The Loon, journal of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union.
The last 2 years are available to MOU members.
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Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon - Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks | Occurrence | |
| This is the 1930 to present seasonal report archive for The Loon, journal of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. The last 2 years are available to MOU members. |
Seasons |
| Species: Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks |
| Canada Goose(Branta canadensis) | ||||
| Year | Season | N | S | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1945 | Winter | Five hundred near Rochester, winter of 1938-39; 100 near Shakopee, February 21, 1943, (Jack Welsh). | ||
| 1962 | Summer | No date given, Marsh Lake, one pair nested but nest lost due to high water, Arlin Anderson. | ||
| 1962 | Winter | As usual, several thou- sand wintered on Silver Lake, Rochester, Olmsted Co. Among these were many Branta canadensis maxima, a race of the "honker" which was recent ly believed to be extinct. They have been breeding in northeastrn South Dakota and apparntly near Rochester. Good news, in view of recent wetland drainage problems confronting many of our water birds. | ||
| 1963 | Summer | Washington Co., May 24, pair, 5y, D. Honetschlager. | ||
| 1963 | Winter | Wintering as usual at Rochester and a few other areas in Southeastern Minnesota; most interesting report was 7 seen on Feb 15, Shotley, Beltrami Co., R. Grant and Tom Jegla. | ||
| 1964 | Spring | 3-7 Ramsey Co, ACR; 3-14 Salt Lake, 150, RKO; 3-16 Wright Co, EC; 3-16 Marshall Co, DLO; 3-22 Washington Co, DH; 4-4 Stearns Co, RPR; 4-12 Warroad, JR; 4-11 thru 4-29 Duluth, more observations than ever before, JCG. | ||
| 1964 | Summer | 6-24, Fargo-Moorhead, EGA. | ||
| 1964 | Fall | 9-14 Ely, St. Louis Co, fide JCG; peak NC Minn 9-22 to 10-7, JLR; peak NE Minn 9-27 to 10-15, JCG; 10-3 Washington Co, 30, ACR; 10-19 St. Louis Co, WJM; 11-16 Roseau Co, JLR. | ||
| 1964 | Winter | 12-9 Hennepin Co, 1, probably last migrant, RDT; all winter at Rochester, many observers, 4000-6000 birds; all winter, Howard Lake, Wright Co, 5 wild and 2 domestic (LJ, DP, RG, RLH); 2-13 Winona Co, 5, RG, RLH; 2-18 Dakota Co, 20, MAS; 2-27 Hennepin Co, 50, MAS all three reports probably early migrants. | ||
| 1965 | Winter | All winter: small groups in Aitkin, Stearns, Wright, Ramsey, Hennepin, Dakota, Wabasha; large group (7400, 1/2, Xmas), Olmsted. | ||
| 1966 | Spring | earliest 3-9 Nobles Co, HSH; 3-14 Pope Co, WH and 3-15 Dakota and Hennepin Co's FN/ MAS. September, 1966 ; | ||
| 1966 | Summer | Nested in Stearns Co; also reported from Nicollet, Jackson and Carver Co's. | ||
| 1966 | Fall | Latest 11-20 Murray Co., HSH and Wabasha Co., DGM; 11-27 into December, Encampment Forest, Lake Co., JCG. ; | ||
| 1966 | Winter | aside from the usual wintering flock at Rochester, this species was reported from Jackson, Wright, Winona, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Stearns, Lake and St. Louis Co's. Snow-Snow Goose (blue phase): 12-3 Olmsted Co., 1 ad, 2 imm, BL. | ||
| 1967 | Spring | early 3-19 Clay Co., 50, LWJ; 3-21 Traverse Co., 30, JAH; 3-23 Watowan Co., EDK. | ||
| 1967 | Summer | reported from Olmsted, Cottonwood, Carver, Pope, Anoka Co's. | ||
| 1967 | Fall | latest (other than at Rochester) 11-7 Wabasha Co., DGM; 11-12 Pine Co., 50, DS; 11-24 Fargo-Moorhead, EGA. | ||
| 1967 | Winter | the usual flock of several thousand wintered again at Rochester, Olmsted Co., also reported from Wright, Hennepin, Stearns and St. Louis (Virginia powerplant, EHH, L TM, MIG) Co's. | ||
| 1968 | Spring | early 3-7 Washington Co., WWL; 3-9 Dakota Co., DB and Nobles Co., HSH; 3-12 Wabasha Co., DGM; 3-14 Wright Co., EHD, Washington Co., DH and Pope Co., WH. | ||
| 1968 | Summer | nested in Marshall Co; also reported from Sherburne, McLeod, Roseau, Yellow Medicine Co's. | ||
| 1968 | Fall | 10-28 Chisago (Wyoming) 200+ FVS; 11-3 St. Louis (Kinney) LM; 11-3 Winona 300+ BT; 11/0 Ramsey MO; 11-14 Hennepin (Xmas Lake) 700+ RDT. Snow/ Snow Goose (blue phase): 9-21 Watonwan DMF; 10-20 Roseau 5,000 PEB; 1025 St. Louis 400 HM; 11-19 Nobles HSH; 11-19 Hennepin EWJ; 11-26 Hennepin (Xmas Lake) 50 RDT; 1/26 St. Louis RBJ. | ||
| 1968 | Winter | 12-10 Blue Earth 10 EDK; all winter Olmsted (Rochester) 3-4000 RBJ; all winter Carver (Hennepin Co. Park Reserve) TAH, RBJ. | ||
| 1969 | Spring | 3-1 Olmsted Co., CCW; 3-10 Ramsey Co., JJ; 4-6 (100+) Wright Co., BAP, and (300) Washington Co., DS; 4-10 Mille Lacs Co., MI; 4-12 Duluth, RL; 5-26 (125) Cook Co., OP. | ||
| 1969 | Summer | nested in Marshall and Stearns Co's. Reported from Winona, Hennepin, Anoka, and Carver Co's and 20 at Sand Point Lake, St. Louis Co. on 7-14. Southern records may be semi-feral birds. | ||
| 1969 | Fall | 11-1 Lac qui Parle 1000s RBJ; 11-22 Olmsted 5000+ ETS; 8-6 Carver KH; 8-18 Nobles HSH; 8-17 Aitkin RHJ; 9-17 Duluth MC; 10-13 Cook MAF; 10-13 St. Louis JCG and HM; 11-30 Wabasha DGM; 11-30 Winona BTV. | ||
| 1969 | Winter | All winter (10-20,000) Rochester, Olmsted Co.; 12-2 Hennepin CLH; 12-7 (150) Wabasha BTV; 12-13 Winona FZL; 12-20 (4) Rice OAR; 2-17 - 18 (21) Worthington Nobles Co. (HSH, HCK). | ||
| 1970 | Spring | early south 3-9 Wabasha WDM; 3-14 Wabasha TV, 3-15 Dakota EB; peak 4-4 Lac qui Parle {20,000} KE, PE; early north 3-22 Marshall AR; 4-6 Mille Lacs MI. | ||
| 1970 | Summer | nested in Carver and Anoka Co's; also reported from Ramsey, Washington, Pope, Carver, Hennepin, and Marshall Co's. | ||
| 1970 | Fall | peak 10-8 Marshall (6847) AR. | ||
| 1970 | Winter | last North 12-13 Lake JCG; South lingered to 1-7 Hennepin, Ramsey (up to 10), Dec. Wabasha (300 on 12-6, BTV; 40 on 12-31, DGM); wintered Olmsted (I 5,000), Goodhue (2), Lac qui Parle (1500, 1-25, BAH), Carver (130, KH). | ||
| 1971 | Spring | early south 3-13 Wright BH and Nobles HH and Murray AD; early north 3-31 Marshall A,R; 4-5 Mille Lacs MI; peak 4-3 Lac qui Parle (10,000) KE, PE. | ||
| 1971 | Summer | nested in Hennepin, Sherburne, Aitkin, Carver, Winona and Marshall; also reported from St. Louis and Jackson. SNOW; BLUE GOOSE: one injured remained all summer at Indian Lake, Nobles Co., HH. | ||
| 1971 | Fall | late south 11-20 Nobles; 11-21 Wabasha 11-28 Murray; late north 11-4 Marshall; 11-26 Grant; peaks 10-21 Olmsted (10,.000) JAB; 10-7 Marshall (13,240) AR. | ||
| 1971 | Winter | Migrants 12-18 (2) Brainerd JB, TS. All winter: (6-10) In Scott, Sherburne, Anoka, Dakota; (150) Carver, (500) Fergus Falls, (2,000) Lac qui Parle Refuge, (16,000) Rochester. | ||
| 1972 | Summer | nested in Hennepin, Ramsey, Cottonwood, Chippewa, (Aitkin), (Mille Lacs), (Blue Earth); seen also in Sherburne, Jackson, Big Stone, Lac qui Parle, Marshall. | ||
| 1972 | Winter | 12-1 20,000 present each at Silver · Lake, Rochester and Lac qui Parle Refuge, decreasing to 4,000 at Silver Lake 1-7 and 500 at Lac qui Parle Refuge 2-28. Present all winter in Crow Wing (1), Otter Tail, Dakota, Hennepin, and Shurburne. | ||
| 1973 | Summer | Nested in Big Stone, Hennepin; seen in Marshall, Ottertail, Aitkin, Crow Wing, Grant, Sherburne, Anoka, Lac qui Parle, Washington, Cottonwood and Houston. | ||
| 1973 | Fall | Reported from Becker, Anoka, Lac qui Parle, Cottonwood, St. Louis, Wright, Grant, Marshall, Ramsey, Washington, Norman. Late north 11-6 Hubbard (JM); 11-6 Marshall (12) (A WR). Late south 11-22 Hennepin (OLJ); 11-23 Hennepin (35) (VL); 11-30 Sherburne (230) (SWR). Peak 11-3 Olmsted (20,000) (RBJ). | ||
| 1973 | Winter | Reported from 17 counties north and west to Otter Tail and Lac qui Parle; the early December peak at Rochester was estimated at 22,000, while the wintering flock numbered 12,000. | ||
| 1974 | Spring | Early south 3-1 Freeborn DG; 3-2 Chippewa CLH; 3-2 Murray AD; 3-2 LeSueur GR; early north 3-10 Becker TRS; 3-13 Marshall AR; 4-6 Mille Lacs MI; peak 3-25 Chippewa (41,500+) CLH and 4-6 Lac qui Parle and Chippewa (15,000) KE. | ||
| 1974 | Summer | Nested in Marshall, Itasca, Stearns, Chippewa, Hennepin, Olmsted; also reported from 13 other counties. | ||
| 1974 | Fall | Late north 11-21 Mille Lacs MI; 1/23 Duluth D. Hojnacki; peak 10-15 Lac qui Parle (46,000) AFE. | ||
| 1974 | Winter | Reported from 15 counties north and west to Stearns, Ottertail, Big Stone, Chippewa (28,000 on 12-2 and 4000 on 12-17 on Lac qui Parle refuge) (CH), and Lac qui Parle; peak at Rochester, Olmsted Co. was 24,000. | ||
| 1975 | Spring | Early north 3-9 Marshall AR; 4-11 Mille Lacs MI; peak 4-11 Lac qui Parle (30,000) OLE. | ||
| 1975 | Summer | Nested in Marshall, Aitkin, Lac qui Parle, Yellow Medicine, Murray, Hennepin and Olmsted; also reported from St. Louis, Mille Lacs, Big Stone, Jackson and Freeborn. | ||
| 1975 | Fall | late north 11-18 Marshall SV; 11-20 Clay LCF; peak 10-10 Lac qui Parle (70,000) AFE; 1/21 Olmstead (30,000). | ||
| 1975 | Winter | reported from 19 counties north and west to Lac qui Parle (250 overwintered), Big Stone, Yellow Medicine (1000 migrating on 12-27, OE), Otter Tail Marshall and Cass (Walker Christmas Count per iod); Rochester had 22,000 on the Christmas Count; early spring migrants on 2-15 in Wabasha (RL), 2-17 in Cottonwood (LF), and 4000 were back at Lac qui Parle Refuge by 2-24. | ||
| 1976 | Spring | Early north 3-19 Marshall AWR, SV; 4-23 Hubbard HF and Mille Lacs MI. | ||
| 1976 | Summer | nested in Marshall, Aitkin,. Lac qui Parle, Anoka, Hennepin and Winona; also reported from 16 other counties northeast to Duluth (3 reports) and Cook. | ||
| 1976 | Fall | Peak 11-1 Chippewa (65000) CH. | ||
| 1976 | Winter | Reported from 14 counties north to Big Stone (until 12-26, CMB), Lac qui Parle (into January, FME), Otter Tail (overwintered) and Crow Wing Co's. | ||
| 1977 | Spring | Early north 3-11 Marshall SVA; 3-24 Crow Wing DK; 3-25 Clay LCF. | ||
| 1977 | Summer | Nested in Marshall, Roseau, Otter Tail, Douglas, Big Stone, Lac qui Parle, Anoka, Hennepin and Ramsey; also reported from Cook, St. Louis, Grant and Olmsted; fewer reports than usual. | ||
| 1977 | Fall | Peak 10-24 Lac qui Parle (63,000) (AFE). | ||
| 1977 | Winter | Overwintered in Otter Tail, Big Stone, Stearns, Anoka, Hennepin, Washington, Olmsted and Winona; late migrants also seen on the Grand Marais, Wild River (Chisago Co.), Sherburne and Owatonna CBCs and until 12-18 Le Sueur and 1-2 Lac qui Parle. | ||
| 1978 | Summer | Breeding reported from Olmsted, Watonwan, Jackson, Carver, Ramsey, Anoka, Sherburne, Aitkin, and Marshall; also seen in Fillmore, Nicollet, Cottonwood, Lac qui Parle, Hennepin, Washington, Mille Lacs, Todd, Otter Tail, Becker, Roseau and St. Louis (small flocks, Lake Superior). | ||
| 1978 | Fall | Peak 10-30 Lac qui Parle (75,000) OE. | ||
| 1978 | Winter | Overwintered in 16 counties north to Otter Tail, Crow Wing and Cook (2 at Lutsen, m.ob.); December migrants on the Mt. Lake -Windom CBC and the Austin CBC week. | ||
| 1979 | Spring | Early north 3-1 Otter Tail GMO, 3-20 Lake SW, 3-29 Becker TNWR. Peak 4-26 Lac qui Parle JS (45,000). Reported from 42 counties. | ||
| 1979 | Fall | Peak 11-15 through 18 Chippewa and Lac qui Parle CMB, OE (61,000). Reported from 22 counties. | ||
| 1979 | Winter | Reported from 18 counties north to Itasca. Peak numbers include 22,000 on Rochester CBC, 20,000 in Lac qui Parle (12-31) and 5000+ in Otter Tail. Late migrants in Nicollet on 12-29 and early migrants on 2-29. | ||
| 1980 | Spring | Early north 3-26 Marshall ANWR, 4-4 Lake of the Woods TA, Aitkin WN, 4-16 Cook TB. Reported from 38 additional counties. | ||
| 1980 | Summer | Breeding reported from nine counties, all in the southern half except Grant; also seen north to Duluth, Aitkin and Marshall. Congregation of 100 birds in Duluth harbor (7-9). | ||
| 1980 | Fall | Peak at Lac qui Parle (no date) 74,000. Reported from 28 counties. | ||
| 1980 | Winter | Reported from 30 counties throughout the state. Peak CBC numbers included Rochester 25,000, Lac qui Parle WMA 22,000 and Big Stone WMA 15,750. Early migrants throughout the state in mid to late February and in Clay 2-23 (LCF) and Marshall 2-21 (FS). | ||
| 1981 | Spring | Permanent resident; reported from 34 counties. | ||
| 1981 | Summer | Breeding data from LeSueur; nesting reported from Becker, Otter Tail, Sherburne, Anoka. Seen throughoutthe state including the North Shore (St. Louis, Lake). | ||
| 1981 | Fall | Peak of 79,000, a record high, reported at Lac qui Parle 10-26 AE. Reported from 28 counties. | ||
| 1981 | Winter | Two northeast reports: 12-19 Duluth CBC and Lake Co., Two Harbors, 12-14, 4 (SWMS). In the northwest a late migrant was noted in Clay on 12-1 (LCF). In the west central Lac qui Parle reported "fewer than normal" (CMB) while Fergus Falls had a sharp increase to 6/00 overwintering individuals (SDM). Southwest reports from Lincoln and Redwood 12-7, 223 (LJF). Also reported from Stearns, Nicollet and Martin in the central area, all five Twin Cities counties and Olmsted; 11,000 (FL), Winona and Houston in the southeast. | ||
| 1982 | Spring | 16 | 24 | Permanent resident; reported from Winter 1982 24 counties south 16 north. |
| 1982 | Summer | Breeding data from Roseau, Wilkin, Steams, Hennepin, LeSueur, Martin. Seen throughout the state including flocks along the North Shore in June. | ||
| 1982 | Fall | Permanent resident; reported from II counties north, 26 south. | ||
| 1982 | Winter | Reported from 25 counties throughout the state with the exception of the NW Region. The north central report was of 13 overwintering in Hubbard Co. (OJ) and the north east report was of spring migrants over Carlton Co. on 2/27 (fide Laura Erickson). Mid to late February arrivals were also reported from Cottonwood, Brown and Mower counties. Peak CBC numbers included 29,600 in Rochester and 17,800 in Lac qui Parle Co. | ||
| 1983 | Summer | Breeding data from Lake of the Woods, Aitkin, Stearns, Anoka, Ramsey, LeSueur, Wabasha. Also seen throughout most of the state including the North Shore. | ||
| 1983 | Fall | Permanent resident; reported from 8 counties north, 19 south; peak 10/24 LQP, FE (65,000). | ||
| 1983 | Winter | Reports from three north and 31 south counties. The north reports consisted of the Aurora CBC, the Fargo CBC and the wintering flock at Fergus Falls, Otter Tail Co. The total statewide CBC count was 15, 1349. There were fifteen south reports of returning migrants, the first on 2-I2 and the balance from 2-16 through 2-25. | ||
| 1984 | Spring | Permanent resident, reported from 28 counties south, 14 north; waves of 1000s reported 4/21 along North Shore. Winter 1984 | ||
| 1984 | Summer | nested in Cook, Marshall, Aitkin, Steams, Chisago, Washington, Ramsey, Sherburne, LeSueur, Norman, Cottonwood and Brown; also seen in 18 other counties. | ||
| 1984 | Fall | Permanent resident, reported from 16 counties north, 14 south. | ||
| 1984 | Winter | Reported from three north region, 12 central region and I I south region counties . A peak of 60,500 on the Lac qui Parle CBC makes this the most abundant species in the state during count week. Other high counts include Rochester (22,000), Fergus Falls (3,000) and Afton (I,050). The three north region reports were the Duluth and Grand Marais CBCs and Becker 12-13 (DZ). Returning migrants were again reported in the south and central regions in mid and late February. | ||
| 1985 | Spring | Overwintered in the south. Reported from 33 counties south, 19 north. | ||
| 1985 | Summer | Nested in 18 counties (all-time high) including Cook and seven county firstsHubbard (HJF), Clay (MMo), Morrison (NH), Meeker (BG), Waseca (JS), Freeborn (KWB), Mower (RRK); probable nesting in three additional counties. Seen throughout the state except northern north central region. | ||
| 1985 | Fall | Permanent resident, reported from 8 counties north, 16 counties south; peak of 70,000 reported 11/21 Lac qui Parle WL. | ||
| 1985 | Winter | Peak counts of 23,500 on the Rochester CBC, 7500 on the Lac qui Parle CBC and 2500 on the Fergus Falls CBC. One individual was recorded on the Grand Marais CBC. A NW region report of an injured individual in Norman County on 1/2 (BK). Also reported from nine central and eight south region counties. Numbers down from last year and only one report of possible late February migrants, Cottonwood, 2/22 (RBJ). | ||
| 1986 | Spring | Reported from 31 counties south, 16 north. | ||
| 1986 | Summer | Becoming increasingly common, reported from 44 counites throughout the state. Nested in 17 counties including Cook, Polk (D. Anderson), Benton (NH); probable nesting in four additional counties. | ||
| 1986 | Fall | Reported from 17 counties north, 24 counties south. | ||
| 1986 | Winter | Many more than normal lingered or overwintered. Peak CBC counts of 105,000 at Lac qui Parle, 26,700 at Rochester and 5400 at Fergus Falls. Also reported from 38 counties throughout the state including Virginia, St. Louis Co. 1/27 (SW/AS) and Marshall 2/26 (ANWR). | ||
| 1987 | Spring | Reported from 31 counties south, 15 north. | ||
| 1987 | Summer | Continues to increase; seen in 48 counties throughout the state, except north halves of east central and north central regions. Nested in Cook, Wadena (TT), McLeod (TT) and ten other counties; probable nesting in four additional counties. | ||
| 1987 | Fall | Reported from 16 counties north, 26 counties south. | ||
| 1987 | Winter | Reported from 32 central and south region counties; from 12/3 (LCF), Pennington, two injured overwintered (KSS); and St. Louis, two at the Virginia Power Plant on 2/6 (KL). This years CBC total of 43,310 is down significantly from last year. | ||
| 1988 | Spring | Reported from 33 counties south, 17 north. | ||
| 1988 | Summer | Increase continues; nested in 15 counties including Kittson (AB), Big Stone (BHa), Rock (GS). Seen in an additional39 counties statewide. Summering flock at Isabella, Lake Co. (First report in county of summering flock away from L. Superior, SWIMS). | ||
| 1988 | Fall | Reported from 17 counties north, 30 counties south. | ||
| 1988 | Winter | Reported from four north and 24 south counties. This year's CBC total of 42,509 is slightly less than l.y. | ||
| 1989 | Spring | Reported from 36 counties south, 14 counties north. | ||
| 1989 | Summer | This species is now commonly reported from all regions of the state. Nested in seven counties, probable nesting in five; seen in an additional 37 counties statewide. | ||
| 1989 | Fall | Reported from 18 counties north, 26 south. Cattle Egrets, 14 October 1989, Grand Marais, Cook County. Photo by Peder Svingen. | ||
| 1989 | Winter | Seen in four northern and 35 southern counties with an impressive 2/0,000 at Lac qui Parle, largest ever for area, (DNR count fide FE) with 85,000 still there on the CBC on 12/23. 6000 wintered in OtterTail. Returning birds were widespread throughout southern third of state as early as first week of February with 20,000 at Fox Lake, Martin RJ, AP. Statewide CBC total of 122,352 is nearly 3X l.y. | ||
| 1990 | Spring | Reported from 33 counties south, 18 counties north. | ||
| 1990 | Summer | Nested in Clearwater AB, Crow Wing JS/ MN, Pipestone JP, Clay, Hubbard, Washington; probable nesting in nine counties. Seen in 29 other counties statewide. | ||
| 1990 | Fall | Reported from 20 counties north, 29 south, peak ll/30 Lac qui Parle WMA, Lac qui Parle Co. (175,000). | ||
| 1990 | Winter | Seen in 34 southern and seven northern counties including Grand Rapids CBC, overwintering on Lake Bemidji, Beltrami (4) DJ; Becker 12/31 DB ; and Pine City, Pine 1/31 (4) RG. 76,000 on Lac qui Parle CBC with 8,000 overwintering there, and 5,500-6,000 in Otter Tail SDM. 1,085 as late as 12/15 in Grant PKL; statewide CBC total of 1/0,376 is 12,000 fewer than last year but still very high. Early migrants in Redwood as early as 2/6 and Washington 2/8. | ||
| 1991 | Spring | Reported from 32 counties south, 20 counties north. | ||
| 1991 | Summer | Nested in six counties, probable nesting in nine; seen in 27 additional counties statewide. | ||
| 1991 | Fall | Reported from 26 counties south, 16 counties north. | ||
| 1991 | Winter | Reported from a total of 23 counties (41 l.y.) with only two north reports: Otter Tail and Beltrami (overwintered, DJ). Many late February reports of returning migrants in the south. CBC total of 86,818 (110,376 l.y.; second year of significant decrease), of which 60,000 were on Lac qui Parle CBC, 19,000 on Rochester CBC, and 5,050 on Fergus Falls CBC. | ||
| 1992 | Spring | Reported from 35 counties south, 18 counties north. | ||
| 1992 | Summer | Nested in 12 counties, probable nesting in Cottonwood; seen in 35 additional counties statewide. | ||
| 1992 | Fall | Reported from 28 counties south, 17 counties north. | ||
| 1992 | Winter | Reported from 39 counties (23 l.y.) statewide, with 10 northern counties (only 2 l.y.) including records as far north as: until 1/1 Beltrami DJo, 1/3 St. Louis (Virginia Power Plant) KB, and 12/15 & 2/9 Pennington (overwintering?) KSS. CBC total continues to decline, with only 71,951 (86,818 l.y. and 1/0,376 two years ago). Thousands were noted flying south 12/14–16 Lac qui Parle FE and 12/14 Lyon HK. Only 30,000 were on the Lac qui Parle CBC, and very few wintered at Lac qui Parle Lake/WMA with only 3,000 there on 1/18 KB. The 6,017 on the Fergus Falls CBC and the 15,200 on the Rochester CBCs are more normal, while large numbers of 2–4,000 were recorded on the Bloomington, Excelsior, Fairmont, and Minneapolis CBCs. | ||
| 1993 | Spring | Reported from 31 counties south, 17 counties north. | ||
| 1993 | Summer | Nested in 14 counties including Kanabec DN; probable nesting in six. Seen in 27 additional counties statewide. | ||
| 1993 | Fall | Reported from 18 counties north, 27 counties south. | ||
| 1993 | Winter | Reported from 30 counties (39 l.y.) as far north as Carlton, Itasca, and Becker. | ||
| 1994 | Spring | Reported from 30 south and 22 north counties. | ||
| 1994 | Summer | Nested in ten counties including Faribault MS; probable nesting in 12. Observed in 25 additional counties statewide. | ||
| 1994 | Fall | Reported from 18 counties north, 24 counties south. | ||
| 1994 | Winter | Reported from 38 counties with overwintering noted as far north as Beltrami. CBC total 92,750 with high counts of 49,000 on the Lac qui Parle CBC and 23,700 on the Rochester CBC. | ||
| 1995 | Spring | Reported from 30 south and 26 north counties. | ||
| 1995 | Summer | Nested in 12 counties including Penning-ton SKS, Nicollet LF; probable nesting in six. Seen in 36 additional counties. | ||
| 1995 | Fall | Peak of 175,000 birds seen on Lac qui Parle Lake, Lac qui Parle County (no date) FE; reported from 49 counties statewide. | ||
| 1995 | Winter | Reported from 44 counties throughout the state. Thousands noted moving south 1/2 Lac qui Parle FE. CBC total 98,609, of which 50,000 were on the Lac qui Parle CBC and 27,000 on the Rochester CBC. | ||
| 1996 | Spring | Reported from 70 counties. | ||
| 1996 | Summer | Most reports ever for this species. Nested in eight counties including Cass NRRI; probable nesting in 12 counties. Seen in 40 other counties throughout state. | ||
| 1996 | Fall | Seen in 62 counties statewide. During the week of 11/11, cooperative DNR/USFWS surveys tallied 136,239 (fide CS). | ||
| 1996 | Winter | Reported from 34 counties throughout most of the state. The 22,374 counted on CBCs is down considerably from previous years, especially at Lac qui Parle where only 2,000 seen (down 98% from previous five year average). Reasons for this decline were unspecified, but more than likely were due to the severe weather. The 17,000 on the Rochester CBC is more normal. | ||
| 1997 | Spring | Reported from 70 counties. | ||
| 1997 | Summer | Many reports. Observed in 60 counties statewide, including new nesting record in Steele CH and probable breeding in nine counties. | ||
| 1997 | Fall | Peak 11/16 Big Stone (15,000) LE. Reported from 57 counties statewide. | ||
| 1997 | Winter | Reported from 50 counties throughout the state, with overwintering noted as far north as Virginia, St. Louis Co. NJ, and Grand Marais, Cook Co. (first time ever) KMH. Northward migration noted as early as 2/14 Murray ND. CBC total 107,481 including 55,000 at Lac qui Parle and 30,000 at Rochester. | ||
| 1998 | Spring | Reported from 72 counties. Peak count 3/1 Carver (5,000) DBM. The Minnesota DNR estimated the population is 140% above the long-term-average. | ||
| 1998 | Summer | Many reports, similar to previous two years. Seen in 64 counties statewide. New nesting records in Beltrami DJo, Lincoln RgS, Wright RbS, Houston KK, St. Louis JLi, JN; probable nesting in six counties. | ||
| 1998 | Fall | Reported from 54 counties statewide. Unusually high numbers (e.g. 1,193 on 11/30) lingered on the St. Louis River JN. | ||
| 1998 | Winter | Reported from 54 counties throughout the state. CBC total 143,933, with 15 counts over 1,000 individuals, including 20,000 at Lac qui Parle, 25,000 at Marshall, and 33,000 at Rochester. | ||
| 1999 | Spring | Reported throughout the state. | ||
| 1999 | Summer | Observed in 54 counties statewide; new nesting record in Todd MRN. | ||
| 1999 | Fall | Reported throughout the state. Peak numbers 11/17 Lac qui Parle (61,172 at BSNWR) BOl, 10/31 Lac qui Parle (105,000 at Lac qui Parle L.) FE. | ||
| 1999 | Winter | Reported from 57 counties throughout the state. Peaks 12/1 BSNWR (23,460) BOl, and the Lac qui Parle CBC (45,000). | ||
| 2000 | Spring | Reported statewide. | ||
| 2000 | Summer | MDNR estimates the resident state population to be around 295,000 — now rivalling the Mallard total! Reported in 64 counties statewide; new nesting record in Blue Earth AXH. | ||
| 2000 | Fall | Reported throughout the state and the season. | ||
| 2000 | Winter | Reported from only 40 counties throughout the state. Peak count 20,000 on the Rochester CBC. | ||
| 2001 | Spring | Reported statewide. | ||
| 2001 | Summer | Seen in 49 counties statewide. MDNR counts of nesting geese down 16% from the previous year; this is probably the first time in decades that an increase has not been noted! | ||
| 2001 | Fall | Reported throughout the state and all season long. | ||
| 2001 | Winter | Reported from record 58 counties throughout the state. Peak count on Rochester CBC (26,000). Spring migrants observed as early as 2/16–18, including lesser forms. | ||
| 2002 | Spring | Reported statewide. High count 4/3 Big Stone (34,800) KJB. | ||
| 2002 | Summer | D.N.R. survey estimated population size at 3/5,000 (16% above last year). Record number of reports from 68 counties throughout state; new nesting record in Lake N.R.R.I. | ||
| 2002 | Fall | Reported throughout the state and all season long. | ||
| 2002 | Winter | Reported from 13 north and 27 south counties. Maxima were 12/21 Lac qui Parle CBC (111,800) and the mid-winter waterfowl survey 1/16 Lac qui Parle (111,200) DTr. | ||
| 2003 | Spring | Reported throughout the state. Unusual concentration of 800 “Richardson's” types 4/3 Traverse KJB. | ||
| 2003 | Summer | Reported in 61 counties statewide. | ||
| 2003 | Fall | Reported throughout the state and the season. Peak numbers at Lac qui Parle W.M.A. estimated at 250,000 (record high count — no date) FAE and 11/11 (150,000) RBJ. | ||
| 2003 | Winter | Reported from 50 counties throughout the state. Highest reported count 12/20 Rochester CBC (10,000). | ||
| 2004 | Spring | Reported throughout the state. Peak count 3/13 (31,200 in Lac qui Parle and Chippewa) BJU. | ||
| 2004 | Summer | Reported from 56 counties statewide; new nesting records from Swift BJU and Traverse PHS. | ||
| 2004 | Fall | Reported throughout the state and the season. | ||
| 2004 | Winter | Reported from 15 north and 27 south counties. Highest reported count 1/6 Dakota (12000+) (Black Dog L.) JPM. Interesting was the report of a 20-year old banded bird from Illinois 1/18 Lake MTA. | ||
| 2005 | Spring | Reported throughout the state. | ||
| 2005 | Summer | Most reports ever received: observed in 70 counties, in all regions of state. | ||
| 2005 | Fall | Reported throughout the state and the season. | ||
| 2005 | Winter | Reported from only eight north counties with a high count 12/17 Clay (500) PBB. Mild conditions allowed exceptional numbers to persist into January in St. Louis (Duluth harbor), e.g., 1/7 (295), 1/28 (290) PHS. Reported from 30 south counties including a high count 2/25 Jackson (2,000) BRB. First northbound migrants 2/11 Cottonwood (60) BRB. | ||
| 2006 | Spring | Reported statewide. | ||
| 2006 | Summer | Found in 76 counties throughout state. New nesting records for Nobles PHS and Koochiching AXH. | ||
| 2006 | Fall | Reported throughout the state and the season. | ||
| 2006 | Winter | 12 | 37 | High count north 12/16 Clay (2,500 at Crystal Sugar ponds) PBB. Indicative of the mild winter, an estimated 10,000–12,000 concentrated on a knocked down corn field near Vermillion, Dakota County, between late January and mid-February BAF, NFT, JPM. |
| 2007 | Spring | 34 | 52 | No significant counts. |
| 2007 | Summer | 28 | 45 | High count 7/3 Stearns (65) STW. First county breeding records for Stevens AXH, BJU, RPR and Pope BJU, RPR. |
| 2007 | Fall | 35 | 49 | Reported throughout the state and the season. |
| 2007 | Winter | 9 | 33 | High counts 12/3 Lac qui Parle (4,500 at Lac qui Parle Lake) BJU, 12/16 Clay (1,275 at Crystal Sugar ponds) PBB, 1/6 Clay (500) DWR. |
| 2008 | Spring | 33 | 51 | Reported from 84 counties statewide. |
| 2008 | Summer | 26 | 41 | Found in all regions of state. High count of 523 found 7/26 Lac qui Parle PCC, PHS. First county breed-ing records for Mille Lacs DPG, Pine RBJ, Isanti DPG. |
| 2008 | Fall | 34 | 49 | Reported throughout the state and the season. |
| 2008 | Winter | 8 | 36 | “High” counts were surprisingly low compared to past winter seasons. Totals of 500 for Clay 12/20 PBB and Olmsted 1/1 OWB suggest that no one took time to count geese at Black Dog! |
| 2009 | Spring | 34 | 53 | Reported from all 87 counties. |
| 2009 | Summer | 28 | 41 | Found throughout state. First county breeding records for Carlton DCr, Renville RPR. |
| 2009 | Fall | 32 | 52 | Reported throughout the state and the season. |
| 2009 | Winter | 16 | 45 | High counts 12/19 Lac qui Parle CBC (37,000) and Rochester CBC (8,400). |
| 2010 | Spring | 34 | 53 | Reported from all 87 counties. |
| 2010 | Summer | 29 | 45 | Reported throughout state. |
| 2010 | Fall | 33 | 52 | Reported throughout the state and the season. |
| 2010 | Winter | 15 | 35 | Reported from six north counties after the CBC period, with high count 2/24 St. Louis (40) LKn. High counts south 12/8 Olmsted (946) OWB, 12/22 Dakota (750) YK, MJI. CBC high counts 12/17 Lac qui Parle (10,600), 12/18 Rochester (4,000). |
| 2011 | Spring | 34 | 53 | Reported throughout the state. |
| 2011 | Summer | 33 | 51 | Reported statewide. First county breeding records for Mahnomen RPR, Redwood JZa. |
| 2011 | Fall | 33 | 53 | Reported throughout the state and season. |
| 2011 | Winter | 15 | 45 | Reported from 11 north counties after the CBC period, with high counts 2/5, 2/9, 2/25 Clay (2,500, Moorhead) DWR, 2/19 Otter Tail (2,400, Dunvilla) RPR, 1/24 Polk (500, East Grand Forks) SAu. Season high counts 12/17 Otter Tail (8,000) BDE, 1/6 (7,000) and 2/25 (6,600) Martin PEJ, 2/25 Jackson (6,000) PEJ, 12/23 Chippewa (5,000) SVo. CBC high counts 12/15 Lac qui Parle (65,000), 12/16 Morris (61,195), 12/17 Fergus Falls (20,000), 12/17 Rochester (17,915). |
| 2012 | Spring | 34 | 53 | Reported from all 87 counties. |
| 2012 | Summer | 33 | 53 | Reported from every county except Traverse. |
| 2012 | Fall | 34 | 52 | Reported throughout the state and season. |
| 2012 | Winter | 17 | 45 | Reported from about the same number of counties as last year, both north and south. North reports after the CBC period included 11 counties. Season high counts north 12/8, 2/16 Clay (5,000, Moorhead) PBB, RTo. Season high counts south 1/1 Olmsted (3,000) SHk, 2/27 Olmsted (2,500) LEV. CBC high counts 12/14 Lac qui Parle (20,000) 12/15 Rochester (11,000), Fairmont (10,620). |
| 2013 | Spring | 34 | 53 | Reported from all 87 counties. |
| 2013 | Summer | 31 | 51 | Reported throughout state. |
| 2013 | Fall | 33 | 52 | Reported throughout the state and season. |
| 2013 | Winter | 16 | 36 | Reported from 7 north counties after the CBC period, with high count 2/22 Clay (500) DRi. Season high counts were modest: 12/13 Steele (1,500) NFT, 12/25 Olmsted (1,500) SHk. CBC high counts 12/14 Fairmont (7,450), 12/14 Rochester (2,900), 12/21 Austin (2,327). |
| 2014 | Spring | 34 | 53 | Reported from all 87 counties. |
| 2014 | Summer | 34 | 52 | Reported from every county except Le Sueur. |
| 2014 | Fall | 34 | 53 | Reported throughout the state and season. |
| 2014 | Winter | 15 | 34 | North reports after the CBC period were from eight counties, with high count 2/6 Clay (800) HeH, ShG. Season high count north 12/20 Clay (5,000, American Crystal Sugar Lagoons, Moorhead) PBB. Widespread throughout the season south, but season high counts were modest: 12/31 Stearns (1,100) MJB, 12/18 Olmsted (750) LAV. CBC high counts 12/20 Rochester (5,351), Fairmont (4,840), Fergus Falls (4,500), 1/1 Afton (3,480). |
| 2015 | Spring | 34 | 53 | Reported from all 87 counties. |
| 2015 | Summer | 34 | 49 | Reported from all counties except Chippewa, Nobles, Pipestone, Watonwan. |
| 2015 | Fall | 34 | 53 | Reported from all counties in the state and throughout the season. High count 11/25 Lyon (6,000 in the Cottonwood area) GWe. |
| 2015 | Winter | 23 | 51 | Reported from 15 north counties after the CBC period. Season high counts north 12/6 Polk (5,000) SAu, 12/19 Clay (1,612) PBB. Widespread south throughout the season. Reported from all but 2 south counties, with season high counts south 12/6, 12/11 Olmsted (3,000) JmP, 1/2 Wabasha (2,616) SWe, 2/29 Jackson (2,500) KnM. CBC high counts 12/19 Fairmont (9,663), 12/19 Rochester (5,400), 12/26 Hastings-Etter (5,320). |
| 2016 | Spring | 34 | 53 | Reported from all 87 counties. |
| 2016 | Summer | 33 | 52 | Found in all counties except Kittson, Mower. |
| 2016 | Fall | 34 | 53 | Reported from all counties in the state and throughout the season. High counts 11/15 Goodhue (3,000, Prairie Island) GJM, 11/24 Houston (2,000, Brownsville Overlook) SOa. |
| 2016 | Winter | 23 | 51 | Reported from the same number of counties north and south as last year. North reports after the CBC period were from 22 counties. Season high counts north 12/2 Polk (3,500) SAu, 2/21 Grant (2,000) SBM. Widespread south, with reports from all but two counties. High counts south 2/22 Jackson (4,000) KEm, 12/5 Hennepin (3,000) BBr, 2/19 Dakota (2,200) BAF. CBC high counts 12/18 Rochester (4,000), 12/17 Fargo-Moorhead (2,903), 1/1 Afton (2,815), 12/31 St. Paul (North) (629). |
| 2017 | Spring | 34 | 53 | Reported from all 87 counties. |
| 2017 | Summer | 34 | 53 | Seen in every county. |
| 2017 | Fall | 34 | 53 | Reported from all counties in the state and throughout the season. High counts 11/12 Lac qui Parle (10,000, Lac qui Parle S.P.) KnM, 11/11 Clay (8,000, Moorhead W.T.P.) KnM. |
| 2017 | Winter | 17 | 49 | Reported from ten north counties after the CBC period. Season north high counts 12/16 Clay (7,500) PBB, 1/20 Clay (3,500) SAu. Widespread south throughout the season, with reports from all but four counties. Season high count south 12/8 Washington (8,000, Grey Cloud Island Gravel Pit) GJa. CBC high counts 12/19 Morris (50,951), 12/16 Fergus Falls (30,000), 12/17 Kensington (24,245); these three totals were much greater than the highest CBC count from any of the past five years. |
| 2018 | Spring | 34 | 53 | Reported from all 87 counties. |
| 2018 | Summer | 34 | 52 | Found in every county except Jackson. |
| 2018 | Fall | 34 | 53 | Â Reported from all counties in the state and throughout the season. High counts 11/15 Rice (2,500, Lyman Lakes) GHo, 9/7 St. Louis (2,383) H.R.B.O. |
| 2018 | Winter | 18 | 44 | Reported from 11 north counties after the CBC period, with midwinter high count 1/19 Otter Tail (240) ToR. Season high count north 12/15 Clay (8,000) PBB. Widespread south, but no reports from nine counties. South season high counts 12/5 Martin (5,500, Fairmont) PEJ, 12/6 Rice (3,501) GHo. High count after December 1/2–3 Rice (2,500) GHo. CBC high counts 12/15 Fargo-Moorhead (8,863), 12/15 Fairmont (8,000), 12/15 Fergus Falls (4,933). |
| 2019 | Spring | 34 | 53 | Reported from all 87 counties. |
| 2019 | Summer | 34 | 53 | Â Reported from every county. |
| 2019 | Fall | 34 | 53 | Reported from all counties in the state and throughout the season. High counts 11/17 Polk (7,500, East Grand Forks) SAu, 11/10 Yellow Medicine (3,500, Clarkfield W.T.P.) GWe. |
| 2019 | Winter | 15 | 46 | Â Reported from 10 north counties after December, with high count 1/2 Clay (2,000, Moorhead W.T.P.) PBB. Widespread south, although no reports from seven counties. South season high count 12/9 Olmsted (3,000, Cascade Lake Park) LAV. South high count after December 2/29 Nobles (1,500, early spring migrants) PEJ; midwinter high counts were fewer than 500. CBC high counts 12/19 Fairmont (7,056), 12/14 Rochester (4,244, Fergus Falls (2,578), Bloomington (2,537). |
| 2020 | Spring | 34 | 53 | Reported from all 87 counties. |
| 2020 | Summer | 34 | 53 | Found in all counties. |
| 2020 | Fall | 34 | 53 | Reported from all counties in the state and throughout the season. High counts 11/24 Washington (3,500, Stagecoach Trail N., Afton) KvM, 10/18 Dakota (2,500, Empire Twp.) MwT, 11/22 Olmsted (2,500, Silver Creek Reservoir) MiD. |
| 2020 | Winter | 18 | 49 | Season high count north 12/19 Clay (Moorhead W.T.P., 7,500) PBB. Away from Moorhead, north high count 12/17 Polk (700) DaL. Reported from 13 north counties after December, with high count 1/11 Clay (5,000, Moorhead W.T.P.) REn, RLF. Widespread south, with reports from all but four counties. Season high counts south 12/4 Martin (7,600) PEJ, 12/5 Big Stone (6,000) GWe. CBC high counts 12/17 Fairmont (14,026), 12/19 Fargo-Moorhead (13,100), 12/1 Faribault (11,726), 12/19 Rochester (5,405). |
| 2021 | Spring | 34 | 53 | Reported from all 87 counties. |
| 2021 | Summer | 34 | 53 | Encountered in every county. |
| 2021 | Fall | 34 | 53 | Reported from all counties in the state and throughout the season. High counts 11/6 McLeod (10,000, near Glencoe) BAb, 11/7 Washington (6,000, Lake Elmo Airport) JVA. |
| 2021 | Winter | 19 | 49 | Season high counts north 12/18 Clay (5,000, Moorhead) PBB, 12/14 Douglas (800, Lakes Carlos and Darling) BEc. Reported from 13 north counties after December, with high count 1/29 Otter Tail (85, Fergus Falls) BDo, LiH. Widespread south throughout the season, with reports from all but four counties. South season high counts 12/4 Olmsted (5,000, Cascade Lake Park) ebd, 12/9 Washington (5,000, Grey Cloud Island gravel pits) BDo, PNi, 12/8 Nobles (4,000, Worthington) ebd. CBC high counts 12/14 (8,953) Fairmont, 12/18 (5,794) Rochester, 12/14 (5,331) Morris. |
| 2022 | Spring | 34 | 53 | Reported from all 87 counties. |
| 2022 | Summer | 34 | 52 | Seen in every county except Martin. |
| 2022 | Fall | 34 | 53 | Reported from all counties in the state and throughout the season. High counts 11/13 Sherburne (3,000, Big Lake) BAb, 11/21 Washington (3,000, Grey Cloud Island) PNi. |
| 2022 | Winter | 18 | 44 | Season high counts north 12/17 Clay (2,500, Moorhead W.T.P.) PBB, 12/2 Douglas (800, Lake Carlos) BEc. Reported from 11 north counties after December; all reports were of ten or fewer individuals. South season high count 12/5 Dakota (3,000, Spring Lake P.R.) CJE. South high count after December 1/1 Ramsey (1,000, Red Rock Road) TiW, 1/28 Wright (600) ebd. CBC high counts 12/17 Rochester (3,684), West Hennepin (3,120), Fargo/Moorhead (2,505), 12/15 Lac qui Parle (2,500). |
| Breeds throughout. Locally overwinters. | ||||
| 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. |