Spring 1991 was characterized by cool and wet conditions over much of Minnesota. A series of cold fronts brought precipitation which replenished underground aquifers in many areas and set the stage for flooding in the south. Away from northwestern Minnesota, the drought of the late 1980's was over. Still, pockets of low moisture persisted in some northern counties and the complete recovery of species such as Sedge Wren and Nelson's Sparrow remained in doubt.

March opened with waterfowl migration already underway, as usual. Ross' Geese were found in several areas, including eleven birds in one Traverse County flock! One of the few spring occurrences ever for Brant was an individual in Cottonwood County on the 29th and a Harlequin Duck was observed for two weeks on the Mississippi River in Sauk Rapids. Spring migration of raptors also continued throughout March but it is difficult to summarize and remains poorly understood, especially compared to fall migration at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve. Observers who never get tired of watching Great Gray Owls (all of us?) enjoyed the conclusion of the largest invasion of this species ever documented in the state! Short-eared Owls returned early and in good numbers, welcome news for this troubled species.

April was mostly wet and cool, a pattern that continued throughout May. The temperatures were actually very close to normal, but the windy and warm springs of the past few years have skewed our perceptions of "normal." Several species of sparrow returned early with the Lark Sparrow in Duluth notable for its location, early date, and willingness to be easily observed for over a week.

Shorebird migration is normally one of the hallmarks of late spring, but this year's migration was an enigma. Despite excellent habitat in flooded fields and probably an average amount of coverage by observers in the western region, flocks were elusive. The early dates listed for some species are misleading, in that early arrivals were not followed by an orderly progression of migrants. For some shorebird species, the dates listed were virtually all the birds that were reported. A few strays were discovered, such as the Marbled Godwit on Sand Point, Frontenac, that should have been elsewhere by the 29th of May.

Some observers speculated that weather held back shorebird migration in general, so that many flocks simply overflew the state as soon as conditions permitted.

Snowy and Cattle Egrets made a good showing this spring, starting with the annual M.O.U. Salt Lake Weekend. An adult Little Blue Heron remained near Coon Rapids Dam, Anoka County, for five days. White-faced Ibises were found in two locations but the headline news from the ibis family was the Glossy Ibis at Heron Lake, Jackson County.

It was in the company of two White-faced Ibises and conclusively documented by Kelly McDowell's photograph on 15 May. Hopefully, outstanding records such as this will generate enthusiasm and support for the Heron Lake Area Restoration Project (The Loon 61: 108-114).

The state's second record of Curve-billed Thrasher was remarkable in many respects.

Its discovery at "little known and seldom birded" Staring Lake Park in Eden Prairie, reflected the diligent coverage of Hennepin County by Steve Carlson throughout each year. The scores of observers who lined up with spotting scopes to share the experience during a weekend of pouring rain, walked away with much more than a new addition to their state lists.

The highlight of the passerine migration was the steady, extended migration of warblers throughout May, especially in the southern region. Blackpoll Warblers were widespread, but no Kentucky Warblers were found. Rare warblers included a Yellow-throated Warbler along the Minnesota River on the incredibly early date of 7 April and another in Goodhue County on I May. Two Worm-eating Warblers were reported but could not be refound, a typical pattern. Yellow- breasted Chats went unreported, for the second consecutive spring.

Many other unusual or interesting events were sprinkled throughout spring migration in 1991. The immature Black-legged Kittiwake on 30 March in Winona County, was an unusual spring occurrence. The Gyrfalcon at the Felton Prairie, Clay County on I May concluded an influx of this species into Minnesota (and other states) in 1990-91. The Spruce Grouse displays in Lake County were awesome to behold and another spring record for jaegers should encourage observers to look for them on Lake Superior in May. The pair of Mountain Bluebirds returned again to nest in Marshall County, a most welcome encore! Sprague's Pipits have made the field along Sprague Creek, Roseau County, famous.

Several rare tanagers were found and the brief appearance of a male Lazuli Bunting at Wirth Park, Hennepin County on 21 May was tantalizing. Many more outstanding records await your interest in the following pages!