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)
[Black Rosy-Finch]
House Finch
Purple Finch
Cassin's Finch
 Redpoll
Redpoll (Common)
Redpoll (Hoary)
Redpoll (exilipes)
Redpoll (hornemanni)
 Red Crossbill
White-winged Crossbill
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
Pine Grosbeak(Pinicola enucleator)
YearSeasonNS
1945WinterSeveral winter records in various parts of the state, but apparently never very numerous.
1961Spring Purple Finch................. Hoary Redpoll................ Common Redpoll.............. American Goldfinch............ Vesper Sparrow................ Savannah Sparrow............ Grasshopper Sparrow........... Lark Sparrow................. Harris's Sparrow............... White-crowned Sparrow......... White-throated Sparrow......... Tree Sparrow................. Chipping Sparrow............. Clay-colored Sparrow.......... Field Sparrow................. Dark-eyed Dark-eyed Junco............ Dark-eyed Dark-eyed Junco................. Song Sparrow................ Lincoln's Sparrow.............. Swamp Sparrow...............
1961FallWidespread over the state by late November. First report was 15 Sep. at ibbing, when five were seen by Mrs. Micensky. Seen there again the last four days of October. Jan Green saw them at Duluth on 15 November. Records for southern part of state: 18 Nov., Ramsey County, A. C. Rosenwinkel. 18 Nov., Washington County, Dean Honetschlager. 19 Nov., Ramsey County, Keith and Connie Sherck. 24 Nov., Houston County, near Iowa line, R. Oehlenschlager.
1961WinterSeen at Duluth and Hibbing in fairly large numbers during December and early January, but were reduced to very few in February. In the southern part of the state, they were seen in small numbers during December, but none were reported for January or February. Mrs. B. L. Duckstad of Fertile saw them on January 15.
1963Springlast report, May 5, Lake Co., Avifaunal Club and Jan Green.
1963Fallearliest, Sept. 22, Minneapolis, one banded, Gloria Peleaux; many reports in northern part of state; reported also in Fargo·Moorhead area on Nov. 16 fide Elizabeth Anderson and at Willmar, Kandiyohi Co., Oct. 15 by Irv Hanson fide Gloria Peleaux.
1963WinterFewer numbers than usual, reported only from northernmost parts of state: Beltrami, Lakeof- the-Woods, Cass, Carlton, St. Louis, Lake, Cook Counties. In NE Minn, "not common" fide Jan Green, in NW Minn, reasonably common, Goranson, Grant, Avifaunal Club.
1964Springlatest dates, 3-24 iron range area, St. Louis Co, fide JCG; 3-11 Beltrami Co, MG; 5-6 Virginia, St. Louis, Co, VFB.
1964Fall10-6 Cloquet Forest, GWG; 11-17 Duluth, AKA; 11-21 St. Louis Co, 12, L. Patterson.
1964WinterRestricted almost entirely to NE "Arrowhead Country." Most observers reported 10 to 20, a few 25 to 50. Peaks noted: 12-22, Finland, Lake Co, 250, DU; 1-10, Lutsen, Cook Co, 300, LS; 1-31, Tofte, Cook Co, 360 plus, MOP. Only records away from NE: 12-20, Shotley, Beltrami Co, a few, MG and 1-23, Lake George, Hubbard Co, 3, RG, RO, RLH.
1965Springlatest 3-16 Duluth, LTM and 4-7 Duluth fide JCG. Very scare.
1965Fallearliest 10-23 Two Harbors, RK, Duluth, PBH, Tofte, MOP and Jay Cooke Park, VL; noticeable southward movement after last winter's absence; noted this fall from Little Falls (LSR), Anoka Co, (MIG), Crow Wing Co (MIG, ELC), Minneapolis (VL, FN), Aitkin Co (CEP), Collegeville (RPR), Holt (DLO), Douglas Co (EHH), Itas-ca Co (DB), Sherburne Co (NMH), Dakota Co (FN) and Northfield (banded, GNR).
1965WinterNorth: reported as abundant in Aitkin (CEP), Crow Wing (JB); large groups also at Hibbing (12/ 30, 2/8, Xmas); scarce on the North Shore, 16 observations of 1-11 birds; scattered reports also in Marshall, Polk, S. Beltrami, Cass, Wadena, Morrison, Mille Lacs. South: abundant in Stevens (12/ 15-27, 50100, RAG; fewer in Jan.; 2/5, 75, JAR; last, 2/28,.JAR) and later in Stearns (1/ 19, 5-2/ 25, 100, RPR). Scattered reports of small groups (1-10) to the east: first 12/4, Rice, OAR; next, 12/7, Hennepin, Mrs. EWJ; then, 10 observations in Jan. in Hennepin, Ramsey, Chisago, Dakota, Washington, Goodhue; last, 2/16, Wabasha, DGM and Feb., Winona, fide GD. Hoary Redpoll. A few (1-4) reported in the flocks of Common Redpolls that wintered
1966Springlatest 3-16 Morris, JAH; 3-31 Morrison Co, LSR; 4-22 Agassiz Refuge, DLO.
1966Summer7-9 Parkville (Duluth area), St. Louis Co, 4, SNE; good deltails; probably first summer record for Minnesota.
1966FallEarliest 10-25 Cook Co., MAF; 10-29 Cook Co., BL, RG, EMB, HFH; 11-5 Ely, JCG and Lake Co., EHH; no records from southern part of state.
1966Winterpresent throughout period in Cook, Lake, St. Louis and Beltrami Co's.; westward and southward to Marshall, Itasca and Stevens Co's. in Dec.; still in Stevens Co. in Jan. plus inexplicably isolated record from Rice Co. (1-17, 1-24, 1-29, GNR); withdrew into extreme northeast corner of state in Feb.
1967Springlatest 3-16 Cook Co., 4, LC; 3-18 Lake Co., RK.
1967Fall 11-11 Lake of the Woods Co., 3, PEB; 11-18 Lake Co., 4, JLS; 11-19 Lake of the Woods Co., 1, JAH.
1967Winter confined to Cook, Lake, St. Louis Co. , with earliest reports 12-2 Hibbing, St. Louis Co., HM; 12-13 Lutsen, Cook Co., LS; 12-15 Tofte, Cook Co., MOP and 12-18 Isabella, Lake Co., LTM.
1968Spring late 3-2 Beltrami Co., 1, JAH; 3-3 Cook Co., 3, MOP; 3-7 Morrison Co., 3, DF; exceptional 3-30 (30) and 4-1 (12) Lake Vadnais, Ramsey Co., FN/ MAS.
1968Fall11-1 Anoka WHL; 11-24 Hennepin (Xmas Lake) RDT; 11-30 Chisago (Taylors Falls) EL.
1968WinterNorth-movement was in Oct. and Nov., very scarce Dec.Feb., 1-3 usually seen; greatest number, 6, 12-1 St. Louis (Orr) DMF; South-arrivals: 2-1 Chisago (Shafer) EL; 12-10 Anoka (Carlos Avery) 10 AJ. Although reported more often in mid-winter from the south than the north, still scarce, 1-10, and erratic; greatest numbers: Stearns (St. Cloud) up to 30 fide NMH; Morrison up to 12 HD; farthest south-12-14 LaCrosse, Wisconsin FZL; 1-4 Winona 4 RBJ; last in south 2-20 Ramsey JJ; 2-20 Anoka (Carlos Avery) 4 WHL.
1969Spring3-6 (6) Wabasha Co., BT; 4-10 St. Louis Co., W. Arndt fide JCG.
1969Fall11-13 St. Louis 50 JCG; 11-19 Cook 100 JP; 10-30, 11-5 St. Louis MC, JCG.
1969WinterCommon in the North with reports from Cook (12-12, 100, JP) Lake, St. Louis (12-27, 142) Duluth, MMC; 12-20, 268, Hibbing, HM) Marshall, Crow Wing, Carlton. Aitkin (1- 25, 150, RG) Hubbard, Beltrami (2-9, 150, ETS), Pine (2-18, Willow River, RBJ). Only reports for the South on 12-20 (3) Stearns KRE; 2-26 (3) Hennepin BAH.
1970Spring3 reports (40) Ml; 4-31 Duluth MMC; 5-5 Duluth B. Hojnacki, fide ]G.
1970Fall11-4 (6) and 11-6 (1} Duluth ]G; only report.
1970Winternone in the South and scarce in the North; first 1-3 25) Duluth MMC; small flocks (up to 15) reported in Jan. & Feb. from Carlton, St. Louis, Lake, Cook; last 2-15 (10) Ely, St. Louis KRE.
1971Summer1 male was seen at Burntside Lake, St. Louis Co. on 6-16 and 6-24 by BDC; this species is not known to nest in Minn.
1971Fall2 south reports northern counties (only 1 report last fall).
1972WinterNORTH Seen throughout entire period in small groups of one to ten in Aitkin, Becker, Cook, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Marshall, Otter Tail, Pine and St. Louis. Maximums of thirty birds reported: 12-19 Crow Wing TS; 12-28 Lake BDC; 1-28 Silver Bay JCG. SOUTH: 1-1 Hennepin RBJ, one bird..
1973Spring3 REPORTERS REPORTING. ;
1973Fall Fewer reports; Seen as far south as Anoka and Washington.
1973Winter Also not as common as usual: reported from 13 counties south to Washington (Afton Christmas Count), Ramsey (St. Paul Christmas Count and 2-19, RH), Anoka (1-26, SC) and Cottonwood (12-28 to 1-13, LF).
1974Spring 2 reports: 3-2 St. Louis DR; 3-3 Aitkin TS.
1974Fall Early north 10-22 Duluth P. B. Hofslund; 10-27 Itasca DB; also reported Lake, Cook, Becker, and Lake of the Woods Counties.
1974Winter Not as widespread as usual: reported from 10 counties south only to Aitkin, Mille Lacs and Morrison.
1975Spring 6 reports 3-1 St. Loui~ GJN; 3-2 Sherburne RBJ; 3-4 St. Loms MMC; 3-5 and 3-15 Marshall SV; 4-10 Rice MC.
1975Fallearly 10-25 Duluth W. Russell; 11-17 Hennepin DB.
1975Winterreported from 19 counties south to Sherburne, Wash ington and Le Sueur Co's.
1976Fall Early north 10-20 Duluth, 10-23 Cook and Itasca; early south 11-6 Anoka, 11-17 Hennepin.
1976Winter Reported from 14 counties south to Sherburne, Anoka, Chisago and Washington.
1977Spring 4 reports.: 3-1 St. Louis MH; 3-2, 3-10 St. Loms AE; 3-28 Olmsted JF.
1977Fall Early north 9-30 Carlton (DA), 1025 Duluth (JG), major invasion year with reports by end of period from 13 counties.
1977Winter Perhaps the biggest winter ever with reports from no less than 39 counties south to Houston, Fillmore, Mower, Steele, Cottonwood and Lac qui Parle; peaks of 661 on the Duluth CBC in the North and 134 on the St. Paul N.E. CBC in the South.
1978Spring Late south 4-16 Stearns NH. GRAY-CROWNED ROSY FINCH 3-11 St. Louis, Hoyt Lakes, J. A. Evers.
1978Summer Early north 10-26 St. Louis KE and TH; early south 11-18 Washington DS and 11-19 Anoka KL.
1978Fall Early north 10-26 St. Louis KE and TH; early south 11-18 Washington DS and 11-19 Anoka KL.
1978Winter Way down in numbers with reports only from 13 counties south to Hennepin and Kandiyohi (no details); largest peak only 28 on the Itasca CBC.
1979Spring Five reports: 3-5 St. Louis DA, 3-11 Cass RJ, Itasca LH, 5-15 Hubbard HF, 4-12 Anoka KL.
1979Fall Five reports: 10-25 St. Louis M. Carr, 11-9 St. Louis DA, 11-24 St. Louis DA, 11-25 Lake SW and St. Louis JG.
1979Winter This species was also way down in !lumbers. Reported as common only m Cook (m.ob.). Additional north reports from Lake, St. Louis, Lake of the Woods, Itasca, Becker and Hubbard. Only south report from Carlos Avery, Anoka County 12-23 (KL).
1980Spring Two reports: 3-7 Becker GMO, 5-14 Lake of the Woods TA.
1980Fall Early north 9-28 Crow Wing JB, 10-6 Itasca DB; early south 11-10 Ramsey EC, 11-15 Hennepin OJ.
1980Winter A near normal season with reports from 25 counties south to Washington, Anoka, Pope, Otter Tail and Clay. GRAY-CROWNED ROSY FINCH Minnesota's eighth record. First seen on 12-19 and subsequently at the Lewis feeder in Minnetonka until1-23. Seen by many observers and details in The Loon 53:117.
1981Spring Late south 3-29 Dakota MW; late north 3-24 Cook KMH, Marshall FDS.
1981Fall Early north 10-3 Itasca DB, 10-6 Pennington KSS, 10-21 Cook KMH, Lake SW/ MS; no reports south.
1981Winter Reported from 19 counties northeast of a line from Kittson to Dakota.
1982Spring Late south 4-3.Washington GS; late north 4-5 Lake SM/ MS, 4~26 Itasca DB. Hoary Redpoll · Late south 4-15 Anoka (at feeder) SC; late north 4-23 Aitkin WN, 4-24 Lake SW / MS, 5-11 St. Louis KE.
1982Fall Early north 10/18 Crow Wing TS, 10/19 Pennington KSS, 10/22 St. Louis KE.
1982Winter Relatively scarce this year with reports from only eight northern counties. Reported only once from Aitkin, Cass, Becker and Marshall. In Cook and Beltrami they were less common than normal and in St. Louis they were completely absent from the Duluth CBC. In Koochiching they were abundant in International Falls on 1/15 (PKL) and were still present on 2/26 (RBJ).
1983Spring Five reports 3/1 St. Louis AE, 3/12 Beltrami JP, 3/18 St. Louis AE, 3/23 Cook KMH, 4/9 Hubbard DJ.
1983Fall Early north 10/23 Cook KMH, St. Louis KE, 10/28 St. Louis HRNR, 10/31 St. Louis AE; one report south 11/29 Houston EMF.
1983Winter More numerous than last year but still limited almost exclusively to the northeast, north central and northwest regions. The only south reports were the St. Paul NE CBC and Hennepin, 1-23, (OJ). Statewide CBC total of 479 with a peak of 1/6 at Aurora.
1984Spring One report south 3/2 Anoka JH, late north 4/9 St. Louis KC, 5/5 St. Louis fide KE, 5/16 St. Louis MH.
1984Fall Early north 10/22 Polk KSS, 10/28 Clay LCF, St. Louis AE, KE, 10/29 Cook KMH, St. Louis HR; two reports south 11/7 Brown JSp, 11/10 Cottonwood LAF.
1984Winter The statewide CBC total of 462 and peak of I 18 at Aurora were virtually identical with last year. About average numbers in the NE and above average in the NC and NW regions. And this year a few more wandered into the central and south regions. Reported from 17 north, five central and three south region counties. The south reports were Cottonwood 1-12 (LF), Mower 1-13 and 2-2 (RRK) and the Rochester CBC ( 12-15).
1985Spring Late south 3/17 Anoka A. Hawkins; late north 3/ I 7 Lake of the Woods RJ 3/20 St. Louis AE, 4/14 Cook KMH.
1985Fall Early north 10/16 Cook KMH, 10/19 Lake SWIMS, 10/22 St. Louis MHIJS; one report south 11/23 Anoka GP.
1985Winter Reported from 17 north, 13 central and three south region counties. Widespread and common in the northern regions and more than normal in the central regions. The south reports were from Cottonwood for the second year in a row, 1/11 (LF), Waseca 2/13 (RG) and the Rochester CBC. Statewide CBC count of 1319 (462 L.y.) with high counts of 226 at Ely and 223 at Hibbing.
1986Spring Late south 3/4 Olmsted PP, 3/7 Anoka JH, 3/8 Benton RJ; late north 3/25 Cook EH, 3/30 Cook SL, 4/14 Lake SWIMS.
1986Fall Early north 10/25 Cook KMH, 10/30 Duluth MH, 11/8 Itasca DB; early south 10/25 Anoka JH, 11/26 Olmsted AP.
1986Winter Much scarcer than last year. Reported in only nine north region counties and common only in the northern half of the northeast region . Statewide CBC total of 395 (1319 L.Y.).
1987Spring Late south 3/21 Washington WL; late north 3/12 St. Louis SS, 3/14 Cook KMH.
1987Fall Early north 10/19 Cook KMH, 10/21 St. Louis MH/JS, 10/24 Cook EH/RB ; one report south 10/29 LeSueur JEB.
1987Winter About normal numbers with reports from 17 north region counties and Pine and Mille Lacs in the central region. An unusual SW report of 19 on the Mountain Lake-Windom CBC. Statewide CBC total of 1621 (395 L.Y.). Purple Nnch Widespread throughout the state with reports from 45 counties ( 40 L. Y.). Rare in the north and common in the SE and east central regions. Statewide CBC total of 829 (401 L.Y.). House Nnch Hennepin, 2/2 (2, SC).
1988Spring Late north 3/13 Koochiching GM, 3/19 Aitkin WN, 3/23 Cook KMH.
1988Fall Early north 10/11 Cook KMH, 10/26 Duluth fide KE, 10/29 Lake SC.
1988Winter Reported from ten north central and northeast region counties. Statewide CBC total of 568 (1,621 l.y.).
1989Spring Late north 3/16 St. Louis AE, 4/6 Cook KMH, 4/16 Lake m.ob.
1989Fall Early north 10/14 Cook KMH, 10/15 St. Louis MH/JS, 10/16 Lake SWIMS; early south 11/2 Hennepin SC, 11/22 Anoka GP, 11/23 Benton AB, Carver RJ.
1989Winter Major invasion brought birds south to Houston and southwest to Swift. Reported from 56 counties in all but the southwest counties with 2,936 recorded on the CBCs (568 l.y.). An astounding 361 reported on the St. Paul NE CBC.
1990Spring Only report south 3/4 Isanti RJ; reported from 14 counties north; late north 4/3 St. Louis TW, 4/13 Cook KMH.
1990Fall Early north 10/23 Cook KMH, 10/24 Duluth KE, 10/26 St. Louis SWIMS.
1990Winter No echo from last year's invasion. Not recorded south ofCrow Wing and Carlton. Only records outside coniferous region were: one on Fargo-Moorhead CBC and Becker 12/5 (6) BK. Statewide CBC total of 577 (2,936 l.y.).
1991Spring Late south 3/14 Anoka JH, 3/27 Cottonwood ED; late north 4/3 Aitkin W, 4/20 Lake KR.
1991Fall Early north 10/8 Cook KMH, 10/18 Cook KR, PS; early south 10/27 Olmsted JB.
1991Winter Reported from 16 counties north with a CBC total of 1,659 (577 l.y. and 2,936 the year before during invasion). No reports south but numbers high in north.
1992Spring Late north 3/30 Koochiching GM and Lake of the Woods KSS, 4/4 Cook KMH.
1992Fall Early north 10/24 Cook KMH and Koochiching GM.
1992Winter Reported from 12 counties (16 l.y.) in northern regions as far south as Carlton and Aitkin, and as far west as Becker and Roseau, with a CBC total of 489 (1,659 l.y.). No south reports for second year in a row, but normal numbers reported in far north.
1993Spring Late north 4/21 Koochiching KB.
1993Fall Early north 9/27 Duluth SDM, FN, 10/16 Becker BBe.
1993Winter Reported from 13 north region counties (12 l.y.). No south reports for third straight year.
1994Spring Late north 3/24 Aitkin WN, 3/28 Cook SOL, 4/7 Cook KMH.
1994Summer First summer record since 1971. Seen on 7/3 (this is the first July record) at Red Lake WMA (three birds at one location, two at another) in Lake of the Woods Co. SKS et al (The Loon 67:65).
1994Fall Early north 10/4 Cook KMH, 10/24 Duluth RJ.
1994Winter Reported from 14 counties north, all within the coniferous belt except 12/3 Clay CF. Good numbers reported in northernmost counties. Three south reports on the Excelsior, Wild River, and Morris CBCs (none with details). CBC total a respectable 1,335.
1995Spring Late north 4/5 Cook KMH, 4/11 Itasca BN.
1995Fall Early north 10/9 Cook OSL, 10/21 St. Louis JBe, TW.
1995Winter Reported from 15 north counties. CBC total 1,444.
1996Spring Late north 3/19 Beltrami SCM, 3/23 St. Louis TW, 4/6 Aitkin WN. No south reports.
1996Fall Early north 11/1 St. Louis SS, 11/2 Beltrami SCM, 11/9 Pine CM. Noteworthy was one 11/23 Clay DWi; overall, fewer reports than normal in the state.
1996Winter Reported from 14 north counties in normal winter range. Although scarce in the Northeast region, reported as common in Koochiching where 285 were seen on the International Falls CBC and 1/8 were counted 2/9 Big Falls, Koochiching Co. KB, PS. CBC total 607 (1,444 l.y.). There were no south reports; this species has been virtually absent in southern regions since the 1989–90 invasion.
1997Spring All reports: 3/1 Beltrami SCM, 3/2 Aitkin WN and Beltrami (2) DJo, 3/23 St. Louis (2) NJ, 3/29 St. Louis SL.
1997Fall Early north 10/22 St. Louis TW, 10/23 Cook KMH. Peak numbers 10/29 HRNR, St. Louis Co. (490) FN, 11/3 HRNR (1,025, a record flight for the entire Great Lakes Basin!) FN (The Loon 70:62–63).
1997Winter Reported from 20 north counties (14 l.y.). Only south report on the Minneapolis CBC. CBC total 1,488 (607 l.y.).
1998Spring Late north 3/22 Kittson PS, 4/5 Cook KMH.
1998Fall Early north 10/19 St. Louis FN, 10/31 Cook KMH, 11/1 Cass PS (only reported from these three north counties). One south report: 10/23 Chisago (2) RH. Overall, quite scarce this season.
1998Winter111 Reported from only eleven north counties. Numbers very low except in far northeast (Cook and northern St. Louis). CBC total 3/7, the lowest total in over 15 years. Exceptional report 12/20 Lyon (Cottonwood CBC) †RJS. [Corrected]
1999Spring Only reports: 3/6 Itasca BN, 3/18–24 St. Louis mob.
1999Fall Reported from the usual north counties. A large and early flock reported 10/3 St. Louis (165 at HRNR in Duluth) FN, was followed by many observations beginning 10/22. First occurrences this season show an apparent movement into the state from the northeast towards the north-central and south regions: 10/22 Cook KMH, PS, 10/23 Carlton LW, 10/24 Aitkin CB, 10/26 Itasca BN, 10/28 Becker BK, 11/6 Pine CM, 11/18 Hubbard HJF. HRNR seasonal total 9/8 (FN).
1999Winter Reported from 16 counties, all except Kittson within the coniferous zone.
2000Spring Reported through mid-March in Hubbard, Itasca and St. Louis, plus 4/7 Lake of the Woods DS.
2000Fall Arrivals progressed from Cook, Lake, and St. Louis to Aitkin, Pine, and Itasca, suggesting a movement into the state from northeast, as in 1999. Early north 10/22 Cook KRE, 10/24 Lake CRM, KRE and St. Louis KEO. No south reports.
2000Winter Reported from 23 north counties as far south as Kanabec and Morrison. Maximum counts 1/14 & 2/17 Aitkin (200+) WEN, plus four CBCs in the 200–300 range.
2001Spring Reported from eight north counties in March, plus 4/3 Lake of the Woods fide BAB and mid-April in Marshall (ANWR staff).
2001Fall Reported from Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Cook, Itasca, Lake, Lake of the Woods, and St. Louis. High count 11/30 Aitkin (15) DFJ. Early north 10/22 Cass PHS, 10/26 in all three North Shore counties, 10/27 Itasca BRN. Only south report: 11/10 Anoka JLH.
2001Winter Average numbers reported from 20 north counties. Maximum 12/15 Duluth CBC (149).
2002Spring Reported from six north counties as late as 3/17 Becker BRK, 3/23 St. Louis ALE.
2002Fall Very few reports, all in St. Louis. First found 10/14 near Independence DRB, then no reports until 11/1 SES.
2002Winter Reported from nine north counties. Maximum reported number 1/4 Isabella CBC (48).
2003Spring Late north 3/22 Clearwater JMP, also reported from Lake of the Woods, St. Louis.
2003Fall Many more reports than last fall. Reported from 13 north counties, including first arrivals 10/24 St. Louis SES, 10/25 Cook JEB and Lake JWL. High count 11/12 St. Louis (250 at H.R.N.R., Duluth) FJN, DSC. Two reports away from the northern third of the state: 11/19 Pine RBJ, 11/20 Dakota (Etter Twp.) fide AXH.
2003Winter Reported from 20 north counties. Highest reported count 12/15 Pine County CBC (126).
2004Spring Only south report: 3/10 Lac qui Parle (1) †BJU. Late north 3/18 St. Louis ALE, 3/31 St. Louis (3) DSC, FJN; also reported from Becker, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Lake.
2004Fall Reported from ten north counties. Early arrivals 10/31 Cook BWF, 11/2 St. Louis m.ob., 11/6 St. Louis JWL. Only report away from northern third of state: 11/20 Pine AXH. No south reports.
2004Winter Reported from 14 north counties in range. Highest reported count 278 on the Ely CBC.
2005Spring No south reports. Late north 3/17 St. Louis ALE, 20 days prior to the median (4/6). Also reported from Aitkin, Becker, Hubbard, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods.
2005Fall Seen in ten north counties as far south as Pine. Early north and seasonal high count 10/1 Beltrami (57) BJU; also arrived 10/1 Koochiching BJU.
2005Winter Reported from 15 north counties. Only south report: 1/9–10 Lac qui Parle (1) BJU. Numbers up in Northeast m.ob. A record high 2,551 (previous high 2,515) tallied on 22 CBCs.
2006Spring No south reports. Late north 3/20 Beltrami KLa, 17 days prior to median departure (4/6). Also reported from Aitkin, Hubbard, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Pine.
2006Fall Reported from 14 north counties. Early north 10/24 St. Louis MPi, 10/27 Cook JWH, RBJ. Reports continued throughout November, but only as far south as Mille Lacs and Pine.
2006Winter181 Numerous reports from the far Northwest, and throughout the North-central and Northeast regions. High count 1/1 Aitkin (34) CKR. Only south report: 1/26 Chippewa (female) BJU.
2007Spring4 Late north 4/12 Itasca (Dunning Lake) EEO. Also reported from Aitkin, Cass, St. Louis.
2007Fall14 Early north (median 10/19) 10/11 St. Louis KJB, 10/20 Wadena BJU, 10/21 Koochiching BJU, Lake of the Woods BJU, 10/22 Beltrami BJU, Lake SLF. Reports continued steadily throughout November and into the winter.
2007Winter242 Reported within range and throughout the season, with the highest number of counties reporting from the past five years. All south reports: Cedar Creek Bog CBC (1), and 1/26 Sherburne (Ann Lake) NSc. CBC high count was from Cook (217).
2008Spring7 Sporadic reports throughout the north regions from 3/1 through 4/19 (median 4/5).
2008Fall101 Early north (median 10/19) 9/22 Lake EEO, 10/17 Koochiching FGo, 10/27 St. Louis ABL, 10/28, 10/29 Cook EEO. High count 11/10 St. Louis (187 at H.R.B.O.) KJB. Only south report 11/28 Sherburne (Sherburne N.W.R.) MDN.
2008Winter12 Reported almost throughout the season and within usual range until mid-February when reports abruptly stopped. Lowest number of reporting counties in the last five years, following a year that had the most reports from the previous five-year period. High count was from the Baudette CBC (33).
2009Spring5 All reports 3/1 Cass BAW, St. Louis SES, PHS, 3/7 Koochiching MJB, FGo, 3/14 St. Louis PHS, 3/16 Lake JWL, 4/14 St. Louis FKB, 4/28 Roseau BJS.
2009Fall5 All reports: 11/1 Cook LS, KRE, DBM, 11/7 Cook CRM, Lake SIv, St. Louis ABL, 11/10 St. Louis PLJ, 11/21 Cass BAW, 11/23 Lake MHe, 11/27 Itasca DPG.
2009Winter18 Reported from more counties than last year (which had the lowest number reported in five years). All reports were north of a line from Mahnomen to Carlton. High count 2/15 Beltrami (50) DPJ. CBC high counts 1/1 Aurora (185), 1/2 Cook Area (182).
2010Spring5 All reports 3/1 Cass ABi, 3/5–6 Itasca, Koochiching HHD, Lake of the Woods RAE, HHD, 3/6 Lake of the Woods HHD, 3/22 Itasca RSh, 3/23 Cass ABi, 4/7 St. Louis ALo.
2010Fall7 Early north 10/19 Itasca RoS, 10/23 St. Louis SLF, 10/30 Lake WCM. Season high count 11/4 St. Louis (186, Duluth) KJB, CRu.
2010Winter20 Reported from nearly all counties north of a line from and including Pine to Becker to Polk, but from no counties south of this line. High counts 1/2 Lake of the Woods (55) fide JMJ, 1/6 St. Louis (54, Ely) YK. CBC high counts 12/31 Cook Area (515), 12/26 Ely (332).
2011Spring10 All reports 3/1 St. Louis NAJ, JLo, 3/2 St. Louis (22) JLo, 3/3 Hubbard MaH, Itasca SC, 3/4 St. Louis SFa, 3/5 Cass (35) DWK, ABi, JWH, Lake RTe, Marshall and Roseau HHD, RAE, St. Louis SES, RTe, ASe, 3/6 Cass JLO, DWK, JWH, Itasca SC, St. Louis RTe, 3/7 Aitkin JWH, Lake of the Woods fide JMJ, 3/9 Lake of the Woods fide JMJ, 3/10 St. Louis KJa, 3/12 Itasca SC, St. Louis RZi, 3/13 Cook DMB.
2011Fall71 Early north reports all from the Northeast (median 10/18): 10/23 St. Louis ABL, KJB, 10/24 Cook PLJ, 10/26 St. Louis (12) KJB. First reports away from the Northeast were 11/12 Aitkin ASc, Itasca SC, 11/14 Lake of the Woods GMM. Only south report 11/18 Washington ph. MJM.
2011Winter18Most reports north and east of line from Pine to Kittson, with high count 1/29 Lake (55) DJa. CBC high counts 12/23 Ely (138), 12/18 Virginia (130) CBC, 12/30 Aurora (130).
2012Spring5 North reports from Itasca, St. Louis, Lake, and late reports 3/19–25 Cook (2, Tofte) JaJ, 3/27 Cass (2) JWM, 3/31 Cook (Gunflint Lake) JSI, SIv (median 4/6).
2012Fall298 A remarkable incursion southward as individuals were reported from almost every county north of a line from Anoka to Stearns to Clay, plus 11/17 Lac qui Parle ph. BJU, 11/18 Winona ph. TPr. Early north (median 10/18) 9/29 Wadena JEB, 9/30 Todd JEB, 10/25 Itasca PLe, 10/27 Cook ANy, St. Louis (8) KJB, m.ob. Early south 11/11 Stearns HHD. Additional south reports from Anoka, Benton, Chisago, Isanti, Sherburne. High counts all from the Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census in St. Louis (KJB): 11/12 (309), 11/22 (262), 11/12 (250), season count an above-average total of 1,731.
2012Winter318 An invasion year for this species, with significantly more reporting counties than any of the previous five years. Most reports were north of an arc from Clay, south to Stevens, and east to Stearns, Anoka, and Chisago. There was one Southeast report: 12/5 Winona (3) DBz, ANy, JWH. Additional reports south after December include 1/12, 1/19 and 2/1 Stearns MJB, and 1/6 infrequently until 2/18 Isanti m.ob., with numbers peaking 2/17 (23) HNe. High count 12/6 Morrison (50) BWF. CBC high counts 12/16 Virginia (284), 12/28 Pine County (214), 12/17 Tamarac N.W.R. (176).
2013Spring131 One south report of a small flock (2–10) that overwintered in Anoka (Nowthen) through 3/17 CKB. Late north 3/17 Cass KdB, St. Louis (6, Duluth) CCE, 3/19 St. Louis SC, 3/23 Itasca SC, Pine JMP, 3/23–29 Cook (max. 3, Tofte) JaJ (median 4/6).
2013Fall5 Early north (median 10/18) 10/20 St. Louis MaP, 10/23 St. Louis KJB, 10/26 Lake RZi, KRE, LS, 10/29 St. Louis ABL, KJB. Only reports away from the northeast were 11/09 Roseau JWH, DBz, Itasca 11/9–12 SC, MDe.
2013Winter113 Reports down following last winter's impressive invasion (39 counties). In the north, reports were concentrated in the North-central and Northeast regions as usual, with an additional report from Agassiz N.W.R. 12/6 Marshall LyK. Still, four individuals wandered south, suggesting an echo of the prior-year invasion: 12/15 Cedar Creek Bog CBC (2), 12/21 Wild River CBC, 1/1 Afton CBC. CBC high count 1/1 Hibbing (112).
2014Spring6Only a few reports away from Sax-Zim Bog, St. Louis County in the first half of March. Late north 3/11–12 St. Louis EBr, 3/16 Koochiching, 4/8 Itasca ScW.
2014Fall5 All reports from North-central and Northeast regions. Early north (median 10/18) 10/23–26 St. Louis KJB, 10/31 Cook RAE, m.ob. High counts 11/22 Lake (25) ClN, 11/16 Lake (20) SBM.
2014Winter9 Fewest reports since 2002 with all reports northeast of a line from Duluth to Roseau County, except for singletons reported 12/21 Buffalo River S.P. CBC, 12/27 Hubbard DEv. High counts 1/2 Lake of the Woods (43) JMJ, 1/31 St. Louis (40) LME, 2/1 Lake (35) RFx. CBC high counts 12/20 Ely (151), 1/4 Eagle's Nest Lakes (143), 12/27 Aurora (103).
2015Spring7 Reported from Northeast and North-central regions plus Roseau and 3/12 Clay ph. KaS. Late north 3/21 Cook JWL. High counts 3/8 Lake (22) MOt, 3/7 Cook (15) NSe (median 4/7).
2015Fall122 All reports from North-central and Northeast regions. Early north (median 10/20) 10/9 St. Louis (Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census) KJB. First north arrivals away from Hawk Ridge were 10/16 Cass JWM, 10/25 Cook JWL. All south 11/7 Benton (Bend in the River Park) HHD, 11/15 Stearns (River Bluffs R.P.) HHD. High counts all from Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census (St. Louis, KJB): 1/1 on 11/13, 83 on 11/7.
2015Winter212 Rebounding from last winter's low of nine counties, reported in highest number of counties since 2012. Found in most counties north of a line from Chisago to Polk. All south: 12/19–21 Rice (Cannon City) DAB, m.ob., 2/23 Chisago (North Branch) RWz. High counts 12/18 Marshall (100) JMJ, 12/20 Lake (59) JWL. CBC high counts 12/26 Cook Area (178), 12/20 Two Harbors (125), 1/3 Eagle's Nest Lakes (119).
2016Spring7 Reported from its normal northern range and time frame with last reports 3/10 Carlton AVa, Roseau BSi, 3/11 Itasca SC (median 4/5). Only notable high count 3/5 St. Louis (10, Sax-Zim Bog) DGu.
2016Fall8 As usual, all reports from North-central and Northeast regions. First reports (median 10/19) 10/18–29 all from St. Louis (Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census) KJB, then 10/30 Cook (8) HHD, JWL, LiH, JPR. High counts all from St. Louis (Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census) KJB: 48 on 10/30, 32 on 11/5 and 26 on 11/11.
2016Winter14 Reported from 19 counties, close to the 10-year average of 20, north and east of a line from Carlton to Marshall. High counts 12/18 Lake (117) JDx, ClN, 12/18 Lake (68, Knife River) OGo, LaB, 1/6 Lake (68, Two Harbors) MyL, JrH, MGo. CBC high counts 12/17 Grand Marais (528), 12/18 Two Harbors (495), 12/17 Duluth (168).
2017Spring6 Reported from North-central and Northeast regions until the end of March. Unusual was one report 3/17 Morrison RPR. High counts 3/24 St. Louis (25, H.R.N.R.) GSk, 3/1 Lake (14) HlB, 3/5 St. Louis (10, Sax-Zim Bog) m.ob.
2017Fall18 Reported from the northern third of the state beginning the last week of October. Early north (median 10/19) 10/24 Cook JaJ, St. Louis ALx, JLK, AVa, 10/25 Cook JaJ, Itasca SC, Lake, St. Louis H.R.B.O. Unusual report 11/10 Douglas JPE. High counts 11/18 St. Louis (127) H.R.B.O., 11/8 St. Louis (124, Stoney Point) StK, TRK.
2017Winter278 Reported from most counties since invasion year of 2012 and well above 10-year average of 19 counties. Reports from eight south counties equals total from 2012. Unusual reports: 12/15 Ramsey EzH, 12/16 Carver (Minnesota Landscape Arboretum) JCC, JLl, m.ob. High counts 2/24 Morrison (37) MJB, DOr, 1/14 Cook (35) JaJ, 1/27 St. Louis (35) LH. CBC high counts 12/17 Virginia (252), 12/16 Duluth (227), 12/16 Grand Marais (172), 12/23 Ely (172).
2018Spring131 One south report 3/14 Chisago (Harris) ELC. Only out-of-range north report 3/4 Todd(northeastern part of county) FGo, MJB; otherwise reported throughout the north, departing by late March with the exception of 4/7 Cook TBu (median 3/31).
2018Fall14 Reported from the northern third of the state beginning mid-October. Early north (median 10/19) 10/17 St. Louis H.R.B.O., 10/20 Cook (Lutsen) COg, Cook (Grand Marais) ebd, Itasca SC, Lake JWL, St. Louis H.R.B.O. High counts all from St. Louis (H.R.B.O.): 261 on 11/8, 108 on 11/1 and 11/12.
2018Winter211 Reported from 23 counties, similar to the ten-year average of 20. Seen in all counties north of a line from Polk to Chisago except Red Lake and Pennington, and in no county south of this line. High counts 12/29 Roseau (168) ebd, 2/26 Beltrami (120) REn. CBC high counts 12/28 Aurora (485), 12/31 Baudette (346), 1/1 Hibbing (334). [Corrected]
2019Spring12 Reported throughout the North-central and Northeast regions plus 3/12 Becker NaH. Departed by late March with the exception of 4/10 Hubbard ebd (median 3/31). High counts 3/4 Beltrami (65, Bemidji) REn, AxB, 3/3 St. Louis (38, Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center) ClN, 3/1 Itasca (33, Grand Rapids) REn.
2019Fall5 Only eight reports for this species over the entire season, all from Koochiching and the Northeast region. Early north 10/13 St. Louis AVa, KnM, ebd, 10/25 Koochiching LiH, 10/27 Cook EzH.
2019Winter9 Reported from all counties bordering Canada except Kittson, plus Becker, Carlton and Hubbard. The nine reporting counties was the lowest number since 2014 when also seen in nine (ten-year average 21). High count 1/4 St. Louis (40, Biwabik) HTr. CBC high counts 1/4 Isabella (6), 12/14 Grand Marais (4).
2020Spring2 Only three reports of five individuals from Lake and St. Louis represents the lowest total reported in over ten years. Last report 3/12 St. Louis (1) ebd.
2020Fall19 Another remarkable finch irruption with a 72% increase from the 10-year average number of reporting counties. Most sightings were north of a line from Clay to Kanabec. Early north (median 10/19) 10/16 Becker ebd.,10/22 St. Louis JuG, 10/23 St. Louis (four locations) m.ob. Unusual records 11/29 Clay (Cromwell Twp.) ph. PBB, 11/28 Douglas (Spruce Hill C.P.) AaL. Highest counts all from St. Louis: 11/1 (164) H.R.B.O., 11/2 (147) H.R.B.O.
2020Winter21 Observed in 21 counties, similar to the ten-year average of 20 and rebounding from last year’s low of nine counties. High counts 1/17 Aitkin SKS, 1/22 St. Louis (70, Sax-Zim Bog) EBr, ebd. CBC high counts 1/1 Hibbing (225), 12/14 Virginia (214), 12/30 Aurora (205).
2021Spring11 Reported from the Northeast and North-central regions, plus Roseau and Becker. High counts all from St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog): 3/3 (17) EBr, ebd, 3/1 (14) ebd, 3/6 (14) EBr. Late north 3/18 Cook ebd, 4/8 Aitkin KCR, and latest spring date on record 5/7 Itasca (2, Grand Rapids) ebd (median 3/31).
2021Fall11 Found in all counties northeast of a line from Roseau to Cass to Carlton. Early north (median 10/19) all from St. Louis: 10/1 H.R.B.O., 10/4 (Moose Valley banding station) AVa, 10/10 (Gilbert) EHi. High counts also all from St. Louis: 11/20 (161, Stony Point) StK, 11/7 (123, Stony Point) StK, HTo, 11/8 (113) H.R.B.O.
2021Winter232 Observed in 23 counties north of a line from Pine to Clay (all except Norman and Red Lake) plus south reports 2/3–4 Chisago (Harris) DPi, 2/18 Isanti (16, Cambridge) ebd. High counts 1/2 Cook (200, Grand Marais) StK, SNe, 1/6 St. Louis (110, Sax-Zim Bog) FJN. CBC high counts 12/30 Carlton-Cloquet (606), 12/18 Grand Marais (302), 1/1 Baudette (208).
2022Spring15 After an average fall and slightly above-average winter, this season was an excellent spring for this species. Northern county distribution up 83% from the ten-year average, though no reports south of Crow Wing. High counts 3/2 Lake (24, Silver Bay) KeL, 3/2 Carlton (20, Wrenshall) ebd, 3/2 St. Louis (20, Sax-Zim Bog) FJN. Late north 3/19 Clay (Moorhead) ebd, Cook ebd, 3/21 Cook AvB, JBh, 4/1 Pennington ebd (median 3/31).
2022Fall10 Early north (median 10/19) 10/18 St. Louis (Duluth) ebd, 10/24 St. Louis (Bear Head Lake S.P.) ebd, 10/27 Cook (5) LWd, 10/30 also in Aitkin, Lake, Roseau. High counts 10/30 Cook (122, Pincushion Mountain Trail System) AxB, 11/17 St. Louis (69, H.R.N.R.) JsC.
 
 Irruptive winter visitant mostly north.

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.