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Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon | |
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The 1998-Fall Season 1 August through 30 November 1998 Dave Benson, Paul Budde, Peder Svingen, and Wally Swanson Foreword by Peder Svingen |
One juvenile Red-throated Loon on Lake Superior was the only report this fall of this species. The three Pacific Loons found off Park Point were unprecedented in number; the only other Minnesota record of multiple loons was two on Lake Vadnais, Ramsey County, on 22–23 October 1986 (The Loon 59:50–51). At least four more were found elsewhere; this was one of the best fall migrations ever for this species. Record high counts of the Common Loon were obtained 20 and 21 October respectively, during surveys of pre-migratory staging on Lakes Mille Lacs (1,688) and Winnibigoshish (1,599). The previous high count was 1,497 on 20 October 1996, also at Lake Winnibigoshish. Another Clark's Grebe was attracted to Thielke Lake, a location favored by birds and birders.
An immature Little Blue Heron on a Mississippi River sandbar, near the outlet for Lake Bemidji, was well-documented with notes and photographs for a first Beltrami County record. Cattle Egrets have remained scarce throughout 1997 and 1998, and despite the mild weather this fall, none was reported after mid-September. For the second consecutive fall, Plegadis ibises were reported in southwestern Minnesota.
Due to the mild conditions, waterfowl migration was late and unusual numbers lingered into December at the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Still rare in fall, Ross's Geese were found in three locations. The two female or immature Harlequin Ducks feeding along the shoreline at Rocky Point were a rare discovery at Lake of the Woods. All three scoter species were poorly represented along the North Shore of Lake Superior this fall, but all were found in unusual locations away from the Great Lake. Most amazing was the flock of 230 Black Scoters found by Anthony Hertzel on Mille Lacs Lake; this smashed the previous high count for this species by about 200! After overwintering there for three consecutive years, the male Barrow's Goldeneye did not return to the Blue Lake sewage lagoons in Scott County.
Record low numbers of the Broad-winged Hawk were counted at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve (HRNR) in Duluth. Raptor migration was also uneventful away from HRNR. Swainson's Hawks went unreported after September and Rough-legged Hawks appeared to arrive later than usual. The Golden Eagle was found in more locations than usual, which partly compensated for a decrease in numbers at HRNR. Steve Millard commented on the status of Richardson's Merlin in west-central Minnesota; in most prairie areas there during migration, this form is expected. More unexpected were reports of richardsonii from HRNR, and from Hennepin and Houston counties. A disappointing total of only two Prairie Falcons was reported; one of these was apparently an individual returning to south Minneapolis for the winter.
The Minnesota DNR drew down Minnesota Lake in the south-central region, resulting in extensive mudflats that drew unusual numbers of shorebirds. Estimates of up to 10,000 shorebirds in August could not be confirmed during systematic counts by Karl Bardon on 8 August (1,189 total) and 6 September (1,890) but unusual species, including several first county records, were confirmed. Whatever the true numbers, it was a true spectacle that drew dozens of birders, amused the local residents, and enticed a Peregrine Falcon for several weeks. Among the best finds at Minnesota Lake was a Piping Plover, the first for Faribault County and the only one found in the state this fall. Buff-breasted Sandpipers were found at Minnesota Lake on both sides of the Blue Earth/Faribault county line, but elsewhere this species was hard to find, especially in Duluth where it is a regular fall migrant. Red-necked Phalaropes were apparently scarce this season, possibly because last fall's intensive surveys of sewage lagoons in the northwest region were not repeated. Unlike some previous records, the state's tenth Red Phalarope was clearly documented as a juvenile molting into first basic plumage.
Jaegers and gulls provided more excitement in Duluth than usual, especially in late September when at least seven species were present (The Loon 71:114–115); one or two additional species were seen only on the Wisconsin side of the Superior Entry! Most unusual were the two Sabine's Gulls and an early Black-legged Kittiwake, all of which had been first found by Wisconsin birders. There were several unconfirmed reports of Iceland Gull in September, which most likely referred to the albinistic/leucistic Ring-billed Gull that spent several weeks in Duluth. The record early Thayer's Gull at the Superior Entry on the 25th of September was an adult, as expected.
Excellent documentation was provided for the two Least Terns on 12 September at Gabriel (a.k.a. Lone Tree) Lake, the fourth time this species has been found by Paul Egeland near the town of Cottonwood and the sixth record for Lyon County! Previous records near Cottonwood were 26 September 1970 and 10 August 1978 at Sham Lake, and 11–14 August 1985 in a flooded field just south of town. Minnesota now has approximately 16 records for this species, over half of which are from the southwest region! The “northern” owls were scarce, especially the Snowy Owl which was not reported at all. Once again, there were relatively few reports of the Short-eared Owl. After an encouraging peak count of >10,000 last fall, numbers of the Common Nighthawk along the North Shore this August were depressing. Like most previous Minnesota occurrences, the Say's Phoebe at the Resurrection Cemetery in Dakota County could not be relocated. Numbers of Western Kingbirds in Minnesota have remained down since 1993, compared to the previous ten years, making the two migrants at HRNR all the more interesting. Two Scissor-tailed Flycatchers appeared along the North Shore, where this Casual species is most likely to occur in the fall. Thanks to those observers who gave exact locations and numbers of Loggerhead Shrikes this fall; the reported total of 15 is reasonably accurate. The Carolina Wren continued to make a comeback as expected, following the mild winter of 1997–98. Three Mountain Bluebirds and four Townsend's Solitaires were below average numbers. Like last fall, only three Varied Thrushes were reported and none was along the North Shore of Lake Superior. The Sprague's Pipit at Rothsay WMA was a serendipitous find in an unexpected location in late October; the lucky observers were rewarded with incredible views from close range. Except for excellent numbers of the Black-throated Blue Warbler in east-central and southeast Minnesota, and record late dates for a few other species, warbler migration was uneventful. One exception was the Prothonotary Warbler found along the north shore of Mille Lacs in late August. Like last fall, the Summer Tanager was found only along the North Shore in late October! Except for a late November sighting in Ramsey County, this season's records of the Spotted Towhee fall within an emerging pattern of late September/early October occurrences in southwestern Minnesota. Despite the well-documented appearance of a Lark Bunting in Richfield, its status became Casual by the end of 1998. The famous impoundment at the 40th Avenue West/Erie Pier area in Duluth dried up in July; the subsequent profusion of weedy vegetation attracted incredible numbers and varieties of sparrows into early October. Among these was at least one Nelson's Sparrow. This species is rarely detected anywhere in Minnesota during migration and apparently departs the state early; one or two were also reported from three southern Minnesota locations this fall, including a first for Olmsted County that lingered for about two weeks! At least one Smith's Longspur spent about a week at 40th Ave. West in Duluth and another was found in Grand Marais. Smaller than usual flocks of Smith's were found in the usual western Minnesota locations.
The appearance of a Brambling at Audrey Ever's feeder in Hoyt Lakes on 23 October may have been related to the “tremendous irruption” of this species in British Columbia, where at least seven individuals appeared between late October and late November 1998 (North American Birds 53:92–93). Unfortunately, it could not be relocated after its initial day of discovery. It certainly must look tremendous next to Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch on the Ever's yard list! Unconfirmed and Undocumented Reports: Pacific Loons on 18 October in Aitkin County (same bird as the one near Garrison in Crow Wing County?) and 14 November in Duluth; Mississippi Kite on 25 September in Wabasha County; Scissor-tailed Flycatcher on 9 October in Lake County; Lark Bunting(s) in Duluth on 28 September (40th Avenue West) and 1 October (Park Point). This section does not include records found Unacceptable by the Minnesota Ornithological Records Committee.
Released or Escaped Exotics: Egyptian Goose in Freeborn (ABa), Chinese Goose in Dodge (THF), Mandarin Duck in Hennepin (mob), and Ruddy Shelduck shot by a hunter on 14 November at Lake Hanska, Brown Co. (MDNR). Weather Summary: Mostly dry and very mild conditions persisted until November. August was actually one–two degrees cooler than normal across the state. Temperatures throughout September were two–four degrees above normal in all regions and monthly precipitation was about one inch below normal statewide. October was similarly one–two degrees above normal and slightly drier than usual, except in the three north regions (northwest, north-central, northeast) where temperatures were close to normal and precipitation was slightly above average. November produced minimal snow cover but it turned decidedly cool with all regions reporting below normal temperatures; these ranged from 2.5 degrees below normal in the northeast to 5.5 degrees below normal in the southwest. Acknowledgments: Keen observers will notice the absence of Tom Tustison from this season's compilation; we all thank him for his past four years of hard work on the spring and fall seasonal reports. His emphasis on improving the accuracy of our data will be continued. Karl Bardon reviewed this report for continuity with the upcoming winter season; he also made recommendations that improved this report in other ways. Thanks to Kim Eckert and Anthony Hertzel for summarizing reports called in to the MOU “hotlines” in Duluth and the Twin Cities, respectively. Data from Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve were made available by Frank Nicoletti. Early and late dates were compiled by Robert Janssen with assistance from Paul Budde. Median arrival and departure dates were calculated from this data by Paul Budde.
Excellent documentation was provided for the two Least Terns on 12 September at Gabriel (a.k.a. Lone Tree) Lake, the fourth time this species has been found by Paul Egeland near the town of Cottonwood and the sixth record for Lyon County! Previous records near Cottonwood were 26 September 1970 and 10 August 1978 at Sham Lake, and 11–14 August 1985 in a flooded field just south of town. Minnesota now has approximately 16 records for this species, over half of which are from the southwest region! The “northern” owls were scarce, especially the Snowy Owl which was not reported at all. Once again, there were relatively few reports of the Short-eared Owl. After an encouraging peak count of >10,000 last fall, numbers of the Common Nighthawk along the North Shore this August were depressing. Like most previous Minnesota occurrences, the Say's Phoebe at the Resurrection Cemetery in Dakota County could not be relocated. Numbers of Western Kingbirds in Minnesota have remained down since 1993, compared to the previous ten years, making the two migrants at HRNR all the more interesting. Two Scissor-tailed Flycatchers appeared along the North Shore, where this Casual species is most likely to occur in the fall. Thanks to those observers who gave exact locations and numbers of Loggerhead Shrikes this fall; the reported total of 15 is reasonably accurate. The Carolina Wren continued to make a comeback as expected, following the mild winter of 1997–98. Three Mountain Bluebirds and four Townsend's Solitaires were below average numbers. Like last fall, only three Varied Thrushes were reported and none was along the North Shore of Lake Superior. The Sprague's Pipit at Rothsay WMA was a serendipitous find in an unexpected location in late October; the lucky observers were rewarded with incredible views from close range. Except for excellent numbers of the Black-throated Blue Warbler in east-central and southeast Minnesota, and record late dates for a few other species, warbler migration was uneventful. One exception was the Prothonotary Warbler found along the north shore of Mille Lacs in late August. Like last fall, the Summer Tanager was found only along the North Shore in late October! Except for a late November sighting in Ramsey County, this season's records of the Spotted Towhee fall within an emerging pattern of late September/early October occurrences in southwestern Minnesota. Despite the well-documented appearance of a Lark Bunting in Richfield, its status became Casual by the end of 1998. The famous impoundment at the 40th Avenue West/Erie Pier area in Duluth dried up in July; the subsequent profusion of weedy vegetation attracted incredible numbers and varieties of sparrows into early October. Among these was at least one Nelson's Sparrow. This species is rarely detected anywhere in Minnesota during migration and apparently departs the state early; one or two were also reported from three southern Minnesota locations this fall, including a first for Olmsted County that lingered for about two weeks! At least one Smith's Longspur spent about a week at 40th Ave. West in Duluth and another was found in Grand Marais. Smaller than usual flocks of Smith's were found in the usual western Minnesota locations.
The appearance of a Brambling at Audrey Ever's feeder in Hoyt Lakes on 23 October may have been related to the “tremendous irruption” of this species in British Columbia, where at least seven individuals appeared between late October and late November 1998 (North American Birds 53:92–93). Unfortunately, it could not be relocated after its initial day of discovery. It certainly must look tremendous next to Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch on the Ever's yard list! Unconfirmed and Undocumented Reports: Pacific Loons on 18 October in Aitkin County (same bird as the one near Garrison in Crow Wing County?) and 14 November in Duluth; Mississippi Kite on 25 September in Wabasha County; Scissor-tailed Flycatcher on 9 October in Lake County; Lark Bunting(s) in Duluth on 28 September (40th Avenue West) and 1 October (Park Point). This section does not include records found Unacceptable by the Minnesota Ornithological Records Committee.
Released or Escaped Exotics: Egyptian Goose in Freeborn (ABa), Chinese Goose in Dodge (THF), Mandarin Duck in Hennepin (mob), and Ruddy Shelduck shot by a hunter on 14 November at Lake Hanska, Brown Co. (MDNR). Weather Summary: Mostly dry and very mild conditions persisted until November. August was actually one–two degrees cooler than normal across the state. Temperatures throughout September were two–four degrees above normal in all regions and monthly precipitation was about one inch below normal statewide. October was similarly one–two degrees above normal and slightly drier than usual, except in the three north regions (northwest, north-central, northeast) where temperatures were close to normal and precipitation was slightly above average. November produced minimal snow cover but it turned decidedly cool with all regions reporting below normal temperatures; these ranged from 2.5 degrees below normal in the northeast to 5.5 degrees below normal in the southwest. Acknowledgments: Keen observers will notice the absence of Tom Tustison from this season's compilation; we all thank him for his past four years of hard work on the spring and fall seasonal reports. His emphasis on improving the accuracy of our data will be continued. Karl Bardon reviewed this report for continuity with the upcoming winter season; he also made recommendations that improved this report in other ways. Thanks to Kim Eckert and Anthony Hertzel for summarizing reports called in to the MOU “hotlines” in Duluth and the Twin Cities, respectively. Data from Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve were made available by Frank Nicoletti. Early and late dates were compiled by Robert Janssen with assistance from Paul Budde. Median arrival and departure dates were calculated from this data by Paul Budde.
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Species |
Information |
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| Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks | |||||
| Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) | Reported from 19 counties. Peak counts were unimpressive. Early north 9/11 St. Louis (1) SL, 10/4 Itasca BN and St. Louis PS. Early south (summering bird?) 8/21 Washington TEB, 9/12–19 Dakota mob, 10/2 Washington (75) RJ. Late north 11/13 Clay RO, 11/25 Otter Tail DST. | ||||
| Ross's Goose (Anser rossii) | 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. | ||||
| Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) | Reported from only six counties, same as last fall. Early south 9/29 Stearns MJ/DT. Unusual report 10/7 Itasca ABo. Late south 11/13 Olmsted RgS, 11/18 Cottonwood ED. | ||||
| Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) | Reported from 54 counties statewide. Unusually high numbers (e.g. 1,193 on 11/30) lingered on the St. Louis River JN. | ||||
| Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) | All reports: 10/11 Houston (Mississippi R.) EMF, 11/26+ Wright (near Cokato) PBu, TBr et al., 10/1 Rice (two on L. Metogga) TBo. | ||||
| Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) | Reported from at least 16 counties, including adults with young in LeSueur and Rice. Unusual report 9/22 Cook TEB. An injured bird was rescued from a wetland in Lac qui Parle fide FE and taken by the MDNR for rehabilitation. Two groups of four to six swans spent most of November on Mille Lacs L. CMG, mob. Note: For all seasons, please indicate exact numbers of adults and young; except in winter, also give dates seen at breeding areas. | ||||
| Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) | Early north 10/3 Clay RO, 10/10 Wadena PBi, 10/11 Beltrami KB. No representative early south dates. Reported from 28 counties statewide. No Minnesota peak counts greater than 1,000. Numbers were up at the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife and Fish Refuge (FL) but most of these were in Wisconsin waters. Note: Single swans or small groups of swans in any season, and all reports outside of usual migration dates, need documentation in order to minimize confusion with Trumpeter Swans. | ||||
| Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) | Reported from 45 counties statewide. Late north 10/24 Otter Tail mob and Wadena PBi, 10/28 St. Louis JN, 11/29 Clay (1) RO (also see winter report). | ||||
| Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) | Peak count 8/8 Faribault (1,200 at Minnesota L.) KB. Reported from 15 north and 31 south counties. Late north 10/23 Douglas NWi, 10/24 in three counties from the northwest region. Late south 11/30 Lyon RgS; also see winter report. | ||||
| Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) | Peak count 10/20 Lyon (220) RgS. Reported from 6 north and 21 south counties. Late north 10/24 Marshall JJ, 10/25 Polk WM, 11/29 Clay (3) RO; the latter lingered into January! | ||||
| Gadwall (Mareca strepera) | Reported from 30 counties statewide. Late north 11/15 Aitkin CB, 11/16 St. Louis (1) JN (same bird seen subsequently on Duluth CBC?), 11/29 Clay (1) RO. | ||||
| American Wigeon (Mareca americana) | Reported from 29 counties. See winter report for late migrants north and south. | ||||
| Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) | Peak count 11/21 Cottonwood (~1,000) ED. Reported from 40 counties. | ||||
| American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) | Reported from five north and nine south counties. Unusual report 8/16 Big Stone (Thielke L.) KE et al. | ||||
| Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) | Reported from 24 counties. Late north 10/31 Aitkin CB, 11/17–12/4 Duluth (3) JN. See winter report for late south dates. | ||||
| Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) | Peak count 10/16 Faribault (1,500 at Minnesota L.) KB. Reported from 27 counties. Late north 10/31 Aitkin CB, 11/8 St. Louis (3) JN; see winter report for December dates in St. Louis. | ||||
| Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) | Reported from 4 north and 12 south counties. Numbers up in the southeast region FL. No representative late north dates; see winter report. | ||||
| Redhead (Aythya americana) | Peak counts 10/12 Pennington (500) KB, 10/24 Otter Tail (700) DS. Reported from 19 counties. See winter report for late dates north and south. | ||||
| Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) | No significant peak counts. Reported from 30 counties. Late north 11/13 St. Louis JN, 11/16 Carlton LW. See winter report for additional late migrants. | ||||
| Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) | Reported from only four north and five south counties. Only representative late north date: 11/23 Beltrami DJo. See winter report for additional migrants. | ||||
| Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) | Reported from 26 counties. See winter report for late dates north and south. | ||||
| Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) | Only reports: 10/3–26 St. Louis (Duluth) mob, 10/11 Lake of the Woods (two female/immatures at Rocky Point) KB, PS. | ||||
| Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) | Only four reports from Lake Superior. Unusual reports from Mille Lacs L. on 10/11–20 Crow Wing (2) AH and 10/20 Aitkin (2) AH. Also seen 11/7–14 Sherburne (L. Mitchell) mob. | ||||
| White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi) | Only two reports from Lake Superior. More reports than usual from Mille Lacs L., including 10/20 Aitkin (18) AH, 11/25 Crow Wing (Garrison) KB and 11/27 Mille Lacs (5) PS. Unusual St. Louis location on 11/8 (one on L. Vermilion) SS. All other reports: 10/25 Cass (11 on L. Winnibigoshish) KSu, PS, 11/3 Faribault (one on Wells lagoons) RG, 11/14 Kandiyohi (1) RE, RJF, and (no date) Houston FL. | ||||
| Black Scoter (Melanitta americana) | Record high count 10/20 Aitkin (230 on Mille Lacs L.) AH. Eleven reports from Lake Superior, including early arrivals on 9/24 St. Louis (5) mob. Eight reports away from Lake Superior, including 10/2 (earliest date south) Lyon KE et al., 10/23 Swift (female at Lac qui Parle WMA) ABo, 10/25 Norman (two at Ada lagoons) KE et al., 10/29 Goodhue (female on L. Byllesby) DBS, 11/14 Carver (two on L. Waconia) mob. | ||||
| Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) | Six reports from Lake Superior. Only reports south: (no date) Houston FL, 11/28+ Meeker (L. Ripley) DF. | ||||
| Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) | Peak count 11/24 on Mille Lacs L. (200+) KB. Reported from 23 counties. Early north (only date) 8/23 Roseau PS. Early south 10/18 Lyon RgS, 10/19 Hennepin TT and Olmsted DA/BE, 10/20 Swift ABo. Late north 11/30 Beltrami DJo and Crow Wing NJ; also see winter report. | ||||
| Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) | Peak count 11/8 Mille Lacs (~300) PS. Reported from 31 counties. | ||||
| Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) | Peak count 11/21 Ramsey (450) KB. Reported from 21 counties. See winter report for late migrants. | ||||
| Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) | Peak count 11/27 on Lake Pepin (20,000) KB, mob. Reported from 24 counties statewide. Numerous south reports in mid-November, but none earlier than 11/7 Wabasha PBu, 11/11 Carver DN. | ||||
| Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) | Reported from 24 counties. Early south 10/29 Dakota DBS, 11/1 Hennepin SC. Late north 11/25 Aitkin KB, 11/30 Crow Wing NJ. Late south 11/21 Anoka (3) KB, 11/30 Ramsey DS. Also see winter report. This species has a narrow window of fall migration through southern Minnesota. | ||||
| Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) | Peak 10/20 Lyon (110) RgS. Reported from 24 counties. Late north 11/8 Grant SDM, 11/29 Clay RO. See winter report for additional late migrants. | ||||
| New World Quail | |||||
| Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) | No reports. | ||||
| Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys | |||||
| Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) | Reported from 18 south counties, plus 8/6 Becker (hen with nine young) BBe. | ||||
| Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) | Reported from 16 north and 4 south counties. | ||||
| Spruce Grouse (Canachites canadensis) | All reports: 10/10 St. Louis (Comstock Lake) DEv, ME, (no date) Lake fide KE. | ||||
| Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) | Reported from six north counties: Kittson (~30) PS, Roseau (11) KB, PS, Beltrami (7) DJo, Aitkin (max. 16 on 8/22) WN, CB, Itasca CB, and St. Louis (4) AE. | ||||
| Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido) | All reports: Clay, Wilkin (80+) mob. | ||||
| Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix) | Reported from Wilkin, plus 14 south counties. | ||||
| Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) | Reported from 6 north and 32 south counties. | ||||
| Grebes | |||||
| Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) | Peak count 10/17 Anoka (143 on Coon L.) KB. Reported from 18 north and 34 south counties. Many December reports north and south (see winter report). | ||||
| Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) | Early south 9/25 Hennepin PBu, 9/26 Olmsted DA/BE, 10/3 Freeborn ABa. No representative late north dates compared to the 13-year median departure date (11/19). Late south 11/29+ Hennepin SC, 11/30 Dakota SL; also see winter report. | ||||
| Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) | Reported from sixteen north and three south counties. Late north 11/8 Cass PS and Lake LE, 11/26 Becker BK. No representative late south dates. | ||||
| Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) | All reports: 8/18–20 Olmsted DA/BE, 8/30 Marshall JJ, 9/14–16 Dakota TT, mob, 10/3 Morrison MJ/DT. | ||||
| Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) | Peak count 8/10 Todd (489 on L. Osakis) KB. Reported from five north and nine south counties. Unusual location 9/30–10/4 St. Louis (Duluth) mob. Late north 10/24 Marshall JJ. Late south 11/28 Hennepin (L. Minnetonka) KB. | ||||
| CLARK'S GREBE (Aechmophorus clarkii) | Only report: 8/16 Big Stone (Thielke L.) KE et al. | ||||
| Pigeons, Doves | |||||
| Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) | Reported from 20 north and 29 south counties. | ||||
| Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) | Many unsubstantiated claims of up to five birds in Lyon (Lynd) throughout the second half of November. At least three were finally documented 11/27 by PBu et al. Despite the recent spread of this species into the Midwest, this represents only the second Minnesota record. Observers are encouraged to always exclude the very similar Ringed Turtle-Dove by carefully documenting plumage and voice whenever possible. | ||||
| Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) | Reported from 18 north and 37 south counties. Peak count 8/10 Todd (132 in Osakis) KB. | ||||
| Cuckoos | |||||
| Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) | No north reports. All south reports: 8/1 Fillmore (3) FL, 9/16 Houston EMF, 9/18 Houston FL, RJ, and 9/21 Olmsted DA, BE. | ||||
| Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythropthalmus) | All north reports: 8/8 Lake TT, 8/11 Aitkin CB, 8/23 St. Louis KSu, BY. Late south 9/8–9 Ramsey TT, 9/14 Hennepin LE, 9/29 Rice TBo. | ||||
| Nightjars | |||||
| Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) | Late north 9/19 Becker BK and Wadena PBi, 10/10 Otter Tail SDM. Peak counts much lower than usual: 8/23 St. Louis (2,501) JN, 8/24 Lake (1,140) JLi. Late south 9/17 Dakota, 9/18 Hennepin TT, 9/23 Olmsted CH. | ||||
| Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus) | No reports. | ||||
| Swifts | |||||
| Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) | Late north 8/20 Carlton LW, 8/29 St. Louis TW, 9/12 Wadena PBi. Late south 9/4 Anoka RH, 9/19 Brown JSp, 10/5 Hennepin TT. | ||||
| Hummingbirds | |||||
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) | Late north 9/23 Cook KMH, 10/5 St. Louis (Duluth) ME, DEv, 10/7 Aitkin (Wealthwood) CMG. Late south 9/27 Washington TEB, 9/28 Hennepin PBu, 10/3 Hennepin LE. An unidentified hummingbird, most likely a Selasphorus species, was exceptionally late on 11/4 in Duluth fide KE. | ||||
| Rails, Gallinules, Coots | |||||
| Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) | Late south 9/23 Freeborn (dead) ABa, 9/26 Olmsted DA, BE, 10/18 Hennepin (Old Cedar Avenue) SC, 10/22 Hennepin TT. | ||||
| Sora (Porzana carolina) | Late north 9/18 Todd JSK/SDu, 10/26 St. Louis JN, 11/19 (second latest date for the state) Itasca (videotaped at a compost pile) SH. Late south 9/18 Yellow Medicine RgS, 9/26 Olmsted DA, BE, 10/9–11 Hennepin TT, SC. | ||||
| Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) | No reports. | ||||
| American Coot (Fulica americana) | Late north 10/25 Morrison MJ/DT, 11/30 St. Louis JN. Unusual report of a partial albino in concentration of 25,000+ coots on 11/8 Pope SDM. | ||||
| Yellow Rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis) | No reports. | ||||
| Cranes | |||||
| Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) | Late north 10/24 Marshall JJ, 10/25 Morrison MJ/DT, 11/29 St. Louis AE. Late south 10/4 Anoka JH, 11/21 Stearns MJ/DT. Peak count 10/12 Kittson (870) KB, PS. | ||||
| Stilts, Avocets | |||||
| American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) | All reports: 8/9 Meeker (1) RTF, 8/22 Faribault (4) MT. | ||||
| Plovers | |||||
| Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) | Late north 10/12 Marshall (6) PS, 10/13 Polk (49) KB, PS, 10/24 St. Louis (1) TT. Late south 11/1 Faribault JDa, 11/7 Lac qui Parle DN, 11/25 (record late date) Dakota (2) DBS. Peak count 10/10 Faribault (90 at Minnesota Lake) JDa. | ||||
| American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominica) | Late north 10/9 Aitkin CB, 10/13 Cook KMH and Polk KB, PS. Late south 10/13 Hennepin TT, 10/21 Hennepin SC, 11/3 Faribault RG. Peak counts 9/12 Faribault (200) JDa, 10/4 Lyon (107) RgS. | ||||
| Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) | Peak counts 8/9 Anoka (182 in one location, plus 172 at two other sites) KB, 9/12 Lyon (150) RgS. Late north 10/2 St. Louis JN, 10/10 Aitkin WN, 10/17 Lake BSe. See winter report for late south dates. | ||||
| Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) | Late north 9/5 Marshall JJ, 10/15 St. Louis KE. Fewer reports than usual. No representative late south dates when compared to the 13-year median departure date (9/28). | ||||
| Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) | Only report: 9/7 Faribault (Minnesota Lake) LE. | ||||
| Sandpipers | |||||
| Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) | All reports: 8/2 Lincoln and Rock KSu, PS, 8/3 Redwood RJ, 8/9–11 Clay mob, 8/12 Dakota KB, 8/13 Lincoln MRN. | ||||
| Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) | All reports were single birds: 9/5 St. Louis KB, 9/17–23 St. Louis mob. | ||||
| Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica) | All reports: 8/9–14 Clay (max. 5) mob, 9/6 Big Stone (3) LE. | ||||
| Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa) | All reports: 8/9–22 Clay (max. 9) mob, 8/23 Cottonwood (1) ED. | ||||
| Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) | All reports: 8/22 Marshall JJ, 8/24 Faribault FL, 9/5–7 St. Louis mob, 10/10 St. Louis KB. | ||||
| Red Knot (Calidris canutus) | Only report: mid-September Stearns (near Belgrade, date uncertain) PKL. | ||||
| Stilt Sandpiper (Calidris himantopus) | Late north 9/6 Clay GEN, 10/23–25 Polk (2) mob. Late south 9/11 Hennepin TT, 10/10 Faribault JDa. Peak count 9/6 Big Stone (197 at Marsh Lake) LE. | ||||
| Sanderling (Calidris alba) | Late north 8/26 Wadena RJ, 9/5 Marshall JJ and St. Louis KB. Late south 9/11 Hennepin SC, 10/4 Lyon RgS, 11/1 Faribault JDa. | ||||
| Dunlin (Calidris alpina) | Late north 10/10 St. Louis KB, 10/25 Polk WM. Late south 10/24 Hennepin SC, 11/1 Faribault JDa. | ||||
| Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii) | Late north 9/2 St. Louis AE, 9/6 Clay GEN, 10/13 Polk PS. Late south 9/17 Hennepin SC, 9/22 Olmsted DA, BE, 11/1 Faribault JDa. | ||||
| Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) | Late north (only October date) 10/24 Polk NWi. Late south 10/24 Hennepin SC, 11/1 Faribault JDa, 11/3 LeSueur RJ. Peak count 9/6 Faribault (414 at Minnesota Lake) KB. | ||||
| White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis) | No representative late north dates; in recent years, this species has been found in small numbers along the North Shore in late October. Late south 8/25 Sherburne TEB, 9/22 Olmsted DA, BE. | ||||
| Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis) | All north reports: 8/25 Lake (1) JLi, 8/29 Lake (3) JLi, 8/9–14 Clay (max. 12) mob, 8/22–30 and 9/6–7 Clay (max. 2) mob, 9/23 St. Louis (1) fide KE. Very scarce in Duluth, where usually found each fall. Reported from seven south counties; late south 9/13 Faribault LE, 9/20 Carver NWi. First county records 8/13 Blue Earth (Minnesota Lake) RJ, 8/16 Faribault (24 at Minnesota Lake) SR, 8/22 Dodge (6 at Durst Pond) DA, BE. | ||||
| Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) | Late north 10/25 Polk WM, 11/6 St. Louis JN. Late south 11/2 Lyon RgS, 11/6 LeSueur RJ, 11/25 (ties record late date) Dakota DBS. Peak counts 8/8 Faribault (350 at Minnesota Lake) KB, 10/13 Polk (304 at Crookston) KB. | ||||
| Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) | Only representative late north date: 10/12 Polk KB. Late south 10/10 Faribault JDa, 10/17 Lyon RgS, 10/28 Dakota DBS. See summer report for peak count. | ||||
| Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) | Late north 8/11 Polk KB, 8/14 Clay (5) CGj, 8/30 St. Louis ABo. Late south 8/16 Carver (10) LE, 9/8 Meeker RJ, 9/18 Lyon RgS. | ||||
| Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) | Late north 10/25 Polk WM, 10/27 St. Louis KE. Late south 10/24 Lyon RgS, 11/1 Faribault (35) JDa. Peak count 10/16 Faribault (158 at Minnesota Lake) KB. | ||||
| American Woodcock (Scolopax minor) | Late north 10/21 Cook KMH, 10/24 Todd JSK/SDu. Late south 10/13 Meeker MRN, 10/22 Brown JSp, 11/1 Cottonwood ED. | ||||
| Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) | Late north 10/24 Lake TEB, 11/1 Aitkin CB, 11/7 (subsequently overwintered) St. Louis JN. | ||||
| Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) | Late north 9/19 Wadena PBi, 9/21 Cook TEB, 9/28 St. Louis KB. Late south 9/26 Scott WM, 10/3 Washington TEB, 10/19 Olmsted DA, BE. | ||||
| Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) | Late north 9/17 Cook KMH, 9/30 St. Louis NJ, 10/4 Carlton LW. Late south 10/4 Hennepin TT, 10/11 Olmsted CH. | ||||
| Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) | Late north 9/29 St. Louis CB, 10/25 Polk WM. Late south 10/21 Hennepin SC, 10/31 Lac qui Parle DN, 11/1 Faribault JDa. | ||||
| Willet (Tringa semipalmata) | Only report: 9/11 Big Stone (1) MRN. | ||||
| Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) | Late north 10/18 St. Louis KB, 10/24 Polk, St. Louis and Wilkin mob. Late south 11/6 LeSueur RJ, 11/7 Houston FL, 11/16 Olmsted BE. | ||||
| Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) | Late north 8/30 Clay RO, 8/31 Pennington JJ. Late south 9/6 Carver KB, 9/12 Faribault JDa and Lyon RgS. Only significant concentration: 8/9 Big Stone (97 at Beardsley) PS. | ||||
| Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) | Late north 8/23 Roseau (15) PS, 8/24 Clearwater (2) RJ, 8/27–9/6 Clay (max. 5) mob. Late south 9/6 Carver KB and Faribault (13) mob, 10/1 Olmsted DA, BE, 10/10 Faribault JDa. Reported in relatively low numbers from only 13 counties; peak count 8/22 Kandiyohi (19) mob. | ||||
| RED PHALAROPE (Phalaropus fulicarius) | Tenth state record 10/23–24 Polk (juvenile at the Crookston lagoons) PS, mob. | ||||
| Jaegers | |||||
| Parasitic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus) | All Duluth reports: 9/7–28 (at least two adult light-morphs plus one jaeger, sp?) mob, 10/16 (adult intermediate morph) FN et al., 10/20 (age?) fide KE. Minimum of three and more likely four or more individuals for the season. Most unusual was an unidentified jaeger harassing thousands of Bonaparte's Gulls on Lower Red Lake, Beltrami Co. in late August (The Loon 70:243). | ||||
| Gulls, Terns | |||||
| BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE (Rissa tridactyla) | Reported 9/24–26 St. Louis (first-winter off Park Point) PS, AH. This individual also had been found initially on the Wisconsin side of the Superior Entry. | ||||
| Sabine's Gull (Xema sabini) | Only report: 9/24 St. Louis (two juveniles off Park Point) mob. These two plus two more initially had been found on the Wisconsin side of the Superior Entry. | ||||
| Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) | Lingered into December on Mille Lacs L. Late south 11/19 Jackson, McLeod, and Sibley KB; also see winter report. Record high count of approximately 5,000 on 8/27 Beltrami (Lower Red Lake) DJo (The Loon 70:243). | ||||
| BLACK-HEADED GULL (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) | One adult in basic plumage 10/29 Jackson (Spirit Lake) AH, probably the same individual that had been reported in Iowa. Note: Erroneous date shown in photo caption (The Loon 70:241). | ||||
| LITTLE GULL (Hydrocoloeus minutus) | Only report: 9/14–21 Aitkin (adult on Mille Lacs Lake) TJ, mob. | ||||
| Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan) | Unusual reports 8/22 Itasca (Lake Winnibigoshish) PS, 9/25 (adult) and 9/26–10/5 (first-winter) St. Louis (Duluth) mob. Late north 10/13 Polk KB, 11/7 Otter Tail DS, 11/8 Grant SDM. Late south 11/19 Jackson and Sibley KB, 11/26 Rice TBo. Peak count 9/25 Lyon (3,770) RgS. The massive displacement eastward that was detected along the Lower Great Lakes in mid-November (North American Birds 53:12–-19) did not materialize in Minnesota. | ||||
| Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) | See winter report for late north migrants; unusually high numbers lingered into December on Mille Lacs L. and at Canal Park in Duluth. | ||||
| Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) | See winter report for late north migrants. Peak count 10/14 St. Louis (2,888) KB. | ||||
| Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) | All reports: 11/14 St. Louis (second-winter) PS, 11/16 Cook (first-winter) AH, PS, 11/28 St. Louis (adult and first-winter) PS. | ||||
| Iceland Gull (Thayer's) (Larus g. thayeri) | Early north 9/25 (earliest date on record) St. Louis (adult) PS, 9/28 St. Louis (adult, same bird?) KB. Early south 9/30 Hennepin (adult) PBu. First county record 11/23–25 Wright (adult and first-winter at Buffalo Lake) KB, RG, RJ. Peak count 11/28 Dakota (11) KB. Also reported from Cook, Rice. See winter report for late dates north and south. | ||||
| Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) | All reports: 10/14–15 St. Louis (third-winter at the Superior Entry) KB, PS, 10/21–11/19 and 11/28+ Hennepin (fourth-winter or adult at Lake Calhoun) PBu, mob, 11/27 Dakota (third-winter, Inver Grove Heights) KB, 11/28 Dakota (adult in Burnsville) KB. | ||||
| Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) | Reported 10/18 Cook TW, 11/7 St. Louis PS, 11/10 Cook AH, 11/27 Hennepin ABo. | ||||
| Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) | Only documented report: 11/8 Hennepin (first-winter on Lake Calhoun) PBu. Note: Erroneous date in proceedings article (The Loon 71:38). | ||||
| LEAST TERN (Sternula antillarum) | Reported 9/12 Lyon (two at Gabriel Lake) PE. | ||||
| Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) | Late north 10/12 Itasca PS, 10/14 Cass KB, 10/27 Mille Lacs AH. Late south 9/28 Hennepin SC, 10/1 Rice TBo, 10/6 Dakota DBS. | ||||
| Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) | Late north 8/31 Marshall JJ, 9/3 Aitkin WN. Late south 9/6 Brown JSp, 9/8 Pope RJ. | ||||
| Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) | Late north 9/3 Aitkin WN, 10/5 Mille Lacs AH. Peak counts 8/23 Lake of the Woods (120) and Roseau (160) PS. Late south 10/3 Jackson MJC, 10/2–4 Lyon (max. 8) KE, RgS, 10/20 Swift ABo. | ||||
| Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri) | Late north 10/12 Roseau KB, 10/18 Lake KE. No representative late south dates; last reported 9/16 Rice JL. | ||||
| Loons | |||||
| Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata) | Only report: 9/29 St. Louis (juvenile in Duluth) KB. Bardon considered the presence of a reddish throat patch somewhat unusual for a juvenile and referred to an illustration of this in the 1986 identification article by Appleby et al. (British Birds 79:365–391). | ||||
| Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica) | The three individuals seen off Park Point on 10/18 St. Louis KB, PS were unprecedented in number in one location. First county record 11/8 Itasca (L. Winnibigoshish) PS, KSu. Singles were also reported 10/5–20 Mille Lacs AH, PS, 10/11–11/12 Crow Wing AH, 10/11–11/12 Lake KE et al. | ||||
| Common Loon (Gavia immer) | Record high counts 10/20 on Mille Lacs L. (1,688) AH, 10/21 on L. Winnibigoshish (1,599) KSu, PS. Reported from 16 north and 10 south counties. See winter report for late migrants. | ||||
| Cormorants | |||||
| Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) | Peak counts 10/3 Lyon (515) RgS, 10/11 Beltrami (600) KB. Reported from 46 counties. Many individuals throughout the state lingered into December. | ||||
| Pelicans | |||||
| American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) | Peak counts 9/18 Hennepin (500) LE, 9/30 Jackson (400) MJC. Unusual reports 8/29 St. Louis (25 at HRNR) FN, 10/4 Houston (~200) FL with at least one lingering into December. Reported from 40 counties statewide. | ||||
| Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons | |||||
| Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis) | No reports. | ||||
| American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) | Reported from only six counties. Late south 10/23 Cottonwood ED, 11/1 Swift ABo. | ||||
| LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea) | Only report: 10/7 Beltrami (immature near L. Bemidji) DJo, PBD (The Loon 71:48–49). Unexpected location and the latest date on record for Minnesota! | ||||
| Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) | No reports. | ||||
| Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) | No reports. | ||||
| Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) | Reported from two north and seven south counties. Late south 10/10 Hennepin TT, 10/11 Lyon RgS. | ||||
| Green Heron (Butorides virescens) | Peak count 8/24 Polk (10) EF. Reported from 10 north and 21 south counties. Late north 9/20 Kanabec BA, 10/2 St. Louis JN. Late south 9/25 Dakota SWe, 10/10 Goodhue BL. | ||||
| Great Egret (Ardea alba) | Peak count 9/14 Dakota (110) SWe. Reported from Otter Tail in the north and 29 south counties. Late south 10/24 Swift ABo, 10/25 Hennepin (1) TT, 10/28 Houston (1) EMF. | ||||
| Western Cattle-Egret (Ardea ibis) | All reports: 8/1 Rice (3) FKS, BSe, 9/8 Hennepin (1) AH, 9/11 Grant (3) SWa. | ||||
| Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) | Peak count 9/29 Lyon (45) RgS. Late north 11/30–12/2 St. Louis JN. Reported from 58 counties statewide. | ||||
| Ibises | |||||
| Plegadis ibis (Plegadis sp.) | All reports: 10/18 Chippewa and Swift (2) ABo, 10/25 Lac qui Parle and Swift (1) ABo. These unidentified ibises were all seen at the Lac qui Parle WMA and flew across the county line each time; total of two or possibly three individuals. | ||||
| New World Vultures | |||||
| Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) | Peak count 10/3 Hennepin (500+) RJ. Reported from 34 counties statewide. Late north 10/20 Cook PS, 10/27 HRNR FN. Late south 10/28 Stearns SWi/MV and Washington SL. Hawk Ridge total 1,357. | ||||
| Osprey | |||||
| Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) | Record season (total 575) at Hawk Ridge for the second consecutive fall. Reported from 24 counties. Late north 10/16 Cook TW, 10/18 St. Louis (HRNR) FN. Many south reports on 10/3. Late south 10/11 Washington DS, 10/24 Yellow Medicine RgS. | ||||
| Kites, Accipiters, Hawks, Eagles | |||||
| Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) | Early north 10/7 St. Louis (HRNR) FN, 10/12 Roseau (Warroad) KB, PS, 10/13 Polk (Crookston) KB, PS. Early south 10/10 Nobles and Rock AH. Also reported from Becker, Mille Lacs, Aitkin, Carlton, Lake. | ||||
| Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) | Reported from 38 counties. Late north 11/8 Aitkin WN, 11/13 Kanabec AH and St. Louis (HRNR) FN. | ||||
| Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) | Reported from 40 counties. Early south 8/19 Houston EMF, 8/22 Hennepin SC, 8/28 Rice TBo. See winter report for late migrants. | ||||
| Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) | Reported from 25 counties. Late north 11/11 Itasca BN, 11/16 St. Louis (HRNR) FN. | ||||
| American Goshawk (Accipiter atricapillus) | Reported from eight north counties. Four reports south: 9/19 Dakota RH, 11/13 Dakota DBS, 11/15 Goodhue JL, 11/27 Olmsted DA/BE. | ||||
| Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) | Reported from 50 counties. Peak count away from Hawk Ridge 11/1 Winona (40) JL. | ||||
| Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) | Reported within usual range from five north and nine south counties. | ||||
| Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) | Reported in low numbers from 9 north and 13 south counties. Late north 10/10 Wadena PBi, 10/21 St. Louis (HRNR) FN. Late south 10/10 Stearns MJ/DT. Including 3 adult dark-morphs, the Hawk Ridge seasonal total of 9,516 was a record low count (previous low was ~12,600 in 1987). Numbers also down at the Reno hawk watch in Houston Co. FL et al., where only about 50 were counted during peak migration 9/18–21. | ||||
| Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) | Reported from three north and six south counties. No reports after September. | ||||
| Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) | Reported from 67 counties. Among the total of 8,532 at Hawk Ridge were seventy dark-morphs, one adult “Harlan's Hawk” on 10/20, two adult “Krider's Hawks” and two partial albinos. | ||||
| Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) | Reported from 8 north and 17 south counties. Early north 9/27 Becker BK, 10/8 St. Louis (HRNR) FN. Early south 10/4 Anoka DS, 10/21 Freeborn ABa. | ||||
| Screech-Owls, Owls | |||||
| Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) | Reported from two north and seven south counties. | ||||
| Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) | Reported from 12 north and 22 south counties. | ||||
| Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) | No reports. | ||||
| Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) | No reports. | ||||
| Barred Owl (Strix varia) | Reported from 11 north and 20 south counties. | ||||
| Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa) | Seen in Aitkin on several August dates and 11/1–15 WN. Also reported 11/8 St. Louis (Sax-Zim bog) fide KE, 11/26 Cook (Gunflint Trail) fide KE. | ||||
| Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) | All reports: 9/17 Hennepin SC, 10/2 Crow Wing AH, 11/11 Otter Tail SDM, 11/14 Scott LE. | ||||
| Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) | 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. | ||||
| Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus) | Only report: one found dead 11/9 St. Louis (Duluth) AH. | ||||
| Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) | All reports: St. Louis mob, 10/31 Hennepin CMa, 11/23–24 Rice TBo. | ||||
| Kingfishers | |||||
| Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) | Reported throughout the state to the end of the period. | ||||
| Woodpeckers | |||||
| Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) | Late north 10/18 Becker BK, 10/20 Cook KMH, 11/6 Aitkin ABo. Unusual location 8/31, 9/5, 9/20 St. Louis (HRNR) FN. Reported from at least 24 south counties. | ||||
| Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) | Reported from 10 north and 28 south counties. | ||||
| Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) | Late north 10/7 Becker BK, 10/10 Wadena PBi, 11/1 Aitkin RgS. Late south 11/1 Hennepin RJ, 11/27 Chisago RH, 11/28 Nicollet LF. | ||||
| American Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis) | No reports. | ||||
| Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) | All reports: 9/19 and 10/3 Itasca ABo, 10/17 Lake BSe, 10/27 Hubbard (2) DJo, 9/12, 10/27 and 11/4 Cook KMH, plus a seasonal total of eight at HRNR 9/15–11/1 St. Louis FN, mob. | ||||
| Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) | Reported from 21 north and 38 south counties. | ||||
| Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus) | Reported from 16 north and 31 south counties. | ||||
| Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) | Late north 10/11 Aitkin WN, 10/20 St. Louis LW, 11/29 Clay RO. A “Red-shafted” form was seen 9/24 Hennepin (Brooklyn Park) OJ. | ||||
| Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) | Reported from 14 north and 24 south counties. | ||||
| Caracaras, Falcons | |||||
| American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) | Reported from 47 counties. Numbers up in northwestern Beltrami DJo. | ||||
| Merlin (Falco columbarius) | Reported from 13 north and 11 south counties. Eight reports of richardsonii including an early migrant 8/15 Chippewa KE et al. and a female/immature at HRNR on 10/13 (FN). Other “Prairie Merlins” away from their usual western Minnesota range were 9/29 Houston FL, 10/12 Hennepin TT. | ||||
| Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) | Reported from 14 counties. All north reports: Marshall, Becker, Pine, St. Louis. | ||||
| Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) | Only reports: 8/16 Clay (Felton Prairie) RO, 10/15+ Hennepin (airport and along Hiawatha Ave.) LE, mob. | ||||
| Flycatchers | |||||
| Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) | Late north 9/16 Beltrami DJo, 9/19 Wadena PBi. Late south 9/17 Scott RJ, 9/20 Hennepin SC, 9/23 Washington DS. Apparently departed the state earlier than usual. | ||||
| Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) | Few north reports. Unusual location and dates: 9/20 and 9/27 St. Louis (HRNR) FN. Late south 8/15 Swift WM, 8/16 Hennepin WM, 9/24 Yellow Medicine RgS. | ||||
| Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) | Late north 9/7 Aitkin WN, 9/18 Beltrami PBD, 9/19 Wadena PBi. Late south 9/9 Hennepin SC, 9/12 Lyon RgS, 9/26 Rice JL. An amazing 200 were estimated 8/30 Jackson MJC. | ||||
| SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus forficatus) | Two documented reports: 9/29 Cook (Tofte) DSp, 10/24 Cook (Grand Marais) TBr, SR. | ||||
| Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) | Early south 8/2 Scott ABo, 8/3 Hennepin TT, and 8/5 McLeod RbS. Late north 8/22 Clay RO and Beltrami DJo, 8/24 Pennington RJ, 9/6 Aitkin WN. Late south 9/5 Dakota DBS, 9/7 Brown JSp, 9/20 Ramsey TT. | ||||
| Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) | Late north 9/7 Aitkin WN, 9/13 Beltrami DJo, 9/15 Carlton LW. Late south 9/28 Lyon RgS, 10/1 Washington DS, 10/4 Hennepin JDa. | ||||
| Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris) | All reports of vocalizing birds: 8/5 Dakota KB, 8/31 Hennepin LE. | ||||
| Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) | Only report: 8/2 Rice TBo. | ||||
| Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum) | Late north 8/2 Cass MRN, 8/11 Clay KB, and 8/16 Aitkin WN. Late south 8/15 Brown JSp, 8/20 Hennepin SC, and 9/4 Brown JSp. | ||||
| Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) | No north reports. Late south 8/1 Rock KSu, PS, 8/2 Dakota TT, 9/7 Dakota TT. Note: During spring and fall migration, undocumented records of silent Empidonax flycatchers are not published in this report. Please be sure to indicate singing or calling birds on the Seasonal Report form. | ||||
| Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) | Late north 8/31 Cook KMH, 9/7 Aitkin WN, 9/16 Beltrami DJo. Late south 9/6 Dakota TT, 9/14 Hennepin LE, 9/17 Brown JSp. | ||||
| Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) | Late north 10/3 Wadena PBi, 10/12 Cook KMH, 10/16 Kanabec BA. Peak 10/8 Jackson MJC. Late south 10/16 Watonwan DBr, 10/17 Brown JSp and Houston DN, 11/3 Houston EMF. | ||||
| Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya) | Only report: 9/3 Dakota (Resurrection Cemetery) TT. | ||||
| Vireos | |||||
| Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii) | All reports: 8/2 Dakota (Black Dog Lake) TT, 8/10 Winona (two at Prairie Island) CS, 8/29 Waseca (Otisco Twp.) JSe. | ||||
| Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons) | Late north 9/4 Aitkin WN, 9/7 Aitkin (Tamarack) CB, 9/12 Wadena PBi. Late south 9/19 Brown JSp, 9/20 Dakota LE and Ramsey TT, 10/1 Hennepin SC. | ||||
| Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) | Early south 8/21 Rice JLa, 8/28 Hennepin LE, 8/29 Waseca JSe and Olmsted DA, BE. Late north 9/18 Cook KMH, 9/22 Beltrami DJo, 10/3 St. Louis AE. Late south 10/3 Brown JSp, 10/4 Olmsted DA, BE, 10/13 Hennepin SC. | ||||
| Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus) | Early south 8/15 Hennepin SC, 8/21 Rice TBo, 8/22 Olmsted DA, BE. Late north 9/10 St. Louis AE, 9/11 Aitkin CB, 9/12 Carlton LW. Late south 9/22 Carver RJ, 9/26 Carver TBr, 10/1 Hennepin SC. Increased numbers reported by SC, RJ, FL. | ||||
| Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) | Late north 9/2 St. Louis KB, 9/5 Pennington JJ, 9/7 Aitkin WN. Late south 9/18 Hennepin LE, 9/20 Brown JSp and Hennepin SC, 9/25 Anoka TBr and Hennepin TT. | ||||
| Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) | Late north 9/20 in four counties mob, 9/24 Beltrami DJo, 9/26 Itasca ABo. Late south 9/26 Carver WM, 9/28 Stearns MJ/DT, 10/6 Hennepin SC. | ||||
| Shrikes | |||||
| Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) | All north reports: 8/4 Clay (one near Downer) RO, 8/16 Clay (two at Felton Prairie) RO, 10/3 Wilkin SDM, DST. All south reports: 8/6 Washington (Cottage Grove) TEB, 8/12 Washington (White Bear Twp.) fide AH, plus at least nine birds reported 8/1–12 Dakota mob. Most of the latter were in Vermillion Twp. along Emery Avenue, between 160th and 180th Streets. Note: Please continue to give exact locations and numbers for all seasons (per instructions on Seasonal Report form) so that accurate numbers can be determined. | ||||
| Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis) | Early north 10/9 Lake fide KE, 10/17 Aitkin WN and St. Louis FN, 10/18 Wilkin SDM. Peak count 10/20 at HRNR (9) FN. Early south 10/17 Hennepin TT, 10/20 Swift ABo, 10/28 Dakota TT. | ||||
| Jays, Nutcrackers, Magpies, Crows | |||||
| Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) | Reported throughout the normal range. Only one was seen the entire season at HRNR in Duluth. | ||||
| Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) | Reported throughout the state. | ||||
| Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) | Reported throughout the normal range, including 11/16 Becker BBe and two reports from Itasca ABo. Peak count 10/10 Aitkin (16) WN. | ||||
| American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) | Reported throughout the state. | ||||
| Common Raven (Corvus corax) | Reported throughout the normal range, including Anoka JH. Peak 10/21 St. Louis (140 at HRNR) FN; Hawk Ridge total of 2,039 for the season. | ||||
| Chickadees, Titmice | |||||
| Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) | Reported throughout the state. | ||||
| Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) | Reported from four counties within the normal range. | ||||
| Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) | Reported from the southeast region in Fillmore, Houston. | ||||
| Larks | |||||
| Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) | Reported throughout the state. Peak counts 11/5 St. Louis (~100) JN, 10/24 Lyon (86) RgS. | ||||
| Martins, Swallows | |||||
| Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) | Late north 8/25 Red Lake RJ, 9/12 Wadena PBi, 9/14 Aitkin WN. Late south 9/25 Hennepin TT, 10/8 Lyon RgS, 10/10 Rock (5) AH. | ||||
| Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) | Peak migration 8/21 Cass MRN. Late north 10/3 Clay (20) RO, 10/4 Becker DN, 10/5 Aitkin (1) AH. Late south 10/8 Lyon RgS, 10/9 Winona RJ, 10/20 Houston FL. | ||||
| Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) | Only north report after August: 9/3 Wadena PBi. Late south 9/25 Dakota TT, 10/2 Anoka RH, 10/3 Lyon RgS. | ||||
| Purple Martin (Progne subis) | Late north 9/7 Clay (50) RO, 9/7 Aitkin WN, 9/12 Wadena PBi. Peak count 9/5 Washington (100+) DN. Late south 9/16 Lyon RgS, 10/3 Anoka DS. | ||||
| Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) | Record high count 8/14 Lyon (1,020) RgS; MRN also reported “hundreds” during peak migration 8/26 Waseca, 8/28 Brown. Late north 10/3 Clay RO, 10/6 Todd JSK/SDu, 10/22 St. Louis (two at HRNR) FN et al. Late south 10/12 Lyon RgS, 10/18 Swift ABo, 10/24 Hennepin SC. | ||||
| Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) | Late north 9/5 Marshall JJ, 9/12 Wadena PBi, 9/14 Aitkin WN. Only representative late date south: 10/4 Lyon RgS. | ||||
| Kinglets | |||||
| Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula) | Early south 8/29 Hennepin SC, 8/30 Rice TBo, 8/31 Hennepin OJ and Olmsted DA, BE. Peak 10/2 Lyon (23) RgS. Late north 10/24 Otter Tail WM and Cook TBr, 10/25 Morrison MJ/DT, 10/26 St. Louis JN. Late south 10/31 Hennepin SC, 11/4 Brown JSp and Ramsey TBr, 11/7 Hennepin TT. | ||||
| Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) | Reported throughout the state. | ||||
| Waxwings | |||||
| Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) | Early north 9/21 St. Louis (Hoyt Lakes) AE, 10/3 Beltrami DJo, 10/7 St. Louis LW. Peak counts 11/16 St. Louis (465) FN, 11/21 Aitkin (1,000) WN. | ||||
| Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) | Reported throughout the state. | ||||
| Nuthatches | |||||
| Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) | Reported throughout the state. | ||||
| White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) | Reported throughout the state. | ||||
| Creepers | |||||
| Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) | Reported throughout the state. Record (?) high count 9/20 St. Louis (16) BSe. | ||||
| Gnatcatchers | |||||
| Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) | All north reports: 8/1 Crow Wing (2) PP, 8/12 Aitkin CMG, 8/16 Aitkin WN, 8/31 Becker (1) BBe, 9/8 Becker (1) BK. The absence of late fall reports from the North Shore of Lake Superior is unusual for recent years. Late south 9/7 Hennepin SC, 9/13 Anoka RH, 9/18 Hennepin LE and Houston mob. | ||||
| Wrens | |||||
| Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) | All reports: 8/18 throughout the season in Olmsted (Rochester) fide AH, late August in Hennepin (Bloomington) mob, 9/22–26 Chisago (Interstate Park) BSe, 11/21 Hennepin (Golden Valley) ES. | ||||
| Northern House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) | Late north 9/11 Beltrami DJo, 9/18 Todd JSK/SDu. Late south 10/9 Anoka RH, 10/11 Ramsey JDa, 10/13 Hennepin SC. | ||||
| Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis) | Early south 8/31 McLeod RbS, 9/4 Hennepin LE, 9/12 Brown JSp. Late north 10/17 Lake BSe, 10/19 Carlton LW, 10/20 St. Louis JN. Late south 10/25 Brown JSp, 11/9 Hennepin TT, 11/19 Hennepin SC. | ||||
| Sedge Wren (Cistothorus stellaris) | No representative north dates, when compared to the 10/5 median departure date over the past 13 years. Late south (only October dates) 10/7 Hennepin TT, SWe, 10/9 Houston FL. | ||||
| Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris) | No representative north dates, when compared to the 10/4 median departure date over the past 13 years. Peak count 9/17 Lyon (16) RgS. Late south 10/26 Hennepin (3) LE, 11/1 Faribault JDa, 11/15 Hennepin (Old Cedar Avenue) SC. | ||||
| Thrashers, Mockingbirds | |||||
| Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) | Fewer reports than usual. Late north 10/10 Cass MRN, 10/17 Lake BSe and Cook BL, 10/21 Beltrami DJo. Late south 10/12 Lyon RgS, 10/26 Hennepin (Old Cedar Avenue) LE, 11/1–21 Hennepin (Bass Ponds, overwintered) mob. | ||||
| Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) | Very few north reports; one lingered through the end of the period at a Duluth feeder fide KE. Late south 10/24 Lyon RgS, 10/30 McLeod RbS, 11/14 McLeod (different bird, overwintered) RbS and Rice TBo, JL. | ||||
| Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) | All reports: through 8/3 Pipestone (see summer season) RJ, 9/17 Ramsey fide AH, 10/25 Cook (Taconite Harbor) AH. | ||||
| Starlings | |||||
| European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) | Reported throughout the state. | ||||
| Thrushes | |||||
| Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) | Late north 10/25 Otter Tail DS, 10/31 Cook WM, 11/1 Aitkin WN. Many south reports through the end of the period; see winter report for late migrants. Record high count 10/24 Nicollet (150) BBo; additional counts of 61 on 10/13 at HRNR in Duluth (FN) and the same number on 10/18 along Old Cedar Avenue in Hennepin Co. (TT) were also noteworthy. | ||||
| MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD (Sialia currucoides) | All reports: 9/21 Kanabec (male near Mora) AH, 10/20 Lake (female) PS, KE, 10/23 Chippewa (female) ABo. | ||||
| Townsend's Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi) | All reports: 10/16–17 St. Louis (New Duluth) JN et al., 10/23 Becker (Tamarac NWR) BBe, 11/25 St. Louis (HRNR) DEv, DG. One reported without details on 10/20 was early south and would be the first Stearns Co. record in over 50 years! | ||||
| Veery (Catharus fuscescens) | Late north 9/6 St. Louis (Hoyt Lakes) AE, 9/7 St. Louis (Duluth) KB, 9/12 Wadena PBi. Only representative late south date: 9/14 Hennepin TT. Like last fall, there were only a dozen or so reports of this species. | ||||
| Gray-cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus) | Total of only 13 reports statewide. Early north 9/6 St. Louis AE. Early south 8/29 Hennepin RH, 9/2 McLeod RbS. Late north 9/27 Carlton LW and St. Louis LE, 10/17 Lake BSe. Only October report south: 10/9 Mower RRK. | ||||
| Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) | Early south 8/10 Anoka TBr, 8/12 Anoka KB, 8/20 Hennepin SC. Late north 10/2 St. Louis JN, 10/9 Beltrami DS, 10/17 Lake BSe, PS. Late south 10/17 Hennepin TT, 10/20 Lyon RgS, 10/24 Chippewa (1) ABo. | ||||
| Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) | Early south 9/9 Hennepin SC, 9/12 Jackson MJC and Hennepin OJ, 9/16 Brown JSp. Late north 10/10 Aitkin CB, 10/18 Lake LW and St. Louis JN, 10/19 Cook KMH. Late south 11/1 Hennepin SC and Olmsted CH, 11/7 Hennepin TT, 11/17 Rice TBo. | ||||
| Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) | All north reports: 8/5 Todd JSK/SDu, 8/28 Carlton LW. Late south 8/31 Olmsted DA/BE, 9/16–17 Hennepin TT, 9/23–24 and 9/26 Hennepin SC. | ||||
| American Robin (Turdus migratorius) | Reported throughout the state. | ||||
| Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius) | Only reports: 11/4–25 Crow Wing (male) mob, 11/11 Becker (Lake Ida) BBe, 11/11–14 Hubbard (Spider Lake) JMW. | ||||
| Old World Sparrows | |||||
| House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) | Reported throughout the state. | ||||
| Pipits | |||||
| American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) | Early north 8/30 Clay RO, 9/6 St. Louis (HRNR) FN, 9/7 St. Louis KB. Early south 9/8 Meeker RJ, 9/12 Brown BBo and Hennepin TT. Late north 10/31 Carlton LW, 11/1 Aitkin WN, 11/20 (ties latest north date) Pine RJ. Late south 10/13 Lyon RgS, 11/1 Faribault JDa and Hennepin SC, 11/26 Rice JL. | ||||
| SPRAGUE'S PIPIT (Anthus spragueii) | One seen and heard 10/24–25 Wilkin (Rothsay WMA) KE et al. was record late for Minnesota (The Loon 71:53–54). | ||||
| Finches | |||||
| BRAMBLING (Fringilla montifringilla) | Fourth state record 10/23 St. Louis (Hoyt Lakes) AE, AH (The Loon 71:46–47). | ||||
| Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) | Reported from Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Cook, Hubbard, Itasca and St. Louis in the north, with most reports from November. One south report: 11/22 Stearns MJ/DT. | ||||
| Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) | Early north 10/19 St. Louis FN, 10/31 Cook KMH, 11/1 Cass PS (only reported from these three north counties). One south report: 10/23 Chisago (2) RH. Overall, quite scarce this season. | ||||
| House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) | Reported throughout the state. | ||||
| Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) | Reported throughout the north. Early south 9/16 Hennepin SC, 9/20 Brown JSp, 10/12 Ramsey TT. | ||||
| Redpoll (Common) (Acanthis f. flammea) | Early north 10/13 St. Louis FN, 10/24 Carlton LW, 10/31 St. Louis WM. Few north reports, mostly of individuals. No south reports. | ||||
| Redpoll (Hoary) (Acanthis f. exilipes) | No reports. | ||||
| Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) | Reported from Aitkin, Clearwater, Cook, Hubbard, Lake, and St. Louis in the north. High count at Hawk Ridge on 10/22 of 215, with a seasonal total of 1,095 (FN). One south report: 11/23 Anoka KB. | ||||
| White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera) | Many reports from St. Louis (mid-August through the end of November), with other reports only from Aitkin and Lake. | ||||
| Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) | Reported throughout the north. Early south 9/7 Hennepin SC, 10/3 Rock WM, 10/4 Dakota DBS. | ||||
| American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) | Reported throughout the state. Nesting as late as 8/13 in Ramsey (nest with four eggs, fide TT). | ||||
| Longspurs and Snow Buntings | |||||
| Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) | Early north 9/18 St. Louis FN, 9/19 St. Louis SWe, 9/21 Cook TEB, KMH. Early south 9/12 Faribault RJ, 9/18 Houston RJ, 9/22 Hennepin TT. Late north 10/24 Polk and Wilkin mob, 11/8 St. Louis SS. Hundreds still present in southwestern part of the state on 11/19 (KB). | ||||
| CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR (Calcarius ornatus) | Only reports were from Clay (Felton Prairie): 8/11 KB, 8/16 RO. | ||||
| Smith's Longspur (Calcarius pictus) | More reports than usual: 9/26–10/2 St. Louis (40th Avenue West) MH, mob, 10/9–10 Cook (Grand Marais) KE, mob, 10/13 Clay (11 at Felton Prairie) KB, PS, 10/23–25 Wilkin (8+ at Rothsay WMA) KE et al., 10/24 Cottonwood (25 at Jefferson Petroglyphs) DA/BE. | ||||
| Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) | Early north 10/13 Cook KMH, 10/14 Becker BBe and Cass KB, 10/15 Itasca BN. Early south 10/18 Dakota DBS, 10/31 Lac qui Parle DN, 11/7 Wabasha PBu. | ||||
| Towhees, Sparrows | |||||
| Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) | All reports: 8/2 in three south counties, 8/3 Pipestone RJ and Redwood RJ, 8/11 Clay KB, 9/22 Todd JSK/SDu. | ||||
| Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) | All reports: 8/15 Lac qui Parle KE, 8/21 Anoka RH, 8/31–9/2 Lake JLi, 10/3 Rock KE. | ||||
| LARK BUNTING (Calamospiza melanocorys) | Only documented report: 8/25 Hennepin (MSP Airport) TT, m.ob., 9/28 St. Louis (40th Ave. West in Duluth) SR. [Corrected] | ||||
| Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) | Late north 10/21 St. Louis NJ, 11/21 Cass MRN, 11/23 St. Louis KE. Late south 11/1 Faribault JDa and Houston NWi, 11/19 Houston EMF. | ||||
| Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) | Late north 10/8 St. Louis FN, 10/15 Cook KMH. Late south 10/1 Stearns MJ/DT, 10/2 Dakota DBS, 10/6 Houston FL. | ||||
| Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) | Only north report: 10/3 Morrison MJ/DT. Late south 10/25 Brown BBo, 10/26 Stearns MJ/DT. | ||||
| Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) | Early north 9/19 Cook KMH, 9/20 St. Louis BSe, 9/24 Aitkin CB and Beltrami PBD. Early south 9/20 Hennepin SC, 9/24 Lyon RgS, 9/27 Brown JSp. Late north 11/1 Wadena PBi and Aitkin WN, CMG, 11/18 St. Louis LW, 11/24 Cook KMH. Late south 11/16 Scott LE, 11/25 Ramsey RH, 11/27 Houston EMF. | ||||
| American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea) | Early north 9/13 Aitkin CB, 9/21 Becker BBe, 10/1 St. Louis TW. Early south 9/27 Carver RH, 10/3 Olmsted BE, 10/13 Hennepin SC. | ||||
| Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) | Reported throughout the period north. Early south 9/12 Hennepin SC and Anoka RH, 9/15 McLeod RbS and Mower RRK. | ||||
| White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) | Early north 9/7 Cook KMH and St. Louis KB, FN. Early south 9/12 Hennepin SC, 9/16 Washington DS, 9/19 Anoka JH. Late north 11/11 St. Louis JN, 11/24 Cook KMH. Late south 11/6 Olmsted DA/BE, 11/7 Goodhue PBu. | ||||
| Harris's Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula) | Early north 9/17 St. Louis AE, 9/18 St. Louis FN, 9/21 Cook TEB. Early south 9/16 Hennepin TT, 9/24 Lyon and Yellow Medicine RgS, 9/27 Rice TBo. Peak number 10/8 Lyon (55) RgS. Late north 10/22 Cook KMH, 10/24 Wilkin WM, NWi, 11/8 St. Louis JN. | ||||
| White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) | Early south 8/21 Anoka RH, 8/24 Brown JSp, 8/28 Hennepin TT. Peak count 10/2 Lyon (88) RgS. Late north 11/21 Aitkin WN, 11/23 Carlton LW, 11/24 Cook KMH (also see winter report). | ||||
| Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) | Late north 10/9 Todd JSK/SDu, 10/10 Wadena PBi, 10/18 Lake LW. Late south 10/18 Dakota SWe, Hennepin SC, and Swift ABo. | ||||
| LeConte's Sparrow (Ammospiza leconteii) | Early south 9/20 Hennepin TT, 9/21 Olmsted DA/BE. Late north 8/16 St. Louis TW, 8/22 Aitkin WN, 9/28 Todd JSK/SDu. Late south 10/9 Houston RJ, 10/16 Kandiyohi RJF, 10/19 Hennepin TT. | ||||
| Nelson's Sparrow (Ammospiza nelsoni) | All reports: 9/7 Hennepin (Brooklyn Park) OJ, 9/17–10/2 Olmsted (E. Landfill Reservoir) CBe, mob, 9/20 Hennepin (MSP airport) TT, 10/2–4 St. Louis (40th Avenue West) DBe, mob. | ||||
| Henslow's Sparrow (Centronyx henslowii) | No reports. | ||||
| Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) | Late north 10/13 Clay PS, 10/22 Cook KMH, 10/24 Wilkin WM, NWi. Late south 11/1 Faribault JDa and Hennepin SC. | ||||
| Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) | Late north 10/18 St. Louis PS, 10/24 Marshall JJ and Wilkin NWi. Reported throughout the period south. | ||||
| Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) | Early south 8/31 Hennepin TT, 9/2 Washington WL, 9/4 Dakota DBS and Scott RJ. Late north 10/18 St. Louis PS, 10/21 Clay CN, 10/24 Wilkin NWi. Late south 10/18 Dakota SWe, 10/21 Ramsey RH, 10/25 Hennepin SC. | ||||
| Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) | Late north 10/24 Wilkin NWi, 10/28 St. Louis JN, 11/1 Cook KE. Late south 11/8 Rice JL, 11/27 Hennepin SC (see winter report for additional sightings by SC). | ||||
| Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) | All reports: 10/3 Rock (1) and Pipestone (2) KE, WM, 10/10 Rock AH, 11/21 Ramsey JH. | ||||
| Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) | Only north report: 8/15 Wadena PBi. Late south 10/4 Hennepin SC, 10/17 Fillmore DN, 11/1 Houston NWi. | ||||
| Yellow-breasted Chat | |||||
| Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens) | No reports. | ||||
| Blackbirds, Orioles | |||||
| Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) | Late north 9/12 Wadena PBi. Late south 8/29 Waseca JSe, 9/8 Big Stone and Faribault LE, 10/8 Lyon RgS. | ||||
| Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) | Late north 9/2 Clay RO, 9/5 Wadena PBi, 9/29 St. Louis PS. Late south 10/6 Hennepin SC, 10/12 Hennepin TT. | ||||
| Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) | Late north 10/18 Aitkin WN, 10/24 Carlton LW. Late south 10/8 Dakota DBS, 10/10 Hennepin SC, 10/29 Sherburne RH. | ||||
| Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) | Late north 11/11 Becker BBe, 11/29 Wilkin SDM. Late south 10/24 Lyon RgS and Hennepin SC, 11/21 Watonwan ED. Late silent meadowlarks not identified as to species included 11/1 Cass PS, 11/27 Lyon TBr, PBu, TT. | ||||
| Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) | Late north 8/15 Wadena PBi, 8/22 Clay RO. Only south report: 8/15 Swift WM. | ||||
| Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) | Late north 9/2 Beltrami PBD, 9/21 Aitkin WN, plus lingering into December (12/20) at a feeder in Douglas fide PBu. Late south 9/8 Nicollet LF, 9/10 Washington WL, 9/11 Brown JSp. | ||||
| Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) | See winter report for overwintering north. Reported throughout the south. An estimated 100,000 were in a single flock 10/30 Steele RJ. | ||||
| Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) | Late north 8/22 Aitkin WN, 8/30 St. Louis ABo. All south reports after August: 9/29 Lyon (88) RgS, 10/2 Dakota DBS, 10/18 Hennepin TT, 10/20 Hennepin SC, 10/24 Lyon RgS. | ||||
| Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) | Early north 9/18 Itasca ABo, 9/27 St. Louis FN, and 9/28 Aitkin CB. Early south 9/17 Scott RJ, 9/21 Hennepin LE and Olmsted DA/BE. Late north 11/13 St. Louis JN, 11/19 Aitkin CMG. Late south 11/11 Freeborn ABa, and 11/14 Hennepin OJ. | ||||
| Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) | Late north 10/9 Todd JSK/SDu, 11/7 Otter Tail DS, 11/8 Grant SDM. Late south 10/24 Lyon RgS, 10/25 Stearns MJ/DT, 11/2 Waseca OJ. | ||||
| Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) | Reported throughout the period, north and south. | ||||
| Warblers | |||||
| Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) | Late north 9/13 Beltrami PBD, 9/19 Itasca ABo, 9/20 Carlton LW. Late south 9/27 Mower RRK, 10/3 Hennepin TT, 10/21 Hennepin SC. | ||||
| Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) | No reports. | ||||
| Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) | Late north (all September reports) 9/1 Aitkin CB, 9/7 Aitkin CB and St. Louis KB, 9/27 Carlton LW. Early south 8/7 Hennepin TT, 8/11 Brown JSp, 8/13 McLeod RbS and Anoka TBr. Late south 9/27 Hennepin SC, 10/1 Ramsey JDa, 10/3 Hennepin TT. | ||||
| Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) | Late north 8/23 Carlton LW, 8/24 Clearwater RJ and Beltrami PBD, 8/30 Aitkin WN. Late south 9/8 Rice TBo, 9/13 Hennepin TT, 9/24 Hennepin SC. | ||||
| Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera) | Late south 8/27 Houston (2) FL, 8/30 Rice JL, 9/13 Houston (1) EMF. | ||||
| Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) | Late north 9/24 Beltrami DJo, 9/26 Itasca ABo, 10/4 Carlton LW. Late south 9/23 Olmsted DA, BE, 9/26 Hennepin TT, 10/9 Hennepin SC. | ||||
| Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) | Exceptional north location and first county record 8/29–30 Aitkin WN, CMG. All south reports: 8/1 and 8/6 Hennepin TT, 8/8 Rice TBo, 8/11 Ramsey RJ, 8/12 Dakota KB. | ||||
| Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina) | Early south 8/10 Anoka TBr and Hennepin LE, 8/13 Anoka TBr, 8/14 Rice JLa. Late north 10/1 Aitkin CMG, 10/3 Carlton LW, 10/22 St. Louis mob. Late south 10/10 Goodhue BL, 10/11 Olmsted CH, 10/12 Hennepin TT. | ||||
| Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata) | Early north 8/15 Aitkin WN, 8/18 Aitkin CMG, 9/1 St. Louis AE. Early south 8/21 Anoka RH and Rice JLa, 8/22 Olmsted DA, BE, 8/30 Hennepin BSe. Late north 10/1 Hubbard DJo, 10/3 Carlton LW, 10/11 Beltrami DJo. Late south 10/19 Hennepin RJ, 10/21 Anoka RH, 10/25 Hennepin TT. | ||||
| Nashville Warbler (Leiothlypis ruficapilla) | Peak migration 8/22 Beltrami DJo. Late north 9/28 Aitkin CB, 10/1 Todd JSK/SDu, 10/6 Aitkin CMG. Late south 10/12 Lyon RgS and Hennepin TT, 10/15 Hennepin SC, 10/24 McLeod RbS. | ||||
| Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis) | Early south 8/18 McLeod RbS, 8/30 Hennepin SC. Late north 8/30 St. Louis ABo, 9/15 Becker BBe, 9/20 Aitkin CMG. Late south 9/15 Houston FL, 9/16 Hennepin SC. | ||||
| Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia) | Early south 8/14 Washington TEB, 8/18 Hennepin SC. Late north 9/6 Cook KMH, 9/7 St. Louis KB, 9/27 St. Louis FN. Late south 9/15 Brown JSp, 9/29 Lyon RgS and Hennepin TT. | ||||
| KENTUCKY WARBLER (Geothlypis formosa) | No reports. | ||||
| Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) | Late north 9/27 Aitkin CB, 9/28 Clearwater PBD, 9/29 St. Louis CB. Late south 10/9 Hennepin TT, 10/25 Hennepin SC. | ||||
| Hooded Warbler (Setophaga citrina) | No reports. | ||||
| American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) | Late north 10/10 Aitkin WN, 10/17 Carlton LW, 10/24 Lake JLi. Late south 10/4 Hennepin SC, 10/7 Brown JSp, plus two record late dates at Lake Calhoun, Hennepin Co., apparently referring to the same individual: 11/14 (SC) and 11/22 (LE). Both records were well-documented by these two experienced observers. | ||||
| Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) | Early south 8/20 Hennepin SC and Rice JLa, 8/22 Hennepin TT and Olmsted DA, BE. Late north 9/3 Itasca BN, 9/5 Aitkin WN, 9/13 Aitkin CB. Only September reports south: 9/5 Goodhue SWe, 9/14 Dakota SWe. Peak counts 8/8 Lake (10) TT, 8/14 St. Louis (9) KB. | ||||
| Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea) | No reports, same as last fall. | ||||
| Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) | Early south 8/16 Hennepin TT and Rice TBo, 8/18 Hennepin SC, 8/21 Anoka RH and Dakota SWe. Unusual location 8/24 Polk RJ. Late north (only dates after mid-September) 9/18 Cook KMH, 9/27 Carlton LW. Late south 9/25 Anoka TBr, 9/26 Brown JSp and Hennepin SC, TT, 10/1 Ramsey JDa. | ||||
| Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) | Early south 8/13 Anoka TBr, 8/15 Hennepin SC and Rice TBo, 8/16 Hennepin TT. Late north 9/22 Cook KMH, 9/24 St. Louis LW, 9/26 Itasca ABo. Late south 9/22 Anoka TBr and Hennepin PBu, 10/5 Washington DS, 10/9 Hennepin SC. | ||||
| Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea) | Early south 8/15 Hennepin SC, TT, 8/16 Hennepin TT, 8/18 Carver RJ. Late north 9/13 Carlton LW, 9/19 Itasca ABo, 9/20 St. Louis BSe and Cook KMH. Late south 10/22–23 Hennepin PBu, SWe, 10/25 Hennepin SC, TT, 11/1 (latest date south) Faribault JDa. | ||||
| Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) | Early south 8/2 Olmsted CH, 8/10 Anoka TBr, 8/12 Rice TBo. Numbers down in Hennepin SC. Late north 9/11 Aitkin CB and Carlton PBD, 9/12 Wadena PBi. Late south 9/18 Houston RJ, 9/26 Hennepin TT, 10/6 Houston (1) FL. | ||||
| Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) | Late north 9/7 Aitkin WN and St. Louis KB, 9/10 Becker BK, 9/12 Wadena PBi. Late south 9/24 Lyon RgS, 9/25 Hennepin PBu, TT, 10/3 Pipestone WM. | ||||
| Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) | Late north 9/11 Clay RO, 9/12 Wadena PBi, 9/13 Carlton LW. Late south 9/16 Hennepin LE, 9/18 Houston RJ, 9/26 Brown JSp and Hennepin SC, TT. | ||||
| Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) | Early north 8/26 Clearwater RJ, 9/3 Aitkin WN, 9/5 Clay RO. Early south 8/15 Brown JSp, 8/20 Anoka TBr, 8/21 Rice TBo. Numbers down in Hennepin; only three individuals seen by SC. Late north 9/13 Carlton LW, 9/18 St. Louis DS, 9/20 St. Louis BSe and Cook KMH. Late south 9/16 Dakota SWe, 9/22 Carver RJ, 10/2 Hennepin TT. | ||||
| Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) | All north reports: 8/11 and 8/20 Aitkin (female) CMG, 9/28 Pennington (female in Thief River Falls) JJ, 10/10 Otter Tail SDM. Excellent migration in the southeast region and the Twin Cities area, especially in Hennepin where SC reported a minimum of three females and two males 8/27–9/23 at Cedar Lake alone; others were at Wood Lake 8/20 (female) and 9/10–13 (male) both LE, Roberts Sanctuary 9/4–5 (female) TT, PBu, plus four additional reports in Hennepin with locations not given. All south reports outside of Hennepin: 8/15 Anoka (Rice Creek Park) CF, 8/23 Kandiyohi RJF, 8/31 Olmsted DA, BE, 9/4 Rice TBo, 9/5 Goodhue SWe, 9/16 Rice JLa, 9/20 Ramsey TT, 9/22 Carver RJ, 9/23 Olmsted DA, BE, 10/11 Olmsted CH, JHo. | ||||
| Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) | Early south 8/30 Hennepin TT, 8/31 Dakota TT, 9/3 Hennepin SC. Peak count 9/12 St. Louis (~50) TW. Late north 10/15 Cook KMH, 10/18 Lake BSe, 10/19 St. Louis JN. Late south 10/22–23 Hennepin PBu, SWe, 10/25 Hennepin SC, TT, 11/1 Faribault JDa. | ||||
| Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) | Late north 9/12 Carlton LW and St. Louis SS, 9/16 Beltrami PBD, 9/19 St. Louis AE. Total of only three reports south; no representative dates when compared to the median departure date (9/25) over the past 13 years. | ||||
| Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) | Early south 8/21 Anoka RH, 8/27 Washington DS, 8/30 Anoka MM, LMi. Peak migration 9/17 Beltrami DJo, 9/23 Lyon RgS, 9/26 Cass MRN, 9/28 St. Louis TW. Late north 10/27 Itasca BN, St. Louis JN and Cook KMH, 11/29 Aitkin CB. Unusual report of “Audubon's Warbler” 10/31 Cook (Grand Marais) mob. Late south 10/27 Dakota LE, 10/31 Hennepin SC, 11/6 Brown JSp. | ||||
| Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) | Early south 8/15 Brown JSp, 8/18 McLeod RbS, and 8/19 Rice JLa, JL. Numbers down in Hennepin SC. Late north 9/19 Carlton LW, 9/23 Cook KMH, 10/10 St. Louis LE, 10/18 (ties latest date north) Lake KE et al. Late south 9/27 Hennepin SC, 10/3 Ramsey TT, and 10/4 Dakota DBS. | ||||
| Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) | Early south 8/16 Hennepin SC, 8/18 Rice TBo, 8/20 Carver RJ. Late north 9/6 Clay GN, 9/18 St. Louis SL, 9/19 St. Louis TT. Late south 9/20 Brown JSp, 9/24 Hennepin LE, 10/6 Lac qui Parle FE. | ||||
| Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) | Early north 8/7 Aitkin CMG, 8/8 Lake TT, and 8/15 Clearwater ABo. Early south 8/15 Lac qui Parle WM and Anoka CF, 8/16 Hennepin SC. Late north 9/5 Lake RO, 9/7 St. Louis KB, and 9/8 Clay CN. Late south 9/14 Brown JSp, 9/24 Hennepin TT, 11/27 (latest date for the state) Hennepin SC. | ||||
| Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks | |||||
| Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) | Only report: 10/17–19 Lake (Two Harbors) BSe, MH, mob. | ||||
| Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) | Late north 9/12 Otter Tail SDM, 9/28 Aitkin CMG, 9/29 Todd (bird with injured wing) JSK/SDu. Late south 9/25 Anoka TBr, 9/26 Hennepin SC, 10/5 Mower (2) RRK. | ||||
| Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) | Reported from Aitkin, Becker, Kanabec, Morrison, Otter Tail, St. Louis, and Todd in the north, and throughout the south regions. | ||||
| Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) | Late north 9/19 Becker BK, 9/27 Wadena PBi, 10/24 Lake JLi. Late south 10/1 Hennepin SC, 10/3 Carver RJ, 10/4 Washington JDa. | ||||
| Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) | Only reports: 8/2 Pipestone and Rock (3) KSu, PS, 8/3 Lincoln and Pipestone (2) RJ. | ||||
| Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) | Late north 9/5 Wadena PBi, 9/7 Aitkin WN, 9/10 St. Louis SL. Late south 9/25 Houston EMF, 9/26 Hennepin TT, 10/4 Ramsey JDa. | ||||
| Dickcissel (Spiza americana) | All reports: 8/2 Lincoln, Pipestone and Rock KSu, PS, 8/2 Lyon RgS, 8/3 Redwood and Rock RJ, 8/22 Olmsted DA/BE. | ||||