Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon - Screech-Owls, Owls 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: Screech-Owls, Owls
Eastern Screech-Owl
Great Horned Owl
Great Horned Owl (Labrador)
Great Horned Owl (Eastern)
Great Horned Owl (Arctic)
Snowy Owl
Northern Hawk Owl
Burrowing Owl
Barred Owl
Great Gray Owl
Long-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl
Boreal Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl

Short-eared Owl(Asio flammeus)
YearSeasonNS
1937SummerRysgaard and Risser found two young marsh owls about a week old on June I8, near War­ren.
1940SummerA nest of the marsh owl was found near Mayhew Lake on June 20 by the T. S. Roberts Club.
1945WinterAt Stewartville, December 16, 1937, (Dr. A. F. Risser); near Minneapolis, December 30, 1943, (Breckenridge and Swanson).
1961Springseen 6 May at Salt Lake, and Beardsley, Big Stone County, by members of the Avifaunal Club. Seen 27 April at Duluth by P. B. Hofslund. Goatsuckers: Both species were seen. Eastern Whip-poor-will. heard 23 May in Washington County by Dean Honetschlager and seen 26 May at Dunraven, Washington County by Brother Theodore. Common Nighthawk seen very early by Brother Theodore at Dunroven, Washington County on 21 April, about 30 birds. Dr. Ward Tanner saw them 19 May at Kasota. Dean Honetschlager saw them on 13 May in Washington County. Chimney Swifts first arrived in Duluth on 18 May when seen by Jan
1961FallJohn Hale reported one near his home in Duluth from the last week in October to the first week in November. Two seen near Caledonia, Houston County on 24 Nov. by R. Oehlenschlager.
1961WinterMrs. H. Kroening saw one at Forest Lake, Washington Coun· ty on January 2.
1962SpringApril 16 Duluth, John G. Hale; April 28 Madison, Lac qui Parle Co., Avifaunal Club.
1962FallOct. 24, Duluth, one, P. B. Hofslund; Dec. 2, Traverse Co., total of 13 seen, R. Grant.
1962WinterDec. 29, Mud Lake, Traverse Co., R. Grant.
1963SpringMarch 31, Duluth, Dennis Meyer and Avifaunal Club; April 6, Grasston, Kanabec County, Bill Litkey and R. Huber; April 13, Roscoe, Stearns County, Jim Muggli; April 20 thru May 12, Grant and Traverse Counties, up to 7 in one day, R. Grant; May 25, Traverse County, 1 seen, R. Grant; May 28, Hibbing, St. Louis County, Harriet Micensky.
1963SummerTraverse Co., Wheaton, June 28, 5 black-faced young sitting in middle of Hwy. 75, blocking traffic. On same day, between Wheaton and Breckenridge, total of 16 adults seen. R. Grant. At Hibbing, St. Louis Co., Harriet Micensky saw adults 5 times in June, twice in July. Dennis Meyer reports one in rural Duluth, St. Louis Co. on June 26.
1963FallOct. 3, Jan Green; Oct. 26, Duluth, P. B. Hofslund; Oct. 27, Anoka Co., one wounded by hunter and brought to Jane Olyphant; Nov 7, Stevens Co., one wounded by hunter and brought to R. Grant.
1963WinterJan 18, Traverse Co., two seen, R. Grant.
1964Spring3-7 Wabasha Co, JPF; 3-14 to 4-11 Duluth, 1, DM; 4-7 Wadena Co, RO; 4-9 Salt Lake, RKO; 4-12 to 4-16 Duluth, 2, DM; 4-16 Marshall Co, 3, DLO; 4-18 Big Stone, Stevens, Pope, Stearns Co's, 16 seen, RPR, EAH; 4-18 Lac qui Parle, Wilkin, Traverse Co's, 9 seen, RG, RLH; 4-18 Ramsey Co, BL; 5-27 Duluth, DM.
1964Summerbreeding, Roseau Co, PEE.
1964Fall9-28 to 10-30, Roseau Co, 8 obs of single birds, JLR, PEB; 11-8 Wadena Co, RO; 11-24 Mpls, HFH.
1965Spring4-4 Sherburne Co, EAH; 4-14 Warroad, JLR; 4-19 Fargo, MGA; 4-24 Grant Co, RAG.
1965Fall10-3 and 10-13 Holt, Marshall Co, DLO; 10-31 Duluth, JGH.
1966Spring3-12 Pine Co BL· 3-20 Eyota, FGD; 4-2 Hennepin cd, DB; 4-4 Hennepin Co, EMB, EHH.
1966Summer7-6 Lac qui Parle Co, RG; 7-21 Grant Co, JAH; 8-22 Stevens Co, JAH.
1966Fall9-18 Cottonwood Co., LAF; 10-1 Lyon Co., PE; 10-29 Hennepin Co., PE; 11-4 Roseau Co., PEB; 11-7 Anoka Co., WHL.
1967Spring3-19 Hennepin Co., EHH, EMB; 3-20 Watonwan Co., EDK; 3-25 Fargo-Moorhead fide EGA; 4-15 Swift Co., JAH and Nobles Co., BL; 423 Marshall Co., A WR; 4-24 Big Stone Co., JAH; 4-29 Anoka Co., PE; 5-3 Fargo-Moorhead fide EGA; 5-13 Stearns Co., RPR; 5-20 Duluth, JGH.
1967Summer6-2 Villard, Pope Co., 1, JAH; 7-29 Osakis, Douglas Co., 15, DB; 7-31 Starbuck, Pope Co., 1, JAH.
1967Fall 10-1 Anoka Co., 2, DB; 10-21 Roseau Co., 1, PEB; 11-19 Duluth, 1, JGH; 11-29 Cook Co., 1, MOP; 11-30 Duluth, JGH.
1967Winter 12-21, 1-11, 2-12 Lewisville, Watonwan Co., 1, EDK; 1-21 Hennepin Co., 1, DB; 1-23 Zim, St. Louis Co., 1, FN/MAS; 12-6 Marshall So., 1, AWR; 12-23 Fargo-Moorhead, fide EGA.
1968Spring 3-2 Aitkin Co., CEP; 3-16 Marshall Co., AWR; 4-10 Nobles Co., HSH and Lac qui Parle Co., JAH.
1968Fall10-5 Watonwan DMF; 10-23 Duluth JGH; 10-27 Watonwan EDK.
1968Winter12-7 Mower AFR; 12-23 Watonwan 2 DMF.
1969Spring3-25 (1) Mahnomen Co., DMF, EDK; 5-24 (1) Mahnomen Co., DB.
1969Summer6-12 Waubun, Mahnomen Co., 4 RBJ; 6-14 Pennington Co. 1 RBJ; and 6-13 Becker Co., 1 JJG; also seldom recorded during summer but probably resident in undisturbed marsh and prairie areas of the state.
1969Fall10-19, 11-1 Duluth 3 by P. Getman, 1 M. Howe; 10-21 Marshall AR; 10-29 Blue Earth EDK.
1969Winter12-15 (2) Lyon PE; 1-14, 2-6 Watonwan EDK; 2-20 Bagley, Clearwater Co. RCD.
1970Spring4-6 Nobles HH; 4-26 Lyon HK; 5-24 Marshall AR; no date Clearwater (4) RD; only reports.
1970Summer7-14 Gnesen Twp., St. Louis Co., KE; 7-1 Adrian, Nobles Co. HSH.
1970Fallmany reports; latest 1 0·29 Marshall AR; also reported from Duluth (3), Clearwater, Beltrami, and Itasca from 10-9 to 10-25.
1970Winter12-25 Nobles V. Leak; 12-15 (2) 1-2 (13) 1-17 (2) Sherburne NWR, BD; 1-16 (3) Wright BAH; 1-23 Stearns BAH; 1-24 Wright ETS; 1-23 (I) -2-1 (2) Dakota RG.
1971Springonly 3 reports Hennepin OJ; 4-13 Marshall AR.
1971Summerreported from Marshall, St. Louis, Martin, Wright and Todd.
1971Fall11-3 Pope BH; only report.
1971Winter12-2 Lac qui Parle Mrs. OLE; 1-8 Clay L&CF; 2-21 Morrison LSR.
1972Winter12-16 Otter Tail KRE; 12-16 BigStone DP.
1973Fall Seen in Nicollet, Ramsey, Sherburne, Clay. One very interesting peak: 11-23 Marshall (11) (AWR).
1973Winter Reported from the Marshall, Minneapolis, St. Paul Northeast and Afton Christmas Counts; also seen 12-22 Cottonwood (LR) and 1-28 Carver (KH).
1974Spring 6 reports 3-7 Marshall AR; 3-30 Rock KE; 4-6 Lyon HCK; 4-6 Crow Wing TS; 4-13 Stearns NMH; 4-28 Wilkin JS.
1974Summer Nested in Aitkin; also reported from Clearwater and Duluth.
1974Fall 8-10 Aitkin KE, ES; 9-22 Duluth JG; 10-22 Marshall AR.
1975Spring 5 reports: 3-28 Hennepin (1) EPRD; 4-5 Clay ABNGP; 4-21 Marshall (6) SV; 4-30 Becker TRS; 4-30 Stearns (2) MC.
1975Summer Reported only from Big Stone (BE); this owl continues to decline as a breeder in the state.
1975Fall10-10 Marshall SV; 11-1 Fillmore RJ; 11-8 Yellow Medicine GO; 11-20 Carver JRG; these were only reports.
1975Winter2 reports the Warren and Afton Christmas Counts.
1976Spring 8 reports: 3-17, 4-5 Marshall SV; 3-25, 4-1 Rock KE; 3-27 Cottonwood LR; 4-17 St. Louis JCG, DS; 4-28 Lyon HK; 4-24 Wilkin LH; 5-30 Roseau RBJ, KE.
1976Fall reported from 8-24 to 11-7 from Duluth, Wilkin, Otter Tail, Lac qui Parle and Rock.
1976Winter Reported on the Fargo-Moorhead, Marshall and Bloomington Christmas Counts; also seen 12-20 Otter Tail (GO); from 12-31 to 1-11 Wilkin (up to 7; SM); 1-18 and 1-20 Clay (LCF); 1-25 Lyon (NH); 2-5 Hennepin (BE); 2-8 Marshall (SV); more reports than usual.
1977Spring 6 reports: 4-10 Rock KE; 4-16 Anoka KLF; 4-20 Lyon HK; 4-23 Lac qui Parle LH; 4-26 Aitkin JB; 5-9 Aitkin TS.
1977Summer Reported from Roseau, Lake of the Woods and Aitkin.
1977Fall Reported from seven counties.
1977Winter Also appeared more often than usual with reports from Clay, Otter Tail, Lac qui Parle, Chippewa (2 overwintered), Lyon (6 on the Marshall CBC), Murray, Cottonwood (7 on 1-21, RG) and St. Louis (from 1-31 on, Duluth Twp., M. Hoffman).
1978Spring 3-3 McLeod, Sibley BC; 3-5 Lyon HK; 3-5 Lac qui Parle; 4-23 Chippewa (4 eggs) CMB.
1978Summer Breeding reported from Lac qui Parle; also seen in Kittson.
1978Fall 9-7,27 Duluth KE; 9-17 Duluth RJ, 11-7 Pierz PM.
1978Winter Reported on the Excelsior and Austin CBCs, 12-14 Beltrami (fide J. Mattsson), and 1-15, 16 Murray (AD).
1979Spring Reports from 5 counties. Early south 3-20 Lac qui Parle JS, 4-4 Murray AD; early north 3-4 Wilkin GMO, 4-18 Otter Tail GMO, 4-22 Polk SS.
1979Summer Seen in Roseau, Marshall, Polk (Pembina WMA), Becker (Waubun), Lake of the Woods (Pine and Curry Is.).
1979Fall Late north 9-23 St. Louis KMH, 9-29 Wilkin RJ, 10-7 St. Louis KMH.
1979Winter More reports than usual. North reports: Marshall 1-27 (SKS) and Aitkin, mid Jan. to mid Feb. (TS, WN). South reports from Lyon 12-18 (HK), Mur! 1ay 12-29 (AD), Sherburne 2-6 (ES) and Wabasha 1-14 until 1-24 (DHJ).
1980Spring Early south 3-22 Goodhue BL, 4-1 Faribault DJ, 4-20 Anoka KL; early north 4-7 Otter Tail GMO, 4-24 Marshall ANWR, Beltrami JHMN, 4-13 Polk KSS.
1980Summer Breedng reported from Lake of the Woods, Beltrami; also seen in Roseau, Aitkin, Lyon (6-14, HCK).
1980Fall 9-13 Beltrami JG, 10-11 St. Louis JG, RJ, 10-12 KE (4), 11-15 Lake of the Woods TS (4). From 8-6 to 11-19, 20 were reported at Agassiz NWR, Marshall Co.
1980Winter A north report from Carlton 1-2 (RBA) and south reports from Stearns, Sherburne, Anoka, Dakota, Lyon, Dodge and Mower.
1981Spring 3-24 Marshall FDS, 4-8 Waseca JCF, 4-10 Mahnomen KSS, 4-17 Lake of the Woods RJ, 5-25 St. Louis KE, 5-31 Wilkin GMO (3 young), -all reports.
1981Summer Breeding data from Wilkin. Seen in Beltrami, Lac qui Parle.
1981Fall 10-20 Cook KMH, 11-3 Lyon EBI K, only reports.
1981Winter One in Aitkin on 2-9, fide (WN).
1982Spring All reports: 3-24 Fillmore RJ, 3-31 St. Louis M/ D Evans fide KE, 3-31 Lyon HK, 4-24 KSS, 5-1,2 R.J, Red Lake, 4-25 Marshall ANWR, 5-8 Polk MH.
1982Summer Seen in LeSueur (Ottawa Bluffs TNC), Hubbard (TI39R34), Polk (at least ten individuals in six locations).
1982Fall Only reports: 8/18 Wilkin JP/AM, 8/26 Morrison DJ, 10/23 Lac qui Parle JS.
1982Winter Reported only from Sherburne 2/17 (EH).
1983Spring All reports: 3/21 Douglas KL, 4/7 Otter Tail GMO, 4/17 Wilkin SC, 4/23 Sherburne EHISS, 5/21 Roseau KE.
1983Summer None reported!
1983Fall 11/11 Nicollet (I) RG, RJ.
1984Spring 3/31 Lac qui Parle (4) BL, DZ, 5/1 Anoka (I) KL, 5!19 Becker TBB -all reports.
1984Fall 8/9 Marshall (1) ANWR, 9/28 Carver MS, 10/22 St. Louis (3 banded) HR, 10/23 Hennepin SC, 10/23 Hennepin SC, 10/28 St. Louis (1) KE, SDM, 11/1 Nicollet (I) JCF, 11/3 Todd (1) KL -all reports.
1984Winter Reported in the Rothsay WMA, Wilkin Co. 1-16 (7) and 1-22 (8) (SDM).
1985Spring 4/7 Carver MS, 4/13 Chippewa KL, 4/25 Kandiyohi KL, 4/27 Chippewa (I) FL.
1985Summer None reported for third consecutive year.
1985Fall All reports: 10/9 Park Point, Duluth (1) KE, 11/7 Marshall (I) ANWR, 11/21 Lac qui Parle (1) WL, 11/28 Wilkin SDM.
1985Winter Reported in Clearwater on 1/4, M. Mason and Lyon, 12/7 (HK). Eastern Screech-Owl, Deerwood, Crow Wing County, February 8, 1986. Photo by Warren Nelson.
1986Spring All reports: 3/29 Chisago KB, 4/1 Wilkin (3) GAM, 4/13 (6) GAM, 4/10 Anoka (1), Washington (I) RG, 4/2 1 Clearwater (1), Polk (I) RJ, 4/24 Otter Tail (4) SDM, 4/26 and 4/27 Lac qui Parle (2) m.ob., 4/29-516 Duluth m.ob., 5/2 Polk RGJ, 5/6 St. Louis J. Newman, 5/24 Polk, Pennington RG, 5/27 Marshall, Roseau KE. Also Olmsted (1 found dead) AMP.
1986Summer Following three summers with no reports, seen in five counties in the northwest region plus Aitkin.
1986Fall All reports: 8/24 Marshall RJ, 10/5 Polk DS, 10/9 Fillmore AP, 10/10 Olmsted AP, 10/13 Duluth M. Stensaas, 11/11-12 Marshall (2) ANWR, 11/16 Wilkin (6) SDM, 11/18 Duluth fide KE, 11/21 Carlton KL.
1986Winter One in Cottonwood 1/7 (E. Duerksen) and ten at Rothsay, Wilkin Co. II 11 (SDM, GAM) and again on 2/19 (3; KE, AP). See page 157, this issue.
1987Spring Reported from nine north and four south counties. Early south 3/9 Olmsted RSE, 4/13 Ramsey KB, 4!16 Winona AP; early north 3/6 Clay MMM, 3/19 Roseau MC, 3/22 Wilkin (20-30+ ) SDM.
1987Summer Seen in Aitkin, Lake of the Woods, Beltrami , Clearwater, Marshall.
1987Fall All reports : 9/28-10/11 Duluth WE, fide KE, 10/17 Lake m.ob., 10/28 Ramsey RG.
1987Winter Four December reports: Marshall 12/23 (ANWR), Wilkin 12/20 (SDM), Lyon 12/19 (2, HK) and Aitkin 12/13, found dead on 12/26 (WN).
1988Spring All reports: 3/31 Meeker TM, 4/3 Clay LCF, 4/10-5/31 Aitkin (max. 12) WN, 4/23- 24 Lac qui Parle (2) m.ob., 4/26 Marshall ANWR, 5!30 Lake of the Woods KH.
1988Summer Seen in Lake of the Woods, Pennington, Aitkin (at least 12 individuals, WN).
1988Fall All reports: 10/12 St. Louis (1) SWIMS, 10/15 Isanti (1) DS, 10/16 Steams DO, 11/1 Wilkin SDM, 11/6 Cook SOL, 11/20 Duluth (1) TW, 11/26 Norman (2) AP.
1988Winter Recorded on the Cedar Creek Bog, Marshall and Rochester CBCs and in Cottonwood 11/8-31 ED.
1989Spring All reports: 3/26 Clay LCF, 4/16 Anoka GP, 4/17-30 Aitkin WN, 4/28 Cook WP, 5/9 Lincoln RG, 5/17 Wilkin KB.
1989Summer Only reports: 6/24 Swift/Big Stone border, fide KE; also seen in Aitkin.
1989Fall All reports: 10/8 Clay LCF, 10/10 Duluth PB, 10/28 Hennepin BL.
1989Winter Recorded on the Marshall CBC. Overwintered in Otter Tail SDM and reported in Hennepin PKL and Kittson 2/8, T158N R45W Section 9 (2), TR.
1990Spring All reports: 3/10 Jackson RJ, 3/11 Dakota JD, 3/21 Hennepin SC, GP, 4/7 Otter Tail SDM, 4/19-20 Duluth PS, 5/27 Carlton LW.
1990Summer Only report: 6/9 Marshall KSS.
1990Fall All reports: 8/9 Clearwater PS, 10/7 Hawk Ridge, St. Louis County KE, KR, 10/9 Lakewood Pumping Station, St. Louis County KE, II /18 St. Louis fide KE.
1990Winter Reported from 12/28 Aitkin WN and near Bingham Lake, Cottonwood 12/12 ED.
1991Spring Early south 3/25 Hennepin JF, 4/1 Renville RG, 4/5 RiceTB, FKS; early north 3/14 Mille Lacs KR, 4/6 Wilkin KB, 4/10 Polk PS. Reported from 19 counties (6 l.y.) with a max of nine 4/20 Lincoln PS.
1991Summer Probable nesting in Aitkin; also seen in Roseau, Lake of the Woods, Beltrami.
1991Fall All reports: 8/6 Aitkin RJ, 8/15 Aitkin WN, 11/1-2 Murray ND, 11/5 Beltrami DJ, 11/9 Cook SDM, 11/10 Aitkin WN, 11/11 St. Louis SDM, 11/15 Hennepin SC.
1991Winter Only report on St. Paul NE CBC.
1992Spring All reports: 4/4 Aitkin WN and Pipestone PS, 4/6 St. Louis MSt, 4/7 Morrison RJ, 4/10 Polk (three) KE, 4/11 Pennington MCBS and Polk (six) KE, 4/25 Lac qui Parle mob, 4/29 Beltrami DJ, 5/3 Aitkin WN.
1992Summer Nested near Viking, Marshall Co. MCBS; also observed in Clay (Blazing Star prairie), Red Lake.
1992Fall All reports: 8/30 Lyon HK, 10/10 Hennepin fide PB, 10/24 Otter Tail DM and Wilkin (5) mob, 11/11 Wilkin SDM.
1992Winter Reported from St. Paul NE CBC (second year in a row).
1993Spring All reports: 4/4 Wilkin SDM, 4/11 Aitkin WN, 4/13 Wilkin SDM, 5/21 Pine AH.
1993Summer Only reports from Marshall, Polk.
1993Fall All reports: 10/2 St. Louis fide KE, 10/16 Cook PB et al, 10/21 Rice (found dead) TF, 11/6 Hennepin TT, 11/28 Watonwan (two) LR.
1993Winter Only reports 12/3 Rock ND and 1/1 Pennington KSS.
1994Spring All reports: 3/10 Crow Wing, 3/14 Hennepin SK, 3/21 Marshall and Pennington KSS, 3/31 Stevens (2) SDM, 4/9 Aitkin (5) WN, 5/29 Marshall (2) KE et al., 5/31 Pennington KSS.
1994Summer Observed in Sax-Zim Bog area in St. Louis Co. TDw, at three locations in Roseau Co. PS/SB, and in Espelie Valley in Marshall Co. SKS.
1994Fall All reports: 10/4 St. Louis MO et al, 10/24 St. Louis SM, 11/29 St. Louis FN (4th latest date north).
1994Winter Reports were up when compared to previous five years with individuals recorded 12/26 Olmsted CK et al., 1/1–12 St. Louis AH et al., 1/8–10 Dakota AB, AH, and 2/4 Cottonwood ED (2).
1995Spring Reports up from last year with at least 14 individuals in Chisago, Cottonwood, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Rice, and Yellow Medicine counties south; plus Otter Tail Co. north. Peak migration dates 4/21–4/28.
1995Summer Observed at McGregor marsh in Aitkin Co. and near Grimstad in Roseau Co.
1995Fall All reports: 10/7 Hennepin PJ, 10/12 St. Louis FN, 10/28 Douglas DN, 10/31 Hennepin JHa, 11/10 Lake of the Woods MK, 11/11 Blue Earth BBo, 11/15 Big Stone JSc, 11/25 Dakota TT, 11/26 Wilkin (2) SDM.
1995Winter Eleven individuals reported from Rock, Wilkin, Clay and Washington. Most since 1987 incursion in Wilkin Co. (The Loon 59:157–58). No February reports.
1996Spring Excellent total of approximately 50 birds reported from seven south and five north counties. 4/19 Flandreau S. P., Brown JSp. Steve Millard saw 13 in just 45 minutes on 4/6 in Wilkin County!
1996Summer Observed mobbing a Rough-legged Hawk in Roseau PS (The Loon 68:179); also seen in Polk, Pennington and Aitkin counties.
1996Fall All reports: 10/13–20 Wilkin (4–5) CF, 10/24 St. Louis (1) FN, 10/27 Freeborn ABa, 10/28 St. Louis (1) SDM, FN, 11/3 Cook (1) KE et al., 11/17 Otter Tail (7) SDM.
1996Winter Only reports 12/7 Wilder, Jackson Co. fide AH and 12/8 Wilkin SDM.
1997Spring All reports: 3/21 Hennepin (Hyland Park) LE, 3/22 Hennepin (airport) SC, 3/30 Big Stone (Malta Twp.) LE, 3/30 Wilkin SDM, late March Winona fide AH, 4/8 Olmsted RSi et al., 4/11–17 Aitkin WN, 4/13 Otter Tail SDM, 4/16 St. Louis TW, 4/21 Blue Earth RJ, 4/27 Hennepin TT, 4/29 Duluth FN.
1997Summer All records: 7/10 Kittson (L. Bronson), 7/11 Marshall, 6/4 and 7/2 Wilkin (Elliot Natural Area).
1997Fall Only report: 9/30 St. Louis fide KE.
1997Winter Only report: 12/7 St. Louis fide KE.
1998Spring Fewer reports than usual. Only date 4/11 Big Stone LE.
1998Summer Only reports: Kittson, Roseau.
1998Fall All north reports: 10/17 St. Louis FN, 10/24–28 Wilkin (up to four owls near Rothsay WMA) mob, 10/28 Wilkin (one at Breckenridge lagoons) fide AH. All south reports: 9/21 Hennepin (airport) PBu, 10/22 Cottonwood ED, 11/15 Scott (Rice Lake) LE.
1998Winter Ten individuals in eight south counties in December and January (no February reports south), plus one north report: 2/14 & 2/27 Aitkin WN.
1999Spring Excellent spring migration in eight south and eight north counties! Minimum total of 45 owls, including peak counts 4/23 Kandiyohi (7) RJF and 4/23–24 Lac qui Parle (7 at the Plover Prairie) mob. Early south 3/7 (overwintered?) Anoka fide AH, 3/19 Anoka KB, 3/24 LeSueur RJ, 3/25 Rice TBo. Reported from three Hennepin Co. locations, including the airport, where one was seen for about two weeks in early April. Early north 3/12 Morrison DJo, 3/31 Otter Tail SDM, 4/4 Clay CGj. Unusual locations 4/7 Lake (4) JLi, SLi, 4/24 St. Louis (Enger Tower in Duluth) FN.
1999Summer Only report: 6/26,27 Kittson JJ, PS.
1999Fall Continuing one of the best years for this species in recent memory, at least four different birds were in St. Louis between 9/22 and 11/6 (all Duluth, mob) and up to four were observed at The Nature Conservancy's Plover Prairie 10/1–12 Lac qui Parle WM et al. All other reports: 11/3 Wilkin SDM, 11/11 Otter Tail DST.
1999Winter At least 29 individuals reported from 7 north and 3 south counties, with none in the southwest, south central, or central regions. Peak 2/21 Wilkin (12 at Rothsay WMA) KB. Only two of these reports were before mid-Jan.
2000Spring Best migration in many years. Grand total of about 98 owls reported from 8 south and 11 north counties, mostly in the west-central and northwest regions. Apparent migrants (please see winter report) 3/10 Kandiyohi RJF, 3/11 Sibley DBM, 3/19 Meeker DF. Also reported in Nobles, Lac qui Parle, Stevens, Watwonwan, and 5/7 Brown JSp. Peak counts 3/29 Wilkin (18+ near Rothsay WMA) SDM, 4/16 Polk (20 in prairie areas of Kertsonville Twp.) EF. WN mapped a total of 17 owls for the season in Aitkin. All other north reports: Otter Tail, Becker, Clay (4 locations), Red Lake, Marshall (near ANWR and Old Mill S. P.), Kittson, Kanabec, St. Louis.
2000Summer After an excellent spring migration (see The Loon 72:216), this record high number of summer reports is less surprising; seen in the counties of Kittson, Roseau, Marshall, Beltrami, Polk, Norman, Clay, Wilkin, and Aitkin. New nesting record in Roseau (two locations) BJS. A remarkable total of 18 individuals was found 6/18–19 in ten different locations within the northwest region PHS!
2000Fall All north reports: Aitkin (11–14 between 8/27 and 10/26), Polk (2 on 9/10, EEF), St. Louis (from 4 locations 9/26 – 10/20), Wilkin (11/21, SDM), 10/1 Cass (Meadowbrook Twp.) WLB. All south reports: 10/13 Hennepin (Crow-Hassan Park) SLC, then four birds found 11/3–4 in Carver, Martin, Scott.
2000Winter Only reports: 12/22 Kittson (Lake Bronson) fide BAB, 12/29 Otter Tail SPM, DKM, and 1/4 Houston fide AXH.
2001Spring Approximate total of 74 reported from 13 counties, mostly in West-central and Northwest regions, including record high count 4/23 Kittson (51 in field near Orleans) GBr. All south reports: 4/9 Anoka (Carlos Avery W.M.A.) KJB, 4/14 Scott (Saint Patrick) JMa, 4/17 Redwood (Sky Prairie S.N.A.) BRB, 4/28 Lac qui Parle (Plover Prairie) CRG. Early north 3/3 Pennington EEF, 3/11 Lake of the Woods BJS. All other north reports: Grant, Otter Tail, Wilkin (4+), Marshall, Roseau (3), Aitkin (5).
2001Summer Many reports, similar to last year's record high total. Observed 6/4 and 6/10 Roseau (south of Badger) PHS; 6/6 St. Louis (in the Sax-Zim bog area) TAN; 6/9 and 6/29 Marshall (maximum of 3 individuals at Agassiz NWR) JMJ, SAS et al.; 6/10 Kittson (2) PHS; 6/21 St. Louis (near Hibbing) BKY; 7/1 Pennington JMJ, SAS; 7/13–14 Polk (2 birds seen at Tympanuchus WMA) CRM; also reported from Lake of the Woods (no date) GMe and Aitkin (at least 6) WEN, KRE.
2001Fall Late north 11/2 St. Louis CRM; also observed in five counties in Northwest region and 9/16 Morrison DRB. Only south reports: 10/26 Murray NED, 11/2 Lac qui Parle BEO. Statewide total about 14 individuals.
2001Winter Sixteen individuals reported from Marshall, Polk, Norman, Becker, Wilkin, Lincoln. Maximum 12/9 Wilkin (9) SPM. No reports after 1/21 Norman SPM.
2002Spring No fewer than 23 individuals reported from five south and seven north counties (five reports lacked number of birds). No reports from Southwest or North-central. Early south 3/29 Waseca JEZ, only March report. Early north 4/7 St. Louis BCM, 4/8 Pine KIM, BAP. High count 4/12 Hennepin (6 at Crow-Hassan Park) WCM.
2002Summer Reported at Old Mill S. P. in Marshall Co. (June ?, and late July) fide BAB.
2002Fall All north reports: Marshall, Otter Tail, Polk, St. Louis (5 birds between 9/28 and 11/14), Wilkin. Only south reports: 10/12 Rice JPM, 11/9 Meeker DMF.
2002Winter Reported 12/22–2/22 Olmsted WLB, CRG et al. Also reported 12/14 Northwest McLeod CBC, in late December from Lyon and Murray counties fide AXH, on the Roseau CBC count week, and 1/24 Wilkin SPM.
2003Spring Statewide total 20+ individuals in five south and seven north counties, mostly in Northwest and West-central. Early south 3/14–15 Olmsted (2 at Salem Corners) CBe, 3/29 Dakota (Black Dog L.) fide AXH, also observed in Blue Earth, Lac qui Parle, Rice. Early north 3/3 Otter Tail (near Fergus Falls) EJE, 3/14 Wilkin (west of Lawndale) RGj. Only north report away from the western regions: 4/11 Morrison (Crane Meadows) DDM, BJM.
2003Summer Observed 6/22 and 6/25 Pennington (max. 6 in Numedal Twp.) PCC, PHS, RBJ; plus 6/22 and 7/18 (family group of 6 near Wetlands, Pines, and Prairies Audubon Sanctuary) JMJ et al.
2003Fall Highest reported count 9/12 Lake of the Woods (7 in section 3, T160N, R35W) GMM. All other north reports: Becker, Clay, St. Louis (2), Wilkin. Only south reports: 10/7 Carver (Chaska) RMD, 10/14 Benton (2 north of Gilman) HHD.
2003Winter As many as 28 individuals reported from ten counties. At least seven overwintered 12/12–2/15 Polk (near Pankratz prairie and Pembina Trail S.N.A., along county roads 44, 45, 46) WDS, m.ob. Also reported 12/3 & 1/19 Olmsted (Salem Corners) CBe, CRM, 12/19 Lac qui Parle BJU, 1/1 Polk (near Wetlands, Pines and Prairie Audubon Sanctuary) fide JMJ, 1/17 Anoka (Cedar Creek N.H.A.) RHy, 1/31 Roseau SPM, 2/1 Aitkin (CR 18) RBW, 2/1–19 Wilkin (maximum 9 on 2/8) SPM et al., 2/14 Red Lake (3, northeast of Marcoux) PHS, 2/15 Polk (2, two miles east and one half mile south of Marcoux) PHS, 2/15 Steele (Blooming Prairie) DWK.
2004Spring Statewide total 44+ individuals reported from seven south and six north counties, primarily in western regions. Numbers up in Lac qui Parle (seven locations, BJU et al.) and Polk (up to 12 still present at Pankratz Prairie early March HH, also see winter report). Migrants mostly indistinguishable from birds reported in winter; potential early south migrants 3/13 Dakota TZa, 3/21 Lac qui Parle BJU and Stearns BWF. All other south reports: Big Stone, Chippewa, Dakota, Rock, Swift. Unusual location 4/8–12 Lake (2) JWL; additional north reports from Aitkin, Kittson, Marshall, Otter Tail, Polk (three locations besides Pankratz Prairie).
2004Summer Observed 6/12 Red Lake (2) PHS, 7/1, 7/24 Lac qui Parle BJU, 7/24–25 Norman (2 at Neal W.M.A.) RAE, CRM.
2004Fall More reports than usual, especially along the North Shore of L. Superior, where totals by county were Cook (5), Lake (10), St. Louis (12). Statewide total of about 43 individuals in 12 counties; found in all regions except South-central. One found dead 11/14 Aitkin WEN; all other north reports away from Northeast: 10/7 Clay (Bluestem Prairie) JGa, 10/8 Otter Tail (Otter Tail Prairie) JGa, 10/20 Traverse PHS, 11/7 Wilkin (4, west of Rothsay) EJE. Highest reported count 10/7 St. Louis (6 at 40th Avenue West, Duluth) JWB. All south reports: 10/2–22 Cottonwood (max. 3 at Red Rock Prairie) BRB, LBF, DDM, BJM, BTS, 10/15 Fillmore (Hvoslef W.M.A.) NBO, 10/18–25 Dakota (Black Dog Fen) ADS, JPM, 11/20 Meeker (Kingston South Twp.) DMF.
2004Winter Statewide total of 18 individuals reported from six north and two south counties. North reports mostly from Clay and Marshall; reports after mid-January 1/23 Aitkin (2 near Tamarack) WEN, 2/5 Wilkin (2 at Rothsay W.M.A.) JPE, 2/6 Pennington (CR 3 and CR 25) JMJ. Only south reports: 1/22 Dakota fide AXH, 2/8 Yellow Medicine RAE.
2005Spring Statewide total of 34 individuals observed in four south and seven north counties; only reports from eastern regions 4/6 St. Louis ALE, 5/8 St. Louis FJN. Migrants mostly indistinguishable from birds reported in winter. Potential early south migrants mid-March Lac qui Parle BJU fide JMJ, 3/30 Waseca JEZ; also seen 4/22 Swift SMC, 4/23 Meeker DMF. All other north reports: Clay (2), Marshall (4 locations), Otter Tail, Polk (4 locations), Roseau (2), Wilkin (up to 11 birds at Rothsay W.M.A. for the season).
2005Summer Observed 6/19, 6/22, 7/5 Marshall BWF, GT, 6/28 Polk NGE, 7/2, 7/3, 7/8 Lac qui Parle (3 locations) BJU, 7/16 Le Sueur BJU, 7/17 Roseau JMJ.
2005Fall Statewide total of 52 birds in 18 counties (43 birds in 12 counties last fall). Reported from all regions except the Central, but the vast majority were in western regions (especially the Northwest). Highest reported counts 8/18 Roseau (17) BJS, 10/29 Wilkin (9 at Rothsay W.M.A.) JPE.
2005Winter Four north reports: 12/10 Hubbard PBB, 12/11 Lake JWL and Otter Tail fide JMJ, 1/21 Aitkin RZ. Up to six birds wintered at Beaver Creek W.M.A. where first reported 1/15 Fillmore JWH, SH. All other south reports: 12/20 Wabasha LCo, 1/16 Winona CRM, 1/27 Olmsted CCB, 2/7 Lac qui Parle BJU, 2/20 Houston CRM, 2/28 Dakota fide JV.
2006Spring Statewide total of 80 owls in 8 south and 11 north counties more than doubled last spring's showing; BJU found 19 birds in 8 Lac qui Parle locations. Eastern reports limited to Anoka and Fillmore. Early south migrants indistinguishable from wintering birds, but peak migration suggested by clustering mid-March through mid-April. Early north 3/18 Otter Tail BDS and Wilkin SPM, 3/18 Wilkin (6) JPE. Highest reported count 4/22 Pennington (22 near Carpenter's Corner) JMJ, PHS; several of these were calling and performing courtship flight.
2006Summer Seen in seven coun-ties, six in Northwest plus Lake of the Woods. First county nesting records for Kittson ph. LWi, Pennington (2 locations) fide JMJ. High count 7/20 Kittson (19 near Lancaster) LWi.
2006Fall Statewide total of 22 individuals in 11 north and 5 south counties (52 birds in 18 counties last fall). Injured bird 9/27 St. Louis (Park Point, Duluth) fide JWL. One circled high over Lake Superior off Park Point 10/4 St. Louis PHS, JWL; another was chased and harassed by a Common Raven 10/14 Cook (Naniboujou Lodge) ph. AXH, PHS. Presumed migrants 10/1 Lac qui Parle (Agassiz Twp.) BJU, 10/10 Sherburne (Harry Cater Homestead S.N.A.) RBJ; additional south reports from Big Stone, Blue Earth, Yellow Medicine.
2006Winter98 A remarkable 65 individuals reported from 17 counties. High counts 12/30 Marshall (16, Warren CBC) fide JMJ, 1/22 Wilkin (24) TSS in the north, and 12/22 Anoka (16) AXH, m.ob, in the south. Also seen in Clay, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Norman, Pennington, and Pine in the north; and Brown, Chipewa, Freeborn, Lac qui Parle, Rice, Sherburne, and Stearns in the south. The best winter season for this species in many years.
2007Spring79 Approximate total of 109 individuals statewide, following an excellent winter showing. South reports from Carver, Chippewa, Dakota, Hennepin, Lac qui Parle, Rice, Swift, Winona, Yellow Medicine. Only Northeast report: 4/8 St. Louis (Duluth) TPW. High counts 3/9 Wilkin (35, Rothsay W.M.A.) JPE, 3/10 Polk (27, near Melo Church) JMJ.
2007Summer1 Seen 6/15, 7/16 (2), 7/18 Lac qui Parle BJU.
2007Fall85 Reported from Aitkin, Cass, Itasca, Marshall, Polk, Roseau, St. Louis, and Wilkin in the north and Anoka, Cottonwood, Dakota, Lac qui Parle, and Meeker in the south. Total of 25 individuals reported.
2007Winter28 Numbers were significantly down from the remarkable 65 birds reported last winter. In the north, the only reports were from the far Northwest, 2/8 Roseau fide JMJ and 2/23 Kittson LW. In the west, reports were scattered beginning 12/3 (Walter Twp.) and 12/27 (Manfred Twp.) Lac qui Parle BJU, and 1/10 Cottonwood BRB. Reports were more concentrated in the East-central region with 12/27 Anoka AXH and 2/12 Hennepin JCy. Observed on only two CBCs, St. Paul NE Suburban and Faribault.
2008Spring126 Reported from Blue Earth, Fillmore, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Pipestone, and Renville in the south and Aitkin, Cass, Cook, Douglas, Kittson, Lake, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Otter Tail, Polk (three nests, AXH), and Todd in the north.
2008Summer11 Observed 6/23 Polk NGE, 6/24 Rock BRB. First county breeding record from Polk NGE, ph. AXH.
2008Fall93 Reported from Aitkin, Becker, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Otter Tail, Polk, Roseau, St. Louis in the north and Anoka, Lac qui Parle, Rice in the south.
2008Winter22 All north 12/17 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.), 1/3 Roseau (Roseau CBC) fide JMJ. All south 12/18 Olmsted (rural Salem Corners) JWH, 2/19 Lac qui Parle (Plover Prairie) BJU.
2009Spring89 Reported south in Anoka, Blue Earth, Carver, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Nicollet, Olmsted, Pope, Winona as late as 5/4 Lac qui Parle CRM. Early north (median 3/22) 3/17 Clay (Buffalo River S.P.) MEB; also reported in Aitkin, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington, Polk, Wilkin.
2009Summer61 All north reports: Kittson, Marshall, Polk (nest found 6/17, DWa), Pennington (4), 7/3 Cass (flying over Lake Winnibigoshish) DAY, 7/17 Douglas (near Lake Osakis) JPE. Only south report: 7/12 Wabasha OWB.
2009Fall64 North reports from Cook, Marshall, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, St. Louis. South reports from Carver, Dakota, Kandiyohi, Stevens beginning 8/21 Stevens (Morris Wetland District) KRE.
2009Winter44 All north: 12/20 Grand Forks-East Grand Forks CBC, 1/20 Norman, 2/4 Aitkin fide JMJ, 2/16 Wilkin (7, Rothsay area) RGj. South reports 12/19 Lac qui Parle CBC, 12/21 Dakota SHu, then none until 2/27 Swift HDD, JoS and 2/28 Mower JEM.
2010Spring84 Observed south in Big Stone, Lac qui Parle, Mower, Swift as late as 5/7 Lac qui Parle (Plover Prairie East Unit) ph. BJU. Early north (median 3/22) 4/7 Polk (3, Climax) DLT, 4/9 Marshall (2) MA. Also observed north in Aitkin, Douglas, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Pennington, St. Louis, Wilkin.
2010Summer42 Reported from Aitkin, Lac qui Parle, Marshall, Pennington, Roseau, Yellow Medicine.
2010Fall63 Reported north from Beltrami, Kittson, Marshall, Pennington, Polk, St. Louis as late as 11/12 Kittson (C.R. 1) TBr. All south reports: 10/8 Lac qui Parle (Walter Twp.) BJU, 10/18 Lac qui Parle (Cerro Gordo Twp.) BJU, 11/18 Lyon (Nordland Twp.) BJU, 11/27 Stearns (Freeport) HHD, FGo, MJB, RAE. High count 8/14 Kittson (12) LW.
2010Winter32 All north 12/5 Kittson LW, 12/19 Grand Forks-East Grand Forks CBC, 1/22 Kittson (2) LW, 2/12 Roseau SAu, 2/16 Roseau MM. All south 12/10–1/25 Lac qui Parle (Walter Twp.) BJU, 12/18 Lac qui Parle (Hastad W.P.A., Hantho Twp.) BJU, 1/27 Kandiyohi RJF.
2011Spring410 Observed south in Blue Earth, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Hennepin, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Rice, Steele, Swift, Yellow Medicine as late as 5/30 Chippewa (Chippewa Prairie) BJU. Early north (median 3/22) 3/29 Kittson TrB. Also observed north in Hubbard, Marshall, Polk. High count 4/24 Kittson (9) TrB.
2011Summer31Observed in Lac qui Parle, Marshall, Pennington, Polk.
2011Fall34 Reported north from Lake, Marshall, Polk as late as 11/24 Polk. All south reports: 8/1 Lac qui Parle (2, Plover Prairie) BJU, 10/30 Pope (2) RAE, 11/4 Lac qui Parle (Walter W.M.A.) BJU, 11/12 Big Stone (Odessa) BJU, 11/15 Stearns FGo, 11/17 Lac qui Parle (Plover Prairie) BJU.
2011Winter45A total of 10 individuals reported. Widely scattered across the state in a broad arc from Marshall ;and Polk in the Northwest; south to Otter Tail, Grant, Lac Qui Parle and Chippewa in the West-central region; and east to Sherburne, Le Sueur in the South-central, to Olmsted in the Southeast. ;High count was 1/2 ;Warren CBC (2).
2012Spring56 Observed south in Brown, Cottonwood, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Pope, Stearns as late as 4/23 Brown BRB. Early north (median 3/22) 3/23 Polk (2) RTe, 4/2 Polk (2, Glacial Ridge N.W.R.) AFo. Also observed north in Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Morrison.
2012Summer6 Found in Beltrami, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Red Lake.
2012Fall64 Reported north from Aitkin, Cook, Marshall, Roseau, St. Louis, Traverse as late as 11/9 Traverse BJU. Early south (median 10/7) 10/19 Lac qui Parle (Salt Lake) BJU, 11/7 Lac qui Parle (Walter Twp.) BJU.
2012Winter43 All north 12/7 Wilkin (along Hwy. 9 southeast of Campbell) HHD, RAE, 12/17–18 Clay (max. 3, Bluestem Prairie S.N.A.) RHO, PBB, 1/17 Clay HHe, 1/18 Wilkin (Rothsay W.M.A.) MO, 2/2 Polk RiM, 2/10 Koochiching fide AMe. All south 12/16 Stearns (southwest of Melrose) HHD, 12/28 McLeod (Hutchinson State W.M.A.) NKa, 2/4 Dodge KRV.
2013Spring27 Observed south in Anoka, Blue Earth, Dakota, Lac qui Parle, Nicollet, Scott, Watonwan as late as 4/25 Blue Earth ChH. Only north reports: 5/5 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) PEB, 5/11 Kittson DSm.
2013Summer21 Observed 7/17 Polk PCh, 7/19 Marshall SAS, 7/28 Murray GWe.
2013Fall23 Early south (median 10/7) 10/16–17 Rice TBF, 10/17 Fariabult (Walnut Lake W.M.A.) DBM. Reported north from Roseau and St. Louis as late as 11/7 Roseau ALo.
2013Winter14 Only north report 12/15 Grand Forks-East Grand Forks CBC. All south: 12/14 Goodhue PDK, 12/20 Morris CBC, 1/2 Fillmore (Sumner Twp.) JWH, 2/4 Swift BMc.
2014Spring97After few winter reports, south migrants were noted 3/25 Rice TFB, 3/29 Meeker, Wright JEB, 4/5 Lac qui Parle (Walter Twp.) BJU, 4/6 Blue Earth (3, Lincoln W.P.A.) ChH, 4/11 Brown (2) BTS, 4/21–5/5 Anoka (max. 3, Carlos Avery W.M.A.) DWK, ph. AWi, ToL, RZi. All north 3/28 Traverse CRM, JMs, KMS, 4/1 Polk (Pankratz Memorial Prairie S.N.A.) CrM, TrM, VLa, AMu, 4/8 Becker (5, Hamden Slough N.W.R.) and Otter Tail fide JMJ, 4/9–10 Clay (2, Spring Prairie S.N.A.) PBB, 4/11 Morrison (2) MJB, 4/12 Clay (Buffalo River S.P.) TCL, 4/13 Norman (Twin Valley W.M.A.) ToL, 4/19 Morrison (2) FGo, 4/26 Crow Wing JPR, 5/1 Norman and Roseau fide JMJ.
2014Summer1Only report: 6/8 Otter Tail (Minnesota State Community College, Fergus Falls) SSi.
2014Fall31 All north 8/17 Marshall fide JMJ, 8/31 Roseau (8) KRE, m.ob., 10/4 Wadena JEB. Only south report 8/1 Cottonwood BRB.
2014Winter21 All reports: 12/21 Clay (Bluestem Prairie S.N.A.) PBB, 2/9 Otter Tail (Praire Wetlands Learning Center) TJa, AaH, 2/15 Olmsted (Salem Twp.) JWH.
2015Spring410 Found south in Anoka, Brown, Fillmore, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, Mower, Hennepin, Ramsey, Rice, and last report 5/25 Rock (Blue Mounds S.P.) GrS. All north 3/30 Clay PBB, 4/18 Becker BWF, JWH, 4/25 Polk KeT, 5/15, 5/19 Kittson LW.
2015Summer2 Observed 6/3, 6/21 Beltrami MBS, RMD, 7/3 Polk (Parnell impoundment area) SAu, 7/9 Polk (Euclid, county road 19) SAu, MSp.
2015Fall25 Reported north from St. Louis 10/11 (H.R.B.O.) KJB, 10/13 (Hawk Ridge/Lester River Census) KJB, 10/15 (1, Park Point R.A.) JLK, and from Wilkin 10/17 (Rothsay) KRE, m.ob., and 10/25 (2) RAE, HHD. All south 10/14 Meeker/Stearns MJB, 10/15 Pope (Stenerson Lake W.P.A.) KeM, 10/23 Hennepin (Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) SiP, 11/23 Redwood (Lamberton W.M.A.) JnJ.
2015Winter211 Two north reports: 12/20 Grand Forks-East Grand Forks CBC, 2/17 St. Louis (near Burnett) ph. LRu. Reported from 11 south counties (the most in at least the past ten winter seasons), with high counts of 3 from Scott (near Shakopee) m.ob., Steele, Washington (Afton S.P.) m.ob. CBC high count 12/19 Owatonna (3).
2016Spring47 Found south in Lac qui Parle, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Steele, Rice, Hennepin, Washington; only report after mid-April was 5/20 Rice TFB. All north 4/5 St. Louis (Park Point) JPR, 4/13 Kittson (2) AxL, 4/23 Lake of the Woods JWH, RMD, SC, ANy, DAB, BWF, 4/26 Roseau BSi.
2016Summer No reports.
2016Fall45 Reported north from Douglas, Lake, Polk, Todd, as late as 11/19 Polk SAu. All south 10/26 Chippewa ODa, 10/28 Swift DOr, 11/4 Washington (3, Afton S.P.) PNi, 11/14 Lac qui Parle (2) BNn, 11/23 Meeker DBz.
2016Winter818 Reported from 26 counties statewide, the most in at least the past 10 years (previous high was 17, average 9). North reports after December include 1/2 Clay (Spring Prairie S.N.A.) PBB, 1/13 St. Louis (north of Duluth) MFu, 1/27 Cook (Grand Marais) RAE, HHD, MAJ. Widespread south reports from 18 counties, including 16 counties after December. High counts 12/19–1/1 Steele (3–5, north of Rice Lake S.P.) NFT, m.ob., 12/30 Lac qui Parle (4) RBW. New county record: 1/7 Martin DOB.
2017Spring67 All south 3/11–19 Steele (max. 5, Armstrong Project) DWK, m.ob., 3/19–20 Nicollet (Swan Lake W.M.A.) BAb, 3/28 Rice TFB, 3/31 Lac qui Parle (Salt Lake) RCl, 4/15 Benton (near Rice W.T.P.) JWH, m.ob., 4/21 Rock (2, Touch the Sky Prairie ) WCM, 5/3 Swift (U.S. 12) KeM. All north 3/6 Crow Wing FGo, 3/24 Clay (Spring Prairie Preserve) PBB, 3/28 Wadena (Dry Sand Lake W.M.A.) RAE, 4/11 Otter Tail WPl, 4/22 Polk (Pankratz Memorial Prairie) RPa, MSp, KuE, 4/25 Becker (Tamarac N.W.R.) SHo, 4/29 Becker (Hamden Slough N.W.R.) ASM, Polk (240th Ave SW and C.R. 21) JMJ, (3, Belgium Prairie W.M.A.) SAu, 4/30 Becker ASM, Polk (Tympanuchus W.M.A.) SAu.
2017Summer11 Seen 6/10 Chippewa (Montevideo) ebd, 7/6 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) BBi.
2017Fall98 More widely reported than in any fall season since 2005 (also 18 counties). Approximately 30 individuals; most of them reported from October. Early south 10/14 Hennepin ABL, 10/25 Pipestone KEm, Washington (2) JHh.
2017Winter517 Reported from 23 counties statewide, the second highest total in the past ten years (average for that period is nine). North reports after December include 1/9, 1/30–2/1 Otter Tail WPl, JsS, JSw, 1/20 Grant LiH ASu. Widespread south reports from 17 counties, including 11 after December. New winter county records include 12/10 Blue Earth ChH, 1/15 Faribault WAF, 12/24 Meeker LKo. High counts 12/14 Steele (4) JiP, GHo, 1/5 Steele (4) ASu, LiH. CBC high count 12/18 Bluestem Prairie/Buffalo River SP (2).
2018Spring913 Found south in Brown, Hennepin, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Pipestone, Pope, Rice, Steele, Swift, Wright, Yellow Medicine; only report after April was 5/6 Lac qui Parle ASu, LiH. All north 4/4 Lake JPR, 4/12 Aitkin SC, 4/17 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) RAE, 4/19–20 Wilkin BAn, 4/21 Grant NaH, 4/23 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) StK, 4/26 Pennington fide JMJ, 4/27 Becker (Hamden Slough N.W.R.) NRa, 4/28 Clay ebd, 5/17 Becker (Hellicksen Prairie W.P.A.) SCh, 5/25 Roseau CAs, 5/31 St. Louis (Duluth) PHS.
2018Summer4 Observed 6/6 Polk (Glacial Ridge N.W.R.) AJF, 6/25 Clay (Red R.) ebd, 7/3 Beltrami (MN 72, Waskish) RyS, 7/31 Roseau (400th Ave., near Roseau) MGo, ebd.
2018Fall36 All north 8/7 Marshall ebd, 10/25 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) JLK, 11/30 Otter Tail (3) HHD. All south 10/16 Houston SHo, 10/20 Jackson LHl, m.ob., 10/25 Cottonwood MaJ, 11/4, 11 Murray GWe, 11/29 Dakota ebd, 11/30 Pope AaL.
2018Winter212 North reports from Polk, Otter Tail (1–2). Most south reports were from the western half of the region, with high count 12/13 Murray (3) DAk.
2019Spring612 Found south in Blue Earth, Cottonwood, Hennepin, Lyon, Meeker, Ramsey, Rice, Wright, Yellow Medicine; last reports 4/24 Ramsey SSc, KMS, 4/27 Hennepin ASu, Stevens ebd. All north 3/23–4/27 Otter Tail (max. 11) WPl, m.ob., 3/25 St. Louis (Admiral Rd.) ClN, 3/31–4/1 Grant (max. 3) ASu, m.ob., Traverse (max. 3) BDo, m.ob., 4/5, 4/24 Otter Tail (Eagle Lake Twp.) JsS, 4/13 St. Louis (C.R. 7) ClN, 4/15 Aitkin ebd, 5/13 Polk (3) AJF.
2019Summer1 Only report: 7/4 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) BAr.
2019Fall33 All north 8/10 Grant CNn, 9/1 Roseau (2, 350th St.) KRE, m.ob., 10/18 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) JhM, 10/24 St. Louis (H.R.N.R.) RHg, 10/28 St. Louis (H.R.N.R.) ASu, AVa, 11/21 St. Louis H.R.B.O., 11/22 St. Louis (Sax Zim Bog) ClN. All south 11/2 Rice (Carleton College Cowling Arboretum) MZa, m.ob., 11/19 Hennepin (Lake Harriet, flyover) DWK, MwT, 11/20 Carver (Carver P.R.) JCy.
2019Winter14 All reports: 12/18 Hennepin (Staring Lake Park) ebd, 1/10 St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog) FJN, 1/16 Faribault BAy, 1/30 Steele (Armstrong Wetland Restoration) AJF, 2/29 Watonwan (northwest of Lewisville) ASu.
2020Spring27 Found south in Carver, Cottonwood, Hennepin, Lac qui Parle, Steele, Washington, Yellow Medicine; last reports 4/11 Hennepin ADS, Yellow Medicine FFa, m.ob., 4/15 Cottonwood BRB, 4/22 Washington EzH. All north 3/12 Clay (Spring Prairie Preserve) PBB, 4/18 Kanabec SPS. High count 3/27–29 Steele (4, Armstrong Wetland Restoration) LiH, m.ob.
2020Summer  No reports.
2020Fall47 Reported north from Lake, Otter Tail, Pine, St. Louis as late as 11/30 Lake JWL, St. Louis MLH, m.ob. Early south (median 10/10) 10/15 Cottonwood KEm, 10/24 Murray JWH, m.ob., 10/28 Dakota (Great Western Industrial Park) MwT, (Mississippi River Lock and Dam 2) JZj. High count 10/24 Otter Tail (6, Western Twp.) WPl.
2020Winter412 North reports from three Northwest counties (Clay, Marshall, Polk) and Otter Tail. Reported from several Polk locations, with high counts in January at Pankratz Memorial Prairie (6) SAu, m.ob., 1/16 Glacial Ridge N.W.R. (5) REn, RLF. South reports (all of 1–2 individuals) were from 12 counties, including 12/4 Nobles (southwest of Worthington) ebd, 12/26 Pipestone (Rock Twp.) ebd, 12/19 Redwood (Two Rivers W.M.A.) MJM.
2021Spring1019 Found south in 19 counties; last reports 4/29 Lac qui Parle ebd, 4/30 Dodge PEJ. Found north in Aitkin, Clay, Grant, Kittson, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Polk, Traverse, Wilkin. High counts 3/11 Lac qui Parle (11, Marsh Lake) REn, RLF, 4/8 Big Stone (8, Marsh Lake) REn, RLF.
2021Summer4 Seen in Beltrami, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Roseau.
2021Fall78 Reported north from Beltrami, Clay, Kittson, Lake, Mahnomen, Marshall, St. Louis as late as 11/26 Lake JWL, St. Louis ebd. Early south (median 10/12) 10/16 Sibley DWK, 10/19 Lac qui Parle KeL, 11/4 Nicollet TrR, Yellow Medicine WCM. High counts 11/27 and 11/30 Steele (8, Armstrong Wetland Restoration) BHw, ebd.
2021Winter415 North reports from Clay, Hubbard, Polk, St. Louis, all singles. South reports from 15 counties, with high counts from Steele (up to 8, Armstrong Wetland Restoration) m.ob. High counts elsewhere: 12/22 Murray (4, Lime Lake Twp.) ebd, 1/18 Wabasha (4, near Kellogg) DBz. CBC high count 12/18 Owatonna (6).
2022Spring717 Found south in 17 counties; last reports 4/24 Steele ebd, LMo, 4/28 Lyon RJS, 5/3 Cottonwood ebd. Found north in Aitkin, Grant, Norman, Otter Tail, Polk, St. Louis, Traverse. High count 3/1–27 Steele (4, Armstrong Wetland Restoration) GHo, m.ob.
2022Summer No reports.
2022Fall87 Reported north from Aitkin, Beltrami, Clay, Cook, Kittson, Morrison, St. Louis, Wilkin as late as 11/28 Kittson HHu. Early south (median 10/12) 11/9 Renville MJB, 11/19 Scott ebd, 11/20 Stearns MJB. High count 10/29 St. Louis (3, H.R.N.R.) ebd.
 
 Breeds northwest. Migrant mostly west. Irregular winter visitant. State designation: Special Concern.

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.