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

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

White-winged Crossbill(Loxia leucoptera)
YearSeasonNS
1932Summer
1945WinterSeveral northern Minnesota records; thirteen seen by members of the Minnesota Bird Club at Cedar Creek Bog in Isanti County, December 29, 1946.
1961FallSmall flock seen near Beaver Bay, Lake County, by Avifaunal Club on 28 Oct. One in juvenal plumage.
1962FallAug. 16, Duluth area, 2 seen, Mrs. S. N. Erickson ; Sept. 30, Encampment Forest, Lake Co., 6 seen, P. B. Hofslund; Oct. 6, Duluth, P. B. Hofslund; Nov. 1, Hibbing, 2 banded by Forest Strnad; Nov. 10, Duluth, 18 seen, P. B. Hofslund; Nov. 21, Duluth, 2 seen, Janet C. Green; Nov. 27, Duluth, 3 seen, Janet C. Green; Dec. 8, Washkish, Beltrami Co., 3 females, 1 male seen, Avifaunal Club; Dec. 8, Kelliher, Beltrami Co., 10 seen, Avifaunal Club.
1962WinterDec. 2,8, small flocks, Duluth, P. B. Hofslund; Jan 5, Cloquet Forest Research Station, Gordon Gullion; Jan. 27, Grand Marais, Cook Co., A. E. Allin; Feb. 15, Duluth, Janet Green; first two weeks in Jan., St. Paul, A. C. Rosenwinkel.
1963SpringMarch 7 thru 31, 5 observations made by Duluth Bird Club; April 7, Waskish, Beltrami Co., 9 seen, Avifaunal Club; May 12-13, Duluth, Dennis Meyer.
1963FallOct. 3, Hibbing, Harriet Micensky; Oct. 26 thru Nov. 17, Duluth, P. B. Hofslund; Nov. 1, Wadena Co., R. Oehlenschlager; Nov. 9, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel. Rufous·sided Towhee: On Sept. 15, near Nimrod, Wadena Co., Richard Oehlenschlager saw what he felt was the Arctic subspecies, a rare migrant through the western part of our state. Latest, Oct. 2, Minneapolis, R. B. Janssen; Oct. 5, Fargo-Moorhead area, fide Elizabeth Anderson.
1963WinterAlmost entirely absent this winter; see Christmas counts.
1964Spring3-31 to 4-8 Fargo, 1 at feeder, EGA.
1964Summer7-10, Lake Co, JCG; 8-22, St. Louis Co, DP, HFH, RLH.
1964Fall9-24 Lake Co. 2, JNG; 10-25 Duluth, 2, JNG; 10-25 Beltrami Co, 1, WRP, RO, RLH; 10-31 Lake Co, 8, JCG; 11-8 Wadena Co, RO; 11-18 to 11-25 Cloquet Forest flock of 10-30 birds, GWG; 11-25 Shotley, Beltrami Co. small flock, MG; 12-2 Stearns Co, 20-30 birds, RPR.
1964WinterDid not get as far south as Twin Cities. Most observers reporting them saw flocks of 20 to 40 in Carlton (RPR, JCG), Lake (RK), St. Louis (Duluth XC), Stearns (RPR), Cass (RG, RO, RLH), Beltrami (RG, RLH), Anoka (LJ, MAS, DP, FL)) and Washington (XC, DH) Co's. Smaller flocks of 5 to 15 reported in St. Louis (AKA, NJH, VFB, Hibbing XC), Cook, (LS, AEA, HH, MAF), Stearns (fide NH) and Beltrami (MG) Co's. No definite peaks.
1965Springexcept for one unusual report on 4-1 Kellogg, DGM, all other reports were from north of the Twin Cities: Anoka Co, 3-7, FL; Mora, 3-10 and 5-14, RHJ; Collegeville, 4-3, RPR; Duluth, 4-16, PBH; Marshall Co, 3/0, DLO; Lake Co, 3-18(SM) and 4-4 (TEM); Cook Co, 5-31, HH.
1965Fall9-10 Cook Co, 4, JCG; 10-3 Collegeville, 6, RPR; 10-5 St. oseph, 27, RPR; 10-9 Stearns Co, 9, fide NMH; 10-20 Ramsey Co, 15, ACR; 10-23 Hennepin Co, 3, EWJ; 10-24 Duluth, 3, JCG; 10-29 Minneapolis, 9, VS, VL; 11-6 Cass Co, 4, RPR; 11-6 Mpls, RBJ; 11-6 Kellogg, DGM; 11-9 Minneapolis, 6, FN; 11-15 Tofte, Cook Co, MOP; 11-25 Northfield, 18, BL, GNR.
1966Spring4-28 Hennepin Co, TKS; 5-1 and 5-5 St. Cloud, 1 female, RPR, only reports.
1966Summer7-15 Fargo, 1 seen, Richard Shook, fide EGA.
1966Fall11-5 Lake Co., DB; 11-15 Stearns Co., 6, RPR.
1966Winter12-25 Cook Co., RLG; 12-27 St. Louis Co., MMP; 1-4, 1-15 Stearns Co., RPR.
1967Springonly report 3-26 Fargo-Moorhead, 1, fide EGA.
1967Winter as with above species, usual reports from Cook, Lake, St. Louis and Lake-of-the-woods Co's; several southerly records, 1-25 Morris, Stevens Co., 20, JAH; 12-21(6), 1-22 (20), 1-20(1 0) Collegeville, Stearns Co., KE; several weeks at window feeder, 1, Wacouta, Goodhue Co., MH, extremely isolated record.
1968Fall10-5 Olmsted 2 imm HBW.
1969Summer6-27 Duluth, 6, JJG; 7-6 Bear Head Lake, St. Louis Co., 20+, BAH; flocks of 1020 in Cook Co., JJG. No reports last summer.
1969Fall10-12 Lake 100, J. Brandenberg; 10-28 Goodhue 40 KE; 11-9 Cottonwood 40 LAF; 8-9, 10-8 St. Louis MC, JCG; 9-22 Hennepin VL; 10-18 Washington WHL; also reported in Dakota, Lyon, Marshall, Nobles, Olmsted, Pine, Ramsey, Watonwan, Winona.
1969WinterIn the South reported by 15 observers from Lyon, Hennepin, Ramsey, Winona, Cottonwood, Stearns, Chisago, Washington, Nobles (15); in the North reported by 8 observers from Aitkin, Lake, St. Louis (small groups, 1-6, moving down the North Shore until mid-Jan., JCG), Clearwater, Beltrami.
1970Spring4 reports 15 Hennepin (3 and 7) CH; 3-26 Duluth MMC; 4-17 Carver MM; 5-77 Hennepin CH.
1971Summer7-18 Tait Lake, Cook Co. (5) JG; 7-10 Lake Co., V. Morrison; early fall migrants?
1971Fallreported from Hennepin, Stearns, Pine, St. Louis, Clay, Grant, Cook, Crow Wing; none last fall.
1972WinterNORTH Reported from Becker (no date); 12-1 (2) Mille Lacs MI; 12-5 thru 12-28 (1 daily at feeder) Duluth MM1C; 1-7 (1) Duluth MMC. No reports SOUTH.
1973Fall Reported from nine counties, all except Hennepin and Washington in northern Minnesota. Peak 10-14 St. Louis (50) (JCG).
1973Winter More common than usual, outnumbering the Red Crossbill in most places: reported from 19 counties south to Olmsted, Dakota, Cottonwood and Rock.
1974Spring 18 reports from 3-1 to 5-4 in Mille Lacs, St. Louis, Hennepin, Olmsted, Wabasha, Ramsey and Stearns.
1974Summer Two reports; 6-2 and 6-3 St. Louis (JG); 6-23 Isabella, Lake Co. (JG); late spring migrants?
1974Fall 9-1 Cook DB; 10-25 to 11-22 5 reports from Duluth; 11-2 Lake RBJ; all reports.
1974Winter Reported only from Cook, Lake, St. Louis and Mower (2-24, RK).
1975Summer An unprecedented summer record of a flock of 10 near Luverne, Rock Co. on 7-5 (KE, PE).
1975Fallreported from Cook, St. Louis, Lake Itasca, Ottertail, Hubbard, and Duluth; only report south was 11-24 Hennepin VL.
1975Winterreported from 14 counties south to Cottonwood and Washington Co's.
1976Spring 4 reports: 3-28 Cass (7) AS; 3-30 St. Louis (3) P. Hofslund; 5-29 Polk ETS, RBJ.
1976Summer2 reports: 6-18 and 6-19, Cass, 17 (AS); 6-19, Lake, 1 (GO).
1976Winter Also down: reported only Crosby and Afton (which Christmas Counts. on state?) the
1977Summer One of the largest summer invasions ever, and a prelude to the tremendous numbers later in the fall; reported from Marshall (7-21 on, SV), Clearwater (D. Pearson), Itasca (7-22, MS), St. Louis, Lake and Cook (seen by many observers from 6-18 on with a peak of 200 seen in Cook Co. on 7-31 (RJ).
1977Winter Another invasion species with reports from 27 counties south to Winona, Olmsted, Mower, Cottonwood and Swift; most common earlier in the winter with few North reports after January.
1978Summer Seen in Beltrami (7-7 -7-8, Waskish).
1978Winter Only three reports: on the Itasca CBC; 1-1 Hennepin (VL); 2-17 St. Louis (DA).
1979Spring One report: 3-22 Aitkin TS.
1979Summer Four seen on 7-8 Perent Lake, Lake Co. (SW).
1979Winter Repo_rted from Cook (common, JL), St. Loms, Beltrami, Hubbard and Cass.
1980Spring Nine reports from the following counties north: Becker, Beltrami, Cook, Lake, and St. Louis.
1980Summer Seen in Cook (6-13 KRE; 6-7, five, P&M), Lake (6-3, pair, Whyte).
1980Fall Early north 8-2 Cook Ron Huber; early south 10-21 Big Stone DB.
1980Winter More reports than last year. Nine northern counties, Hennepin, Anoka and Dakota in the central region and in the south, Olmsted 12-13 (JB).
1981Spring Seven reports: 3-3 Hennepin DB, Olmsted JF, 3-7 Aitkin TS, Crow Wing JB, 3-10 through 3-16 Dakota KG, 4-28 St. Louis SS, 5-17 Hennepin DS.
1981Summer Seen in June in Lake of the Woods (6-2, ten, JPI AM), Aitkin (6-28, KRE), Cook (6-26, KRE).
1981Fall Eight reports: 8-8 thru 11-14 St. Louis KE, 9-6 Itasca RG, 10-6 Pennington KSS, 10-25 Lake RJ, St. Louis SDM, 10-26 Polk MH, 10-31 Watonwan RJ, throughout period Cook KMH.
1981Winter A slight increase over last year; 23 reports from 13 counties south to Mower, Blue Earth and Martin.
1982Spring Five reports: 3-1 Marshall ANWR, 3-9 St. Louis TL, 3-20 Aitkin WN, 4-30 Martin EBK, 5-19 Blue Earth MF.
1982Fall Ten reports: 8/3 St. Louis BDC, 10/16 Carlton LW, St. Louis KE, LE, 10/21 Cook KMH, 10/23 St. Louis MH, 10/24 Hubbard TCS, 10/25 St. Louis LE, 11/26 Cook DZ/MC, 45 individuals on 10/28.
1982Winter Reported only from Marshall, Becker, Beltrami, Itasca, Crow Wing, Lake and Cook.
1983Spring One report 4/12 Cook SL.
1983Fall Reported form Beltrami, Cook, Roseau and St. Louis counties.
1983Winter Reported only from Crow Wing, Aitkin, Carlton and St. Louis counties. The only CBC report was of 16 at Hibbing.
1984Spring One Report, 3/18 Crow Wing JB.
1984Summer6/26-7/29 Lake (SWIMS); 7/27 Cook (4-fide KE).
1984Fall Reported from 11 counties north and from Dakota and Martin counties south.
1984Winter Also a major invasion year. More abundant but not quite as widespread as the preceding species. Reported from 26 counties in all but the NW region. Most abundant in the NE and NC regions. A statewide CBC count of 1003 ( 16 last year) and a peak of 5/6 at Duluth.
1985Spring Late south 5/8 Stearns NH, 5/15 Hennepin SC. 5/24 Hennepin DB.
1985Summer Seen in June in Cook (SL).
1985Fall All reports 8/17-9/28 St. Louis KE, 9/14 DouglasRJ, 10/2DakotaJPIAM, 11/16Mille Lacs KL.
1985Winter Reported only on the Warren, Hibbing, Duluth and Faribault CBCs with a total count of 9 (1003 L.y.).
1986Summer Seen in Cook (KMH, KE).
1986Fall Early north 8/27 Duluth KE, 10/26 Mahnomen RJ, 11/15 Mille Lacs RG, RJ.
1986Winter Reported from four northeast region CBC's and a north central report from Cass 2/9 (6,RG). The statewide CBC total of 35 is up from last year's count of nine.
1987Summer Seen in Duluth (6/26, Y. Rudolph; 7/1, KE), Aitkin (7/4-25, WN et al.), Clearwater (KB).
1987Fall Five reports 8/1 Aitkin WN, 8/14 St. Louis KE, 8/31 Dakota TT, 9/2 Itasca AB, 10/28 St. Louis CO.
1987Winter Widespread in the northern and east central regions and Brown and Yellow Medicine in the south. Reported from 24 counties with a statewide CBC total of 6/2 (35 L. Y. and only 9 two years ago).
1988Spring Late south 4/16 Dakota TT, 5/23 Hennepin AB.
1988Fall Early north 10/2 Duluth KE, 11/9 Cook WP.
1988Winter Reported on the Grand Marais, Aurora, Hibbing and Duluth (221) CBCs. Also reported in Hennepin 12/23 DB, Rice 12/25 FKS and Cottonwood at a Mountain Lake feeder in February fide ED.
1989Spring Reported from Aitkin, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Lake, Rice and St. Louis Counties.
1989Summer Relatively abundant in northeast; seen in St Louis, Lake, Cook.
1989Fall Reported from 17 counties north and 16 counties south.
1989Winter Major invasion. Reported in 52 counties throughout the state (absent Cook) including Pipestone 2/6-2/8 ND; Winona 12/9-1115 CS; and Mower 12/16 RRK. Birds scarce in northwest after late January. CBC total of 1,148 (The Loon 62:69-71).
1990Spring Late south 5/5 Olmsted JB, BSE, 5/13 Hennepin KE, Rice OR, 5/17 Rice TB.
1990Summer Only report from St. Louis.
1990Fall Only one report: 10/27 Duluth KE.
1990Winter Scarce. Reported from St. Louis 1/12 KB ; Tofte, Cook 12/28 MH; Lyon 1/10 (2) HK; and Crosby CBC (5).
1991Summer Only report from Cook.
1991Fall Reported from Anoka, Cass, Cook and St. Louis Counties.
1991Winter Only reports north from Duluth CBC, Aitkin 1/8 SC, 2/9 & 15 WN, Hubbard 2/16 KB, and Beltrami 2/29 SDM. Reported south on St. Paul NE and Cedar Creek CBC's. CBC total 51 (5 l.y.)
1992Spring Late south 3/1 Washington DN, 3/7 Brown JS.
1992Summer All reports: 6/15,23 Marshall MCBS, Beltrami, Cook.
1992Fall Early north 10/3 Lake of the Woods PS, 10/10 Roseau KB.
1992Winter Twelve reports from seven counties in far north along border from Cook to Roseau, plus 12/16 Otter Tail SDM. Reported as very scarce, with no CBC reports, but large numbers seen in the spruce bogs of Koochiching Co. in late Feb. KB.
1993Spring Reported from Cook, Koochiching and Roseau counties during March.
1993Summer Only report: 7/18 St. Louis KE.
1993Fall Reported from six counties north.
1993Winter Scattered reports from north and south. 12/3 Hennepin fide SC, 12/11–16 Freeborn fide PBa, 12/18 Beltrami DJo, 12/18 Otter Tail SDM, 12/25 Hennepin fide PBa, 12/30–1/20 Brown BBo (20+), 1/1 Aitkin WN, 1/2 Carver DM, 1/17 St. Louis MH, 2/9 Dakota fide PBa, and 2/11 Ramsey KB.
1994Spring One report 3/5 Becker BBe.
1994Summer Observed in Koochiching, St. Louis, Cook.
1994Fall Reported from five counties north and one (Anoka) south.
1994Winter Approximately 18 reports of moderate numbers (flocks of 2–8) from eight counties north, all within the coniferous belt. Peak 184 on Duluth CBC and a total CBC count of 232. Most reports since 1989–90 invasion.
1995Spring All reports: 3/4 Koochiching County KB, TT and St. Louis fide AH, 3/8 St. Louis KB, 3/18 Anoka JH, 5/20 St. Louis (2) PB.
1995Summer Several reports: 6/9 – 7/15 Koochiching, 7/8 Roseau, 7/10 Aitkin, Cook (late July).
1995Fall Only south reports were 11/11–26 Anoka JBe, CF, 11/21 Carver DBM. Reported from three north counties.
1995Winter Above average numbers reported. Reported from 17 counties in the north and 10 counties in the south; reported as far south as Brown and Rice counties. Large numbers noted on the Roseau (128) and Fergus Falls (114) CBCs, and 400+ counted on 1/7 Aitkin WN. CBC total 378.
1996Spring More reports than usual, including attempted nesting in Rice (The Loon 68:86–89) JLa, JL and in Dakota TT. Late south 4/21 Brown JSp and Hennepin TT, 5/5 Lincoln JA, RgS. Reported in all from seven south and five north counties.
1996Summer Observations throughout summer in St. Louis, Lake, Cook; common in late July in Aitkin. [Note April record of possible nesting in Lincoln in The Loon 68:243–244.]
1996Fall Reported from 12 north counties throughout the period, though most reports were from the first half of the season. Only south report 9/11 Hennepin fide AH.
1996Winter Abundant in spruce bogs throughout the northern region where reported from 16 counties (27 l.y.), with peak counts of 300 tallied on 1/11 Aitkin WN and 1/26 Sax-Zim, St. Louis Co. BBo. There were no south reports. CBC total 1,547 (378 l.y.).
1997Spring Reported from Aitkin, Itasca, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Morrison, and St. Louis counties through early May, then 5/21–25 Cook OSL, 5/25 Roseau (6–8) MBW.
1997Summer Only report from St. Louis.
1997Fall Reported from Aitkin, Clay, Itasca, Lake and St. Louis counties north, with most reports during the first week of November. An incredible number of south reports hinted of a winter invasion: 8/27 Hennepin LE, 11/1 Ramsey fide AH, 11/5 Renville CMa, 11/10 Dakota DBS, 11/15 Rice JL, JLa, 11/21 Brown BBo, 11/28 Carver DBM and Hennepin TT.
1997Winter Reported from 17 north and 20 south counties (16 total counties l.y.). Peak unusually far south 12/1 Brown (150) JSp. CBC total 457 (1,547 l.y.).
1998Spring All south reports: 3/1 and 3/15 Dakota TT, 3/7 Brown JSp, 3/2–4/14 Olmsted BBr, CH, 4/1 Rice JL. All north reports: 3/1–16 Kanabec BA, 3/5 Aitkin CB, 3/29–4/1 Aitkin WN, late March Becker BBe, 5/27 St. Louis AE. [Corrected]
1998Summer More reports than usual; many flocks seen throughout the northeast in July. Observed in Aitkin, St. Louis, Lake, Cook; plus a pair on 7/14–16 in Clay GKC.
1998Fall Many reports from St. Louis (mid-August through the end of November), with other reports only from Aitkin and Lake.
1998Winter Reported from 12 north counties plus the following south reports: Cedar Creek CBC (22), Anoka JH (no date), and 12/30 Yellow Medicine (15) and Redwood (9) AH, PH. CBC total 201. Peak 2/3 Becker (40) BBe.
1999Spring Only (?) report: 4/11 St. Louis (20) JN.
1999Fall Reported from Aitkin, Becker, Cook, Lake, Otter Tail and St. Louis in the north, plus Hennepin and Jackson in the south. Early north 10/16 Cook AH, PS, BSe, 10/21 Lake AH. Early south 11/13 Jackson MJC, 11/20 Hennepin TT.
1999Winter Reported from 12 widely scattered counties north and south. All reports away from coniferous region: 12/7 Clay (2) RO, 12/22 Meeker DF, 12/29 McLeod DF, 12/30–2/1 Jackson (2) MJC, Dec. Cottonwood ED, Long Prairie CBC (count week), 2/17 Hennepin fide AH, and 2/22 Rice TBo, CMa.
2000Spring Only two reports: 3/4 Aitkin WN, 4/16 Becker fide BBe.
2000Summer More reports than usual; observed in Lake of the Woods, Itasca, Aitkin, Carlton, St. Louis, Lake.
2000Fall Reported from August through October in Aitkin and St. Louis counties, plus late October in Lake.
2000Winter Relatively scarce. Reported from 12 counties north. Maximum count 12/28 Beltrami Island CBC (54).
2001Spring None in the south. Reported north from Aitkin, Itasca, Lake, St. Louis. Multiple sightings during May along county road 2 in Lake and Sax-Zim bog in St. Louis.
2001Summer Only report: early June through 6/22 at Sax-Zim bog area in St. Louis Co. KRE et al.
2001Fall Reported north from Aitkin, Becker, Cass, Cook, Lake, St. Louis, beginning mid-October. All south reports 10/30 Brown (4) JSS, 11/16 Dakota TAT, 11/21 Hennepin TAT.
2001Winter Widespread but only in small numbers. Reported from 14 north and 15 south counties. Maximum number 1/11 Lake (50 along county road 2). Many of the reports outside the coniferous belt were of singles or small flocks at feeders.
2002Spring Seen in five south counties as late as 5/4 Nobles (3) NED, 5/18 Meeker (2 at Litchfield) †DMF. Observed in six north counties, including 5/16 Wilkin SPM, DKM.
2002Summer All reports: 6/15 and 7/11 Lake SGW, N.R.R.I., 6/28 and 7/27 St. Louis (Sax-Zim bog area) KRE; also observed migrating along north shore of L. Superior during last week in July m.obs.
2002Fall Reported from Aitkin, Cook, Lake and St. Louis.
2002Winter Reported from 11 north counties. Maximum reported numbers 12/14 Duluth CBC (214), 1/4 Isabella CBC (206), and 1/11 Aitkin (300) WN. Nest with three eggs found 2/28 Lake JWL.
2003Spring Reported from Aitkin (last seen 5/3, WEN), Cook (nested DAG, also seen 5/29, MCBS), Itasca, Lake (nested, JWL), Roseau, and St. Louis (last seen 5/17, m.ob.). No south reports.
2003Summer New nesting records in Lake (3 separate nests) JWL, Cook DAG; also observed in St. Louis.
2003Fall One early report 8/21 Cook RBJ, then none until mid-October when numerous reports forwarded from St. Louis, Lake and Cook. High count 11/5 St. Louis (305 at H.R.N.R., Duluth) FJN, DSC. Also notable was 11/13 Pine (18) JMP.
2003Winter Reported from 16 north counties. Highest reported count 12/20 Duluth CBC (205). One south report: 1/1 Washington (4) BRL.
2004Spring Only south report: 3/6 Lac qui Parle (36) BJU. North reports in March from Lake and Pennington, plus 5/31 Beltrami (imm. male at feeder) †DPJ.
2004Summer Observed 6/1–6 Beltrami DPJ, 6/17 Cook NRRI, 6/22 Lake KRE, 6/25 Aitkin EOr, 6/28 Lake NRRI.
2004Fall Six reports from the Northeast, including 8/6–12 St. Louis KRE, then none until 10/17. Only report away from Northeast: 11/18 Pine JMP.
2004Winter Reported from seven north counties. Numbers generally down. Maximum count 24 on the Carlton-Cloquet CBC.
2005Spring Only one report! A single male actively calling and displaying 3/13 St. Louis (Duluth) MTA.
2005Summer Only report: 6/22 St. Louis NRRI.
2005Fall Only seven reports from six northern counties. Early north 10/6 Beltrami BJU. Only western reports: 11/26 Clay DPW, 11/27 Wilkin BJU.
2005Winter Very low numbers statewide. Non-CBC reports from only 3 north counties: 12/3 St. Louis DWK, 12/11 Beltrami BJU, 1/15 St. Louis (30) KRE, 2/19 Roseau fide JMJ. Only 15 individuals reported on 5 CBCs statewide compared to 1,532 last year and a 20-year average of 361.
2006Spring Only two reports: 3/23 Koochiching CMB, JLO, 4/24 Crow Wing JEB, RBJ.
2006Summer Only report: 6/28 Lake of the Woods (Faunce F.R.) GMM.
2006Fall Very few reports. North reports from Cook beginning 10/28 JEB, 10/29 JWH; only other reports from Marshall and St. Louis. One interesting south report 9/10 Anoka †DWK.
2006Winter150 Like last year, numbers generally low. High counts 1/2 Aitkin (45) CKR and 2/4 Cass (40) DAY; no other counts above 15 individuals. Farthest south report 2/19 Mille Lacs ASc.
2007Spring4 All reports: 3/3 Pine JMP, 3/11 St. Louis JPM, PEB, 3/17 Aitkin DWK, 4/11 Douglas fide JMJ.
2007Summer4 Reported 6/12 Cook NRRI, 6/14 Lake NRRI, 6/20 St. Louis NRRI, 6/27 Cass NRRI, 7/2 Lake (5) JWL.
2007Fall6 All north 8/4 Cook JPE, 8/25 St. Louis ABL, 9/3 St. Louis (5, H.R.B.O.) EMG, KJB, 9/26 Lake JWL, KRE, 10/20 St. Louis RPR, 10/21 Koochiching BJU, 10/26 Cook RBJ, 11/1 Lake RBJ, 11/13 St. Louis JCC, 11/18 Cass DPJ, Kittson LW.
2007Winter82 Numbers significantly lower than last year. In the north most reports were from St. Louis and Lake counties, m.ob., nearly spanning the season. Additional reports included 1/14 Pine MCA and 2/10 Cass (3) DAY. All reports south 12/30 Swift (1, Appleton Cemetery) BJU, and a count week observation from the St. Paul NE Suburban CBC. CBC high count Two Harbors (104).
2008Spring1 Only report 5/14 Itasca JEB.
2008Summer12 Most reports ever. Ob-served in all northern regions plus Pine.
2008Fall1814 Reflecting the continued invasion, this species was reported throughout the season north. South records were only in Sherburne (Sherburne N.W.R.) for August – September, but the Southeast and South-central saw regular reports starting 11/3 Dakota DAB, JWH, 11/9 Chisago DBM. New high count 10/21 St. Louis (744 H.R.B.O.) KJB were part of an impressive season total of 3,691.
2008Winter1944 Probably the highlight of the season for many observers was the remarkable invasion of this colorful species, perhaps the largest since Winter 1989–90. Seen in all regions and throughout the season statewide, but only in scattered locations throughout the western third of the state. All high counts were apparently estimated, and all were from the south, including: 1/25 Dodge (100) JLO, DWK, and Wabasha (100) JWH, and 1/26 Steele (100) FVS. The extent of the invasion was widespread well beyond Minnesota's borders and is considered perhaps the largest in recent memory.
2009Spring719 More reports than normal as a result of this species' winter irruption. North and south reports continued throughout March and into early April. Late south 3/28 Carver HHD, 4/4 Sherburne ASc, Stearns HHD, 4/10–15 Washington (Carpenter N.C.) SLP (median 4/14). Late north 3/8 Beltrami DBM, 3/10 St. Louis SLF, 3/17 Lake JWL, 4/3 Itasca EEO, 4/6 Hubbard DCH. Season high counts 3/7 Steele (20) JWH, 3/6 Itasca (19) RBJ, DAC, 3/1 Kandiyohi (15) HHD, 3/14 Brown (11) BTS.
2009Summer1 Reported in Cook MCBS.
2009Fall5 Early north 8/25 St. Louis ABL, 9/6 Cook JEB, JWH, 9/22 Cook (13) LBF. Also found in Aitkin, Cass and Lake. High counts 11/8 St. Louis (463, H.R.B.O.) KJB, 11/7 St. Louis (18) JCC.
2009Winter243 Compared with last winter, which was a major invasion year, there were reports from far fewer south counties (3 vs. 44 last year), but from somewhat more north counties. Most south reports were from Sherburne; also Carver, Anoka. High counts 12/30 St. Louis (132, from 8-hour survey of Sax-Zim Bog) NAK, 12/26 St. Louis (51) PHS. CBC high count 12/19 Duluth (678).
2010Spring63 All south 3/3 Stearns (13) MJB, 3/13 Sherburne MJB, 3/20 Lincoln HHD. All north 3/5–6 Lake of the Woods RAE, HHD, St. Louis DBF, 3/7 Lake JWL, 3/12 Kittson LW, 3/13 Cass BAW, Polk CMe, 3/15 Lake DWi, 3/17 Cass ABi, St. Louis KRE, 3/27 – 4/15 Polk (nested) SAu, DOL.
2010Summer2 Reported 6/17 Koochiching DBM, fide JWL, 6/22 Lake JWL.
2010Fall8 All reports 8/2 Lake JEl, 8/26 Cook CRu, 9/3 Roseau CRM, 10/24 Clay HHD, 11/5 Itasca SC, 11/6 Cook CMB, Lake CMB, CRM, St. Louis (23, Duluth) CRu, 11/8 Aitkin BJU, Roseau BCS, 11/9 Lake BJU, Otter Tail (12) ARW, St. Louis BJU, 11/10 Cook BJU, 11/16 Aitkin KCR.
2010Winter82 All south reports: 12/18 Minneapolis (North) CBC (6), 2/18 Stearns (4, Collegeville) MJB. Reported from far fewer north counties than last year (8 vs. 24); most were from CBCs including high counts 12/26 Ely (67), 1/2 Baudette (30), 12/31 Cook Area (26). Individual high count 2/12 Roseau (30) SAu.
2011Spring3 Only reports 3/3 Itasca SC, 3/5 Roseau (7) HHD, RAE, 3/7 Aitkin (5) JWH, 3/11 Itasca SC.
2011Summer2Reported 6/8 St. Louis MCBS, 6/25 Lake SGW.
2011Fall82 Early north in St. Louis from the Hawk Ridge / Lester River Census: 9/2 KJB, 10/18 (2) KJB, 10/20 KJB. Away from Duluth, early north reports 10/22 Beltrami (4, White Fish Lake) PSm, 10/23 Itasca SC. All south 11/14, 11/20 (2), 11/26 (12) Sherburne (Blue Hill Trail, Sherburne N.W.R.) ASc, PJM, ACr, 11/29 Ramsey (10, College Park, St. Paul) RMD. Highest counts were from St. Louis (Hawk Ridge / Lester River Census, KJB): 10/28 (160), 10/27 (149), 10/22 (101). Other notable high count 11/22 St. Louis (59, Sax-Zim Bog, flocks of 45 and 14 individuals) ZLo.
2011Winter1516Reported from many more counties both north and south than last year (31 vs. 10) but far fewer than in the invasion winter 2008. North high counts were from St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog): 12/29 (200) AmK, NKe, 1/28 (150) DJa, 12/10 (100) JPr, ACr. South high counts included 1/28 Brown (50, New Ulm) DWK, RBW, 1/23 Stearns (35, Collegeville) MJB. CBC high counts 12/17 Duluth (408), 12/31 Rice Lake N.W.R. (166), 12/18 Two Harbors (155).
2012Spring69 All south reports south of a line from Lac qui Parle to Brown. North reports from Traverse, Grant, Crow Wing, Aitkin, St. Louis. High counts 3/9 Brown (30, New Ulm Catholic Cemetery) BTS, JSc, 3/3 Crow Wing (28) MBS, ACr. Late south 3/17 Brown (12) MiO, 3/18 Brown (14) JSc. Late north 3/17 St. Louis ANy, 3/18 Itasca SC, 3/20 Crow Wing (3, Pequot Lakes) ABi.
2012Summer8 Reported from Beltrami, Carlson, Cook, Itasca, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Roseau, St. Louis. High count 6/25 Lake (5, Ogishkemuncie Lake area) APa. First county breeding record from Roseau BCS.
2012Fall1915 Found in most counties northeast of a line from Olmsted to Otter Tail. August reports from Beltrami, Cook, Crow Wing (20), Itasca, Lake of the Woods, St. Louis. Fall migrants first showed up north 10/12 (Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census) KJB and were present almost daily thereafter. Away from St. Louis, early north 10/14 Itasca SC, 10/24 Kittson (2) TrB. Early south (median 11/13) 10/26 Benton (21) RZi, 11/2 Hennepin (Theodore Wirth Park) TAT, 11/3 Kandiyohi (2) JoS, McLeod (15) DDe. High counts all from the Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census in St. Louis (KJB): 10/28 (831, record high state count), 11/24 (299), 11/13 (209), and an above-average season total of 2,582.
2012Winter2115 The most reports since the prior major invasion in 2008 (63 counties), and far more numerous than Red Crossbills. While heavily concentrated in the North-central and Northeast regions, reports were widely scattered east of a line from Clay, southeast to Douglas, Stearns, McLeod, Le Sueur and Freeborn on the southern border. High counts: 12/18 Cook (77, Grand Marais Harbor) KJB, 12/18 Cook (50, Cascade River) KJB. In the south, reports persisted until 2/26 Hennepin (9) TAT. CBC high counts 12/15 Duluth (428), 12/22 Two Harbors (163), 12/15 Grand Marais (70).
2013Spring13 All reports for this sporadic species: 3/3 Olmsted (5, Kutzky Park, Rochester) SHk, 4/2 Hennepin (Minneapolis) MDu, 4/16 Carver (Chaska) JCy, 5/7 St. Louis (Duluth) ANy.
2013Summer1 Reported 6/18 Koochiching SC.
2013Fall1 Only reports 10/26 St. Louis BAb, GLa, 11/2 St. Louis (6, Stoney Point) JLK.
2013Winter21 Fewest winter reporting counties since 1985. All reports north 12/14 Duluth CBC, 12/20 Sax-Zim CBC, 2/8 Lake WmH. Only south report 2/20 Washington (2) EBe.
2014SpringNo reports.
2014Summer1Seen 7/13 Cook (2, Brule Lake, Cone Bay) BCo.
2014Fall2 Only reports 9/26 St. Louis LME, 10/8 St. Louis JLK, 10/20–11/6 St. Louis (all from Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census) KJB, 10/26 Itasca MBo, 11/11 St. Louis TRK.
2014Winter91 Only south report 12/11, 12/27 Anoka DPG. All other reports from Northeast and North-central regions and Roseau. High count 1/1 Lake of the Woods (16) DBW. CBC high counts 12/20 Duluth (62), 1/1 Beltrami Island (51), 12/14 Itasca S.P. (30).
2015Spring1 Only report 3/22 St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog) ODa, BMc.
2015Summer No reports.
2015Fall43 No significant numbers this season. Early north (median 9/26) 10/18 Lake ClN, JWf, 10/21 St. Louis (Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census) KJB. All south 10/24 Blue Earth (Mankato) ChH, 11/15 Stearns (River Bluffs R.P.) HHD, 11/27 Hennepin DdS.
2015Winter73 Reported from same number of counties as 2014. All south: 12/19 Wilmar CBC, 2/1–2/27 Sherburne (Blue Hill Trail, Sherburne N.W.R.) RBW, m.ob., 2/6 Benton (Bend in the River R.P.) HHD, RAE. CBC high counts 1/1 Baudette (16), 12/26 Cook Area (7), 12/19 Willmar (6).
2016Spring12 Few reports this season of this sporadic species: 3/2–14 Sherburne (Sherburne N.W.R., Blue Hill Trail), 3/6 Stearns MJB, 4/11 Otter Tail KPe.
2016Summer51 Seen in Cook, Isanti, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, St. Louis. High counts 7/2 St. Louis (6, Warren Nelson Memorial Bog) ClN, 6/25 Lake (5, Pipestone Bay, Fall Lake) RHa.
2016Fall9 Regular reports from North-central and Northeast continued from the summer season. Reports increased starting the third week of October and continued through the remainder of the season. Season high counts 11/2 Lake (78) JLf, 11/10 St. Louis (75, Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census) KJB, 11/24 St. Louis (71, Sax-Zim Bog) CFi, CFd.
2016Winter202 A strong showing north with 20 reporting counties after three consecutive winters of below average numbers. All south reports: 12/22 Benton (England Ecotone S.N.A) DOr, 12/20–22 Sherburne (Sherburne N.W.R.) HHD. High counts all from Sax-Zim Bog in St. Louis County: 2/4 (115) KCo, AuS, 2/11 (105) JtH, GWe, 1/8 (100) NSe. CBC high counts 1/2 Fredenberg (116), 12/28 Virginia (89), 12/26 Pine County (85).
2017Spring2 Reported only from Koochiching and St. Louis in March. High counts 3/11 St. Louis (23, Sax-Zim Bog) KMi, 3/24 St. Louis (20, Sax-Zim Bog) ZAl.
2017Summer1 Reported 6/17 Lake of the Woods MBS.
2017Fall96 With the exception of one out-of-season report on 8/5 St. Louis (Toivola) ClN, north reports began 10/1 St. Louis (H.R.N.R.) AxM, 10/13 St. Louis (Stoney Point) TrD, StK, 10/14 St. Louis (2) H.R.B.O., and then continued through the end of the season. South reports began 10/26 Hennepin (Crow-Hassan P.R.) KnM, 11/1 Ramsey DnS, MiS, 11/5 Kandiyohi JWd and continued sporadically through November.
2017Winter1013 Reported from 23 counties, one more than the prior winter, near the 10-year average for this species. Number of south reports highest since 2012. Only reports south of the Minnesota River were 1/5 Lincoln (Ivanhoe) HHD and 1/5, 1/9, 2/13 Lyon (all near Balaton) HHD, GWe. High counts 2/22 St. Louis (30, Sax-Zim Bog) FJN, 12/25 Kandiyohi (20) JWd, 2/27 Lake (19, Superior N.F.) FJN.
2018Spring26 High counts 3/18 Watonwan (8, Mt. Hope Cemetery) DWK, 4/11 Kandiyohi (7, Willmar) TLu, 3/14 St. Louis (6, Warren Nelson Memorial Bog) MyH, DnB. All south 3/6 Ramsey LiH, 3/7–27 Stearns (Calvary Cemetery) LKo, IVa, 3/9–13 Benton (Englund Ecotone S.N.A.) LKo, 3/17 Sibley (Indian Lake W.M.A.) BAb, JWZ, 3/18 Watonwan (Mt. Hope Cemetery) DWK, BTS, 3/17–5/10 Kandiyohi (Minnwest Campus) JWd, m.ob., 3/30 Ramsey AHn (median 3/20). Only reported north from Lake and St. Louis with late date 4/23 St. Louis StK.
2018Summer6 Reported from Aitkin, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Roseau, St. Louis.
2018Fall5 Very few reports this season for this sporadic species. All north 9/8 Itasca SC, 10/17–11/3 Hubbard REn, 10/20 St. Louis H.R.B.O., 10/21 St. Louis JAn, 11/02 Red Lake HHD, 11/6 St. Louis MAK, ebd, 11/10 Morrison MtS, 11/23 St. Louis JLK. High count 11/6 St. Louis (35, Duluth) MAK.
2018Winter113 Reported from 15 counties, including most counties in Northeast and North-central (ten-year average 24). All south reports: 12/13 Hennepin ebd, 12/15 Stearns LKo, 1/4,1/13 Chicago AJF, MwT. High counts 2/3 Koochiching (63) REn, AxB, 12/30 St. Louis (35) ebd, 1/18 St. Louis (35) ebd. CBC high counts 12/15 Duluth (52), 12/16 Sax-Zim (44), 12/16 Two Harbors (36).
2019Spring3 Reported only from Beltrami, Lake and St. Louis with late dates 4/24 St. Louis ClN, 5/23 Beltrami BDo, DnS (median 4/28). High counts all from St. Louis, Sax-Zim Bog: 3/1 (20) ClN, m.ob., 3/2 (15) ebd.
2019Summer4 Observed in Beltrami, Cook, Lake of the Woods, St. Louis.
2019Fall4 Reported sporadically from the Northeast throughout the season. Only other reports were 8/21 Beltrami PEJ, 9/2 Beltrami (Big Bog S.R.A.) ebd. High counts 11/17 Lake (25, Silver Bay) KBg, (20, Tomahawk Rd.) AVa, ebd, 10/12 Cook (15, Grand Portage S.P.) AJF, 10/27 Cook (12, Grand Portage S.P.) WH
2019Winter83  Reported in eight counties in Northeast and North-central regions and Roseau, plus three south counties (ten-year average 19). All south reports 12/13 Washington (Scandia) KSc, 12/14 Lyon (Lakeside Cemetery) GWe, 2/23 Freeborn (Myre-Big Island S.P.) LiH. High count 2/23 Cook (45, Superior N.F.) PR, m.ob. CBC high counts 1/3 Beltrami Island (12), 12/15 Virginia (4), 1/4 Isabella (4).
2020Spring81 Only south report 4/22 Hennepin (Baker P.R.) ebd. Reported throughout the season in North-central and Northeast regions, continuing into the summer season. High counts 3/14 Cook (15) ABm, 3/8 St. Louis (14) ebd, 5/23 Lake (12, Stony River Rd.) JWL.
2020Summer6 Reported from Beltrami, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, St. Louis. First county breeding record: 5/23 St. Louis AXH.
2020Fall2830 Highest number of reporting counties in any fall season: more than 4 (north) and 11 (south) times their respective 10-year average. Found in every region, with reports decreasing along a northeast to southwest gradient. Early south (median 11/13) 9/2 Lyon (Garvin Park) GWe, 10/16 Stearns MtS, 10/18 Hennepin ebd. Highest count ever for Minnesota 10/18 St. Louis (1,805, Stony Point) StK, HTo, followed by two more remarkable high counts from same location 10/23 (760) HTo, StK, 11/7 (615) StK, TRK.
2020Winter2035 An irruption year with reports from 55 counties in all regions of the state, the most since 2008 when reported from 63 (ten-year average 17). Rare winter record 12/1 Pipestone LVD. High count 1/2 Cook (150, Grand Marais RV Park and Campground) REn, RLF, StK. CBC high counts 12/19 Grand Marais (123), 12/20 Duluth (99), 12/16 Sherburne NWR (91).
2021Spring915 Highest number of reporting spring counties since 2009. Found in all regions except West-central, though mostly absent from southern third. High counts 3/5 Olmsted (18, Rochester) LHl, 3/19 St. Louis (16, Chester Creek) JDx, 3/2 St. Louis (15, Duluth) SCB, PHS. Late south 4/29 – 5/3 Kandiyohi ebd, 4/29 – 5/10 Washington BDo, JDS (median 3/20). Late north 5/14 Becker HeH, 5/30 St. Louis ebd, 5/31 Lake of the Woods DBz, ANy (median 4/28), but also see summer report. Unusual spring records 3/4 Benton (Bend in the River R.P.) MJB, 3/10 Chisago (North Branch) JSa, 3/11 Isanti (Spencer Brook W.M.A.) ELC.
2021Summer6 Found in Beltrami, Cass, Cook, Koochiching, Mille Lacs, St. Louis. High counts 7/14 St. Louis (30, B.W.C.A.W., Pine Lake) JEl, Koochiching (21, Voyageurs N.P. Headquarters Pond) ebd.
2021Fall2819 An echo year following last fall’s exceptional irruption, and marking the second best fall for this species in the state. Found in all regions except the Southeast. Remarkably, found in five of ten Southwest counties, beginning 11/5 Jackson (5) KEm. Early north away from boreal habitat: 10/16 Marshall (5, Agassiz N.W.R.) ebd, 10/23 Todd (2) REn, RLF. Early south (median 11/14) 10/29 Isanti DBz, ANy, Sherburne NSg, ebd, 10/30 Dakota ebd. High counts 11/5 St. Louis (1,348, Stony Point, same location as last fall’s record tally) IDv, StK, 11/7 St. Louis (700, Stony Point) StK, HTo, 11/7 St. Louis (634) H.R.B.O.
2021Winter2544 A second consecutive irruption year with observations from a season-high 69 counties, surpassing the 2020–21 total of 55 counties (ten-year average 22). Notable winter record: 2/3 Redwood (Lucan) BTS. High counts 2/26 Winona (359, Whitewater Twp.) JWH, KEm, 2/13 Steele (175, Lemond Twp.) KEm, 12/30 Carlton (80, Esko) ebd. CBC high counts 12/18 Grand Marais (542), 12/30 Carlton-Cloquet (264), 12/18 Alexandria (134).
 
 Rare breeder. Irruptive migrant mostly north-central and northeast.

Notes:

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