, Anoka, Sherburne, Wright, Stearns, Kandiyohi, Otter Tail, Wadena, Aitkin.
1980Fall 8-6 Kandiyoh~ RH, 8-10 Hennepin VL and Isanti RJ, 8-21 Blue Earth JCF 8-30 Hennepin OJ, 9-11 and 9-2i Wright ES.
1981Spring Early south 4-19 Hennepin (TSR) DB, 4-26 Mower RRK, 5-1 Nicollet JCF; early north 4-21 Otter Tail GMO, 5-13 St. Louis KE (rare here), 5-21 Lake of the Woods KSS.
1981Summer Breeding data from Le Sueur. Seen within range plus Koochiching (NE of Waskish, JH) and Lake (Silver Creek Twp.). Son Nesting reported from Beltrami. Seen throughout state except the Northeast.
1981Fall 9-2 Duluth KE, 11-21 Ramsey MW, only reports.
1982Spring Early south 4-26 Hennepin SC, 4-30 Houston JPI AM, 5-2 Wright ES; early north 4-27 St. Louis KE, 5-9 Polk MH, 5-17 Marshall ANWR.
1982Summer Breeding data from Marshall, Lake (Hog Creek; SW). Seen in II other counties throughout the state.
1982Fall 8/8 Scott AB, 8/22 St. Louis KE, 8/25 Stearns NH, 8/28 Swift RJ.
1983Spring Early south 4/19 Anoka KL, 5/3 Hennepin SC, 5/6 Stearns NH; early north 5/8 Beltrami AS, 5/13 Marshall ANWR, 5/14 Polk MH.
1983Summer Breeding data from Stearns, Hennepin. Seen in 14 other counties in all regions including the Northeast (Duluth).
1983Fall Three north reports: 8/1 Clearwater AB, 8/24 St. Louis KE, 9/1 Wadena DB. Late south 10/1 Wright ES, 10/9 Washington TBB, 11/6 Hennepin ES.
1984Spring Early south 4/19 Anoka SC, 4/21 Washington DZ, 5/1 Cottonwood WH; early north 5/2 Marshall ANWR, 5/12 Polk AB, 5/16 Mille Lacs MLWMA, 5/21 Aitkin WN.
1984Summerseen in 20 counties.
1984Fall 8/22 St. Louis KE,MH, 9/1 A. Schimpf, 9/20 Hennepin VL, 9/28 Cook KMH, Lyon (no date) HK-all reports.
1985Spring Early south 4/11 Blue Earth MF, 4/15 Anoka GP, 4/17 Hennepin SC; early north 4/20 Otter Tail SDM, 4/23 St. Louis KE, 5/16 Marshall ANWR.
1985Summer Nested in Polk, Hennepin, Ramsey (RH), Waseca, Brown (RJ); probable nesting in Anoka. Also seen in 13 other counties mostly in the northwest and east central regions; scarce in the north~ast and north central (only Duluth, Itasca) and absent from the west central and southeast.
1985Fall All reports: 8/2 Blue Earth JCF, 8/7 Hennepin SC, 8/21 Wright ES, 10/1 Mower RRK, 10/2 (Duluth) JN, 10/13 Clay NH, Marshall (no date) ANWR.
1985Winter Reported on 1-19 near the Old Cedar Avenue Bridge in Bloomington for the state's sixth winter record (TI).
1986Spring Early south 4/15 Ramsey KB, 4/16 Hennepin SC, 4/25 Washington RG; early north 5/2 Marshall ANWR, Otter Tail SDM, 5/11 Clay LCF.
1986Summer Seen in Agassiz NWR, Clay, Grant, Pope, Todd, Aitkin, Mille Lacs, Anoka, Hennepin, Watonwan, Lyon.
1986Fall All reports: 8/2 Aitkin WN, 8/7 Hennepin PP, 8/24-27 Marshall RJ, AB, 9/7 DakotaTT, 10/14 Fillmore AP.
1987Spring Early south 4/13 Scott AP, 4/21 Hennepin SC, ES, 4/23 Fillmore AP; early north 5/5 Marshall ANWR, 5/16 Duluth m.ob., 5/17 Clay LCF.
1987Summer Nested in Crow Wlng(T. Kogut); probable nesting in Duluth, LeSueur, Blue Earth. Also seen in 13 other counties in all regions except the southeast, and only Duluth in the northeast.
1987Fall All reports: 8/8 Brown RJ, AP, 8/16 Grant AB, 8/25 St. Louis EL, 9/5 Hennepin TI.
1988Spring Early south 4/27 Anoka WL, 4/30 Hennepin TI, 5/10 Dakota JD; early north 5/12 Marshall ANWR, 5/22-25 Ely, St. Louis SS.
1988Summer Fewer reports than in recent years. Nested in Anoka,.Hennepin; also seen in Kittson, Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake, Clay, Todd, Steams, Mille Lacs, Washington, Steele.
1988Fall One report: 10/16 Lac qui Parle AB.
1989Spring Early south 5/2 Winona AP, 5/5 Houston AP, 5/6 Dodge RJ, AP, Freeborn AP, Mower JM and Steele AP; early north 5/10 Wilkin KB, 5/13 Clay LCF, 5/20 Duluth TW.
1989Summer Nested in Mahnomen AB; probable nesting in Hennepin. Also seen in Clearwater, Itasca, Aitkin, Traverse, Swift, Ramsey, Blue Earth, Houston.
1989Fall Late north 8/13 Kittson RJ, AP, 10/23 Beltrami DJ, 11/6 Lake fide SWIMS; late south 8/15 Hennepin PS, 9/24 Scott AB, 10/21 Stearns DO.
1990Spring Early south 4/24 Mower JM, 4/28 Cottonwood RJ, Freeborn AP and Waseca AP; early north 5/2 St. Louis SWIMS, 5/20Aitkin WN.
1990Summer Nested in Aitkin; probable nesting in Polk. Seen in II other counties as far north as Marshall; no reports from northeast.
1990Fall Only north report 9/10 Becker BK; late south 8/25 Big Stone RJ, 8/26 Hennepin BH, 9/28 Winona CS.
1991Spring Early south 4/22 Sherburne SWR, 4/23 Mower JM, 4/27 Lac qui Parle CMB; early north 5/13 Carlton AB, 5/18 Kittson KB, 5/25 Marshall EL.
1991Summer Seen in 11 counties in all regions except central and northeast.
1991Fall Only reports: 8/5 Cass (with young) RJ and 8/31 Hennepin DZ.
1992Spring Early south 4/11 Carver PS (earliest date on record), 4/19 Hennepin DN, 4/22 Mower JM; early north 5/11 Pennington MCBS, 5/17 Otter Tail SDM.
1992Summer Most reports since the mid-1980's. Seen in 20 counties in all regions except west central and northeast.
1992Fall Late north 8/14 Kanabec CM; late south 8/1 Chippewa RJ, 9/1 Hennepin (2) KB, 10/29 Carver KR.
1993Spring Early south 4/3 (earliest date on record) Dakota KG, 4/18 Rock PS, 4/24 Lac qui Parle MB, 4/25 Hennepin TT. Early north 5/6 St. Louis DBe, 5/6 Becker BBe. [Corrected]
1993Summer Probable breeding in Cottonwood; seen in 15 additional counties in all regions except south central and southeast.
1993Fall Only reports: 8/4 Anoka KB, 8/27 Hennepin TT, 9/12 Kanabec CM, 10/7 Washington, 10/7 Dakota SK.
1994Spring Early south 4/21 Hennepin WM, 4/22 Carver DBM, 5/6 Blue Earth MF; early north 4/23 Kanabec CM, 5/3 Otter Tail SDM, 5/6 Polk KSS.
1994Summer Fewer reports than usual. Nested in Anoka; probable nesting in Hennepin, Blue Earth. Also seen in Roseau, Otter Tail, Aitkin, St. Louis, Kandiyohi, Lyon, Martin, Winona.
1994Fall Only report north: 9/15 Kanabec CM. Reported from five south counties.
1994Winter State's seventh winter record was discovered when odd tracks were investigated in the snow at the Bass Ponds, Hennepin Co. 2/9–12 SC, JD.
1995Spring Early south 4/14 (third earliest date on record) Winona CS, 4/15 Washington PM, 4/19 Olmsted CK; early north 4/26 Kanabec CM, 5/1 Clay RO, 5/7 Polk MCBS.
1995Summer Seen in 12 counties primarily in northwest, east central, and southeast; plus a bird calling on territory on 6/3–4 in Cook PS (only second Cook record).
1995Fall Late north 9/7 Roseau PS, 9/24 Todd JSK. Late south 9/23 Rice FKS, JL, 9/25 Hennepin TT.
1996Spring Early south 4/16 Hennepin PJ, 4/18 Winona CS, 4/24 Anoka PKL. Early north 5/17 Aitkin WN, 5/18 St. Louis PBu, 5/19 Otter Tail SDM.
1996Summer Nested in Steele CH, probable nesting in Otter Tail; seen in 15 additional counties statewide, including St. Louis in northeast.
1996Fall Late north 8/28 Cass RJ, 9/6 Todd JSK, 9/9 Kanabec CM. All south reports: 9/24 Ramsey TT, 10/18 Hennepin TT.
1997Spring All reports: 4/25 Kanabec CM, 4/30 Dakota TT, 5/4 Hennepin SC, 5/9 Olmsted CH, 5/25 Roseau KE et al.
1997Summer Observed in 13 counties scattered throughout all regions except northeast and southwest; probable breeding in Olmsted.
1997Fall All reports: 8/1 Nicollet BBo, 9/17 Kanabec CM, 9/21 Hennepin TT.
1998Spring Record early south 4/5 Anoka KB. Also seen 4/14 Hennepin PJ, 4/18 Fillmore CK and Jackson DBM. Early north 4/19 Beltrami DJo, 4/23 Kanabec CM, 5/17 Becker OJ and Cass EP.
1998Summer Observed in 14 counties in all regions except southwest and south central.
1998Fall Late south 9/23 Freeborn (dead) ABa, 9/26 Olmsted DA, BE, 10/18 Hennepin (Old Cedar Avenue) SC, 10/22 Hennepin TT.
1998Winter Reported 1/21 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave Bridge) SC.
1999Spring Fewer reports than usual and arrived south about a week later than normal (recent median 4/16). Early south 4/24 Rice TBo and Dodge JSt. No April reports north. One unusual report 5/30 Cook MBW.
1999Summer Heard of seen in 12 scattered counties in all regions except north central and southeast.
1999Fall Only north report: 8/18 Traverse CMa. All south reports after August: 9/8 Meeker DF, 9/18 Hennepin CMa, 9/21 Meeker CMa, 10/4 Hennepin TT.
2000Spring Reported from 13 south and 6 north counties. First migrants 4/9 McLeod DF, 4/13 Hennepin (location?) TT. No north reports before 5/8 Kanabec CM. Exceptional reports from Hennepin on 3/5 (Bass Ponds) PJ, 3/14 (Old Cedar Ave.) †BBa, 3/15 (Bass Ponds) and 3/21 (2 at Bass Ponds) SC, suggest overwintering although none were reported here during winter season. Compare recent median arrival (4/19) and dates of earliest known migrants: 4/3 (1993, Dakota) and 4/5 (1998, Anoka).
2000Summer Reported in 15 counties scattered statewide; new nesting record in Otter Tail DST.
2000Fall All observations: 8/12 Cottonwood JJS, 8/14 Freeborn AEB, 8/26 Becker MBW, 10/5 St. Louis (Duluth) JnH. It was the earliest “late south” date since before 1985.
2000Winter One was found 12/19 Hennepin (Mound Springs) †SLC.
2001Spring Reported from 23 south and 8 north counties. Early south (recent median 4/16) 4/9 Anoka KJB, 4/21 Meeker DMF. Early north 5/8 Kanabec CAM and Roseau PHS.
2001Summer Very few reports, nearly half the previous ten-year average. Observed in Roseau, Beltrami, Norman, Otter Tail, Sherburne, Meeker, Carver, Freeborn.
2001Fall Reported from Otter Tail in north, plus four south counties. No representative dates (all in August).
2002Spring Reported from 21 south and 9 north counties. No reports from Southeast or North-central, and only St. Louis in Northeast. Early south (median 4/15) 4/14 Rice, Scott and Sherburne. Early north (median 5/6) 4/20 Otter Tail DTT, SMT, 5/11 Clay RHO and Todd JSK, SDu.
2002Summer Most reports since 1992; seen in 20 counties as far north as a line through Polk, Cass, Carlton.
2002Fall Reported from six north and nine south counties. Late north 9/1 Kittson m.obs. Late south (median 10/6) 9/17 Waseca JEZ, 11/19–21 Hennepin (Bass Ponds) SLC, BBB, but also see winter report.
2002Winter Reported 1/10 Hennepin (calling) TAT.
2003Spring Reported from 20 south and 11 north counties in all regions, but only St. Louis in Northeast. Early south (median 4/15, overwintered?) 3/24 Hennepin (Bass Ponds) SLC, 4/18 Hennepin REH, 4/22 Big Stone, Lac qui Parle and Winona. Early north (median 5/6) 5/7 Polk EEF, 5/8 Otter Tail DTT, SMT.
2003Summer Observed in 10 southern counties plus Clay, Otter Tail, Wadena, Hubbard.
2003Fall No north reports. Reported from ten south counties. Record-high count early August Lac qui Parle (21 in section 26, Walter Twp.) BJU. Only reports after mid-September: 10/14 Hennepin SLC, 11/16 Hennepin (Bass Ponds, heard only) DWK.
2004Spring Reported from 21 south and 11 north counties, including 3/26 Hennepin (no details, overwintered?). Early south 4/19 Hennepin SLC and Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/21 Mower JEM and Winona JJS. Early north 5/5 Todd BWF, 5/8 Traverse JJS.
2004Summer Reported from eight north and nine south counties.
2004Fall One north report: 8/1 St. Louis SLF. Reported from only four south counties; late south 9/28 Hennepin SLC.
2005Spring Reported from 25 south and 17 north counties in all regions. Early south 4/12 Hennepin HCT, 4/13 Sherburne ASc. Early north 4/15 (ties record-early north) Clay fide JMJ, 4/20 Marshall JMJ. Numbers up at Manston W.M.A. and Rothsay W.M.A., Wilkin County, (AXH, PHS).
2005Summer Reported in 17 counties in all regions of the state except the North-central and Northeast. First nesting record for Rice FVS. Highest reported count 7/8 Brown (8 heard at Rosenau-Lambrecht W.M.A.) DWK.
2005Fall Reported from three north and six south counties. Late north 9/4 Roseau CRM, 9/8 Itasca RBJ. Late south 10/3 Freeborn AEB, 10/25 Waseca fide OLJ.
2006Spring Reported from 30 south and 15 north counties. Early south 4/5 Blue Earth (Gilfillin L.) RMD and Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave.) DDo, GBS, 4/6 Hennepin (same location) DOB. Record-early north 4/14 Morrison HHD; then 4/24 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) MA. High count 5/7 Otter Tail (5) JMP.
2006Summer Observed in 40 counties in all regions except Northeast. New nesting record for Clay PBB.
2006Fall All north reports: 8/10 Douglas RBW, 9/1 Kittson HHD, 9/6 Aitkin WEN. August reports from seven counties through 8/25 Sherburne ASc (median south departure 10/11).
2007Spring837 Early south 4/15 Brown BTS, 4/18 Rice TFB, 4/20 Watonwan CRM et al. (median 4/15). Early north 4/23 Mille Lacs HHD, 4/26 Otter Tail DTT, 4/29 Itasca EEO, 4/30 Cass DAY (median 5/5). High count 5/3 Itasca (4) EEO.
2007Summer1118 Reported from all regions of the state. First county breeding record for Sherburne PLJ.
2007Fall118 Last north report 9/15 Cass ALB, 9/17 Lake (Little Marais) EEO (median 9/10). Last reported south 9/24 Ramsey JBB, 9/28 Jackson BJU (median 10/7).
2008Spring1030 Early south (median 4/15) 4/19 Hennepin BAF and Murray DBM, 4/23 Hennepin DAC. Early north (median 5/5) 5/4 Morrison MJB.
2008Summer1521 Record high number of reports. Found in all regions except Southwest. First county breeding record for Dakota ADS, JPM.
2008Fall520 Late north 8/28 Becker JCC, 8/30 Lake of the Woods LS and Roseau LMS (median 9/10). Late south 9/12 Murray RBW, 9/14 Stearns DMF (median 10/7).
2008Winter1 Most unusual was a well-described individual 12/19 and 1/1 Scott (Wilkie Unit, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) †DWK.
2009Spring1127 Early south (median 4/15) 4/16 Faribault RBW, 4/17 Hennepin CMB. Early north (median 5/5) 5/6 Otter Tail TJa, 5/9 Otter Tail DST. High count 5/30 Hennepin (9, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) ALD.
2009Summer1715 Found in all regions of state. First county breeding record from Carver JCy. High count 7/4 Anoka (6) DWK.
2009Fall57 Few reports and no significant counts. Late north 10/15 Aitkin PEJ (median 9/10). Late south 9/12 Big Stone PHS, 9/13 Hennepin CMB (median 10/7).
2010Spring1126 Early south (median 4/15) 4/5 Olmsted JWH, 4/10 Anoka MHe, Chisago DWK, PEB, HCT. Early north (median 5/5) 4/17 Douglas HHD, Marshall MA, Polk KLa, 4/18 Cass ABi.
2010Summer1621 Reported from all regions except Southeast. First county breeding record from Washington fide BBA.
2010Fall29 Only north reports: 8/16 Cass LMS, CRM, 8/20 Douglas (Alexandria) RTe (median 9/10). Late south 10/2 Carver (2, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum) JCy, 10/4 Martin CRM (median 10/7).
2010Winter
2011Spring1128 Early south (median 4/15) 4/13 Swift BJU, 4/18 Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/23 Wright PEB. Early north (median 5/5) 5/4 Hubbard MAW, 5/5 Marshall MA.
2011Summer1526Found in all regions of state. First county breeding record from Blue Earth ChH.
2011Fall619 Late north 9/9 Douglas JPE, 9/18 Traverse BJU (median 9/10). Late south 9/19 Big Stone BJU, 11/9 Olmsted JPr (median 10/7).
2011Winter
2012Spring1339 South reports 4/1 Dakota JFR, 4/2 Washington (3, Valley View Park) SBe, 4/6 Waseca DBM, 4/10 Anoka ELC, 4/11 Lac qui Parle (Walter Twp.) BJU, 4/14 Fillmore DBM and Meeker PRH all before recent median 4/15. Early north 4/14 Douglas JPE, 4/21 Otter Tail DST, 4/23 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) MA, 4/27 Kanabec JPr, 5/4 Itasca SC, EEO all before recent median 5/5. High count 5/5 Hennepin (6, Old Cedar Ave. bridge) GHo.
2012Summer1322 Found in all regions of state.
2012Fall718 High count 8/7 Meeker (8, Eden Valley) MJB. Late north 9/3 Marshall KRE, m.ob., 9/4 St. Louis AM, 9/10 St. Louis JLK (median 9/10). Late south 10/7 Rice TFB, 10/12–20 Hennepin (Bass Ponds, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) JSh, m.ob. (median 10/7).
2012Winter
2013Spring1334 Early south (median 4/15) 4/20 Dakota SLP, LEC, DwS, KFi, 4/21 Hennepin RAE. Early north (median 5/5) 5/10 Crow Wing ANy, 5/15 Grant WCM. High count 5/12 Washington (5, Lake McKusick) MJB.
2013Summer2931 Found throughout state.
2013Fall1314 High count 8/4 Hennepin (9, Wood Lake N.C.) ASi. Late north 9/12 Becker ToL, 9/20 Douglas JPE (median 9/10). Late south 10/5 Olmsted DMs, 10/22 Sherburne PLJ (median 10/7).
2013Winter1 One report: 1/26 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) †DWK. There are only a few previous midwinter reports of this species for the state.
2014Spring1634Early south (median 4/15) 4/11 Hennepin (2) LWn, 4/22 Anoka SBM, DWK. Early north (median 5/5) 5/1 Roseau fide JMJ, 5/2 Clearwater CRM, KMS, Crow Wing JPR. High counts 5/14 Hennepin (5, Wood Lake N.C.) SBM, 5/7 Hennepin (4, Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) RDE.
2014Summer1518Found in all regions of state.
2014Fall411 High counts 8/4 and 8/10 Hennepin (11, 5 adults with black, downy chicks, Wood Lake N.C.) CMB. All north 8/15 Pennington HHD, CRM, 8/21 Cook HHD, RAE, CRM, 8/29 Beltrami HCT, JMs, LMS, DWK, PRH, CRM, KDS, 9/1 Lake of the Woods LMS. Late south 9/18 Hennepin CMB, 9/27 Yellow Medicine (3) GWe (median 10/7).
2015Spring1430 Early south (median 4/15) 4/17 Nicollet RBW, 4/18 Rice TFB, 4/19 Hennepin TAT, (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) BAF, SHF, SBM. Early north (median 5/5) 4/16 Pennington SC, 5/1 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) SAu, 5/2 Cass SC. High counts 5/20 Pope (6) CRM, 5/9 Anoka (5, Carlos Avery W.M.A.) RMD.
2015Summer1918 Found in all regions. High count 7/12 Lyon (13, family groups foraging near marsh edge, including an adult and young crossing 375th St., Cottonwood) GWe. First county breeding record for Clearwater DPJ
2015Fall718 High count 9/17 Freeborn (6: 4 adults, 2 juveniles; Two Island W.P.A.) KEm. Late north 9/14 Crow Wing EGa, 10/3 St. Louis KRE, m.ob. Late south 10/3 Redwood RAE, Wabasha MJB, 10/4 Scott BAb, 10/6 Lyon JtH, GWe (median 10/4).
2016Spring1840 Early south (median 4/14) 4/16 Hennepin THa, Isanti JWH, ELC, 4/17 Blue Earth ChH, Faribault RBW. Early north (median 5/4) 4/24 Hubbard JWH, DBz, ANy, SC, 4/30 Otter Tail HHD, RAE, 5/1 Aitkin JdB. High counts 5/12 Lyon (5, 375th St. marsh) GWe, 5/24 Marshall (5, Agassiz N.W.R.) KnM.
2016Summer1224 Found in all regions except Northeast, Southeast. High count 6/11 Roseau (6, Roseau Lakebed) EBd, JmS.
2016Fall814 High count 8/11 Kanabec (5, Quamba Marsh) CRM. Late north 9/6 Itasca SC, 9/7 St. Louis (Lake Agnes) AaL, 9/16 Crow Wing (Kiwanis Park) EGa. Late south 9/23–10/6 Hennepin (reported from three different locations) ADr, CWB, MaK, 10/6 Rock (Battle Plain) KEm (median 10/5).
2016Winter
2017Spring1847 Early south (median 4/14) 4/4 Rice GHo, 4/6 Sherburne (2) DlB, KMa, 4/8 Hennepin JcM. Early north (median 5/3) 4/27 Douglas JPE, 4/28 Crow Wing EGa, 4/29 Wilkin LSl. High counts 5/5 Brown (8, found in various marshes between New Ulm and Essig) WCM, 5/11 Sherburne (6, Sherburne N.W.R.) ToL.
2017Summer1631 Reported from all regions.
2017Fall920 High count 9/26 Jackson (7, Minnesota W.P.A.) KEm. Late north 9/4 Marshall KRE, m.ob., 9/13 Grant WPl, 9/30 Todd TLu (median 9/11). Late south 9/26 Jackson KEm, 9/29 Hennepin ADS, Renville RBJ, 9/30 Swift DOr (median 10/5).
2018Spring2344 Early south (median 4/14) 4/22 Hennepin ASa, EzH, IsH, Washington ebd, Wright ToL. Early north (median 5/1) 5/2 St. Louis JLK, 5/3–5 Crow Wing (2) EGa, ABi, 5/5 Morrison SEm, Traverse CRM, m.ob. High count 5/6 Dakota (5, 140th St. Marsh) MwT.
2018Summer2328 Reported from every region of state. First county breeding record 7/8 Pope JWZ.
2018Fall1028 High counts 8/12 St. Louis (4, Mud Lake) JLK, 9/10 Scott (4, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) ebd. Late north 10/5 Morrison (Lake Shamineau) RPR, 10/14 St. Louis (Hartley Park) JLK, 11/8 Lake ph. fide SGW (median 9/14). Late south 10/6 Washington (William O†™Brien S.P.) ebd, 10/7 Faribault WAF (median 10/6).
2019Spring2344 Early south (median 4/14) 4/14 Hennepin RDa, 4/15 Watonwan ASu, 4/16 Dakota LiH, Dodge LAV. Early north (median 5/1) 4/26 St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog) JPR, 4/27 Otter Tail (2) REn, AxB, St. Louis (Duluth) JPR. High count 5/10 Sherburne (6, Sherburne N.W.R.) ebd.
2019Summer2640 First county breeding record: 7/20 Red Lake SAu.
2019Fall1123 High counts 8/1 Marshall (3, Agassiz N.W.R.) ebd, 9/21 Nicollet (3, Nicollet Conservation Club) RZi. Late north 9/2 Mahnomen ABL, 9/15–16 Cass DoH, ebd (median 9/16). Late south 10/13 Lyon GWe, 10/19 Dakota ebd, 10/29 Hennepin AGu (median 10/6).
2020Spring2147 All March reports south (median 4/15): 3/11–18 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) TAT, m.ob., 3/17 Hennepin (Westwood Hills N.C.) SMC, 3/22 Hennepin (Bass Ponds) ebd. Early north (median 5/1) 4/25 Otter Tail (Buse Twp.) ebd, 4/25–28 Otter Tail (Eagle Lake Twp.) JsS, 4/30 St. Louis JPR. High count 5/12 Jackson (6, Christiania W.P.A.) RLF, REn.
2020Summer2240 Reported from all regions. First county breeding records: 8/20 Grant KIs, 6/26 Scott CRM.
2020Fall1520 High count 8/15 Dakota (8, pond south of Farmington) TGi. Late north 10/6 St. Louis ebd, 10/6–25 Otter Tail (Campbell) WPl, NaH, DFe (median 9/16). Late south 10/24 Dakota JHa, 10/25 Lyon GWe (median 10/6).
2021Spring2239 All March reports south (median 4/14) 3/17–30 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) RDa, GUn, m.ob., 3/23 Steele (Armstrong Wetland Restoration) LHl, 3/25 Renville MiO, BTS. Early north (median 5/1) 4/29 Hubbard (C.R. 109) RLF, REn, 5/5 Todd (3, Hartford W.M.A.) RLF, REn, 5/6 Becker (Becker State W.M.A.) TKa. High count 5/29 Washington (5, William O’Brien S.P.) ebd.
2021Summer2532 Reported statewide. First county breeding records: 7/13 Benton DOr, 6/26 Cass PNi.
2021Fall925 High counts 8/5 Otter Tail (5, Neumann W.P.A.) KBg, 8/22 Lake (4, Flood Bay State Wayside) JWL. Late north 9/12 Aitkin SKS, 9/13 St. Louis (Hartley Park) JLK, (Voyageurs N.P., Sullivan Bay) ebd, 10/9 Douglas JEl (median 9/16). Late south 10/2 Washington (Belwin Conservancy) RMa, BCo, 10/2–4 Washington (Lake Elmo P.R.) BDo, 10/9 – 11/28 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave Bridge) ebd, m.ob. (median 10/13).
2021Winter1 Up to 3 individuals overwintered Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge). A single was reported starting 12/15 m.ob., and 2 birds were reported in late December through 2/28 m.ob. Three were seen 2/5 KEm, JWH. This is only the third February record for the state (the others were in 1959 and 1976).
 
 Breeds throughout.

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.