Glossy, but further observations deter-

mined that it was an unidentified juvenile

ibis.

• Swallow-tailed Kite, late August

2002, near Vermillion, Dakota County and

near Elko, Scott County (record #2002-83,

vote 7–0).

Although the locations of the two

documented observations are about 15

miles apart, indications are this was prob-

ably the same individual at both loca-

tions. The written descriptions from two

independent observers are both some-

what incomplete, but each observer pro-

vided good sketches of this kite, a species

which would be difficult to confuse with

any other bird.

• Long-billed Curlew, 19–28 July 2002,

Lino Lakes, Anoka County (record #2002-

84, vote 7–0.

There was some initial confusion about

whether this was a Whimbrel or a Long-

billed Curlew due to the long distances

between the bird and most of the observ-

ers. However, the identification was con-

firmed by some later observers who were

able to get closer views.

• Ruff, 7 August 2002, Waterford

Township, Dakota County (record #2002-

62, vote 6–1).

This individual was apparently an adult

male with a mostly whitish head.

• Black-headed Gull, 20 September

– 17 October 2002, Spirit Lake, Jackson

County (record #2002-85, vote 7–0).

This adult bird represents the fifth con-

secutive year that one or two adult Black-

headed Gulls have been documented at

this location. Note that the only accepted

records of this species come from Jackson

County; besides this Spirit Lake location,

the other records come from Grover’s

Lake in 1998 and Heron Lake in 1986.

• Eurasian Collared-Dove, June – July

2002, Amboy, Blue Earth County (record

#2002-76, vote 6–1).

This bird was seen by many observers,

with documentation including both the

diagnostic vocalization and the pattern of

the underside of the outer rectrices.

• Eurasian Collared-Dove, 13 April

– 23 June 2002, Herman, Grant County

(record #2002-41, vote 7–0).

Though the documentation from the

original observer does not entirely pre-

clude the possibility of Ringed Turtle-

Dove, a subsequent description and pho-

tos from another observer confirmed the

identification.

• White-eyed Vireo, 14 May 2002,

Chester Woods County Park, Olmsted

County (record #2002-86, vote 6–1).

Although the distinctive song of this

species was apparently never heard, the

vireo was seen clearly enough by several

observers.

• White-eyed Vireo, 13 July – August

2002, Great River Bluffs State Park, Wi-

nona County (record #2002-87, vote 7–0).

Curiously, this vireo also was never

heard to vocalize, but it was seen by sever-

al observers over a period of a few weeks.

• Rock Wren, 4–9 October 2002,

Bloomington, Hennepin County (record

#2002-77, vote 7–0).

This wren was only seen by a lone ob-

server with no previous experience with

this species, but her documentation is

complete and entirely convincing.

• Prairie Warbler (two individuals), 20

April 2002, Coon Rapids Dam Regional

Park, Hennepin County (record #2002-49;

vote 5–2 on first individual; vote 0–7, Not

Acceptable on second individual).

The observer who originally found the

bird(s) provided an adequate description

of a singing male. A second individual

present at the time was thought to have

been a female Prairie Warbler, but both

the observation and the description were

too brief, and this second bird was not

accepted. Other observers also reported

seeing a Prairie Warbler at this same lo-

cation through at least 25 April, but none

of these reports could be accepted since

none was accompanied by adequate

documentation.

• Black-throated Sparrow, 16–17 April

2002, Moorhead, Clay County (record

#2002-55, vote 7–0, The Loon 74:238–239).

This distinctive adult was seen by many

observers and photographed. Also note it

was in the same yard where the Black-

headed Grosbeak appeared a month later

42 The Loon Volume 75