Minnesota had generally stable weather conditions throughout the period. These stable conditions are normally not conducive to any concentrated migration activity. This was certainly evident from the reports received, birds seemed to trickle through the state with no heavy migration periods noted. This does not mean that there weren't some interesting observations as will be noted below. It is my conjecture that these rather stable conditions during the fall predict a winter where few summer birds overwinter It is pure theory on my part but records seem to indicate that if very unstable weather with stormy conditions occur in September or October, many birds appear to lose their migratory urge and remain in and about areas where food is available such as feeders, dumps, open water, etc. We will see what this winter brings but I would expect few unusual overwintering records.

Precipation was variable over the state with the central, northcentral and northeast areas receiving heavy amounts. On the other hand, the southwest was extremely dry, especially in August. All areas had above normal rainfall in September except a few scattered localities such as Minneapolis, St. Paul. October was about average in rainfall but November was way above. For example, for the first time in seven months the Twin Cities area had above normal temperatures.

By the end of November, winter had not really started in the state, most of the larger lakes were still open and there was little snow on the ground.

Things changed drastically in early December.

Loons thrugh Herons Seven Common Loons were still present in St. Paul on 11-30 (JJ). The Arctic Loon continues to make news in Minnesota, at least two were recorded on Lake Superior near Duluth in mid-September. One was seen by many observers attending the Hawk Count in Duluth. The Red-throated Loon was recorded twice, one adult on 9-16 at Two Harbors, Lake Co. (JAB) and one immature on Mille Lacs Lake on 11-20 (TS). Eared Grebes appeared to have a good year at Agassiz Refuge, 60 were counted on 8-29. Little Blue Herons were recorded at Lake Johanna, Pope County on 8-11 (BAH) 2 at Ashby Grant Co. on 8-25 (KRE) and a very late immature at Weaver, Wabasha County on 10-3 (JB). A Great Egret was still present at Winona on 11-18 for a late date for the state. An immature Yellow-Crowned Night Heron was seen in Aitkin Co. on 8-8 (TS) indicating further possible range extension northward in the state for this species.

Waterfowl Approximately 700 Tundra Swans were still present on the Weaver Marshes on 11-30 (FL). One of the most unusual records for the period was a BRANT seen on 10-7 at Silver Lake, Rochester. The bird was seen by many observers on 10-13 as it kept company with the 20,000 Canada Geese which are wintering in the area. White-fronted Geese are seldom recorded in the fall in Minnesota but 36 were at Agassiz Refuge on 10-14. Waterfowl hunters were disappointed this year in the state as no "northern flight" ever developed.

Good numbers of ducks were reported at Agassiz Refuge, however, Mallards, 37,300 on 10-13, Gadwall, 26,980 on 10-15, 12,540 Blue-winged Teal on 10-15 and 14,630 American Widgeons on 10-15. Canvasbacks and Redheads are still in trouble especially the former. A sub-adult male Harlequin Duck was seen on Lake Superior near Duluth on 10-29 (JAB). A female or immature KING EIDER was seen and carefully identified at close range on 10-16 on Mille Lacs Lake (TS). This is only the fourth state record for the species. White-winged and Black Scoters began showing up on Lake Superior by late October, 11 White-wings were seen on 10-27 in Cook Co. (RBJ).

The rare Surf Scoter was seen only once on 10-29 near Duluth (JAB).

Hawks A record of a Swallow-tailed Kite was received from northern St. Louis Co. for early August, (fide Dr. W. J.

Breckenridge). Hawk migration over Hawk Ridge in Duluth was good, probably not reaching the records of last year but excellent numbers of Northern Goshawks, Sharp-shins and Broad-wings were reported. Golden Eagles were at Agassiz Refuge on 9-21 thru 11-29, one was in Crow Wing Co. on 11-3, Mille Lacs Co. on 11-25 (TS) and three at Whitewater State Park on 11-18 (FL). Bald Eagles were reported from seven different localities. By 10-18, 10 individuals were on their usual wintering grounds at Read's Landing, Wabasha County. Only two Peregrine Falcon sightings were reported, one on 9-23 at Duluth (JAB) and one on 9-30 in Rock Co. (KRE). One gray phase Gryfalcon was seen in Duluth on 11-8 (KRE).

Grouse thru Rails Spruce Grouse were recorded from three counties in the northern part of the state during October and November.

Ruffed Grouse numbers are down from their peak in 1972. Only one record of a Northern Bobwhite was received, a single bird on 8-21 in Mower County (KRE). Ring-necked Pheasant habitat continues to decline in the state and as a result the bird becomes more scarce and hunters complain. The Chukar continues to hang on in Ely, 4 adults and 10 young were observed on 9-4 (RBJ). Yellow Rails were seen and heard in Aitkin and Crow Wing Counties during August (RBJ, TS). A late Virginia Rail was seen in Aitkin Co. on 11-17 (fide TS). There were 2,000 Sandhill cranes present at Borup, Norman Co. on 10-6, by 10-29, 1,000 were still present (EA).

Shorebirds During August in Duluth excellent numbers of shorebirds were recorded.

Dunlins which are very scare in early fall were recorded on 8-25 (RBJ) in a very confusing fall plumage. Golden and Black-bellied Plovers, plus Buffbreasted, White-rumps (scarce in the fall). Knots, both Dowitchers, Semipalmated, Least, Baird's and Sanderlings were recorded in Duluth during August and September. A late Greater Yellowlegs was in Crow Wing Co. on 1122 (TS)..

Gulls thru Kingfisher Jaegers made history in Minnesota with unprecedented records being reported from Lake Superior near Duluth from early August to early September.

It is difficult to determine how many individual birds were involved during the period but approximately a dozen individual sightings were reported.

Two Pomarine Jaegers were seen on 8-5 at Duluth (TS) and one on 9-16 at Stoney Point, Lake Superior near Duluth (KRE). Three Glaucous Gulls were at Eagle Lake north of Duluth on 11-17 (RBJ). Bonaparte's Gulls were on Mille Lacs Lake all through the period, 2,000 on 8-7 (TS), this flock dwindled to 12 on 12-4 when the lake froze. This is a late date for this species in Minnesota. The first Barn Owl record for Minnesota in a number of years came from Rock Co. on 9-23 (KRE). The first Snowy Owl of the season was reported on 10-2 in Aitkin Co. (TS). Reports were received in November of Snowy Owls from Marshall, St.

Louis and Dakota Counties. A Hawk Owl was north of Duluth on 11-17 (R BJ). Short-eared Owls have been very scarce in Minnesota all year, four reports were received this fall, six on Agassiz Refuge on 11-25, one in Nicollet Co. on 10-27 (DB), five in Aitkin Co. on 10-11 (LP) and one on the Sher burne Refuge on 11-12.

Woodpeckers thru Swallows A Northern American Three-toed Woodpecker was reported in Crow Wing Co. in early November (fide TS). A Scissor· tailed Flycatcher was seen near Duluth on 10-13 (JCG). Two Great Crested Flycatchers were seen along the north shore of Lake Superior, Cook Co. on 10-27 for a record late date for the state. The SAY'S PHOEBE is on the hypothetical list in Minnesota but Kim Eckert saw and carefully identified an immature bird in Rock Co. on 9-3.

Jays thru Starlings On 10-23 there were 28 Black-billed Magpies recorded on Agassiz Refuge, 2 were in Koochiching Co. on 10-10 (FN) and one in Morrison Co. on 11-3 (NMH). A Carolina Wren was seen in south Mpls. on 9-30 (VL) and a Northern Mockingbird was at a feeder in north Minneapolis from 10-25 to 11-12 (RPR).

Ruby-crowned Kinglets were seen later than normal -one on 11-23 in Minneapolis (RBJ) and one in St. Paul on 11-25 (JAB). Five American Pipits were still in Clay Co. on 11-18 and two Sprague's Pipits were still on the Felton Prairie, Clay Co. on 10-10, this represents the latest date on record for this species (EA). The first Northern Shrike of the season was seen at Agassiz Refuge on 10-11, another on 10-22 in Rock Co. in the far southwest (KRE).

Vireos thru Warblers One of the most unusual records certainly for the season, if not for the state in some time was the observation of a WORM-EATING WARBLER on 11-18 on the west shore of Mille Lacs near Garrison. The bird was seen by six observers for over an hour (RBJ).

Warbler migration was generally spotty with no waves reported, A Blackthroated Blue female was seen in Minneapolis on 10-24 (VL) and another individual was reported on 9-11 (PF).

A late Wilson's Warbler was in Rock Co. on 10-22 (KRE), an Ovenbird in St. Paul on 10-20 (JAB) and a Yellow- throat was seen north of Duluth on 11-10 (GN).

Blackbirds thru Sparrows Rusty Blackbirds returned to the state earlier than usual with six being seen in Mahnomen Co. on 9-6 (RBJ).

Dickcissels were still in Rock Co. on 9-9 (KRE). Winter finches began showing up in the north by October. Red and White-winged Crossbills were seen by many observers in the north and by the end of the period both species had spread to the southern part of the state. Common Redpolls were noted in small numbers in all areas.

Pine Grosbeaks were only seen in small numbers but two were seen as far south as Anoka Co. on 10-18 (L Conroy). An individual of the Spotted race of the Eastern Towhee was seen in Rock Co. on 10-22 (KRE). Longspurs were reported in good numbers, 15 Chestnut-collared Longspurs were seen in Rock Co. on 9-30 (KRE), the Smith's was seen in Duluth on 9-16 (RBJ) and Laplands began showing up in Duluth area in fair numbers by mid-September.