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
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: Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Snow Goose
Ross's Goose
[Snow Goose X Ross's Goose]
Greater White-fronted Goose
[Snow Goose X Greater White-fronted Goose]
[Taiga Bean-Goose]
Brant
Brant (Atlantic)
Brant (Black)
Cackling Goose
[Snow Goose X Cackling Goose]
[Ross's Goose X Cackling Goose]
Canada Goose
[Snow Goose X Canada Goose]
[Greater White-fronted Goose X Canada Goose]
Mute Swan
Trumpeter Swan
Tundra Swan
[Cygnus swan]
Wood Duck
Garganey
Blue-winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal
[Blue-winged Teal X Cinnamon Teal]
Northern Shoveler
[Blue-winged Teal X Northern Shoveler]
Gadwall
[Northern Shoveler X Gadwall]
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
[Gadwall X American Wigeon]
Mallard
[Northern Shoveler X Mallard]
[Gadwall X Mallard]
American Black Duck
[Mallard X American Black Duck]
Mottled Duck
Northern Pintail
[Gadwall X Northern Pintail]
[Mallard X Northern Pintail]
Green-winged Teal
Green-winged Teal (Eurasian)
Green-winged Teal (American)
[Cinnamon Teal X Green-winged Teal]
Canvasback
Redhead
[Canvasback X Redhead]
Ring-necked Duck
[Redhead X Ring-necked Duck]
Tufted Duck
Greater Scaup
[Ring-necked Duck X Greater Scaup]
Lesser Scaup
[Ring-necked Duck X Lesser Scaup]
King Eider
Common Eider
[Somateria eider]
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
[Bufflehead X Common Goldeneye]
Barrow's Goldeneye
[Common Goldeneye X Barrow's Goldeneye]
Smew
Hooded Merganser
[Common Goldeneye X Hooded Merganser]
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck

Ross's Goose(Anser rossii)
YearSeasonNS
1964Fall10-20 through present time, one seen and photographed by many observers at Silver Lake, Rochester, Olmsted Co. Second Minnesota record.
1964WinterThe much-photographed immature wintered until 1-8 (NG) and 1-10 (EMB),
1965Winter 12/5 (D. Strom & K. Hanson) -12/ 29 (E. R. Sullivan), (2); 12/2226 (4), E. R. Sullivan; Howard Lake, Wright. Co.
1968Winter12-2 BL, 12-8 FZL, KP, 1-4 RG, BL, 2-16 ES, 2-23 RG, 3-1 fide RG, all Olmsted (Rochester). (Fifth state record.)
1969Winter12-20 (BVT), 1-11 (VL) Rochester, Olmsted Co.
1977Spring 1 report: 4-6 Cottonwood (11) ED, See Loon 49:186-187.
1979Fall One bird shot by a hunter at Twin Lakes, Kittson County; specimen at Bell Museum.
1981Winter What was most probably an intermediate Ross'/ Snow hybrid was reported at Black Dog, Dakota County from 12-12 to 12-14 (mob). Details in the Loon 54:105-111.
1982Winter An apparently wild, non-hybrid individual overwintered with Mallards and domestic geese in a small pond in southern Washington Co. (mob). For more comments on this observation see The Loon 55:84-85.
1983Spring 3/24 Olmsted JEB, 3/26 to 5/14 Washington DGW, many observers. Canda Goose Permanent resident; reported from 15 counties north, 27 counties south.
1983Summer The wintering bird in Washington County last seen on 6/17 (D&GW).
1984Fall 11/12-27 Olmsted m. obs.
1987Fall Reported 9/20 to 10/9 Marshall ANWR (The Loon 60:66-69), 10/21-29 Olmsted JEB (The Loon 59:215).
1987Winter One in Rochester remained until the CBC (The Loon 59:215).
1988Fall 9/30 Hennepin SC et al. (The Loon 60:181-182) 11/22 Rochester JB, PP (The Loon 61:50).
1989Spring Reported 3/30 Fillmore GMD, et al. (The Loon 61:88-89), 4/2 Cottonwood KE, et al. (The Loon 61 : 89-90), 4/17 Dakota/Goodhue AP (The Loon 61:88), 5/25 Thief Lake WMA, AP, Marshall Co. m.ob., 4/30 Steele/ Dodge AP (The Loon 61: 60-61).
1989Fall Reported 10/13 Becker RJ (The Loon 61:205).
1990Spring Reported 4/15 Winona AP (The Loon 62:117-118), 4/28 Lac qui Parle mob, 5/11 RG, RJ (The Loon 62:168).
1991Spring Many reports; south 3/6 Olmsted BSE, AP,....., 3/30 Renville PS (The Loon 63:136), 4/17 Lincoln PS (The Loon 63: 138), 4/21 Rock PS (The Loon63:202); north 3/28 (The Loon 63: 157-158) and 4/18 Traverse KE, RJ, 4/17 and 4/24 Marshall RJ, PS.
1991Fall Reported 10/10 Roseau PS.
1992Spring Early south 3/22 Goodhue HH, 3/29 Jackson (one), Nobles (13) mob (The Loon 64:121–122), 4/4 Nobles (two) RJ, 4/12 Big Stone DN, 5/12 Duluth KE, 5/23 Watonwan RJ.
1992Fall Reported 10/19 Olmsted JB.
1993Spring Reported 4/24–25 Lac qui Parle (1) MB, FE et al.
1993Fall Reported 9/18 Kandiyohi RE, RF, 10/15? Stevens fide LL.
1994Spring Reported 3/27?28 Duluth (1) PS et al., 5/7–15 Roseau (8) PS, 5/27 LeSueur (1) RJ.
1994Fall Reported 10/5 Dakota (1) SW.
1995Spring Reported 3/16 Duluth (2) DE (The Loon 67:108), 4/4–13 Goodhue (1) mob, 4/6 Rock (1) RJ, 5/28 Duluth (1) KE.
1995Fall Reported 11/18 Olmsted DA et al.
1996Spring All reports: 3/20 Brown CMa, 4/1 Olmsted JL, 4/5–6 Dakota (2) DBS, mob (The Loon 68:129–130), 4/20 Big Stone PJ, DN, 4/21–25 Brown RG, RJ, 4/23–5/14 Hennepin JK, OJ et al. Most of these records were documented.
1996Fall Only report 9/21–23 (second earliest north) Rice Lake NWR, Aitkin Co. (1) WN, CB.
1997Spring Eleven reports from nine south and one north counties, including 3/22–25 Rice (1) RG, 3/26–27 Anoka (1) mob, 3/27 Olmsted (3) DA, BE, 3/29 Meeker (7) RJ. Late south 5/3 Lac qui Parle (1) PJ. Late north 5/31 St. Louis (one at 40th Avenue West in Duluth and one at Meadowlands) mob. Singles also reported from Cottonwood, Dakota, Jackson, Renville.
1997Summer Single bird first discovered in late May, lingering until 6/1 at Duluth in St. Louis Co. PS. This represents only the second summer record for this species.
1997Fall All reports: 9/11–14 (record early date) Lake (five at Beaver Bay lagoons) mob, 11/4–9 Freeborn RG, ABa.
1998Spring Reported from at least 13 counties, including 3/21 LeSueur AH, 3/27 Redwood RJ, 3/27 Sibley (3) RJ, 4/1 Lyon (3) RgS, 5/13–18 Roseau PS, BSi, AH, 5/16 Marshall AH, PS, 5/26 Faribault RJ, 5/27–29 Aitkin WN. In Brown, storms killed one and the specimen was salvaged for the Bell Museum of Natural History (MRN). All other reports: 4/4–11 Aitkin (different bird) WN, plus Cottonwood (2), Jackson (2), Lincoln (5), Olmsted (2).
1998Fall All documented reports: 9/22–23 Dakota (one on L. Byllesby) DBS et al., 10/13 Clay (one with Snow Geese at Felton Prairie) KB, PS, 11/15+ Rice JLa, mob.
1998Winter Reported from Rice as late as the Faribault CBC (12/19). Second CBC record.
1999Spring Most reports ever for Minnesota. Reported from a total of 20 counties (The Loon 71:223–228). Early south 3/11 Washington KB,3/17 Jackson KB, 3/19 Meeker DF. Early north 3/31 Grant and Otter Tail SDM, 4/1–21 Douglas KB, SDM, 4/2 Otter Tail (18–20) SDM. Additional first county records 3/27 Freeborn PJ, DN, 3/29–4/1 Ramsey mob, RJ, 4/4 Wilkin (28–30) SDM, 4/10–17 Isanti KB et al., 4/17–18 Benton (Near Rice) HD, 4/19–26 Polk mob. Record high counts 3/20 Nobles (50) PJ, 4/3 Lincoln (70) PJ, DN. [Corrected]
1999Fall All reports: 10/19 Lake of the Woods (adult south of Rocky Point) †PS, 11/4 Chippewa (adult at Watson) †AH, 11/17 Lac qui Parle (3 adults at BSNWR) †BOl, 11/21 Big Stone (immature with 2 adults at Graceville) †KB.
1999Winter One overwintered in Rochester, Olmsted Co. 12/29–2/27 †CJu, †PS, †DN, mob (The Loon 72:184). Record early south migrants 2/27 Jackson (75) and Nobles (25) PJ (extrapolated from actual count of about 40 Ross's), 2/29 Lac qui Parle (1) †RgS.
2000Spring Approximate statewide total of 575 Ross's reported from 22 south and 2 north counties! See winter report for early south migrants; also arrived 3/1 Pipestone (2 at Split Rock Creek S. P.) RgS, 3/2 Jackson (93 at Round L., plus 5 at Sioux Valley WMA) †KB, 3/3 Steele (2) RJ. Record high counts 3/4 Lincoln (100+ at Shaokatan WMA) †PJ, †DN, and 3/11 Freeborn (198 at Bear L.) †PJ, †DN (see also The Loon 72:248–249). Record early north date 3/1 Otter Tail (3 at Neuman WPA) †SDM; only other north report 4/2 Traverse PJ, DN. In addition to Pipestone, first county records 3/11 Murray (5 at Current L.) RgS, 3/14 Blue Earth (23 at Lieberg L.) RJ, 5/12 Stearns (Paynesville) HD. Unlike previous years when a few migrants lingered into late May, the Stearns record was the only report after mid-April.
2000Fall Only one report: 10/14 Otter Tail (1) RBJ.
2001Spring Associated with low numbers of Snow Geese, reports were down sharply compared to recent years. Approximate statewide total of 30 birds in 14 counties (575+ in 24 counties last spring). Early south 3/20 Murray CRM and Rice FVS, KNS, 3/23+ Olmsted †PWP, †CMJ; additional reports from Jackson, Cottonwood, Lincoln, Lyon, Big Stone, Dodge, and (late south) 4/14–17 Dakota †TAT et al. Peak count 3/31 Olmsted (9 at Silver L., Rochester) CBe. All observations north: 4/3 Traverse SPM, 4/16 Wilkin (Prairie View Twp.) CRG, 4/26 Wilkin (Manston Twp.) KJB, 5/7–13 Pennington (near Thief River Falls) †PHS et al., 5/29 Aitkin (Cedarbrook) WEN.
2001Summer Third summer record for the state: 6/27 Kandiyohi (near L. Lillian) †RAE.
2001Fall All observations: 10/17 Olmsted (Rochester) JWH, CMJ, 10/24 Rice TFB, 11/3–26 St. Louis (Duluth) CRG et al., †PHS, 11/21 Big Stone (eight adults and five first-fall birds in Toqua Twp.) †PCC, 11/23–24 Wabasha TAT, RBJ.
2001Winter Up to five individuals lingered 12/11–15 Olmsted (E. Landfill Reservoir) RLE et al. Early south (only report) 2/28 Rice (Wells L.) TFB (second earliest date on record).
2002Spring Record high statewide total 993+, easily exceeding 575 during Spring 2000. Observed in 29 south and 7 north counties. First county occurrences 5/15 Clearwater and Mahnomen JEB, RBJ. Early south 3/6 Rice m.ob., 3/12 Freeborn AEB. Early north 4/12 Otter Tail SPM, DKM, 4/16 Wilkin RBJ. Late south 5/11–12 Rock JEB, RBJ et al., 5/18–19 Benton HHD, RBJ. Late north 5/7–24 St. Louis (Duluth) KJB, m.ob., 5/24 Otter Tail SPM, DKM, 5/26 Roseau MSS. Peaks 3/29 Nobles (101 at L. Ocheda) PCC, KJB, 4/10 Lyon (163, Coon Creek Twp.) KJB.
2002Summer Second consecutive summer report: 6/20–21 Dakota (adult at L. Byllesby) †ADS et al.
2002Fall All were single birds unless otherwise indicated. All north reports: 10/18 Traverse RBJ, 10/20–21 Lake (juvenile at Two Harbors, second county record) TWa, v.t. JWL, KRE, †PHS, late October Grant (Mud L.) EJE, 10/26 Otter Tail (3 at Orwell W.M.A.) †PHS. All south reports: 10/30–11/16 Steele (Owatonna) †NFT et al., 11/2 Freeborn (number?) AEB, 11/9–19 McLeod (juvenile at Otter L. near Hutchinson) RMD, RHy et al., 11/14 Olmsted (Rochester) PWP, 11/14–23 Mower (East Side L., Austin) RNS, m.obs., 11/19 Pipestone (Split Rock Creek S.P.) RBJ.
2002Winter Reported 12/14 Willmar CBC, 1/5 Meeker (2 at Lake Ripley) DMF, and 12/15–1/8 Martin (maximum two at Lake George) †BRB, †BSm.
2003Spring Numbers down from last year's record-high 993+. Approximate statewide total of 225 in 17 south and 2 north counties. Early south 3/15 Jackson and Nobles DFN, PEJ, 3/22 Dakota (H.P.B.C.) KJB. All north reports: 3/24–29 Grant RBJ, SPM, DKM, 4/6 St. Louis (Park Pt., Duluth) fide JCG. Late south 5/17 Lac qui Parle BJU and Lyon PHS et al. Peak counts 3/23 Jackson and Nobles (85) PEJ, 3/26 Martin (74) DDM, BJM.
2003Fall All north reports: 9/28 Pennington (Thief River Falls W.T.P.) †PHS et al., 10/4 Red Lake (near Red Lake Falls) †PHS, JMJ, 10/9 Polk (East Grand Forks W.T.P.) CRM, 10/11 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) †PHS et al., 10/12 Otter Tail CRM et al., 10/17–24 Aitkin (6 at Mallard Lake W.M.A.) PEJ, DFN, 10/18 Polk (Fosston) †PHS. Only south report: 11/2 Chippewa (2) RBJ.
2003Winter All reports: Early south 2/28 Jackson (3) PEJ, 2/29 Olmsted (one at Rochester) JWH fide CBe.
2004Spring Approximate statewide total of 326 individuals in 25 south and 2 north counties, including 3/13 Swift (5 at Marsh Lake) BJU. Please see winter report for early south migrants. All north reports: 3/21 Traverse (2) KJB, 4/17–5/28 St. Louis (Interstate Island, Duluth) †PHS, JRN, m.obs. Late south 5/24 Pope RBJ, 5/25 Benton HHD. Peak count 3/28 Lac qui Parle (84 near Salt Lake) BJU.
2004Summer Reported 6/10, 6/11 Lyon (2 and 3 individuals, Black Rush Lake W.M.A.) †RJS, ph. JGW.
2004Fall All reports: 9/8 Koochiching (record-early, five miles west of Littlefork) †LS, 9/30–10/17 St. Louis (Park Point) †MH, m.ob., 10/4 Steele (2 at Morehouse Park, Owatonna) ph. NFT, 10/14–16 Brown (Somsen Slough W.M.A.) †BTS.
2004Winter One white-morph adult in mixed flock of Canada and Cackling geese on Sleepy Eye L. 12/5–11 Brown ph. †BTS.
2005Spring Observed in 13 south and 6 north counties. Record high counts 3/6 (early south) in Jackson (400+) and Nobles (460+) DFN, PEJ. Otherwise scarce with only 37 birds reported elsewhere (325+ in 27 counties Spring 2004). All north reports: 3/26 Grant and Otter Tail SPM, 3/29 Clay (4) DPJ, 4/1 Traverse (4 at Mud L.) KJB, plus single birds 4/14 St. Louis (Hoyt Lakes) ALE, 5/12 Norman (Ada) PHS. Late south 5/1 Lac qui Parle PHS, ph. MLH, 5/2 Fillmore JJS, HHD.
2005Summer Adult white morph 6/4 St. Louis (Interstate Island, Duluth) ph. †PHS.
2005Fall Only north report: 10/21 Beltrami (L. Bemidji) BJU. Total of 25 birds in eight south counties. Early south (median 10/20) 10/10 Dakota (single near Rosemount) JPM, 10/16 Stevens (7 in Synnes Twp.) BJU. Late south 11/4–20 Steele (max. 7) FVS, ph. NFT, 11/22 Lac qui Parle (2 in Perry Twp.) BJU, 11/12–27 Hennepin (L. Hiawatha) BAF, m.ob.
2006Spring Seen in 18 south and 4 north counties. Seasonal total of 867+ included 3/12 Jackson (85) DFN and record high count 4/2 Traverse (529 carefully identified; 109 more found elsewhere in the county 4/3) KJB. Early south 3/3 Brown †BTS, HHD and Rice DAB, FVS, 3/4 Dakota ADS (median 3/21). Early north 3/28 Traverse BAW, 4/7 St. Louis (Virginia) †SLF. Late south 5/10 Dakota JPM, 5/12 Lac qui Parle BJU, also see summer report. Late north 5/24 Otter Tail SPM, 5/27 St. Louis (Interstate Island, Duluth) †DWK. First state record of blue-morph documented 4/2 Traverse †KJB.
2006Summer Seventh summer record 6/1 Cottonwood (Talcot Lake W.M.A.) †SPS.
2006Fall Statewide total of 59 individuals in 16 counties. Notable northeast report: 9/19 (third earliest north date) through 11/5 (second latest north date) Lake (2 at Two Harbors) †JWL, †KRE, ph. AXH, m.ob. All other north reports: 9/24 Marshall (record-high fall count of 21 at Agassiz N.W.R.) JMJ, PHS, 10/24–29 Polk (Crookston W.T.P.) †PHS, JMJ, 10/30 Traverse (Tara Twp.) BJU. Early south 9/11+ (record early south) McLeod (Hutchinson) RJS, ph. P. Kern, 9/19 Hennepin PEJ. Late south 11/16 Lac qui Parle (14 at Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU, 11/27 Chippewa (2 on Lac qui Parle L.) BJU; also see winter report.
2006Winter3 One overwintered 9/1–2/18 McLeod and was recorded on the Hutchinson CBC ph. †SM, BH, DMF. An interesting individual photographed 12/10 in Rice, and recorded on the Faribault CBC 12/16, lingered through 12/21 †GDB, ph. DAT, m.ob. Subtle characteristics of the head and bill suggested a possible backcross (3rd or 4th generation?) with Snow Goose. Although the size apparently is right for Ross's Goose, characteristics associated with hybrids include: 1) head slightly flattened, 2) bill slightly larger (thicker), 3) hint of a grin patch, and 4) slightly curved (not straight) border of facial feathering along the base of the bill. Only other report: 1/1 Cottonwood (Fish Lake, no details) BTS.
2007Spring520 Seasonal total of 7/6+ including high counts 3/15 Lac qui Parle (208 in Manfred Twp.) and Lincoln (119) BJU, 4/1 Lac qui Parle (100 near Salt L.) DFN. Early south 3/3 McLeod DMF, 3/12 Steele NFT (median 3/20). Early north 3/25 Mille Lacs (2, no details) HHD, 3/26 Grant BJU (median 3/28). Documented 3/28–31 Kanabec (3) †CAM. Late south 4/21 Martin LS, 5/13 (median) Lac qui Parle BJU. Late north 4/27 Clay BWF (median 5/26).
2007Fall33 All north reports: 9/17–27 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) GT, 9/24 St. Louis (Virginia) †DBF, †SLF, 9/28 St. Louis (H.R.B.O., Duluth) KJB, 10/13–19 Lake (Two Harbors) †JWL, JCG, †PHS. All south reports: 11/7 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU, 11/14 Lac qui Parle (Perry Twp.) BJU, 11/26–30 Waseca (Loon L.) †JPS, DAB, 11/30 Steele (L. Kohlmeier) DAB. Also see winter report.
2007Winter1 One report 12/1 Meeker (Lake Ripley) DMF, MCA.
2008Spring319 Early south (median 3/20) 3/6 Olmsted JWH, 3/14 Lac qui Parle BJU, 3/15 Jackson and Nobles DFN, PEJ. Only north records: 3/30 Grant SPM, 4/25–5/5 St. Louis (Virginia) DBF, †SLF, 4/28 Traverse (2 in Folsom Twp.) BJU. Only May south report: 5/5 Big Stone (Thielke Lake) KRE.
2008Fall38 All north reports: 9/24 Lake (7 at Two Harbors) †KRE, 9/27–28 St. Louis (9 total at H.R.B.O.) KJB, 10/1–10 St. Louis (ad. at Park Point) MLH, ph. PHS, ph. SCZ, 10/2–5 St. Louis (juv. at 40th Ave. West) ph. KRE, MLH, 10/4–21 Lake (Two Harbors) SC, JCG, 10/24 Wilkin (2) RBJ, DAC, 10/26 St. Louis (55th Ave. West, Duluth) SCZ. All south reports: 9/27 Stearns (Paynesville) PHS, 10/2 Big Stone (Otrey Twp.) PHS, 10/3 Lac qui Parle (2 at Big Stone N.W.R.) PCC, PHS, 10/18–19 Hennepin (juv. at Eden Prairie) JCC, †PEB, m.ob., 10/20 Mower (East Side Lake) ARW, 10/23 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU, 10/26 Kandiyohi JoS, 10/27 Hennepin (Lake Hiawatha) DDo, 11/9 Blue Earth (juv. at Lake Crystal) †ChH, 11/18 Brown (juv. at Sleepy Eye Lake) †BTS, 11/22 Nicollet (North Mankato) RMD, ChH.
2008Winter1 One present 2/10–20 Olmsted (Silver Lake, Rochester) LAV, JWH.
2009Spring524 Early south (median 3/18) 3/7 Jackson and Nobles PEJ, DFN, 3/15 Brown †BTS, Dakota JPM, Goodhue and Winona PEJ. All north reports: 3/22 Douglas †JPE, 4/5 Grant, Otter Tail SPM, 4/11 Wilkin LS, KRE, 5/9 Douglas PEJ, DFN, 5/27 Lake of the Woods DBW. High counts 3/29 Freeborn (30) PEJ, 3/16 Lac qui Parle (24, Walter Twp.) BJU, 3/17 Goodhue (22) PEJ, 3/20 Dakota (18, Spring Lake) †BAF. Late south 5/16 Watonwan CRM, 5/20 Kandiyohi †JCC (median 5/13). New county record: 3/24 Houston (near Reno) DBz.
2009Fall15 Only north report: 9/23 St. Louis (2, H.R.B.O.) KJB. All south reports: 9/28 Blue Earth ChH, 10/4 Waseca ChH, 10/16 Yellow Medicine (Canby W.T.P.) KRE, LS, 10/17 Chippewa (2, Lac qui Parle W.M.A.) KRE, LS, 11/7 Houston (2, Pool #8) PEJ, DFN, 11/22–29 Waseca (Loon Lake) DAB, m.ob.
2009Winter2 Only reports: 12/1 Mower (1, East Side Lake) ARW, ph. JEM, Waseca (Loon Lake) DBM. Expanding continental populations of both Ross's and Snow Goose have resulted in increased reports of hybrids including in Minnesota; therefore, documentation is appreciated whenever possible, especially pertaining to bill size/shape and the bill/facial feathering interface.
2010Spring214 Early south (median 3/18) 3/12 Olmsted (South Landfill Reservoir) DMA, JWH, 3/17 Lac qui Parle (Ten Mile Lake Twp.) BJU, 3/18 Dakota (Lake Byllesby) LEC, JPM, Houston PEJ, Mower, Steele DBM. All north reports: 3/22 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) GT, 3/27 Norman JMJ. High count 3/27 Nobles (18) DAB. Late south 5/4 Dodge JWH, 5/6 Blue Earth ChH, 5/8 Meeker (Pigeon Lake) HHD (median 5/13).
2010Fall49 All north reports: 9/3 (record early) Roseau (3, Greenbush W.T.P.) KRE, 10/5 Cass (near Pine River) ABi, †DAY, 10/9 Roseau (Badger W.T.P.) HHD, 10/14 – 11/17 Lake (Two Harbors) KRE, JWL, m.ob., 10/22 Mahnomen HHD, KRE, LS. All south reports: 9/22 Lac qui Parle (Colbert W.P.A.) BJU, 10/1–3 Olmsted (2, Rochester) JWH, JPr, 10/3 Faribault CRM, Stearns (Paynesville W.T.P.) †PCC, 10/16 McLeod (Hutchinson) PLJ, 10/17–21 Hennepin (Rogers W.T.P.) HHD, m.ob., 10/31 Carver HHD, RAE, Lac qui Parle (Salt Lake) †RBW, DWK, 11/12 Lac qui Parle (18) PEJ, BJU, 11/12 Lac qui Parle (Perry Twp.) BJU, 11/21 Big Stone (2, Odessa) BJU, 11/27 Kandiyohi (Eagle Lake) BWF.
2010Winter
2011Spring623 Early south (median 3/18) 3/11 Brown (5, Sleepy Eye Lake) †BTS, 3/13 Scott DFN, PEJ, 3/17 Olmsted (2, Silver Creek Reservoir) JWH. All north reports: 4/1 Cass (4, Walden Twp.) BAW, 4/3 Otter Tail GO, 4/8–10 Traverse (max. 24) BJU, m.ob., 4/8 Wilkin m.ob., 4/9 Grant (2, North Ottawa Impoundment) BJU, 5/25 St. Louis (Duluth Harbor) MSS. High counts 3/27 Jackson (600, estimated after carefully counting several flocks of white geese and finding 5% of them to be Ross's Geese) PEJ, DFN, 4/1 Lac qui Parle (348), Big Stone (40, Odessa) BJU. Late south 4/17 Brown (2, Boise Lake) BTS, DWK, Dakota (Lake Byllesby) RTe, 5/15 Steele †PSu (median 5/13).
2011Fall35 All north reports: 9/16 Itasca (8, Cohasset) ph. †SC, St. Louis (3, H.R.B.O., Duluth) KJB, 10/22–29 Mille Lacs ASc, †DWK, m.ob., St. Louis (11, H.R.B.O., Duluth) KJB, 11/7 St. Louis (16 (high count), H.R.B.O., Duluth) KJB. All south reports: 10/10 Olmsted JPr, 11/4–18 Big Stone (near Barry) DLP, 11/7 Lac qui Parle (Perry W.M.A.) BJU, 11/9–12 Kandiyohi (Foot Lake) RAE, HHD, 11/14 Houston (10) DFN, 11/17 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU, 11/18 Lac qui Parle (Walter Twp.) BJU.
2011Winter11All reports: 12/13 Brown (Sleepy Eye Lake) †BTS, 1/10 Otter Tail (1 in Canada Goose flock) †RAE.
2012Spring731 Early south (median 3/18) 3/3 Mower (Austin) ph. BJL, 3/6 Hennepin (Bass Ponds) ph. †CMB, Lincoln (3) RAE, Watonwan (2) ChH, AnK, 3/7 Dakota (30, Lake Byllesby) AFo, ANy. All north reports: 3/12 Traverse (~800, Croke and Tara Twps.) BJU, 3/19 Mille Lacs ASc, 3/21 Kanabec (2) RAE, 4/7 Clay (Moorhead) RAE, 4/13 Pine (Pine City W.T.P) RBJ, DAC, 5/14 St. Louis SC, 5/15 Kittson (Joe River S.W.A.) TrB. High counts 3/10 Jackson (1,077, record high spring count) PEJ, DFN, 3/12 Traverse (~800, Croke and Tara Twps.) BJU, 3/12 Lac qui Parle (~350) BJU, 3/12 Big Stone (283) BJU. Late south 5/10 Sherburne ph. BeA, 5/20 Lac qui Parle (Salt Lake) BJU (median 5/13).
2012Fall511 All north (median 10/4) 9/14 Lake ALo, CRM, St. Louis LMS, 9/16–10/7 Lake (Two Harbors golf course) ph. LMS, JWL, m.ob., 9/22 St. Louis KJB, ABL, 9/23 Morrison (Upsala W.T.P.) JCC, 9/28 Cook (Lutsen W.T.P.) HHD, RAE, 11/9 Traverse (St. Mary's Lake) BJU, 11/10 Morrison (Lake Shamineau) RPR. All south reports: 10/16 Blue Earth ChH, 10/21 Stearns (Albany W.T.P.) DPG, 10/26 Faribault (Wells W.T.P.) MGo, HHD, RAE, McLeod ALo, CRM, 11/6 Steele (Lake Kohmier) NFT, 11/9 Big Stone (Toqua Twp.), Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU, 11/12 Olmsted JPr, 11/13 Pope DBM, 11/14 Big Stone (Big Stone Lake), Lac qui Parle ph. BJU, 11/16 Chippewa DLP, 11/22 Nobles BTS. A presumed Snow x Ross's Goose hybrid was present 10/9–11/22 St. Louis (Bayfront Park) ph. DOK, PHS, KRE, m.ob. (median 10/18).
2012Winter3 All reports: 12/1 Chippewa / Lac qui Parle (Lac qui Parle Lake), 12/8 Big Stone (Big Stone Lake) DLP.
2013Spring523 Early south (median 3/18) 3/22 Lincoln (2) CRM, 3/23 Jackson ALo, 3/24 Nobles (6, Lake Okabena) DAB, Rock RAE. All north reports: 3/29 St. Louis (Duluth Harbor) KJB, 4/13 Grant RAE, HHD, 4/26 Grant, Traverse (16) DBM, 4/27 Wilkin (100, high count) KRE, m.ob., 4/28 Grant ALo, 5/2 Grant (5, North Ottawa Impoundment) PEB, 5/17 St. Louis (Spirit Lake, Duluth) KRE. Late south 5/7 Faribault WAF, 5/9 Rock CRM (median 5/13).
2013Fall44 All north (median arrival 10/4): 9/13 St. Louis (3, Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census) KJB, 9/21 Lake of the Woods (12, C.R. 1) BWF, ANy, St. Louis KJB, ABL, 9/26 Cook (no details) CRM, 10/6 St. Louis (2, Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census) KJB, 10/9–11/9 Lake (juvenile, Two Harbors) †MLH, SBM, m.ob. All south (median arrival 10/17): 9/15–18 Washington (1 with possible Snow x Ross's Goose hybrid, Hugo) †MHe, †KFi, m.ob., 9/28 Olmsted (South Landfill Reservoir) JWH, DMs, JPr, 10/21–24 Hennepin (Hopkins) DMa, m.ob, 10/22 Nobles (Lake Okabena) BTS.
2014Spring528Early south (median 3/18) 3/13 Cottonwood RMD, Jackson RMD, Martin (5) RAE, RMD, Watonwan RMD. All north 3/14 Traverse (blue morph) DLP, 3/28 Traverse CRM, JMs, 4/10 Clay (4, C.R. 18 wetland) PBB, 4/13 Traverse HHD, (15) RAE, 4/30 Hubbard CRM, 5/18 Becker ShG, HeH, 5/23 Clearwater CRM. High counts 3/29 Nobles (58) PEJ, DFN, 4/9 Freeborn (51) PEJ. Late south 5/17 Stevens (Crystal Lake) DLP, 5/25–26 Hennepin (Bloomington) NRa, ph. MZa (median 5/13).
2014Fall65 All north (median 10/4): 10/3–19 Crow Wing (4, Garrison) HHD, ph. PSP, m.ob., 10/10 Itasca SC, 9/24–11/9 Lake (max. 3 in Two Harbors) †KRE, ph. AnG, m.ob. 9/25 Pine KMS, 9/29–10/11 St. Louis (max 11. Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census) KJB, m.ob., 10/9–13 St. Louis (adult, Duluth Harbor) KRE, m.ob. All south 9/30–10/2 McLeod (3) BHa, PRH, m.ob., 10/7–8 Chisago (juvenile, North Branch W.T.P.) JSa, RBW, 10/23 Mower RZi, 11/6 Lac qui Parle (58, record southbound high count) PEJ, 11/7 Lac qui Parle (2) PEJ, 11/10 Lyon (45, Cottonwood) GWe.
2014Winter2 Two reports (neither with descriptive details): 12/20 Stearns (C.R. 133, 0.7 miles southwest of C.R. 4) HHD, Fairmont CBC.
2015Spring521 Early south (median 3/18) 3/10 Lyon GWe, 3/12 Jackson (100) PEJ, Nobles (141) PEJ, 3/13 Lac qui Parle DLP. All north 3/13 Traverse (2) MO, 3/28 Otter Tail DAY, 4/3 Todd RAE, 4/4 Wilkin ODa, BMc, 4/18 Norman ANy, m.ob., 4/20 Norman RAE. High counts 3/12 Nobles (141) PEJ, 4/4 Faribault (135) DFN, PEJ. Late south 4/29 Hennepin CMB, 5/1 Lac qui Parle BAF, SHF (median 5/13).
2015Fall25 All north (median 9/24) 9/11–10/28 St. Louis (max. 3, Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census) KJB, m.ob., 9/28 Mille Lacs ToL. All south (median 10/10) 10/4 Sherburne PMJ, 10/28 Lac qui Parle DLP, 11/7 Hennepin (2) NRa, Stevens DLP, 11/14–11/21 Sherburne (Keller Lake) PLJ, m.ob., 11/24 Big Stone (reported as a dark morph without details, East Toqua Lake) DLP.
2015Winter7 One December report 12/8 Olmsted (Silver Creek Reservoir) JmP. No others until late February, when there were a few reports from 6 south counties 2/26–29. High counts 2/27 Nobles (111), Jackson (28) PEJ.
2016Spring535 See winter report for early south. All north 3/7–12 Traverse DLP, MO, 3/12 Grant AaL, Crow Wing PSP, ph. EGa, m.ob., 4/6 Douglas ALu, 5/15 Polk (Brandt-Angus Impoundment) PEB, 5/21 Polk (Angus-Oslo Impoundment) SAu. High counts 3/6 Nobles (187) PEJ, DFN, 3/8 Lyon (100) GWe. Late south 4/12 Rice DAT, 4/13 Yellow Medicine GWe, 5/14 Washington JEc (median 5/14).
2016Fall36 All north 9/23–27 Lake (2, Two Harbors) JWL, m.ob., 10/9 St. Louis (1) JLK, 10/15 Grant (2, North Ottawa Impoundment) WPl. All south 10/15 Yellow Medicine (2, Clarkfield W.T.P.) WCM, 11/4 Big Stone DLP, 11/7 Washington † LMS, 11/14 Lyon (Lake Marshall) RAE, 11/21 Faribault WAF, 11/25 Nobles (2, Okabena Lake) BTS. High count 10/3 St. Louis (6, Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census) KJB.
2016Winter112 Two early December reports, both singles: 12/4 Stevens DLP, 12/7 Pipestone DAk. First returning spring migrants 2/17 Cottonwood (1–2) RBJ, RBW, then many reports through the end of the month from 10 south counties, with high count 2/20 Jackson (40) PEJ. One north report: 2/21 Grant (4) HCT, DWK, SBM.
2017Spring1236 See winter report for early south migrants. Early north 3/5–4/6 Grant (max. 20, North Ottawa Impoundment) WPl, 4/10 Wilkin ANy, 4/11 Beltrami (2) ph. DPJ. High counts 3/5 Jackson (344, near Sioux Valley; flock included one adult “Blue-morph”) †PEJ, DFN, 3/11 Freeborn (315) PEJ, 3/26 Faribault (90) ClN. Late south 4/18 Chippewa DaB, 4/30 Lac qui Parle CEl, ToL, 5/7 Stearns FGo (median 5/14). Late north 5/19 Cass DAY, 5/20–24 Pine (2) ELC, KrM, LEv, 5/23 St. Louis ToL (median 5/17).
2017Fall47 All north 10/2 Polk (3, East Grand Forks W.T.P.) SAu, 10/4 St. Louis H.R.B.O., 10/5 St. Louis (Duluth) JPR, DOr, 10/24–27 St. Louis (Park Point/Bayfront Park) ph. PHS, m.ob., 10/8 – 11/11 Clay (max. 2) ShG, HeH, MO. All south 9/19 Pope HHD, Stearns HHD, 9/19–20 Wright (10, Pelican Lake) ToL, m.ob., 10/4 Sibley (Gaylord W.T.P.) RBW, 10/13 – 11/11 Chippewa RBW, DLP. 10/27 Lyon GWe, 11/8–9 Mower KnM, SWm. High counts 10/27 Lyon (25) GWe, 9/19–20 Wright (10) ToL, m.ob.
2017Winter13 Three December reports: 12/1 Lac qui Parle (3) DLP, 12/16 Fairmont CBC, Fergus Falls CBC. Only one report after December: 2/27 Rice TFB.
2018Spring630 Early south (median 3/11) 3/2 Scott JEB, 3/3 Brown (4) BTS, Freeborn (5) BDo, Olmsted (3) SHo, m.ob., Pipestone (13) VKl, Rice (3) DAB, Watonwan (2) BTS. All north 4/6 Beltrami REn, 4/19 Traverse (44) DLP, 4/22 Morrison (5) SEm, 5/16 Marshall ANy, DBz, 5/21 Red Lake JWH, RBJ, REn, 5/23–25 Roseau JPr, JJS, CAs. High counts 5/4 Freeborn (155) PEJ, 4/29 Lyon (72, Lone Tree Lake) GWe. Late south 5/14 Big Stone (4) DLP, 5/15–22 Lyon (max. 2) NMe, RJS (median 5/14).
2018Fall32 All north 8/30–9/1 Lake (early adult found at Castle Danger W.T.P.) RBW, JWL, SLL, 10/12–13 Hubbard (1) REn, 10/26 Carlton (1) KEm, JWH. All south 11/9 Lyon (3) GWe, 11/23 Martin (1) HHD.
2019Spring517 Early south (median 3/11) 3/15 Washington BDo, 3/19 Goodhue (2) PEJ, 3/22 Brown ARW, Jackson (22) PEJ, DFN. All north 3/27–4/17 Grant (max. 50, North Ottawa Impoundment) LiH, MGi, m.ob., 3/27–4/3 Traverse (max. 10) DgM, AFo, m.ob., 3/30–4/6 Wilkin (max. 25) AaL, ASu, NMr, 3/31 Kanabec (2) SPS, 4/7–10 Clay (max. 45) CMK, MAh, TCL. High counts 3/31 Traverse (200, Parnell Twp.) LiH, 3/28 Lyon (73, near Cottonwood) GWe. Late south 4/20 Yellow Medicine GWe, 5/5 Goodhue ClB, LiH, 5/27 Pipestone (Split Rock Creek S.P) VKl (median 5/14).
2019Fall52 All north 8/30 Roseau (Warroad W.T.P.) ph. CRM, m.ob., 9/5–6 Cook (Grand Portage N.M.) ebd, SDz, 9/30 Polk ANy, 10/31 Cass ebd, 10/19–11/7 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) ASu, CNn, KnM. All south 10/11 Mower (2, Lyle W.T.P.) BAb, m.ob., 10/19 Scott (New Prague W.T.P.) ph. BAb, DAB.
2019Winter3 No reports until 2/29, when early migrants were found in three Southwest counties, with high count Rock (9) ASu.
2020Spring721 Earliest south migrants 2/29, followed by 3/4 Lyon (20) GWe and in seven counties on 3/7. All north 3/8–21 Grant (max. 50, North Ottawa Impoundment) WPl, m.ob., 3/25 Otter Tail (5) REn, RLF, Wilkin (5) REn, RLF, 3/26 – 4/9 Traverse DLP, ANy, 3/27 – 4/1 Clay (max. 6) PBB, m.ob., 4/4 Itasca SC, TCL, 4/6 Douglas ANy. High count 3/7 Jackson (150, estimated count) PEJ, DFN. Late south 5/12 Lyon RLF, REn, RJS, 5/17–18 Carver MwT, JTg (median 5/14).
2020Summer2 Observed 6/2 Hennepin ebd, 6/9–10 Stearns (Albany W.T.P.) HHD, DOr, MtS, PCC, PLJ, ebd.
2020Fall17 One north 9/17–21 St. Louis (max. 3, Duluth) AVa, JPR, ebd. Early south 10/12–17 Dakota MwT, m.ob., 10/24 Olmsted LAV, m.ob., 10/25 Lyon (40, season’s high count near Cottonwood) GWe. Found in Blue Earth, Jackson, Hennepin, and Yellow Medicine in November. See winter report for late south migrants.
2020Winter2 All reports: 12/4–20 Martin PEJ, m.ob., 12/5 Lac qui Parle (2) GWe.
2021Spring627 Early south (median 3/11) 3/5 Nobles (2) BTS, MiO, 3/6 Big Stone DLP, (4) WCM, 3/7 Faribault (2) RLF, REn, Lyon (3) ASu, Nobles (5) ASu, Yellow Medicine (2) ASu. Early north (median 3/25) 3/4 Otter Tail WPl, 3/7 Traverse (3) ebd, 3/9 Grant (2) ebd. High counts 3/28 Big Stone (170, near Graceville) WCM, 3/19 Yellow Medicine (82, Lanners W.M.A.) WCM. Late south 4/26 Kandiyohi SGa, JWd, 5/9–11 Nicollet ARh (median 5/14). Late north 4/17 Aitkin KCR, NSg, SKS, ebd, 5/26 St. Louis (Meadowlands W.T.P.) JHn.
2021Fall15 One north 9/12 – 11/7 Lake (Two Harbors) ClB, JWL, SLL, GWe, ebd. All south 10/21 – 11/3 Brown (max. 9, season’s high count at Somsen Slough W.M.A.) ph. BTS, MiO, m.ob., 10/21 Ramsey LiH, 11/6 Lac qui Parle KeL, 11/21 Yellow Medicine (4) GWe, 11/29 Washington ebd.
2021Winter2 One record (presumably the same individual) 12/19 Blue Earth (Mankato) JCF, 12/25–27 Le Sueur (Kasota Prairie) APi, ChH.
2022Spring1033 Early south (median 3/8) 3/5 Murray (5, Fulda First Lake) GWe, 3/12 Murray (2, Lake Wilson) VKl, 3/13 Blue Earth ChH. Early north (median 3/25) 3/1–26 Grant (max. 3) ebd, WPl, 3/16 Traverse DLP. High counts 3/16 Freeborn (1,000, estimated, near Geneva) PEJ, DFN, 3/16 Jackson (495, actual count from several flocks) PEJ, DFN. Late south 5/1 Freeborn (6, Geneva Lake) ebd, 5/19–20 Stearns DRL, MtS, m.ob. (median 5/15). Late north 5/17–20 (Pine City) DBz, ANy, BWF, KrM, ebd (median 5/22).
2022Summer1 Observed 6/5 Rock (Hills W.T.P.) ebd.
2022Fall513 Early north (median 9/21) 9/23 St. Louis (H.R.N.R.) SeM, ebd, 9/23–24 Lake (Two Harbors) JWL, ebd, 9/24 Marshall (6) HHu. Early south (median 10/10) 9/27–30 Benton (5, Foley W.T.P.) HHD, MJB, PLJ, JGW, 10/6 Sibley JWZ, JGW. High count 11/11 Pipestone (22, Pipestone W.T.P.) VKl. Late north 11/6 Lake (Two Harbors) KRE, VRL, KOC, 11/8 St. Louis JLK (median 10/26). Late south 11/25 Hennepin MwT, AnB, ebd, 11/26–27 Sherburne (Big Lake) RSk, ebd, 11/28 Murray RJS (median 12/3).
 
 Migrant mostly south and west.

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.