Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon - Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons 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: Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons
Least Bittern
American Bittern
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Snowy Egret
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Black-crowned Night Heron
Green Heron
Great Egret
Western Cattle-Egret
Great Blue Heron

Yellow-crowned Night Heron(Nyctanassa violacea)
YearSeasonNS
1961SpringYellow-crowned Night-Herons were recorded by the Avifaunal Club members at La Crescent, Houston County on 13 May. Seen again in same area 30 May by William Pieper.
1961SummerTwo nests, occupied, seen near La Crescent, Houston County on 13 May and again on 30 May, by Avifaunal Club members. Seen again 14 July by R. Janssen. Nests were about 85 feet up in trees.
1962SpringMay 14 Frontenac, Goodhue Co., Mr. and Mrs. Boyd Lien; May 15 La Crescent, Houston Co., W. R. Pieper and R. Huber.
1962SummerJuly 28, LaCrescent, Houston Co., one adult seen by R. and H. Huber; adult and 2 immatures seen there Aug. 4 by Bob Janssen.
1963SpringApril 28, La Crescent, Houston County, Avifaunal Club; May 5, Pig's Eye area, Ramsey County, 2 adults, Bill Litkey; May 8, Minneapolis, 2 adults, Avifaunal Club; May 8, Pig's Eye area again, 1 adult, G. Laiuste; May 18, La Crescent, 3 nests with an adult on each nest, R. Janssen; May 30, Swan Lake, Nicollet County, 1 adult, Avifaunal Club; a report came in from the St. Cloud area, but no details as yet. It would appear that this heron is expanding its range in Minnesota.
1963SummerHouston Co., La Crescent, May 18, 3 active nests, R. B. Janssen; still incubating on June 8, Avifaunal Club. Ramsey Co., Pig's Eye swamp area, pair seen sporadically all summer by G. Laiuste. Readers will recall the widespread penetration in southeastern Minnesota as reported in the last (June) issue. Further notice came from the Ornithology Newsletter of Manitoba this spring, which reported Yellow-crowns at Delta and Winnipeg. Both areas are just north of Kittson County, Minne· sota, and may represent the farthest north latitudes yet reached by this species in North America. Also, a Yellow- crown showed up at Huron, South Dakota, just west of Rock County, Minn. It was only the fifth record for South Dakota.
1964Spring5-3 La Crescent, BT; 5-9 Pig's Eye area, S. St. Paul just inside Dakota Co from Ramsey Co, RLH, nest found on 5-17; 5-17 Cannon Falls, Goodhue Co, photographed, BHL, IG.
1964Summerbreeding as usual at La Crescent, Houston Co, CFV, FN) and also breeding in South Saint Paul, Dakota Co, GL, RLH, photographed by HFH; another very interesting record was a single immature seen at Superior, Wisconsin, (just south of Duluth) on 7-9 by Mary Donald and others.
1964Fall8-26 (1 ad, 1 imm) and 9-1 (1 ad) Dakota Co, RLH; 9-27 Morris, Stevens Co, 1 imm observed for 40 minutes in mid-afternoon at 100250 yards with 25X scope by RAG; field marks he noted were slate-colored back and long legs. (See Notes of Interest)
1966Spring5-7 Red Wing, MIG; 5-26 La Crescent, GD, GG, FV; 5-30 Rochester, CMJ.
1966Summer6-20 South St. Paul, Dakota Co, ELC, RLH; 7-21 Hastings, Dakota Co, PE (see Notes o£ Interest in previous issue); 8-8 Redwood Co, specimen, (see Notes of Interest in previous issue); 8-13 La Crescent, Houston Co, RG.
1967Spring4-29 to 6-1 LaCrescent, Houston Co., RBI, FVI HVBC, HFH, EHH, FGD; 5-5 Ramsey Co., RJC; 5-11 Wright Co., EC.
1967Summer6-6 Hennepin Co., Martha Stebleton fide YL; 6/0 La Crescent, Houston Co., 5, FL.
1967Fall 9-2 (2 imm), 9-16 (1 imm) La Crescent, Houston Co., FL.
1968Spring 5-12 (1, DB), 5-15 (1, FL) LaCrescent, Houston Co.
1968Summer 8-16 LaCrescent, Houston Co, 1, VL; only report.
1968Fall8-11 Stearns (Grand Lake) NMH; 9-17 Hennepin EWJ.
1969Spring5-15 (2) Houston Co., FL; 5-17 (3) Houston Co., BT; 5-20 ( 3 ad., 1 im.) Houston Co., FL.
1969Summer8-1, 2 in Winona Co. (BT) and 3 at La Crescent, Houston Co., (FL).
1969Fall9-5 Houston 3 BTV; 9-15 Houston FL 9-28 Hennepin CH.
1970SpringLa Crescent, Houston Co., 5-16 (1) BLand 4-25 (4) FL; only reports.
1970Summerpresent during July and August at LaCrescent, Houston Co. with 6 young seen on 7-28, BTV.
1970Fall2 reports: 8-23 Houston (3 imm.) FL; 9-18 Houston (1) FMV.
1971Spring4-29 (5), 6-1 (2) La Crescent, Houston Co. FL, TV, KE; also 3 extralimital reports: 5-1 to 5-11 Westbrook, Cottonwood Co. (2), Gladys Point; 4-18 St. Cloud, Stearns Co. NMH; 5-16 Nobles, many observers.
1971Summernested in the usual area near LaCrescent, Houston Co.; one was also photographed on 6-15 in Anoka Co. by J. Larson.
1971Fall9-18 Houston (6) TV, only report.
1972Summernested in Houston LaCrescent); 6-25 (RBJ). 7-3 & 23 (BAH), one adult, Lake Johanna, POPE Co.; early Julv, one adult photographed by Mrs. Carl Oiala in rice beds north of Aitkin, AITKIN Co. (fide TS).
1973Summer 4 reports all from Houston Co. (6-2 KE) (7-21 RBJ) (6-16 & 7-29 FL) (7-4 KG).
1973Fall One report: 8-8 Aitkin (1 imm.) (TS). This species is very rare away from its usual nesting sites near La Crescent.
1974Spring Only 2 reports: 4-20 LaCrescent, Houston Co. RBJ & KE.
1974Summer Nested at La Crescent, Houston Co. (three adults and one young on 7-26, FL); also an adult and immature were seen at St. John's Univ., Stearns Co. on 6-11 (NF).
1974Fall 9-17 Houston (1 immature) FL.
1975Spring 1 report: 5-11 Hennepin (1) Elm Creek Park JC, DY.
1975Summer Reported from Goodhue only (peak of 3, CF; 7-9, RJ); apparently missing from the usual spot at La Crescent.
1976Spring 2 reports: 5-6 Hennepin (1) JRG; 5-29 to 6-2 Aitkin (2)· W. Nelson.
1976Summernested at La Crescent, Houston Co.; also seen 7-15 and 7-24 at Rochester, Olmsted Co. (JF) and on 6-14 in Crow Wing Co. (L. and H. Bennetson).
1976Fall 8-2, 8-3 Houston DB, DGW; only reports.
1977Spring 9 reports: 4-13 Hennepin (Elm Creek) HCP, OJ; 4-24 Otter Tail (Orwell Wildlife Area) 1 Bee-Nay-She Council; 4-29 Mower (1) RK; 4-30 Houston (1) DGW; 5-5 Cottonwood (1) ED; 5-10 Crow Wing (1) Dennis Hanson; 5-14 Ramsey (2) RH; 5-22 Houston JG; 5-29 Houston (2) KE.
1977Summer No less than 7 reports from Houston (2 at La Crescent), Ramsey (2 at St. Paul, 7-11 to 7-25), Hennepin (7-21, OJ), Olmsted (7-4, JF), Lac qui Pa•rle (7-9 to 7-19, Big Stone N.W.R.), Otter Tail (7-25, GO, GW) and Cass (6-28, L. McGinty, M. Loss).
1978Spring Reports out of SE; 5-17 Anoka KL; 5-19 Ramsey BC; 5-22 Morrison PM.
1978Summer Breeding attempted in Ramsey (Maplewood Park, Common Loon 50:214-215); also seen in Rock (7-1, KRE) and Lac qui Parle (6-11, 6-22, 7-10, Big Stone NWR).
1978Fall Reported 8-2,4 Lac qui Parle CMB, 8-8 Otter Tail GO, 9-9 Lac qui Parle RJ, 9-24 Washington DS.
1979Spring 4-21 Lac qui Parle OJ, 5-1 Cass DNR; 5-17 Hennepin OJ, 5-18 Stearns OJ. No reports from usual Houston County location.
1979Summer Seen in Ramsey, Dakota (Thompson Lake), Lac qui Parle (Big Stone NWR), Becker (Tamarack NWR, 6-21).
1979Fall 8-11 Ramsey DGW, 8-14 Jackson RJ, 9-6 Lac qui Parle CMB; only reports.
1980Spring 5-15 Hennepin RBA, 5-22 Otter Tail GMO, only reports.
1980Summer Single birds seen in Ramsey (6-2 7- 21), Big Stone (Big Stone NWR, 6-5 7- 6; two birds on 6-11, KRE), Otter Tail (Orwell WMA, 6-8, GO), Marshall (Agassiz NWR, 6-6 -24).
1981Spring 4-19 Otter Tail GMO, 4-27 Anoka GP, 5-14 Olmsted m. obs., 4-27 Aitkin M. Kern.
1981Summer Breeding data from Dakota (Loon 53:171); nesting suspected from AITKIN (Loon 53:232). Seen at Big Stone NWR, Lac qui Parle Co. (6-19, one; 7-17, two; C&MB). KOOCHICHING (6-4 Big Falls, J. Schneeweis).
1981Fall 8-3 Cass DJ, 8-24 Aitkin (1 imm.) WN, 8-29 Duluth RG; 9-14 Aitkin (2) WN.
1982Spring 5-8 Scott RJ.
1982Summer Seen in Marshall, Aitkin (rice paddies), Big Stone, Hennepin, Scott, Washington.
1983Spring 5/21 Aitkin WN, 5/22 Olmsted JEB, 5/23 Dakota B. Fall. IBIS (sp?) 5/21 Polk (Crookston) KE, HK, TS. (The Loon 55:128)
1983Summer Breeding data from AITKIN (WN). Seen in Rock (6116, Blue Mounds SP, OJ).
1984Spring 5/1 Anoka KL; only report.
1984Summernested at Pig's Eye L., Ramsey Co. (ad. on nest -SSt); only report.
1984Fall 8/21 Duluth KE, second local record.
1985Spring 4/27 Lac qui Parle KE, RH, Ramsey SSt.
1985Summer Seen in Hennepin (The Loon 57:142, Dakota (6/15 Schmitt Lake, one, TTu), Scott (AB, RJ).
1985Fall 8/3 Hennepin AB, 8/29 Hennepin (2) SC.
1986Spring 4/12 Olmsted AMP, 5/6 Fillmore AMP, 5/10 Hennepin ES.
1986Summer Probable nesting in Ramsey (Pigs Eye Lake, SSt). Also seen at Lake of the Isles, Hennepin Co. (6/23-7/26; SC, GP, ES) and Heron Lake, Jackson Co. (6/11,SDM). IBIS SP. Five seen 6/2 at North Heron Lake, Jackson Co. (JS, The Loon 58:141).
1986Fall Reported 8/3 Hennepin SC. ;
1987Spring 5/26-6/1 Hennepin SC, KR, ES; only report. ;
1987Summer Seen in Olmsted, Nicollet (6119, JF), Hennepin (Minneapolis, AB). Thndra Swan Single birds seen in Aitkin (7/2 Rice Lake NWR, KE) and Wabasha (7/7 Weaver Bottoms , DWM).
1987Fall Reported 8/1 Chisago RJ, 9/15 Dakota IT.
1988Spring 5/1 1 Dodge AP; only report.
1988Summer Seen in Mower (AP), Dakota (Schmidt L., m.ob.), Hennepin (7/8, DB).
1989Spring Only report: 5/11-13 Pipeston ND, JP. ;
1989Summer Single bird 6/27 Mound Prairie, Houston Co. AP and 6/28 Dakota KR; three birds 6/17- 19 Agahming Park, Winona Co. CS.
1990Spring Only report 5/24 Cass PS.
1990Summer Only report: 6/1 Schmitt Lake, Dakota Co. AP.
1990Fall 10/10-11 Hennepin SC, mob (The Loon 63:67-68). ;
1991Spring Only report 4/17 Dakota PB.
1991Summer Only report; single bird observed on 6/10 Dakota PS.
1992Spring Reported 4/22 Ramsey DS, 5/3 Hennepin HH, 5/11 Hennepin SC, 5/15 Houston DJ, 5/23 Brown RJ, 5/25 Aitkin WN.
1992Summer Only reports: 6/3 Hennepin (Wood L. Nature Center) SC, 7/16 Ramsey PS.
1993Spring Reported 4/17–20 Hennepin fide PB, 4/23 Murray ND, 5/21 Cottonwood ED.
1993Summer Only report: single bird (see spring report) observed 6/5 Cottonwood RJ.
1993Fall Reported 8/28 Dakota, BB.
1994Spring Reported 4/30 Hennepin TBr.
1994Summer Only report on 6/13 from Edina in Hennepin Co. (fide PB).
1995Spring Only reports 4/29 Hennepin County RA, 5/? Ramsey JLe.
1995Fall No reports.
1996Spring No reports.
1996Summer Single bird observed on 7/18 near Carlos Avery WMA in Anoka Co. AH; plus 7/19-20 Ramsey fide CS.
1996Fall No reports.
1997Spring No reports.
1997Summer Only record: 6/30 Ramsey AH.
1997Fall No reports.
1998Spring Only report: 5/25–31 Nicollet BBo.
1998Summer Holdover from spring reported through 6/6 on Minnesota R. near New Ulm in Nicollet Co. BBo; also 6/7 Dakota PS, AH.
1998Fall No reports.
1999Spring No reports.
1999Summer Only report: 6/7 Ramsey (Pig's Eye L.) PS.
1999Fall No fall reports since 1993.
2000Spring Only reports: 4/9 Hennepin (near L. Hiawatha) TT, 5/11 Cottonwood (Mountain Lake) ED, 5/28 Houston (La Crescent) KE et al.
2000Summer Two reports: 6/8–15 Hennepin (adult at Wood Lake Nature Center) BSe, †CRM et al., and 6/17–18 Otter Tail (adult at L. Alice in Fergus Falls) †PHS, SDM et al.
2000Fall No fall reports since 1993.
2001Spring Only report: 5/13 Meeker (Pigeon L.) †DMF.
2001Summer Three reports: 6/13 Grant (Pelican L.) GO, 6/21 Houston (Shepherd's Marsh, La Crescent) CBe et al., and 7/3 Waseca (Janesville water treatment plant) RBJ.
2001Fall No fall reports since 1993.
2002Spring Only report: 4/19 Washington (adult at Colby L.) fide AXH.
2002Fall No fall reports since 1993.
2003Spring Only report: 4/19–27 Mower (adult at Dobbins Creek in Sutton Park, Austin) ph. JM, RDK, RCK, ph. DDM, m.ob.
2003Fall No fall reports since 1993.
2004Spring Only reports: 5/11 Mower (adult at Turtle Creek, Austin – one had been reported elsewhere in Austin, Spring 2003) †JEM, 5/31 Lac qui Parle (Arena Twp.) †BJU.
2004Summer Only report: one adult 6/24 Big Stone (Odessa Twp.) †BJU.
2004Fall Only documented report: 8/27 Dakota (adult at Lily L.) RPR, †CBr, ph. JPM. First fall record since 1993!
2005Spring Only report: 5/12–22 Kandiyohi (adult at Willmar) RSF et al.
2005Summer Seen 6/30 Dakota (2 adults, West St. Paul) RPR, 7/31+ Lac qui Parle (2 juveniles near Madison) †PCC, ph. DWK, ph. PHS.
2005Fall Only the second fall record since 1993! Two juveniles found 7/31 (see summer report) last reported 8/22 Lac qui Parle (Madison Twp.) †PCC, ph. SBM, ph. PHS, †BAW, m.ob.
2006Spring Two reports of single adults: 5/5 Anoka (Fridley) TM, 5/31+ Murray (Hiram Southwick W.M.A., 2nd county record) ph. MSS.
2006Summer Presumably the same adult from spring was refound 6/11 Murray KJB. Another adult seen 6/17 Nicollet (Middle L.) †BJU.
2007Spring No reports.
2007Fall1 Only documented report: 9/17–10/6 Hennepin (L. Hiawatha) †DDo, ph. †BAF, †DWK, †CMB, ph. †PEB, m.ob.
2008Spring No reports.
2008Summer1 Observed 7/1 Kandiyohi (Atwater) DMF.
2009Spring1 Only report: 4/20–28 Hennepin (2, St. Louis Park) fide AXH.
2009Summer2 All reports: 6/21 Dakota (adult flying over Roberts St., West St. Paul) RPR, 7/23+ Hennepin (Minnetonka) VL, ph. CMB, ph. TPB, ph. ALD, m.ob.
2009Fall2 All reports: 8/1–3 Hennepin (present since July in Minnetonka) m.ob., 8/18 Lyon (immature, Coon Creek W.M.A.) ph. MOs.
2010Spring No reports.
2010Summer1 Observed 7/19, 7/24 Hennepin fide AXH, ph. AWi.
2010Fall1 Only report: 8/31–9/3 Roseau (juvenile, Warroad) †KRE, ph. LMS, ph. BSi, m.ob.
2011Spring1 Only report 5/21 Hennepin (Eden Prairie) ph. KSo.
2011Summer1
2011Fall No reports.
2012Spring No reports.
2012Summer1 Observed 7/11 Hennepin (observation deck at Old Cedar Avenue bridge, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) BBB.
2012Fall1 One report: 9/8–15 Hennepin (juvenile, Long Meadow Lake, Minnesota River Valley N.W.R.) ph. †BAF, †SHF, CMB, DWK, HCT. [Corrected]
2013Spring1 Only report 5/2 Ramsey (Little Canada) JGs.
2013Summer No reports.
2013Fall1 The only report was of a new county record for Mille Lacs on 10/19 (immature near Isle) AXH.
2014Spring1Only report 5/25 Hennepin (adult, Orono) ph. LTM.
2014SummerNo reports.
2014Fall No reports.
2015Spring No reports.
2015Summer No reports.
2015Fall1 Only report: 8/9–14 Hennepin (adult at Shiloh Park, Plymouth) ph. LSe, m.ob.
2016Spring No reports.
2016Summer No reports.
2016Fall3 Four individuals reported: 8/8 Hennepin (juvenile, Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) CRM, m.ob., 8/23–27 Hennepin (adult, Shiloh Park, Plymouth) ph. LiH, SBE, ph. LSe, ph. KvM, ph. KDS, ph. MAl, 8/31 Blue Earth (juvenile, west of Lake Crystal) RJA, ph. ChH, ph. MiO, ph. STa, 8/25–29, 9/13 Wright (east side of Pelican Lake) ph. TLa, ph. DOr, m.ob.
2017Spring2 All south 4/30 Goodhue (Spring Creek, Red Wing) †ChS, 5/23 Faribault (adult, Thompson Park, Wells) ph. MeK.
2017Summer No reports.
2017Fall No reports.
2018Spring No reports.
2018Summer1 Seen 6/16 Hennepin (juvenile, Coon Rapids Dam R.P.) ph. ARh, LiH.
2018Fall  No reports.
2019Spring No reports.
2019Summer  No reports.
2019Fall No reports.
2020Spring No reports.
2020Summer11 Reported 7/4 Waseca PAl, 7/22–29 Grant (juvenile, North Ottawa Impoundment) †KTP, REn, RLF.
2020Fall22 All north 8/22 – 9/26 Grant (juvenile, North Ottawa Impoundment, possibly continuing from the summer season, this individual proved to be very sporadic and difficult to find) †JGW, ph. BLz, m.ob. All south 8/4 Steele (juvenile, Morehouse Park) SGz, ph. LBa, m.ob., 8/18–27 Hennepin (juvenile, Richardson N.C.) ph. SOh, ph. PEB, m.ob.
2021Spring1 Early south (median 5/8) 4/17 – 5/19 Freeborn (max. 2, Brookside Park) ph. AEB, ph. †KEm, ph. †RJS, ph. DWK, ph. ANy, ph. RZi.
2021Summer1 Observed 6/1, 6/26 Freeborn AEB, AXH, TBH.
2021Fall1 Only report 8/8 Freeborn AEB.
2022Spring2 All south 4/28 – 5/16 Hennepin (Hyland Lake P.R.) RCo, m.ob., 5/10 Mower (Hormel N.C.) RNS, ebd.
2022Summer1 Observed 7/9–17 Dakota (adult and juvenile by Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley) Jeff Little, LMo, GMo, ph. m.ob.
2022Fall1 Only report 8/17 Freeborn (Fountain Lake) ph. AEB.
 
 Rare summer resident mostly southeast. Recorded in nine of the last ten years, most recently 2023. Last breeding record 1984.

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.