Except for a sudden warm-up in the middle of March, it could be said that there was no spring this year. For the most part it was very cold through the first half of May, and then suddenly warm during the rest of the month. We seemed to have gone directly from winter into summer during the weekend of May 13-14.

March temperatures were about average on the whole; the first and last thirds were cold, but the middle was very warm. Most of the state had near normal March precipitation, though southern parts were drier than normal, and the north-central was wetter. Most snow cover in the state melted away suddenly during the midMarch warm-up.

April temperatures averaged about 3° below normal across the state, with the first week of the month no less than 10° below normal! Precipitation was above normal in the southwest, but below normal in the north. By the 15th, the lakes in the northern twothirds of the state were still icecovered, and by the end of the month lakes were still frozen north of a line from Mille Lace Co. to East Grand Forks!

May averaged warmer than usual, especially in the north which was about go above normal, making it one of the 3 warmest Mays in history in that area! Generally the eastern half of the state was drier than normal, while the west received as much as 2112 times the normal rainfall. By the second week of May all lakes were finally free of ice, but the western 20-30 miles of Lake Superior was 100% icecovered into June!

All of this had an adverse effect on migration. Just about every observer complained about the dull spring, especially shorebirds and warblers.

There were good influxes in midMarch and mid-May to match the sudden warming, but the rest of the season was disappointing. KE and PE were joined by HK on May 20 for the third Big Day attempt, but even though things were much better organized than the previous 2 years, we only managed 153 species in the 90° temperatures. Most migrants had already flown north with the heat, while others never arrived during the earlier cold, so we settled for the same total as in our first year.

Nevertheless, a record 297 species were recorded, which means that there were enough rarities to make up for the lack in commoner migrants. However, some of these records are open to question, as are many of the unusual dates reported. Never have we used so many Requests For Details forms. However, because of the new format in this report, a summary of the better records will not be listed here as was customary.

There were 61 observers this spring, which is only a slight increase over the past 2 years. As usual, northern observers are particularly scarce: there were only 17 of them as compared to 44 in the south.

Finally, a word about the new style of this report. At the time of this writing (Oct. 29) this report is 2 months behind schedule, and only 3 weeks ago hardly any work had been done on it. Had the usual procedure of compiling early and late dates for all migrants been continued, this report would have been another month behind.

This type of report is much easier to compile and write, and much more interesting and readable. The old style was followed only because information on arrival and departure dates of many migrants is incomplete, and in the old format such data was supplied. So there is something to be said for both styles. I know what I prefer, and I know what some of my "bosses" prefer, but let's hear what the readers want in their magazine.

Loons through cormorant: A peak of 200 Common Loons was seen on 5-2 In Lake of the Woods Co. (J. Mcintyre). Red-throated Loons were noted 3 times at Duluth, on the early date of 4-25, on 5-11 when 4 were seen, and the latest on 6-4 (MMC, PH). On 4-27 at Duluth 5000 Horned Grebe were counted (MMC). There were 13 Eared Grebe reports from 4-19 on, with a peak of 5 seen In Lyon Co. (PE, RBJ). Late White Pelicans were seen In Jackson Co. on 5-28 (KE), and a peak of 400 Double-crested Cormorants was In Pope Co. on 5-31 (BH).

Herons, etc.: Little Blue Herons were noted at 2 locations: a sub-adult was seen way out of range at Virginia, St. Louis Co. on 5-27 thru 5-29 (R.

Carlson), and adults were seen at Lake Johanna, Pope Co. (where they later nested) on 5-19 and 5-31 (BH) Cattle Egrets occured mostly In the west. Single birds were seen on 5-20 and 5-28 In Stevens Co. (KE, PE, HK), and on 5-25 at Ashby, Grant Co., where they later nested (KE). This species again nested at Lake Johanna, Pope Co., and an average of 10 were seen there from 5-12 on (BH). Migrants were also seen at RothsayWildlife Area In Wilkin Co. where 3 were found on 5-27 (KE), and 2 were also noted at LaCrescent, Houston Co. (FL). A Common Egret was seen by many observers north of Its normal range near Canyon, St. Louis Co. from 4-12 to 4-17, and at Duluth on 4-18 (same bird?) (PH). A Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was out of range at Lake Johanna, Pope Co. from 5-7 on (BH). The species was noted 3 times at Its usual Houston Co. area from 4-28 on. Least Bitterns continue to be overlooked: they were only at Goodhue Co. on 5-14 (EB), and in Wright Co. from 5-25 to 5-30 (BH).

Swan and geese: On 4-8 In Wabasha Co. 5000 Tundra Swans was an impressive peak (RBJ).

The best Canada Goose peak was only 2500 In Blue Earth Co. on 3-19 (EK). There were 7 White-fronted Goose reports: 18 In Cottonwood Co. from 3-19 to 3-27 (LR), Olmsted Co. on 3-23 (CW), 50 on 4-1 in Renville Co. (KE), 4-23 In Ottertail Co. (KE, JG), 4-26 in Aitkin Co. (JB, T'Sl. 5-2 In Sherburne Co. (SR), in Marshall Co. on 5-11 (AR), and many observers had one from 4-3 to 5-16 in Hennepin Co. A peak of 500 Snow Geese was at Lac qui Parle Co. on 4-16 (BH).

Ducks: Agassiz NWR again recorded some veryhigh and accurate waterfowl peaks: Mallard, 4780; Gadwall, 4016; Northern Pintail, 950; Green-winged Teal, 1040; Blue-winged Teal, 6810; American Widgeon, 1180; Shoveler, 970; Wood Duck, 326; Redhead, 2360; Ring-necked Duck, 3640; Lesser Scaup, 20,060; Common Goldeneye, 4000; Bufflehead, 510; RuddyDuck, 850. A Cinnamon Teal drake was seen on

4-12 and 4-17 at Sherburne NWR (SR), and another was seen sometime in April by someone in Murray Co. somewhere (fide, more or less by someone named HK), On 4-16 in Wabasha Co. a peak of 1000 Canvasback occured (JAB). Greater Scaup were identified in 13 counties from 3-11 to 4-27, with a peak of 200 in Aitkin Co. on 4-16 (JB, TS).

A late Lesser Scaup was seen in Cottonwood Co. on 5-24 (LF), a late Common Goldeneye on 5-20 in Stevens Co. (KE, PE, HK), and a late Bufflehead in Marshall Co. on 5-23 (AR). There were 2 Long-tailed Duck reports: 4-16 in Lake Co. (M. Penner), and 20 In Cook Co. on 5-25 (MMC). No less than 7 Harlequin Ducks appeared: a flock of 5 was at Rochester, Olmsted Co. on 4-14, and 2 were at Walker in Cass Co. on 4-16. White-winged Scoters were seen on 4-18 in Lake Co. (M. Penner), 5 on 5-13 in Cook Co. (JJ), on 5-19 in Duluth and Lake Co. (BL), and 5 in Duluth on 5-23 (JAB). Four Surf Scoters were at Duluth on 4-25 (MMC), and 2 Common Scoters were seen In Lake Co. on 5-23

(JAB).

Hawks, etc.: Early Wild Turkey Vultures were found on 3-28 in Hennepin Co. (VL) and on 3-29 in Aitkin Co. (LP). Eight Northern Goshawks were seen in St. Louis, Crow Wing, Washington and Hennepin Cos. from 3-2 to 5-23. A Krider's Red-tailed Hawk was identified on 5-20 in Stearns Co. (KE, PE, HK). An earlyRed-shouldered Hawk showed up north of Its sup

posed range on 3-14 in Crow Wing Co. (J. Rosenband), and another was seen farther west than normal in northwest Nicollet Co. on 4-1 (KE).

Broad-winged Hawks were reported twice in March, but with no substantiating details. There were 7 Swainson's Hawks reported, but two of them from mid-March with no details. The other 5 records were: 4-9 In Cottonwood Co. (LR), 4-22 In Hennepin Co. (OJ), 4-26 in Grant Co. (KE), 5-20 in Ottertail Co. (MS), and on 5-28 in Lac qui Parle Co. (KE). An early Rough-legged Hawk was In ClayCo. on 3-4 (LCF), and a late one was In Sibley Co. on 5-7 (ES). There were 2 Ferruginous Hawks reported: on 4-16 in Clay Co. (EA), and on 3-31 at Lac qui Parle Wildlife Area In Chippewa Co (BLR. Glassel, L. Campbell, A. Bolduc, D. Rhume): Golden Eagles were seen on 3-28 In Carver Co. (VL), on 4-9 In Hennepin Co. (VL), on 4-19 in Carver Co. (MM) and Wright Co. (ES), In Marshall Co. on 4-20 and 4-26 (AR), on 4-23 in Goodhue Co. (EB), and in Jackson Co. on 5-6 (HH). About 74 Bald Eal(les were reported (15 adults. 21 lmmatures, 38 unknown), from St. Louis, Clearwater, Cook, Itasca, Cass, Mille Lacs, Crow Wing, Clay, Dakota, Sibley, Marshall, Faribault, Sherburne, Wabasha, Big Stone, Hennepin and Goodhue Cos.

Thirty-four Ospreys were recorded from St.

Louis, Clearwater, Cook, Beltrami, Itasca, Cass, Mille Lacs, Lyon, Crow Wing, Olmsted, Cottonwood, Sherburne, Wright, Wabasha, Stevens and Scott Co's. No less than 6 Peregrine Falcons were seen, which may be some sort of spring record: on 3-11 at Waterville, LeSueur Co. (BDC), 3-14 to

3-22 in Hennepin Co. (OJ), in Wright Co. on 4-23

(BH)., in Marshall Co. on 5-3 (AR), on 5-10 in

Duluth (MMC), on 5-13 in Yellow Medicine Co.

(RBJ). There were 8 Pigeon Hawk reports: on 3-12

in Hennepin Co. (OJ), on 4-1 in Crow Wing Co.

(TS), on 4-8 in Grant Co. (KE), on 4-23 in Aitkin

Co. (JB, TS), in Clay Co. on 4-25 and 5-4

(LCF), on 5-16 in Itasca Co. (WHL), on 5-25 in

Cook Co. (MMC), and on 5-28 in St. Louis Co.

(BDC). A American Kestrel was involved in a housing

shortage on 4-24: while "looking at my duck house

for a possible nest, a Blue Jay attacked it (the

hawk)." And earlier on 4-7 in the same house:

"have a Eastern Screech-Owl in wood duck house in

back yard" (JJ).

Grouse through coot: The only Spruce Grouse

were 2 on 5-23 at Lost Lake, St. Louis Co. Greater Prairie Chickens are still easy to find at RothsayWildlife Area, Wilkin Co. An average of 35-40 were seen by many observers until 5-10. Another was seen near Felton, Clay Co. on 5-27 (KE). Sharptailed Grouse were listed 4 times: on 4-14 in St.

Louis Co. (MMC), 12 in Aitkin Co. on 4-21 and 4-22 (JG, JB. TS, RBJ), and on 4-23 in Carlton Co. (JG). Northern Bobwhite were again absent from the southeast and continue to be seen farther west (introduced birds?): 2 on 4-13 at Mountain Lake, Cottonwood Co. (LF). Gray Partridge were more widespread than usual, appearing in 14 counties: Clay, Cottonwood, Faribault, Murray, Blue Earth, Watonwan, Wilkin, Wabasha, Dakota. Nobles, Rice, Scott, Nicollet and McLeod Cos. Wild Turkeys have become established in a wild state in Whitewater Wildlife Area, Winona Co. Several observers have seen and heard birds from March throughMay in the vicinity of Beaver. There were 13 Sandhill Crane reports from 4-9 through 5-28 in Clay, Marshall, Blue Earth, Sherburne, Clearwater, Wilkin, Jackson. Morrison, Ramsey and McLeod Cos. A peak of 95 was at Marshall Co. on 4-16 (AR), and 81 were in Clay Co. on the same date (EA). In fact, on 4-16 cranes were seen in 4 counties by 5 observers! Rails showed UP early in Lyon Co.: a Vir.l!inia Rail was seen on 4-20 and a Sora on 4-4 (HK). A Univ. of Minn. student did research this spring and summer on the Yellow Rail at the Waubun, Mahnomen Co. marsh. As of 5-28 he had caug-ht 12 rails, and when asked to estimate the number oresent in the area, he

could only say "hundreds." Only 3 Common Gallinules were found: on 5-9 in Houston Co. fFLl, on 5-14 in Goodhue Co. (EBl. and on 6-1 in Hennepin Co. (ES). A peak of 13,710 American Coot was counted in Marshall Co. on 4-26 (AR).

Shorebl rds: After two consecutive years, shorebirds this suring were very disappointing. Even the Marshall sewage ponds could not oroduce very good numbers. There was a peak of 50 Semipalmated Plovers in Aitkin Co. on 5-23 (JB), and one was there on the late date of 6-3 (TS). PipingPlovers were in Duluth by 4-26, and as many as 12 were observed through May by many people.

American Golden-Plovers peaked well in Cottonwood Co.: 2500 were estimated on 5-13 and 5-14

(LF. LR). A very early Black-bellied Plover was in Lyon Co. on 4-16 (HK), and a late one was in Aitkin Co. on 6-15 (TS). An early American Woodcock was in Crow Wing Co. on 3-20 (JB), and the species was also noted on 5-23 in Marshall Co. (AR), which Is one of the few records from the

western prairie counties. Another woodcock, ob

viously a Republican, "flew into window of Gov.

Elmer (?) Anderson's city residence -recovered and flew off." A Lone~-billed Curlew was In Aitkin Co. from 4-20 to 4-23 (JB, TS, JG. RBJl. There were only 6 Willet reports, 3 of them from Duluth where they are uncommon: 6 on 4-28. and 1 each on 5-15 and 5-23 (MMC, JG, JAB). Marshall onlv had 1 on 5-4 (HK). and the other 2 were In Sibley (ES) and Hennepin (OJ). The sewage pondsdid produce some early dates: Lesser Yellowle.l!s on 3-26 (HK). Pectoral Sandpiper on the same date (HKl, 2 Baird's Sandolpers on 3-31 (BL), Least Sandpiper on 4-9 (HK, KMl. and SemlpalmatedSandpiper also on 4-9 (HK). The only Knot was inland at Frontenac, Goodhue Co. on 5-20 (AFR). A Whlte-rumped Sandpiper was late In Lyon Co. on 6-3 (PE), as was a Baird's Sandpiper in Aitkin Co. on the same date (TS). On 6-3 late Least and Semipalmated Sandolpers. Dunlin and Sanderling were also In Lyon Co. (PE). There were 6 dowitcher

reports with call note data: Long-billed in Ottertail Co. on 5-13 (KE) and in Aitkin Co. on 5-17 (JB, TS); Short-billed in Grant Co. on 5-6 (KE), in Stearns Co. on 5-14 (DCF), on 5-16 and 5-17 in Cottonwood Co. (LR), and on 6-2 in Aitkin Co. (TS).

Stilt Sandpipers were identified in Mille Lacs Co. on 5-23 (MI), 5-17 in Cottonwood Co. (LR), and by many observers in Lyon Co. from 5-16 to 5-21.

Western Sandpipers appeared at 3 locations: 5-6 to 5-31 in Lyon Co. with a peak of 8 on 5-21 (HK, KM), 4 in Cottonwood Co. on 5-25 and 5-26 (LR), and on 6-1 In Duluth (PH). Marbled Godwits appeared early on 4-9 in Wilkin and Lyon Cos. (KE, HK), and a peak of 54 was counted in Wilkin Co. on 4-15 (KE). The Hudsonian Godwit was seen

7 times: 3 on 4-13 and 4-20 in Lyon Co. (HK), on 4-28 in Mille Lacs Co. (MI), in Chippewa Co. on 4-29 (RBJ), on 5-6 in Ottertail Co. (KE) and Cottonwood Co. (LR), 9 in Lyon Co. on 5-13 (PE, RBJ), and 8 on 5-23 in Aitkin Co. (JB, TS). The American Avocet only appeared twice, on 5-4 at Cottonwood, Lyon Co. (HK), and on 5-13 at Minneapolis, Hennepin Co. (many observers).

Gulls and terns: Glaucous Gulls were In Duluth on 3-7 and.4-27 (MMC), and in Lake Co. from 3-11 to 4-15 with a peak of 13 on 3-26 (manyobservers). Iceland Gulls also showed up in Du• luth on 3-10 and 4-29 (MMC) and at Two Harbors, Lake Co. on 3-24 and 3-26 (JG). An early Franklin's Gull was In Lyon Co. on 3-21 (HK). A peak of 1000 Bonaparte's Gull was estimated at Duluth on 5-12 (MMC). The most puzzling report of the season was of 2 adult winter-plumaged Little Gulls

on 3-25 at Red Wing, Goodhue Co. (VL). If correct, this would be the first state record. The birds were seen well at close range, but the written details were somewhat vague. (See p. 56 in the Summer Loon). The rear white wing edgingtypical of this species was described as "a whitish edging of the wings and tips." This is open to question. Also the Little Gull in all plumagesshows very blacli:ish wing linings. The details read: "these were not black, but dark enough to contrast with the white edgings." This Is open to question. The other problem Is that the Little Gull is known on the Great Lakes only In the fall, not In the spring, and not along inland rivers. Like I say, a most puzzling report. EarlyForster's Tern were noted on 4-4 In Nobles Co. (HH) and on 4-9 in Lyon Co. (HK). If identifications were correct, Common Terns were the earliest on record: 4-11, 4-14 and 4-16 In HennepinCo. (VL, CH).; on 4-11 and 4-15 In Cottonwood Co. (LR). Caspian Terns were seen from 5-4 to 6-1 In Duluth, Mille Lacs, Ottertail, Lac Qui

Parle, Goodhue, and Lyon Cos.

Cuckoos and owls: A Yellow-billed Cuckoo was early on 5-6 in Goodb,'Ue Co., as was a Blackbilled on 5-4 in Wabasha Co. (CW). Snowy Owls

were observed in Duluth, Cook, Clay, Ottertail, Anoka, Dakota, and Hennepin Cos. from 3-1 to 4-28. The Hawk-Owl that had wintered in the SaxZim area of St. Louis Co. remained until 4-8.

The Burrowing Owl continues to decline in the state; the only one observed was a migrant at Dalton, Ottertail Co. at 4-15 (fide KE). Longeared Owls appeared in Nobles, Wright, Carver, Hennepin, and Murray Cos. and in Duluth from 3-10 to 5-2. Short-eared Owls were seen from 3-26 on In Cottonwood, Hennepin, Scott, Dakota, Grant, Wilkin, Ottertail. Clay and Marshall Cos. A Boreal Owl was found dead in Duluth on 3-19 (M.

Kohlbry). Northern Saw-whet Owls were observed 5 times: In Clearwater Co. (RD), from 3-21 into May in Mt.

Lake, Cottonwood Co. (LR), one found dead at Paynesville, Stearns Co. on 3-18 (BH), many observers saw one at Eden Prairie, Hennepin Co. on 3-22 and 3-23, and from 5-6 to 6-17 at Deerwood1

Crow Wing Co. (TS)\ All in all it was a gooa season for owls.

Eastern Whip-poor-will through flycatchers: Whip-poorwills were more common than usual; they were In Clay, St. Louis, Cook, Crow Wing, Hennepin1Freeborn, Lac qui Parle, Sherburne, Itasca ana Renville Cos. from 5-3 on. A concentration of 113 Northern Flickers was observed In a half hour in Clay Co. on 4-17 (LCF). The Red-bellied Woodpecker continues to be "resident" north in Crow Wing Co. (JB, TS). By far the most outstanding find of the year was a Williamson's

Sapsucker on 4-22 at Worthington, Nobles Co., for a first state record (HH). The bird was a female and was excellently described (see p. 52 in the last issue of The Loon). Two Northern 3-toed Woodpeckers were last seen on 3-5 near Deerwood, Crow Wing Co. to top off last winter's invasion (TS). Western Kingbirds were observed from 5-14 in Grant, Clay, Stearns, Lac qui Parle, Lyon Marshall Big Stone, Murray, Wright, Morrison, Pope, Anoka, and Hennepin Cos. Scissor-tailed Flycatchers showed up for the first time in recent years, both along the North Shore. One was at Lutsen, Cook Co. on 5-16 (fide JP), and another was at Duluth on 5-24 (MMC, JG): could they have been the same bird? Two very early flycatchers were observed on 4-5 with no details. a Least Flycatcher In Washington Co. (WWL) and an

Eastern Wood Pewee banded in Rice Co. (OR).

Swallows through wrens: An early Tree Swallow arrived In Houston Co. on 3-25 (FL), and a Cliff Swallow was also early on 4-8 In Crow Wing Co. (TS). Two Black-billed Magpies were at Thief Lake, Marshall Co. on 4--30 (MS), and one was at Gary, Norman Co. on 5-12 (EA). Common Ravens drifted south of their usual range at 3 locations: on 3-12 at Taylor's Falls, Chisago Co., good details (JAB); on 4-1 at Onamia, MUle Lacs Co. (MI); and on 3-22 in Ottertail Co., no details (AMB). A peakof 150 was at Duluth on 3-5 (JG). A Clark's Nutcracker was at a feeder in Duluth for one dayonly on 3-9 (Mrs. L. Nylander). Boreal Chickadees were seen twice in Lake Co. on 3-11 and 4-15 (KE, JG, RBJ). Tufted Titmice were seen 7 times In Hennepin, Fillmore, Wabasha, Washington and Goodhue Cos. Winter Wrens were early In Fill

more Co. on 3-25 and in Hennepin Co. on 3-26

(RBJ). A Carolina Wren was observed on 5-11 in Goodhue Co. (CW).

Northern Mockingbird through Starlinq: Seven Northern Mockingbirds were reported: 4-19 in Olmsted Co. (CW)14-30 at St. Paul, Ramsey Co. (B. Smith), 5-10 at Tofte, Cook Co. (JP). 5-21 and 5-25 at Duluth (MMCPH), 5-25 at Little Marais, Cook Co. (MMC), ana 1 on 5-31 at Braham, Isanti Co. (WHL). A partialalbino Robin, white above and orange below, was observed in Grant Co. on 5-2 (KE). Wood Thrush are definitely on the increase in northern Minn.

There were 7 reports from northern counties: 5-10

and 5-17 In Crow Wing Co. (JB, TS), 5-13 at Agassiz NWR, Marshall Co. (AR) and at Dixon Lake, Itasca Co. (MS), 5-14 near Forada, Douglas Co. (KE), at Duluth on 5-17 and 5-28 (JG, ES), and in Clearwater Co. on 5-26 (RD). Several thrushes arrived extremely early if identifications were correct.

Wood Thrush on 4-11 in Olmsted Co. (CW), and on 4-16 in Sherburne Co. (SR); Swainson's Thrush on 4-11 in Cottonwood Co. (LF); Graycheeked Thrush on 4-5 in Rice Co. (OR), and on 4-16 in Ramsey Co. (JJ); Veery reported with gooddetails on 4-23 in Ramsey Co. (BH). It is likelythat most of these were Hermit Thrush. Speakingof Hermit Thrush, one was reported to have been In Ramsey Co. on 4-7 "flitting in Vadnais." Eastern Bluebirds were early on 3-11 in Rice Co. (OR\ and in Lyon Co. (HK). A Mountain Bluebird turned up at Agassiz Refuge in Marshall Co. on 3-15 and 3-16. American Pipits were only found in 2 counties: In Olmsted Co. on 4-1 (CW), and In Lyon Co. on 3-26.,4-9, 4-14 and 4-29 (HK, KM, PE). A Sprague'sPipit was reported with no details from St. Joseph, Stearns Co. on 5-17 (MC), and another was at the usual spot In Clay Co. on 6-2 (PE). Bohemian Waxwings were present in Grant Co. from 3-3 to 3-17 (KE), In Mille Lacs Co. on 3-8 (MI), In ClayCo. on 3-12 and 3-25 (LCF), in Carver Co. on 3-24 (MM), In Duluth on 4-9 and 4-15 (LM, K. Sundquist), and in Hennepin Co. on 4-25 (OJ). Late Northern Shrikes were reported on 5-6 in Murray

Co.. no details (AD), and on 5-27 in Duluth: seen

at 100 ft., "mask stopping at the bill" (CH). An early Loggerhead Shrike was in Hennepin Co. on 3-14: "eyeline or mask met over the bill, clear breast" (ES, VL). As for the Starling, we are reassured by one observer that they are "alwayswith us like death and taxes" (CH).

Vireos and warblers: The Bell's Vireo was a bit north of its usual range in Goodhue Co. on 5-9

(JAB), in Ramsey Co. on 5-11 (RH), and at Burnsville, Dakota Co. on 5-27, 28, and 29 (PE). Six

observers reported the Prothonotary Warbler, making it more common than usual: 5-10 in Olmsted Co. (CW), 5-11 in Hennepin Co. (BDC), 5-13 in Houston Co. (FL), 5-14 in Houston Co. (EB), 5-16 in Hennepin Co. (MM), and in Goodhue Co. on 5-20 (RBJ). Black-throated Blue Warblers were seen in Washington Co. on 5-2 (J. Olyphant), on 5-12 in Hennepin Co. (BDC, CH), and on 5-23 in St.

Louis Co. (JAB). A Pine Warbler was early in Cottonwood Co. on 4-22 (LR). Louisiana Waterthrush were also more common this spring: they were in 6 southeast counties from 5-1 on. The Connecticut Warbler was seen in 7 counties from 5-7 to 5-27. A late Mourning Warbler was still in Hennepin Co. on 6-6 (PF). The Yellowbreasted Chat continues to be scarce: the only one present was in Faribault Co. on 5-12 (SK). For the most part, warblers were down in all areas.

House Sparrow through grosbeaks: House Sparrows seem to be driving Cottonwood Co. to drink: one observer reported, "our township Is loaded." Eastern Meadowlarks were reported twice in the northwest quarter of the state: on 3-20 In Ottertail Co. (AMB), and 2 collected near Itasca State Park in Clearwater Co. was the first local record (R. Oehlenschlager). Orchard Orioles were reported from 6 counties from 5-12 to 5-26. Two Summer Tanagers turned up In w<'!Stern Minn.: one was at Detroit Lakes, Becker Co. from 5-3 to

5-7 (fide EB), and another was in rural Lac Qui Parle Co. on 5-17 (Mrs. L. Christianson). These are the 8th and 9th state records (see the last issue of The Loon for details). Northern Cardinals appeared4 times In the northern half of the state: one was reported with no date at Gonvick, Clearwater Co. (RD), on 5-14 one was at Deerwood, Crow Wing

Co. (TS) and another was near Forada in DouglasCo. (KE), and on 5-26 one was at Ashby, Grant Co. KE). A very early Rose-breasted Grosbeak was at Sherburne NWR on 4-5. No details were submitted, except that the observer said he was verysurprised to see it (SR). A female Black-headed Grosbeak was at a feeder in West St. Paul, Dakota Co. from 4-19 to 4-26, and a hybrid Blackheaded X Rose-breasted was banded in Washing. ton Co. on 5-11 (J. Olyphant). Two Blue Grosbeaks were at Blue Mounds State Park in Rock Co. on 5-19 (S. Gilbertson).

"Winter" finches: After last winter's invasion, finches were still widespread this spring. Hundreds of Evening Grosbeaks were in Itasca Co. on

4-18 and 4-19 (MS). Pine Grosbeaks lingered Into late April and May in Washington Co. on 4-18 (WHL), in St. Louis Co. on 4-29 (NH), and In Mille Lacs Co. on 5-3 (MI). Either redpolls were being misidentified in mass, or the Hoary Redpollstaged the greatest migration ever. No less than 12 observers identified this species In 11 different counties. Birds were seen throughout March in Lyon, Crow Wing, Hennepin, Wright, Washington, Chisago, Grant, Clay, Morrison, St. Louis and Lake Cos. The species also lingered well Into April: 4--1 In St. Louis Co. (NH), 4-9 and 4-13 in Duluth (MMC, JG), 4-10 in Grant Co. (KE), and until 4-19 in Crow Winl( Co. (TS). A very late peak of Common Redpolls was in Cook Co. when 1000 were estimated on 5-19 (JP). A Greater Common Redpoll was banded in Chisago Co. (FKS).

Two adult Pine Siskins were observed feeding a juvenile in Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., which indicates probable nesting there (VL), and In the same area a late siskin was seen on 6-5 (EB).

Red Crossbills were seen In Duluth. Clearwater, Chisago, Washington and Hennepin Cos. in March and early April, and as late as 5-16 in Duluth (MMCl. White-winged Crossbllls are usually not as common. but they were quite widespread, appearing in 9 counties: Duluth, Crow Wing, Lyon, Mille Lacs. Nobles, Hennepin, Cottonwood, Stearns and Ramsey Cos. Reports in May were from Nobles Co. on 5-3 and 5-6 (HH), and in Duluth on 5-18 and 5-12 when 100 were present (K. Sundquist).

Sparrows and longspurs: A possible earlySavannah Sparrow was described In Wabasha Co.

on 3-18: "forked tail, no central spot, song not that of Song Sparrow" (OJ ). A possible Baird's Sparrow was observed singing for 20 minutes at Salt Lake, Lac qui Parle Co. on 5-21 (FN). LeConte's Sparrows were seen on 4-22 in Scott Co. (PE), 4-30

in Cottonwood Co. (LF), 5-7 in Wilkin Co. (KE), 5-11 Mable Coyne, MC in Cook Co. (JP), 5-20 in Dakota Co. (RBJ), 5-25 in Marjorie M. Carr, MMC Aitkin Co. (TS), and in Wilkin, Clay, and Ella May Dahlberg, ED Marshall Cos. on 5-27 (KE). Two Henslow's SparRichard C. Davids, RD rows were singing far north of their usual Mrs. Arnold DeKam, AD range near Forada, Douglas Co. on 5-14 (KE). The Whitney and Karen Eastman, WKE only Nelson's Sparrow was at the Waubun Kim R. Eckert, KE marsh, Becker Co. on 6-2 (PE). Lark Sparrows Alpha and Fred Eckhardt, AFE were more widespread than usual: from 4-18 to Paul Egeland, PE 5-27 in Dakota, Nobles, Hennepin, Cook, Clay, Laurence and Carol Falk, LCF Nicollet, Lyon, Sherburne and Renville Cos. A Mrs. Loren A. Feil, LF peak of 500 Dark-eyed Juncos was in Rice Co. David and Carol Fiedler, DCF on 5-22 (OR). Dark-eyed Juncos were observed in Pepper Fuller, PF Duluth, Grant, Ottertail, Cottonwood, Lac qui Janet C. Green, JG Parle Faribault, Lyon, Wright, Hennepin, RamHarold R. Hanson, HRH sey, Carver and Morrison Cos. An early Chipping H. Hatlelid, HH Sparrow was noted without details on 3-26 in Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Hawkinson, WH Jackson Co. (HH). A Field Sparrow was also noted Nels J. Hervi, NH without details north in Ottertail Co. on 5-3 Bruce A. Hitman, BH (AMB). A Harris's Sparrow that was seen early P. B. Hofslund, PH in Olmsted Co. on 3-4 may have wintered (AFR). Robert E. Holtz, RH Fox Sparrows were early on 3-11 in OlmCharles L. Horn, CH

sted Co. (CW) and in Hennepin Co. (OJ), M. Ivanovs, MI

and on 3-12 in Wabasha Co. (WDM). Two Robert B. Janssen, RBJ very late Fox Sparrows were in Wa-shington Co. Joan Johnson, JJ on 5-28 (WWL). An apparent suicide was comOscar L. Johnson, OJ l! mitted by a lonely Lincoln's Sparrow in Richard H. Jorgensen, RHJ Clearwater Co.: on 5-12 it "killed itself on Earl D. Kopischke, EK J window (only one)" (RD). Lapland Longspurs

Mrs. Sherwood Krosch, SK were noted from 3-12 In Lyon Co. when 2300 were

Henry C. Kyllingstad, HK counted (KM, HK), until 5-25 in Duluth (PH). Mrs. Robert Leach, RL They were also noted from Nicollet, Aitk'in, Hen

Mrs. William H. Lender, VL nepin, Grant, Wilkin, Ottertail, Clay, and Rice

F. Z. Lesher, FL Cos. One Smith's Longspur was found among Bill Litkey, BL the 2300 Laplands In Lyon Co. on 3-12 (KM, HK).

William H. Longley, WHL Chestnut-collared Longspurs were noted at the Mrs. w. \V. Lundgren, WWL usual location in Clay Co. on 4-29 and 5-27 (JB,

Lester T. Magnus, LM KEL A flock of about 100 longspurs were at

Don and Wvnn Mahle, DWM Rothsay Wildlife Area, Wilkin Co. on 4-23 and at

Kevin Martell. KM least 12 of them were Chestnut-collared, (KE, JG).

Mary H. Muehlhausen, MM Addenda to Winter Report: Two Green-winged

Fran Nubel, FN Teal were at Fergus Falls1 Ottertail Co. on 12-18,

Jean Peterson, JP and a Canvasback was there all winter (KE). Alden F. Risser, AFR

Lester Rupp, LR