Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon
The 2011-Spring Season
1 March through 31 May 2011
Paul E. Budde, Robert M. Dunlap, Douglas W. Kieser, James W. Lind, and William C. Marengo

A pair of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks found in Watonwan was the tenth record for the state. Record numbers of geese were found in the West-central region in late March and early April. Also nearby in Grant was the 17th state record of Brant in early April. Cinnamon Teal were discovered in Grant and Lac qui Parle in April. A King Eider at Park Point, Duluth, was the state's 18th and the 3rd record in the spring. Three Harlequin Ducks were seen, all on Lake Superior. Though no Surf or Black scoters could be found, White-wingeds were located in five south counties and in St. Louis. Long-tailed Ducks were in three south counties, Roseau, and in all three Lake Superior counties. An adult male Barrow's Goldeneye first found in Wright in the winter season lingered through early March, while another was discovered in St. Louis in April. A lone Red-throated Loon in Isanti and up to five in St. Louis were all found in May. Also in May were the only two Pacific Loons seen — one in Lac qui Parle and the other on Leech Lake.

Eared Grebes migrated more easterly than usual and produced first county records for Chisago and Kanabec. The only Clark's Grebe was in Nicollet. Snowy Egrets were found in nine counties, predominantly along the western edge of the state. Little Blue Herons were in Sibley and Rice, while Cattle Egrets made appearances in 16 counties. The only Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was photographed along a street in a Twin Cities suburb. The fourth state record of Glossy Ibis, and third since 2005, was discovered in Fillmore. White-faceds were found in nine counties, while flocks of 21 ibis in Lyon and 9 in Nicollet were left as Plegadis sp.

Another species found with increasing regularity is Black Vulture. One found in May in Ramsey was the sixth state record. Lac qui Parle produced several interesting raptors, including a Ferruginous Hawk in March and a Prairie Falcon in May. Common Gallinules were in four south counties, including a very cooperative individual visiting a small marsh in a Minneapolis suburb.

An American Golden-Plover was record early in Otter Tail. Piping Plovers were found in Lac qui Parle and Wright. Another very early migrant was a Whimbrel at Park Point in April, while one at the end of the season was a first county record for Kittson. Red Knots were seen in late May in Wright and Lac qui Parle. Buff-breasted Sandpiper is normally not found in Minnesota during spring migration, but one was photographed in Lac qui Parle in mid-May.

An adult Little Gull and two California Gulls were photographed in Lac qui Parle. Another California Gull was in Stevens. Several Iceland Gulls were in Duluth, one almost lingered into May. Lesser Black-backeds were in three counties in March, while Great Black-backeds were found in Cook and St. Louis. At the latter location, one lingered through the end of the season. Also in Duluth in late May was an adult Parasitic Jaeger.

A Band-tailed Pigeon lingered in St. Louis for a few days in late May, while Eurasian Collared-Doves were in 36, predominantly south, counties, including two more first county records. Though reports of northern owls were not notable (aside from another breeding record for Boreal Owl), two excellent finds were a Barn Owl in Lac qui Parle and a pair of Burrowing Owls in Kittson.

Red-headed Woodpeckers made an excellent showing in 54 counties, but the only American Three-toed was in Roseau. A pair of Say's Phoebes returned to Yellow Medicine where they nested the prior summer.

Late May brought a White-eyed Vireo to Lac qui Parle. In the same county at the beginning of the season was a Clark's Nutcracker — the first spring report since 1972. Also out of range was a Black-billed Magpie seen at the Sherburne N.W.R. headquarters. Tufted Titmice wandered as far north and west as Hennepin and Waseca, while a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher made it north to Koochiching to establish another first county record.

After two springs in which they were absent, two Mountain Bluebirds showed up in the West-central region. Three overwintering Townsend's Solitaires and three Varied Thrushes made it to spring. Seven Northern Mockingbirds were slightly below recent spring counts.

Smith's Longspurs were in five counties, including new county records for Brown and Wabasha. Louisiana Waterthrushes were discovered as far west as Lyon and Lac qui Parle. Continuing their northward march were Blue-winged Warblers; one was in Pine and another established a first county record for Itasca. One Kentucky Warbler was at the recent traditional location in Blue Earth; another stopped over briefly at Wood Lake in Hennepin.

Spotted Towhees made an excellent showing with five individuals (possibly six). Two Spotted X Eastern Towhees were also found. (We appreciate the care being taken with this species to watch for possible hybrids.) Lark Sparrows were more widespread than they've recently been; they established new county records for Waseca and Watonwan. The Grasshopper Sparrow high count record was smashed in Yellow Medicine at the season's end.

Very impressive were the 25 Summer Tanagers found this season from a total of 14 counties! St. Louis led the way with five, while Hennepin produced three individuals. Western Tanagers were seen at feeding stations in four north counties. Among the northern finches, Pine Grosbeaks and Hoary Redpolls were more widespread than usual, though limited to the north.

Weather: Continuing a trend from the prior four months, temperatures in each month of this season were generally below average by 1º–3º F across the state. In April, mild temps early in the month were countered by relatively cold temps at the end, leading to a delayed onset of spring.

Much of the precipitation of March was associated with a large, intense storm on 22–23rd. In April, three different storm systems on the 10th (rain), 15–16th (snow), and 26–27th (rain south, snow north) of April produced significant precipitation for much of the state. Only the West-central region was below average for the month. Much of the state experienced significant flooding, though but for the cool temperatures at the end of the month, it could have been much worse. Severe storms also hit the state frequently in May — on the 10th, 22nd, 28th, and 30th. The first two dates produced tornadoes in the state, including one that destroyed a heronry along the Mississippi River in North Minneapolis.

Undocumented records: Least Bittern 4/22 Sherburne (early date); Broad-winged Hawk 3/26 Ramsey (early date); Golden Eagle 5/14 Aitkin, 5/15 Carver (1-3) (late dates); Yellow Rail 4/24–25 Rice (out of range); Sora 4/6 Clay (early date); Semipalmated Plover 4/9 Morrison (early date): Common Tern 4/23 Dakota (early date); Great Gray Owl 5/5 Mahnomen (2, south of Lengby) (out of range); Common Nighthawk 4/5 Ramsey (early date); EasternEastern Whip-poor-will 4/9 Morrison (early date); Pileated Woodpecker 5/18 Rock (Blue Mounds S.P.) (out of range); Great Crested Flycatcher 4/24 Rice (early date); Western Kingbird 5/7 Goodhue, 5/17 Hennepin (out of range); Eastern Kingbird 4/17 Aitkin (early date); Gray Jay 3/5 St. Louis (17) (high count for season); Boreal Chicakadee 5/2 Pennington (5) (high count, out of range); 5/17 Kittson (2) (out of range); Carolina Wren 5/30 Lincoln (out of range); Winter Wren 5/25 Dakota (Ritter Farm Park) (late date); 5/28 Lac qui Parle (late date); House Wren 5/5 Dakota (75, 180th Street Marsh) (unusually high count); Mountain Bluebird 3/20 Otter Tail (8) (high count); Veery 3/1 Ramsey (early date); Swainson's Thrush 4/12 Carver (early date); Bohemian Waxwing 5/31 Marshall (late date); Hooded Warbler 4/17 Lyon (early date; out of range); Pine Warbler 4/11 Scott (record early); Yellow-breasted Chat 5/28 Hennepin (Hyland Lake P.R) (heard only, no details); American Tree Sparrow 5/8–22 Rice (late date); Savannah Sparrow 3/23 Washington (early date); Nelson's Sparrow 5/15 Lac qui Parle (unusual location); Fox Sparrow 5/12 Mower (late date); Harris's Sparrow 4/1 Becker (early date for migrant); Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3/15 Hennepin, 4/10 Dakota (early dates); Eastern Meadowlark 3/30, 4/15 Kittson, 4/23 Traverse, 4/29 Polk, 5/18 Rock (all out of range); Rusty Blackbird 5/29 Yellow Medicine (late date).

Acknowledgements: We thank Anthony Hertzel, Jeanie Joppru, and Jim Lind for compiling and providing transcripts of Minnesota's three weekly birding reports. Special thanks to Dave Cahlander for building and maintaining the seasonal reports submission and production web pages (http://moumn.org/moureports/season.php) through which most of this data is collected and organized. Medians of recent arrivals and departures are based on published and unpublished seasonal report data from 1985 through 2008. Finally and most importantly, our appreciation goes out to all our contributors. We are especially grateful to those who respond to our requests for details and who submit observations online.

Key to the Seasonal Report
1.Upper case (LEAST TERN) indicates a Casual or Accidental species in the state.
2.Species are listed in brackets [Whooping Crane] when there is a reasonable doubt as to its origin or wildness.
3.Bracketed text following a species’ name indicates the total number of north and south counties.
4.Dates listed in bold (10/9) indicate an occurrence either earlier, later, or within the three earliest or latest dates on file.
5.Counties listed in bold (Aitkin) indicate an unusual occurrence for that county.
6.Counties listed in bold and with an underline (Becker) indicate a first county record.
7.Counties listed in italics (Crow Wing) indicate a first county breeding record.
8.Totals in bold (150) indicate a total within or exceeding the top three high counts for that species.
9.Totals in bold-italic (55) indicate a CBC total within or exceeding the top three high counts for that species.
10.Dagger “†” preceding observer’s initials denotes written documentation was submitted.
11“ph.” denotes a species documented with a photograph.
12.“v.t.” denotes a species documented by video.
13.“a.t.” denotes a species documented by audio.
14.High counts that are multiples of 100 are assumed or known to be estimates, unless otherwide noted.
The Seasonal Report  is a compilation of seasonal bird sightings from throughout Minnesota. We particularly invite reports from parts of the state that have been neglected or covered lightly in past reports. To become a contributor, contact the Editor of The Loon (editor AT moumn.org).

Species

N S

Information

Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK
(Dendrocygna autumnalis)
1 Tenth state record 5/14 Watonwan (2 adults, Madelia) †ChH, ph. †AnK.
Snow Goose
(Anser caerulescens)
1232 Early south (median 3/2) 3/11 Lac qui Parle BJU, 3/12 Lincoln RAE, 3/14 Jackson DOB, Olmsted JWH. Early north (median 3/23) 3/26 Morrison GDJ, 4/1 Cass BAW, 4/2 Otter Tail fide JMJ. High counts 3/27 Jackson (11,516) PEJ, DFN. Late south 5/14 Dakota SWe, Goodhue DWK, PEB, 5/17 Lac qui Parle ASc (median 5/24). Late north 5/21 Pennington DBz, 5/30 Clay JMN (median 5/24).
Ross's Goose
(Anser rossii)
623 Early south (median 3/18) 3/11 Brown (5, Sleepy Eye Lake) †BTS, 3/13 Scott DFN, PEJ, 3/17 Olmsted (2, Silver Creek Reservoir) JWH. All north reports: 4/1 Cass (4, Walden Twp.) BAW, 4/3 Otter Tail GO, 4/8–10 Traverse (max. 24) BJU, m.ob., 4/8 Wilkin m.ob., 4/9 Grant (2, North Ottawa Impoundment) BJU, 5/25 St. Louis (Duluth Harbor) MSS. High counts 3/27 Jackson (600, estimated after carefully counting several flocks of white geese and finding 5% of them to be Ross's Geese) PEJ, DFN, 4/1 Lac qui Parle (348), Big Stone (40, Odessa) BJU. Late south 4/17 Brown (2, Boise Lake) BTS, DWK, Dakota (Lake Byllesby) RTe, 5/15 Steele †PSu (median 5/13).
Greater White-fronted Goose
(Anser albifrons)
739 Early south (median 3/7) 3/11 Brown BTS, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle (400), Swift BJU, 3/13 Nobles, Pipestone HHD, RAE, 3/14 Hennepin m.ob., Jackson DOB, Olmsted JWH, JPr, LAV. All north reports: 3/26 St. Louis (Canal Park; no other details) DED, 4/2–8 OtterTail GO, m.ob., 4/2–10 Traverse (max. 2,000) JoJ, RMD, m.ob., 4/7 Clay RHO, 4/9–10 Grant (max. 9,500) BJU, m.ob., 4/17–18 Kittson LW, TrB. High counts 3/27 Jackson (19,820, record high) PEJ, DFN, 3/26 Cottonwood (10,000, near Talcot W.M.A.) BRB. Late south 5/7 Nicollet KRE, m.ob., 5/17 Lac qui Parle ASc (median 5/15).
BRANT
(Branta bernicla)
1 Atlantic subspecies discovered in Grant (Nachbor W.M.A.) 4/9 †RMD, †DAB. This is the fourth state record in the last 20 years.
Cackling Goose
(Branta hutchinsii)
939 All north reports: 3/30 Otter Tail JeW, 4/2 Clay RHO, 4/5 Polk (3) SAu, 4/8 Otter Tail m.ob., Wilkin DBz, 4/9–10 Grant m.ob., 4/9–10 Traverse (3,450, high count) BJU, †KRo, m.ob., 4/29 Lake (5, Beaver Bay W.T.P.) RAE, HHD, 5/12 Beltrami MHe. Other high counts 3/27 Jackson (759) PEJ, DFN. Late south 4/16 Swift JOr, 5/8 Rice BJB (median 5/13). Descriptions provided for just a handful of additional records: 3/17 Hennepin †KRo, 3/19 Blue Earth, Renville †DPG, 3/20, 3/21, 3/29 Lac qui Parle (3 different locations) ph. BJU, 4/2 Stearns (11, Grove Twp.) †PCC, Wright †DWK, 4/9 Big Stone ph. BJU.
Canada Goose
(Branta canadensis)
3453 Reported throughout the state.
Mute Swan
(Cygnus olor)
1 Released birds 3/5–19 Goodhue (2, Prairie Island casino) PEJ, DBM.
Trumpeter Swan
(Cygnus buccinator)
3241 High counts 3/6 Wright (200) JPr, 3/19 Otter Tail (50) BDE, 3/4 Cass (35) ABi.
Tundra Swan
(Cygnus columbianus)
2146 Early south (median 3/11) 3/15 Hennepin TAT, 3/16 Big Stone BJU, Dakota BAF, ADS, Goodhue PEJ, Lac qui Parle BJU, Rice DAB, Winona PEJ. Early north (median 3/26) 3/23 Kanabec CAM, 3/27 Clay MM, 3/29 Morrison MJB. High counts 3/30 Carver (1,341) JCy. Late south 4/25 Benton JEB, 5/6 Chisago FKB, 5/7 Nicollet ChH (median 5/4). Late north 5/15 Clearwater, Mahnomen JPr, 5/16 Kittson TrB (median 5/28), but also see summer report.
Wood Duck
(Aix sponsa)
3452 Early north (median 3/18) 3/29 Morrison MJB, 3/31 Aitkin RBJ, DAC, Mille Lacs ASc.
Blue-winged Teal
(Spatula discors)
3252 Early south (median 3/11) 3/16 Goodhue GaM, 3/17 Rice DAB, TFB, 3/18 Dakota BAF, SHF. Early north (median 3/29) 4/6 Cass ABi, 4/7 Kittson TrB, 4/8 Otter Tail, Traverse, Wilkin DAB, m.ob. High count 4/17 Dakota (200, 180th St. Marsh) ThM.
Cinnamon Teal
(Spatula cyanoptera)
11 All reports: 4/9 Grant (male, near Herman) †RMD, †DAB, 4/18 Lac qui Parle (male, Cory Lake) ph. †BJU.
Northern Shoveler
(Spatula clypeata)
3353 Early south (median 3/3) 3/4 Nobles DBM, 3/11 Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Swift BJU, 3/13 Dakota PEJ, CMB. Early north (median 3/27) 4/7 Clay RHO, Otter Tail, Todd SC, 4/8 Grant DAB, Kittson TrB, Marshall MA, Traverse, Wilkin m.ob.
Gadwall
(Mareca strepera)
2751 Early north (median 3/24) 3/16 St. Louis ANy, 3/18 Itasca SC, EEO, 4/3 Kanabec RAE.
American Wigeon
(Mareca americana)
2447 Early south (median 3/1) 3/11 Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Swift BJU, 3/15 Blue Earth AKr, 3/16 Goodhue, Winona PEJ. Early north (median 3/26) 3/27 Clay MM, 4/3 Kanabec RAE, 4/4 Mille Lacs ASc. Late south 5/29 Lac qui Parle BJU, 5/30 Swift BJU, but also see summer report.
Mallard
(Anas platyrhynchos)
3453 Reported throughout the state.
American Black Duck
(Anas rubripes)
915 Late south 4/16 Lac qui Parle PEJ, DFN, 4/17 Big Stone PEJ, DFN, Wabasha DBz (median 5/17).
Northern Pintail
(Anas acuta)
2243 See winter report for overwintering and early south migrants. Early north (median 3/20) 3/19 Otter Tail BDE, 3/27 Clay MM, 4/4 Marshall MA.
Green-winged Teal
(Anas crecca)
3049 See winter report for early south migrants. Early north (median 3/27) 4/7 Wadena RBJ, DAC, 4/8 Otter Tail, Traverse, Wilkin m.ob., 4/9 Douglas, Grant, Pope m.ob., Mille Lacs DBM, ASc, St. Louis PHS. A “Common Teal” (A. c. crecca) reported on 4/9 in Freeborn (Freeman Twp.) †PEJ (pending evaluation by MOURC).
Canvasback
(Aythya valisineria)
2250 Early south away from overwintering areas (median 2/29) 3/1 Hennepin PEJ, 3/4 Scott PEJ, 3/5 Dakota, Goodhue PEJ, DFN, BRL. Early north (median 3/28) 4/1 Hubbard MaH, 4/8 Cass BAW, Kittson TrB, Otter Tail m.ob., St. Louis PHS, Traverse, Wilkin m.ob. High count 3/26 Cottonwood (2000) BRB. [Corrected]
Redhead
(Aythya americana)
2651 Early south away from overwintering areas (median 2/26) 3/7 Dakota PEJ, Rice DAB, Winona ANy, 3/8 Rice TFB, 3/11 Chippewa BJU, Goodhue RSA, Lac qui Parle, Swift BJU. Early north (median 3/24) 4/7 Mille Lacs ASc, Morrison SC, 4/8 Cass BAW, Otter Tail, Traverse, Wilkin m.ob. High count 4/24 Ramsey (159, Goose Lake) ELC.
Ring-necked Duck
(Aythya collaris)
3451 See winter report for overwintering and early south migrants. Early north (median 3/20) 3/19 Otter Tail BDE, 3/29 Morrison MJB, 3/30 Cass ABi.
Greater Scaup
(Aythya marila)
2538 Early south (median 3/8) 3/3 Wright JLO, 3/8 Dakota PEJ, 3/11 Lac qui Parle BJU. Early north (median 3/31) 4/4 Morrison MJB, 4/8 Traverse, Wilkin m.ob. High count 4/25 St. Louis (2,617, Park Point, Duluth, with 750 unidentified scaup) PHS. Late south 5/16 Stearns FGo, 5/18 Big Stone RTP (median 5/14). Late north 5/28 Douglas HHD, RAE, 5/29 Otter Tail LS (median 5/29).
Lesser Scaup
(Aythya affinis)
3351 See winter report for overwintering and early south migrants. Early north (median 3/15) 3/12 St. Louis RZi, 3/24 Cass BAW, 4/1 Itasca EEO, SC. High counts 4/9 Grant (2,300, North Ottawa Impoundment) BJU, 4/25 St. Louis (1,450, Park Point, Duluth) PHS.
KING EIDER
(Somateria spectabilis)
1 Third spring record for the state: 5/5 St. Louis (immature male, Park Point, Duluth) ph. †JLK, ph. †KRE, m.ob.
Harlequin Duck
(Histrionicus histrionicus)
2 All reports: 4/1–13 Lake (2 imm. males, Silver Bay) BMy, 5/11 St. Louis (adult male, Brighton Beach, Duluth) ph. †JLK, ph. PHS.
Surf Scoter
(Melanitta perspicillata)
No reports.
White-winged Scoter
(Melanitta deglandi)
15 All reports: 3/19 Houston (male, Reno Bottoms) DBM, 4/12–16 Chippewa (imm. male, Shakopee Lake) †DPG, m.ob., 4/18–23 Fillmore (Preston Twp.) ph. †JWH, CH, m.ob., 4/23–24 Stearns (Pearl Lake) PCC, m.ob., 5/2 Jackson (Illinois Lake) TAT, 5/16–28 St. Louis (max. 19, Duluth) MH, m.ob.
Black Scoter
(Melanitta americana)
No reports.
Long-tailed Duck
(Clangula hyemalis)
43 All south 4/18 Lac qui Parle (Madrena W.M.A.) ph. BJU, 4/30–5/2 Yellow Medicine (Clarkfield W.T.P.) DWK, BWF, HCT, ph. BJU, 5/21 Wright (Swartout Lake) DWK, PEB. All north 3/5–4/29 Lake (max. 72, Agate Bay, Two Harbors) JWL, m.ob., 5/7 Roseau (S.R.310) BSm, 5/16 St. Louis (8, Duluth) MH, 5/28 Cook (9, Grand Marais and Paradise Beach) DFN.
Bufflehead
(Bucephala albeola)
2950 Early south away from overwintering areas (median 3/4) 3/5 Hennepin PEJ, 3/7 Winona ANy, 3/15 Rice DAB. Early north (median 3/23) 4/2 Kanabec CAM, 4/3 Cass DAY, Douglas PJK. High count 4/9 Grant (200, North Ottawa Impoundment) BJU. Late south 5/21 Wright DWK, PEB, 5/26 Houston RTe, CRM (median 5/30). Late north 5/27 Clay DWK, 5/29 Kittson JMJ, Pennington JWH, but also see summer report.
Common Goldeneye
(Bucephala clangula)
3046 High count 4/2 Benton (1,000, St. Cloud) MJB. Late south 5/15 Waseca DPG, 5/24 Stearns MJB (median 5/12).
Barrow's Goldeneye
(Bucephala islandica)
11 All reports: 3/1–5 Wright (adult male lingered from late February, Monticello) PEJ, m.ob., 4/8 St. Louis (adult male, Park Point R.A.) †PHS.
Hooded Merganser
(Lophodytes cucullatus)
3251 See winter report for overwintering and early south migrants. Early north (median 3/17) 3/5 Morrison FGo, 3/10 St. Louis KRE, 3/19 Otter Tail BDE, 3/20 Wadena PJB. High count 3/19 Dakota (100, Vermillion River Bottoms) LPf.
Common Merganser
(Mergus merganser)
2750 High counts 3/20 Wabasha (400, Lake Pepin) RPR, 3/23 Hennepin (200, Bass Ponds) RTe, 4/14 St. Louis (151, Fond du Lac, Duluth) PHS. Late south 5/19 Dakota DaO, 5/20 Hennepin KaN (median 5/24).
Red-breasted Merganser
(Mergus serrator)
2446 See winter report for overwintering and early south migrants. Early north (away from Lake Superior) 3/28 Otter Tail BDE, 4/3 Douglas PJK. Late south 5/20 Waseca AnK, ChH, 5/23 Hennepin DaO (median 5/19).
Ruddy Duck
(Oxyura jamaicensis)
1950 See winter report for early south migrants. Early north (median 4/3) 3/26 Itasca SC, 4/9 Douglas DPG, Grant m.ob., Lake (Burlington Bay, Two Harbors) NAJ, Morrison FGo, Traverse BJU. High count 4/23 Yellow Medicine (200, Spellman Lake) SVo. Additional Northeast reports 4/10 St. Louis (7, Park Point R.A.) PHS, 4/29 Lake (male, Beaver Bay W.T.P.) HHD, RAE, 4/30 Lake (female, Castle Danger W.T.P.) RAE, 5/31 St. Louis (3, Indian Point, Duluth) JLK.
Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys
Wild Turkey
(Meleagris gallopavo)
2449 Reported as far north as Kittson, Roseau, Beltrami, Cass, Aitkin, Carlton. Probable escapees or released birds also seen in southern St. Louis. Peak count 3/30 Cass (47) ABi.
Ruffed Grouse
(Bonasa umbellus)
2913 Found throughout normal range, including Anoka DvS, Dakota (Miesville Ravine) m.ob., Fillmore NBO, Goodhue m.ob., Olmsted ShK, Wabasha CAB, JWH, Washington ARW, DFN, Winona NBO. Drumming counts essentially unchanged from 2010 in the forested regions (MN DNR).
Spruce Grouse
(Canachites canadensis)
5 High count 3/1 Lake (11 on county road 2) MLH. Also reported from Cook HHD, RAE, Koochiching m.ob., Lake of the Woods MHK, JEB, St. Louis m.ob.
Sharp-tailed Grouse
(Tympanuchus phasianellus)
135 South reports outside of typical range in Chippewa (Chippewa Prairie) BJU, Lac qui Parle (Plover Prairie and Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU, JMN, Swift (Chippewa Prairie North), Yellow Medicine (Florida Twp.) BJU. Total of 2,212 individuals observed on 216 dancing grounds; similar to 2010 (MN DNR). North reports from Aitkin, Beltrami, Carlton, Clay, Clearwater, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington, Polk, Roseau, St. Louis, 4/9 Traverse (5, Croke Twp.) BJU. High counts 4/7 Kittson (40, county road 1) TrB, 3/19 Marshall (32) JMJ, 5/2 Kittson (25, county road 56) TrB.
Greater Prairie-Chicken
(Tympanuchus cupido)
44 Presumed releases seen in Big Stone, Chippewa (Chippewa Prairie), Lac qui Parle (Plover Prairie), Swift (Chippewa Prairie North) BJU. All north reports: Becker ALo, SPe, Clay (max. 20, Felton Prairie) NAa, m.ob., Red Lake DBz, Traverse BJU.
Gray Partridge
(Perdix perdix)
410 High count 3/18 Kittson (4, Lancaster) RBJ, DAC; all other reports were of 1–2 birds. All other north reports: 4/10 Traverse (2) m.ob., 5/3 Clay (2) RHO, 5/16–21 Red Lake JPr, DBz.
Ring-necked Pheasant
(Phasianus colchicus)
1953 High count 3/11 Blue Earth (41) ChH. Reported as far north as Norman, Mahnomen, Hubbard, Cass, Aitkin, and Carlton.
Grebes
Pied-billed Grebe
(Podilymbus podiceps)
2452 Early south 3/5 Goodhue DFN, PEJ, 3/11 Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Swift BJU, Rice DAB, 3/13 Dakota CMB, PEJ. Early north (median 3/27) 3/18 Itasca EEO, SC, 3/19 Polk SAu, 3/21 Cass BAW, Polk SRo.
Horned Grebe
(Podiceps auritus)
2343 Early south (median 3/26) 3/23 Dakota LEC, 4/1 Olmsted JWH, 4/2 Rice DAB. Early north (median 4/10) 4/2 St. Louis NAJ, 4/9 Douglas DPG, Grant, Traverse BJU, 4/12 Cass BAW, Morrison FGo, MJB. High counts 4/28 St. Louis (688, Park Point R.A., Duluth) PHS, 4/14 Hennepin (576, lakes Harriet, Calhoun, and Nokomis) CMB, 4/23 Stearns (477 in 3 locations). Late south 5/16 Murray WCM, 5/20 Lac qui Parle BJU (median 5/14). Late north 5/18 Norman DBz, St. Louis JLK, 5/22 Morrison GDJ (median 6/3).
Red-necked Grebe
(Podiceps grisegena)
2433 Early south (median 4/3) 4/7 Hennepin JLO, CMB, SHF, 4/9 Sherburne PLJ, Wright HCT, 4/10 Chisago MHe, Lac qui Parle BJU. Early north (median 4/7) 4/9 Douglas DPG, 4/11 Cass BAW, Grant DBM, Morrison FGo, St. Louis PHS, DBF, 4/14 Otter Tail DST. Record high count 4/28 St. Louis (1,213, Park Point) PHS.
Eared Grebe
(Podiceps nigricollis)
1327 More widespread than normal. Early south (median 4/9) 4/11 Chisago CAB, 4/14 Dakota DWK, 4/15 Stearns PCC. Early north (median 4/22) 4/9 Traverse BJU, 4/12 Morrison FGo, 4/16 Grant GLa. Additional new county record 4/20 Kanabec CAM.
Western Grebe
(Aechmophorus occidentalis)
1022 Early south (median 4/11) 4/13 Rice (Cannon Lake) DAB, Stevens, Swift BJU, 4/17 Big Stone PEJ, DFN, Brown BTS, DWK, 4/23 Hennepin DDo, †MDu, m.ob. Early north (median 4/21) 4/12 Douglas ARW, 4/27 Crow Wing FGo, 4/28 Kittson TrB. High count 5/21 Douglas (30, Lake Osakis) JEl.
CLARK'S GREBE
(Aechmophorus clarkii)
1 Only report 5/7 Nicollet (Oak Leaf Lake) KRE, m.ob.
Pigeons, Doves
Rock Pigeon
(Columba livia)
3453 Reported from every county.
BAND-TAILED PIGEON
(Patagioenas fasciata)
1 One individual discovered 5/22 and photographed 5/23 St. Louis (Duluth) ph. †AKa.
Eurasian Collared-Dove
(Streptopelia decaocto)
630 First county record 4/19 Hennepin (New Hope) HFH; also observed south in Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Dakota, Faribault, Fillmore, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Mower, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Pope, Redwood, Rice, Rock, Sherburne (4/13 †RBW), Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Waseca, Watonwan, Yellow Medicine. First county record 4/7 Wadena (Wadena) RBJ; also observed north in Clay, Grant, Itasca, Todd, Traverse.
Mourning Dove
(Zenaida macroura)
3353 Reported statewide.
Cuckoos
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
(Coccyzus americanus)
212 Early south (median 5/15) 5/7 Goodhue JLO, SWe, RTe, 5/8 Sibley (Vale W.M.A.) LS. Only north reports (median 5/25) 5/4 Morrison FGo, 5/28 Grant HHD, RAE.
Black-billed Cuckoo
(Coccyzus erythropthalmus)
1030 Early south (median 5/9) 5/7 Sherburne (Sherburne N.W.R.) ThM, 5/8 Ramsey (4, Lake Phalen and Frost Pond) KSi. Early north (median 5/16) 5/14 Morrison FGo, 5/21 Pine (Sandstone W.T.P.) WCM. High count 5/22 Brown (7, Eden Twp.) BTS.
Nightjars
Common Nighthawk
(Chordeiles minor)
1440 Early south (median 5/1) 5/4 Hennepin GDJ, 5/7 Goodhue MDe. Early north (median 5/10) 5/7 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) MA, 5/11 Carlton DCr. High count 5/11 Hennepin (56, Minneapolis) MDu.
Eastern Whip-poor-will
(Antrostomus vociferus)
69 Early south (median 4/28) 4/30 Hennepin (Wood Lake N.C.) TAT, 5/4 Lac qui Parle (Walter Twp.) BJU. Early north (median 5/8) 5/5 Cass (Ponto Lake Twp.) BAW, 5/7 Clearwater CoC. High count 5/16 Goodhue (7, Florence Twp.) SWe.
Swifts
Chimney Swift
(Chaetura pelagica)
2946 Early south (median 4/21) 4/28 Big Stone BJU, Olmsted LAV, 4/29 Faribault CRM. Early north (median 5/1) 5/6 Lake JWL then 5/9 in five counties. High count 5/3 Ramsey (200, Highland Park, St. Paul) CGa, 5/13 Hennepin (200) DMB.
Hummingbirds
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
(Archilochus colubris)
3045 Early south (median 5/4) 4/30 Steele NFT, 5/3 Olmsted JoP, Ramsey TJM. Early north (median 5/7) 4/30 Kanabec AXH, 5/7 Douglas JPE, Otter Tail BDE, DST.
Rails, Gallinules, Coots
Virginia Rail
(Rallus limicola)
1128 Early south (median 4/15) 4/13 Swift BJU, 4/18 Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/23 Wright PEB. Early north (median 5/5) 5/4 Hubbard MAW, 5/5 Marshall MA.
Sora
(Porzana carolina)
2640 Early south (median 4/14) 4/12 Blue Earth (Perch Lake W.P.A.) ChH, 4/13 Swift BJU. Early north (median 4/23) 4/20 Clay NAa, 5/1 Itasca SC. High count 4/29 Hennepin (12, Veteran's Memorial Park, Richfield) SBM, 5/5 Dakota (12) SWe.
Common Gallinule
(Gallinula galeata)
4 All reports: 4/27 Sherburne ASc, 4/30–5/3 Rice (River Bend N.C.) DAB, m.ob., 5/5 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU, 5/7 Sherburne (Sherburne N.W.R.) MJB, 5/9–10 Hennepin (Veteran's Memorial Park, Richfield) SBM, m.ob.
American Coot
(Fulica americana)
2652 Observed statewide; first reported north 3/19 Otter Tail (5) BDE. High count 4/19 Stearns (1,000, Gretchell Lake) MJB.
Yellow Rail
(Coturnicops noveboracensis)
32 South reports 4/22 Carver (MN Landscape Arboretum) JCy, 4/28 Lac qui Parle (voice-recorded pre-dawn at Plover Prairie) still present 5/6 BJU. Two other south reports lacked convincing details. All north reports (early median 5/11) 5/9 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) MA, 5/11 Cass (Battleground S.F.) ABi, 5/23 Aitkin (McGregor marsh) SLo.
Cranes
Sandhill Crane
(Antigone canadensis)
3140 Early south (median 3/14) 3/4 Dakota (12) ADS, 3/6 Houston DJa, 3/8 Chisago MHe. Early north (median 3/21) 3/17 Morrison (4, Bowlus) MJB, 3/19 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) MA, Morrison FGo, Pennington (2) JMJ. High count 4/24 Clay (400, Moorhead) RHO.
WHOOPING CRANE
(Grus americana)
1 Two juvenile males from the Wisconsin experimental flock present 5/21–25 Rice (Dennison) m.ob.
Stilts, Avocets
American Avocet
(Recurvirostra americana)
312 Early south (median 4/20) 4/9 Big Stone (Toqua Twp.) BJU, Lac qui Parle KRE, m.ob., 4/10 Lac qui Parle (Walter Twp.) BJU, 4/17 Big Stone (7, Graceville) RPR. All north reports before recent median of 4/30: 4/9 Hubbard (Potato Lake) ph. ANy, 4/11 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) DBM, 4/24 Polk JMJ. High count 4/25 Goodhue (18, Prairie Island) CMB, RBW, BRL.
Plovers
Black-bellied Plover
(Pluvialis squatarola)
57 Early south (median 5/1) 5/12 Blue Earth (2) ChH, 5/13 Big Stone, Lac qui Parle (2) BJU. Early north (median 5/16) 5/21 Pine (Sandstone W.T.P.) WCM, 5/23 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) PHS. High count 5/28 Aitkin (10, Cedarbrook) BU. Late south 5/30 Chippewa, Swift BJU (median 6/6). See summer report for late migrants north.
American Golden-Plover
(Pluvialis dominica)
311 Early south (median 4/17) 4/8 Lac qui Parle (Perry Twp.) BJU, 4/9 Blue Earth (2) ChH and Lac qui Parle HHD. All north reports: 4/8 Otter Tail (Western Twp.) DBz, ph. RMD (earliest north date on record, well before median of 4/29), 5/24 Cass JEB, 5/30 Aitkin (13, Cedarbrook) BU (median 6/4). High count 5/5 Lac qui Parle (63, Agassiz Twp.) BJU. Late south 5/12 Blue Earth (25) ChH, 5/20 Lac qui Parle (2, Perry Twp.) BJU (median 6/4).
Killdeer
(Charadrius vociferus)
3452 Early south (median 3/2) 3/6 Houston DJa, 3/9 Dakota CMB. Early north (median 3/18) 3/20 Mille Lacs ASc, 3/30 St. Louis FKB. No significant counts.
Semipalmated Plover
(Charadrius semipalmatus)
1022 Early south (median 4/22) 4/24 Lac qui Parle (2) BJU, 4/28 Big Stone BJU. Early north 5/13 Itasca EEO, SC, 5/14 Douglas JPE. See summer report for late migrants.
Piping Plover
(Charadrius melodus)
2 Two reports: 4/24 Lac qui Parle (Augusta Twp.) ph. BJU, 5/13 Wright (Smith Lake) PCC.
Sandpipers
Upland Sandpiper
(Bartramia longicauda)
512 Early south (median 4/26) 4/24 Lac qui Parle, Yellow Medicine BJU, 4/26 Martin TAT. Early north (median 5/3) 5/3 Clay (2, Felton Prairie) RHO. No significant counts.
Whimbrel
(Numenius phaeopus)
31 One bird in St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) beginning 4/22 (second earliest date on record) ph. PHS and present through 4/29 m.ob. Two north reports away from St. Louis: 5/29 Pennington (Thief River Falls W.T.P.) †JWH, BWF, 5/30 Kittson †JMJ. High count 5/28 St. Louis (18, Park Point R.A.) JLK. Only south report: 5/13 Lac qui Parle (Yellow Bank Twp.) ph. BJU.
Hudsonian Godwit
(Limosa haemastica)
311 Early south (median 4/21) 4/17 Dakota (2, 180th St. marsh) ThM, RTe, 4/23 Dakota (9, 180th St. marsh) BAF, SHF. High count 4/27 Redwood (25, west of Delhi) RAE. All north reports: 5/22 Becker (2) DBM, 5/25 Becker (6) KVH, 5/27 Otter Tail (6) DWK, Wilkin JWH, BWF. Late south 5/20 Waseca (2) AnK, ChH, 5/28 Lac qui Parle (2, Perry Twp.) BJU (median 5/31). See summer report for late migrants north.
Marbled Godwit
(Limosa fedoa)
1211 Early south (median 4/13) 4/9 Big Stone, Lac qui Parle KRE, m.ob., 4/10 Lac qui Parle BJU. Early north (median 4/13) 4/11 Kittson TrB, 4/12 Marshall MA. High counts 4/24 Lac qui Parle (39, Augusta Twps.) BJU, 5/29 Roseau (30, Greenbush W.T.P.) JWH.
Ruddy Turnstone
(Arenaria interpres)
45 Early south (median 5/14) 5/13 Wright (2, Smith Lake) PCC, 5/20 Lac qui Parle (2, Perry Twp.) BJU. Early north (median 5/14) 5/21 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) KuS, 5/23 St. Louis (5, Park Point R.A.) JLK. High count 5/27 St. Louis (19) DFN. Late south 5/28 Wright (2) PLJ, 5/30 Swift (Lubenow W.P.A.) BJU (median 6/1). See summer report for late migrants north.
Red Knot
(Calidris canutus)
2 Two reports: 5/21 Wright (Smith Lake) †PEB, †DWK, 5/28 Lac qui Parle (Perry Twp.) ph. BJU.
Stilt Sandpiper
(Calidris himantopus)
38 Early south (median 5/3) 5/5 Lac qui Parle BJU, 5/8 Wright PLJ. All north reports: 5/4 Morrison (2, Upsala) MJB, FGo, 5/22 Becker DBM, 5/24 Morrison JEB, 5/29 Kittson (Hallock W.T.P.) JWH, BWF. See summer report for late migrants.
Sanderling
(Calidris alba)
48 Early south (median 5/5) 5/3 Stearns FGo, 5/9 Lac qui Parle BJU. Early north (median 5/11) 5/21 Douglas (Osakis W.T.P.) JPE, JEl, 5/22 Becker DBM, St. Louis CAB. High count 5/27 St. Louis (100+) DFN. Late south 5/28 Lyon (8) DPG, 5/30 Chippewa (Milan), Swift (8, Lubenow W.P.A.) BJU (median 6/1). See summer report for late migrants north.
Dunlin
(Calidris alpina)
1629 Early south (median 4/19) 4/29 Dakota CMB, then 4/30 in several counties. Early north (median 5/10) 4/28 Morrison (Bowlus) MJB, FGo, 5/16 Otter Tail DST. High counts 5/22 Dakota (240) JPM, 5/25 Becker (100) KVH. See summer report for late migrants. [Corrected]
Baird's Sandpiper
(Calidris bairdii)
314 Early south (median 4/6) 4/10 Lac qui Parle (4) BJU, 4/12 Blue Earth (2) ChH. All north reports well after early median of 4/23: 5/19 and 5/22 Becker DBM, 5/28 Aitkin (Cedarbrook) BU, 5/31 St. Louis (Duluth) ALo. See summer report for late migrants.
Least Sandpiper
(Calidris minutilla)
1836 Early south (median 4/15) 4/15 Fillmore DBz, 4/16 Swift JOr. Early north (median 5/6) 5/8 Cass (4, Kego Twp.) BAW, 5/10 St. Louis (5, Indian Point, Duluth) JLK. High count 5/13 Wright (319, Smith Lake) PCC. See summer report for late migrants.
White-rumped Sandpiper
(Calidris fuscicollis)
819 Early south (median 4/29) 4/23 Lac qui Parle BJU, 5/5 Stearns (Albany W.T.P.) PCC. Early north (median 5/14) 5/9 Morrison FGo, 5/19 Becker DBM. See summer report for late migrants.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
(Calidris subruficollis)
1 One bird photographed 5/11 Lac qui Parle (Hantho Twp.) ph. BJU. This species is a Casual spring migrant in Minnesota.
Pectoral Sandpiper
(Calidris melanotos)
1032 Early south (median 4/1) 4/6 Dakota CMB, Freeborn, Steele RBW. Early north (median 4/19) 4/30 Itasca SC, 5/3 Polk SAS. High count 5/6 Dakota (50, 180th St. marsh) SHF. See summer report for late migrants.
Semipalmated Sandpiper
(Calidris pusilla)
1424 Early south (median 4/17) 4/23 Fillmore (2, Preston Twp.) JWH, 4/25 Redwood DBM. Early north (median 5/4) 5/4 Morrison FGo, 5/19 Becker DBM. See summer report for late migrants.
Short-billed Dowitcher
(Limnodromus griseus)
418 Early south (median 4/30) 4/30 Blue Earth (3) AnK, ChH, Dakota (25, Lake Byllesby) PEJ, DFN, Lac qui Parle (10) DWK, 5/2 Dakota (9, Lake Byllesby) CMB, Lac qui Parle (5) BJU, Yellow Medicine BJU. All north reports: 5/14 Douglas JPE, 5/22 Becker DBM, 5/25 Becker (10) KVH, Mille Lacs JEB. Late south (median 5/24) 5/28 Waseca DAB, 5/30 Chippewa (2), Swift (10) BJU. See summer report for late migrants north.
Long-billed Dowitcher
(Limnodromus scolopaceus)
114 Early south (median 4/24) 4/17 Lac qui Parle (4) BJU, 4/23 Big Stone (2) BJU, Fillmore (Preston Twp.) DBz, JWH. Only north reports: 5/16 Kittson (5) TrB, 5/19 Kittson RAE. Late south 5/11 Freeborn (5, Newry Twp.) RPR, 5/20 Lac qui Parle (2) BJU (median 5/19).
American Woodcock
(Scolopax minor)
2540 Early south (median 3/13) 3/17 Hennepin SLC, Rice TFB, 3/18 Hennepin (Hyland Lake P.R.) DWK. Early north (median 3/26) 3/28 Otter Tail GO, 3/30 Mille Lacs ASc.
Wilson's Snipe
(Gallinago delicata)
3237 Early south (median 3/22) 3/27 Wabasha DBM, 3/31 Lincoln CRM. Early north (median 3/31) 4/7 Douglas ARW, Kittson TrB, Morrison SC, Wadena RBJ, DAC, 4/8 Hubbard MAW, Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) MA, Wilkin DBz, RMD, DAB, JWH. High count 4/16 Rice (55) DAB.
Spotted Sandpiper
(Actitis macularius)
3143 Early south (median 4/20) 4/17 Dakota (Lake Byllesby) RTe, ThM, Winona DBz, 4/19 Goodhue BRL. Early north (median 4/29) 5/1 Beltrami DPJ, Carlton RAE, HHD, Itasca SC, Pine RAE, HHD. High count 5/31 Lake of the Woods (13, Zipple Bay S.P.) JCC.
Solitary Sandpiper
(Tringa solitaria)
1640 Early south (median 4/19) 4/21 Renville DPG, 4/23 Lac qui Parle ph. BJU. Early north (median 4/30) 4/22 Morrison FGo, 4/25 Cass (Ponto Lake Twp.) BAW. High count 5/1 Rice (15) DAB. See summer report for late migrants.
Lesser Yellowlegs
(Tringa flavipes)
2148 Early south (median 3/29) 4/2 Brown (Mulligan Twp.) BTS, 4/3 Brown (7) BTS, Dakota ELC. Early north (median 4/9) 4/9 Traverse BJU, 4/10 Cass (Bull Moose Twp.) DAY. High counts 5/5 Carver (250, Laketown Twp.) WCM, 5/13 Wright (242, Smith Lake) PCC. See summer report for late migrants.
Willet
(Tringa semipalmata)
117 Early south (median 4/24) 4/23 Lac qui Parle (Walter Twp.) BJU, Swift JoS, 4/25 Blue Earth (4, Lake Ida) ph. JNe, Lac qui Parle (7, Cerro Gordo Twp.) BJU. High counts 5/2 Dakota (24, 180th St. marsh) MDu, 5/3 Olmsted (23, Silver Creek Reservoir.) JWH, 5/2 Dakota (18, Lake Byllesby) CMB. Late south 5/22 Dakota ADS, 5/25 Dakota LMS (median 5/26). Only north report: 5/1 St. Louis (8, Canal Park) AM.
Greater Yellowlegs
(Tringa melanoleuca)
2346 Early south (median 3/27) 3/21 Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/1 Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/2 Brown (3, Mulligan Twp.) BTS. Early north (median 4/8) 4/7 Crow Wing SC, 4/8 Otter Tail DBz, RMD, DAB, JWH. High counts 5/6 Sibley (60) JCC, 5/1 Carver (55) JCy. See summer report for late migrants.
Wilson's Phalarope
(Phalaropus tricolor)
1428 Early south (median 4/23) 4/22 Brown (3) WCM, 4/23 Dakota BAF, SHF, MDu, KSm, Lac qui Parle (Perry Twp.) BJU. Early north (median 5/1) 5/1 Pine RAE, HHD, 5/4 Morrison FGo, MJB, Roseau (Roseau River) LeG. High count 5/20 Lac qui Parle (36, Salt Lake) BJU.
Red-necked Phalarope
(Phalaropus lobatus)
57 Early south (median 5/12) 5/13 Big Stone (2, Ortonville W.T.P.), Lac qui Parle (2, Salt Lake) BJU, 5/15 Jackson (2, Jackson W.T.P.) MDu. All north reports: 5/21 Douglas (Osakis W.T.P.) JPE, JEl, 5/27 Traverse (2, Wheaton W.T.P.) JWH, BWF, 5/28 Red Lake (6, Red Lake Falls W.T.P.) JWH, BWF, 5/29 Kittson (4, Hallock W.T.P.) JWH, BWF, 5/30 Clay (2, Felton Prairie S.N.A.) ThM. See summer report for late migrants.
Jaegers
Parasitic Jaeger
(Stercorarius parasiticus)
1 Adult light morph observed 5/25 St. Louis (Lake Superior just west of Lester River, Duluth) †MH fide JWL.
Gulls, Terns
Bonaparte's Gull
(Chroicocephalus philadelphia)
2039 Early south (median 4/3) 4/1 Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/2 Carver JCy, Cottonwood RTe. Early north (median 4/13) 4/8 Otter Tail RMD, DAB, JWH, 4/9 Grant, Traverse BJU, Kanabec CAM. High count 5/5 St. Louis (1,270, Park Point R.A.) KRE. Late south 5/17 Carver JTe, 5/22 Ramsey LS (median 6/6). Please see summer report for late migrants north.
LITTLE GULL
(Hydrocoloeus minutus)
1 Adult photographed 5/29 Lac qui Parle (Section 4, Walter Twp.) ph. BJU.
LAUGHING GULL
(Leucophaeus atricilla)
11 Adult found 4/28 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) was seen and photographed by many through 4/29 (Canal Park) ph. †JLK, ph. †PHS, †KRE, †JCG, ph. MLH. Another adult was found 5/3 Le Sueur (Eggert Lake) †RBW, ph. †RMD, †DWK, †CMB, m.ob. (The Loon 83:193).
Franklin's Gull
(Leucophaeus pipixcan)
1333 Early south (median 3/25) 3/18 Goodhue (Colvill Park) BAF, SHF, 3/19 Washington (Grey Cloud Island) BAF, SHF. Early north (median 4/6) 4/9 Douglas ARWm.ob., Grant, Traverse BJU, 4/10 Traverse HHD, LS. High count 4/22 Dakota (60, Lake Byllesby) ADS.
Ring-billed Gull
(Larus delawarensis)
3451 Observed statewide throughout the season. High counts 4/25 St. Louis (10,000, Interstate Island W.M.A.) PHS, 4/14 St. Louis (7,758, Duluth) PHS.
CALIFORNIA GULL
(Larus californicus)
2 Two reports with photographs: 4/13 Stevens (ad., Clear Lake) ph. †BJU, 4/23 Lac qui Parle (2 ad., Perry Twp.) ph. †BJU.
Herring Gull
(Larus argentatus)
2434 Last reported south 5/21 Pope RPR, 5/29 Pope HHD, RAE, but see summer report.
Iceland Gull
(Larus glaucoides)
11 Third-cycle overwintered through 3/24 St. Louis (Duluth) ph. PHS, m.ob. First-cycle reported 3/13 St. Louis (Duluth) PHS, and presumably a different individual 4/29 St. Louis (Hearding Island) ph. PHS. Three presumed Thayer's Gull X Iceland Gull intergrades were also seen in March PHS (two overwintered).
Iceland Gull (Thayer's)
(Larus g. thayeri)
1 Frequent reports in St. Louis (various locations from Duluth) where this species overwintered through 4/2, then one imm. found 4/20 RAE, HHD, followed by one adult 5/7–10 (Superior Entry) ph. PHS, ph. MLH, and with both a first-cycle (ph. PHS) and a second-cycle present 5/31+. As many as four individuals counted at once on several dates in March.
Lesser Black-backed Gull
(Larus fuscus)
12 First-cycle bird observed 3/19–20 St. Louis (Canal Park, Duluth) PHS, ph. MLH. Adult photographed 3/21 Lac qui Parle (Farrell W.P.A.) ph. BJU. Another adult was a first county record 3/27 Jackson (Loon and Little Spirit Lakes) PEJ, †DFN.
Glaucous Gull
(Larus hyperboreus)
11 First county record 4/13 Stevens (first-cycle, Clear Lake) ph. BJU. Observed in St. Louis (various locations in Duluth) beginning 3/4 (3, two first-cycle and one ad.) PHS; last reported 5/27 (2 first-cycle, Superior Entry) PHS.
Great Black-backed Gull
(Larus marinus)
2 Overwintered in St. Louis (various locations in Duluth) where an astounding 8 were found 3/13 (6 first-cycle, 1 second-cycle, and 1 adult at 27th Ave. West, Duluth) PHS. Smaller numbers reported through 5/7, then another appeared 5/25 (age?) ANy, and a second-cycle at Superior Entry 5/29 through 5/31+ (latest date on record, but see summer report!) ph. PHS. Only report away from St. Louis: 5/28 Cook (ad., Grand Marais) SLL, SG.
Caspian Tern
(Hydroprogne caspia)
1727 Early south (median 4/23) 4/14 Wright (Beebe Lake) PEB, 4/24 Lac qui Parle (Florida Creek W.M.A.) BJU. Early north (median 5/3) 5/1 Cass (2) DAY, 5/4 Hubbard MAW. High count 5/11 Dakota (32) CMB.
Black Tern
(Chlidonias niger)
1835 Early south (median 4/30) 4/30 Dakota (Lake Byllesby) PEJ, DFN, 5/4 Lac qui Parle BJU, Olmsted (East Landfill Reservoir) JWH, Scott RAE. Early north (median 5/8) 5/15 Cass ABi, 5/16 Otter Tail DST. High count 5/21 Brown (70, Sleepy Eye W.T.P.) BTS.
Common Tern
(Sterna hirundo)
1215 Early south (median 4/26) 4/28 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU, 4/30 Lac qui Parle JFR, SWe, 5/1 Yellow Medicine CAB. Early north (median 5/1) 5/7 Douglas JPE, Otter Tail (7, Middle Leaf Lake) RTo, Todd FGo, 5/9 Otter Tail GO. High count 5/15 Cass (180, Blackwater Cabins) ABi. Late south 5/18 Pope DAC, 5/20 Lac qui Parle (Salt Lake) BJU (median 6/1).
Forster's Tern
(Sterna forsteri)
1742 Early south (median 4/10) 4/10 Stevens HHD, 4/11 Hennepin CMB, Olmsted JWH. Early north (median 4/19) 4/16 Grant GLa, 4/22 Douglas JPE. High counts 4/30 Dakota (60, Lake Byllesby) BAF, 5/3 Freeborn (60, Albert Lea Lake) RPR.
Sterna tern
(Sterna sp.)
1 An early white tern was left unidentified 4/10 Chisago (Carlos Avery W.M.A.) MHe.
Loons
Red-throated Loon
(Gavia stellata)
11 All reports: 5/7 Isanti (South Stanchfield Lake) HHD, 5/12 St. Louis (2, Park Point R.A.) PHS, 5/18–29 St. Louis (max. 5, Park Point, Duluth) JLK, ph. SCZ, m.ob.
Pacific Loon
(Gavia pacifica)
11 All reports were away from Lake Superior: 5/5 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) ph. BJU, 5/28 Cass (Boy Bay, Leech Lake, no details) BAW, ABi.
Common Loon
(Gavia immer)
3044 Early south (median 3/27) 3/16 Ramsey REH, 3/20 Lac qui Parle, Swift BJU, 3/25 Washington LS. Early north (median 4/2) 4/8 Cass BAW, Otter Tail SC, Wadena PJB, 4/9 Grant BJU, Kanabec CAM, DBM, Morrison FGo, St. Louis PHS, MSo. High counts 4/17 Kanabec (159, Ann Lake) HHD, 4/17 Chisago (150, Rush Lake) DBM.
Cormorants
Double-crested Cormorant
(Nannopterum auritum)
3253 Early north (median 3/30) 4/4 Otter Tail BDE, 4/7 Cass DAY, Morrison, Otter Tail SC, 4/8 Grant DAB, Marshall MA, Traverse SC. High count 4/12 Rice (700, Sakatah Lake) DCu.
Pelicans
American White Pelican
(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
3151 Early south (away from overwintering areas) 3/11 Swift BJU, 3/19 Wabasha OWB, 3/20 Lac qui Parle BJU. Early north (median 4/7) 4/5 Douglas ARW, 4/7 Cass ABi, Otter Tail ARo, 4/8 Kittson TrB, Traverse, Wilkin m.ob. High counts 4/12 Dakota (500) LEC, 4/14 Wright (315, Pelican Lake) PEB. Unusual location 4/12 Lake (2, Two Harbors) JWL.
Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons
Least Bittern
(Botaurus exilis)
511 All south reports: 5/8 Isanti DBM, 5/9–20 Lac qui Parle (Madrena W.M.A.) BJU, 5/12 Hennepin CMB, 5/13–14 Dakota JLO, 5/14 Sherburne RZi, 5/23 Watonwan AnK, 5/26 Houston (2, Caledonia) RTe, CRM, 5/28 Lyon (2) RJS, Murray (Big Slough W.M.A.) DPG, 5/29 Anoka (Carlos Avery W.M.A.) MHe, Lac qui Parle RMD, BJU, Winona (Whitewater W.M.A.) RBW. All north 5/7 Morrison FGo, 5/8 Kittson LW, 5/9 Marshall MA, 5/22 Cass ABi, 5/29 Pennington JWH, BWF.
American Bittern
(Botaurus lentiginosus)
2119 Early south (median 4/18) 4/5 Rice TFB, 4/9 Swift KRE, m.ob., 4/11 Lac qui Parle BJU. Early north (median 4/18) 4/12 Marshall MA, 4/23 Traverse JOJ, 4/24 Kittson TrB. High counts 5/28 Lyon (8) RJS, 4/24 Lac qui Parle (7, Florida Creek W.M.A.) BJU, 5/20 Aitkin (6) ASc.
LITTLE BLUE HERON
(Egretta caerulea)
2 All reports 4/24 Sibley (adult, Mud Lake, Severance Twp.) †DBM, 5/5 Rice (adult, Morristown Twp.) DAB.
Snowy Egret
(Egretta thula)
27 All south reports: 4/24 Jackson (near Little Spirit Lake) †DPG, 4/30–5/1 Lac qui Parle (3, Salt Lake) ph. ANy, m.ob., 5/6 Big Stone (Thielke Lake) BJU, 5/15 Faribault WAF, 5/16 Blue Earth (Minnesota Lake) ph. RMD, AnK, ph. †ChH, m.ob., Murray (Buffalo Lake) WCM, Ramsey LMS. All north reports: 4/17 Grant (2 near Thorstad Lake) †DFN, PEJ, 4/26 Grant (Pelican Lake) RAE, 5/8 Otter Tail (Tumuli Twp.) CAM.
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
(Nyctanassa violacea)
1 Only report 5/21 Hennepin (Eden Prairie) ph. KSo.
Black-crowned Night Heron
(Nycticorax nycticorax)
718 Early south (median 3/29) 4/2 Hennepin CMB, 4/10 Goodhue VTh, 4/12 Lac qui Parle BJU. All north reports: 4/10 Grant m.ob., 4/12 Marshall MA, 4/28 St. Louis (Duluth Harbor) ph. JWL, 5/4 Todd DTM, JeM, 5/5+ Otter Tail DST, 5/21 Douglas JPE, JEl, Traverse BJU. High count 4/22 Hennepin (16, Minnehaha Creek) DDo.
Green Heron
(Butorides virescens)
2046 Early south (median 4/21) 4/10 Blue Earth AnK, 4/11 Hennepin MDu, 4/16 Winona DBz. Early north (median 5/3) 4/14 Morrison FGo, 5/1 Wadena PJB, 5/3 Marshall MA, Otter Tail DST, St. Louis ALo, JLK. High counts 5/7 Hennepin (6, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) MaK, 5/8 Washington (6, Lake McKusick) PSm, 5/10 Hennepin (5, Veteran's Memorial Park, Richfield) SBM.
Great Egret
(Ardea alba)
1747 Early south (median 3/22) 3/18 Dakota SLP, 3/19 Hennepin BeH, Houston DBM, 3/20 Lac qui Parle BJU. Early north (median 4/1) 3/31 Otter Tail DST, 4/3 Douglas PJK, Otter Tail GO, 4/5 Cass BAW. High counts 5/16 Otter Tail (100, Grotto Lake and Lake Alice, Fergus Falls) DST, 4/29 Rice (55, Sakatah Lake) DCu. Unusual Northeast report 5/23 St. Louis (Schultz Lake) AMc.
Western Cattle-Egret
(Ardea ibis)
313 All south reports: (median 4/20) 4/12 Olmsted ph. CJS, CAK, JWH, 4/13 Jackson (2, Grovers Lake) KSm, 4/15 Rock (3) NED, 4/17 Nicollet ph. ChH, 4/18 Chippewa (Milan) BJU, 4/24–5/10 Houston ANy, Jackson (Minneota Twp.) ph. DPG, 4/28 Big Stone (Big Stone Twp.), Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU, 4/29 Faribault (near Lura Lake) CRM, RBW, 5/1 Benton (Gilmanton Twp.) †MJB, Lac qui Parle (2, Pegg Lake) BJU, 5/2 Lac qui Parle (Quilitz W.M.A.) ph. BJU, 5/3 Rice TFB, 5/6 Sibley (New Auburn) JCC, 5/13 Olmsted (South Landfill Reservoir) JPr, m.ob., 5/14 Fillmore RAE. All north reports: 4/10 Grant (near Herman) KRE, m.ob., 5/28 Red Lake (near Huot) JWH, BWF, 5/30 Clay RZi, ALo.
Great Blue Heron
(Ardea herodias)
3353 Early south (median 3/8) 3/5 Goodhue PEJ, DFN, 3/7 Winona ANy, 3/11 Olmsted JWH, LAV, Ramsey TAT, Rice TFB. Early north (median 3/20) 3/17 Douglas JPE, 3/20 Cass BAW, 3/27 Hubbard MAW, Kanabec HHD. High counts 4/17 Hennepin (50, North Mississippi R.P.) JMN, 5/7 Rice (50, Sakatah Lake S.P.) JMN.
Ibises
GLOSSY IBIS
(Plegadis falcinellus)
1 Fourth state record (third since 2005) 5/9 Fillmore (near Preston) JWH, ph. †RLE, JPr, RTP.
White-faced Ibis
(Plegadis chihi)
18 All reports: 4/17 Grant (2, North Ottawa Twp.) †DFN, PEJ, 4/24 Lac qui Parle (3, Florida Creek W.M.A.) ph. †BJU, 4/28 Martin (2 near Clayton Lake, no details) CRM, 4/29 Lyon (2, Tracy, no details) RJS, 4/30 Nicollet (near Nicollet) ph. RMD, 5/11 Chippewa (Kragero Twp.) ph. †BJU, Swift (Lubenow W.P.A.) ph. †BJU, 5/13–18 Lyon (3, Black Rush Lake W.P.A.) WCM, 5/16 Nobles (near East Graham Lake) MDu.
Plegadis ibis
(Plegadis sp.)
3 All reports: 4/19 Lyon (21, Black Rush Lake W.P.A.) RJS, 4/28 Big Stone (near Ortonville) ph. BJU, 5/2 Nicollet (9, Nicollet W.M.A.) ph. RMD, ChH.
New World Vultures
BLACK VULTURE
(Coragyps atratus)
1 Sixth state record, all since 2001: 5/11 Ramsey (North Oaks) ph. v.t TAN.
Turkey Vulture
(Cathartes aura)
3253 Early south (median 3/11) 3/16 Goodhue PEJ, GMi, Nicollet RMD, Olmsted LAV, Wabasha PEJ, 3/17 Fillmore NBO, Hennepin SLP. Early north (median 3/30) 3/24 Cass BAW, 3/26 St. Louis DED, 3/31 Aitkin RBJ, DAC, Hubbard MAW. High counts 4/7 St. Louis (145, W.S.H.C.) EBr, 4/5 Washington (100) BRL.
Osprey
Osprey
(Pandion haliaetus)
2235 Early south (median 3/27) 3/25 Olmsted JWH, 4/2 Scott JEB, 4/3 Anoka CAB, Carver StB, Hennepin RBJ, ABL, SLC. Early north (median 4/1) 4/6 Cass BAW, ABi, Otter Tail ARo, 4/7 Lake JWL, 4/8 St. Louis EBr, NAJ, ALo. High count 4/24 St. Louis (19, W.S.H.C.) EBr.
Kites, Accipiters, Hawks, Eagles
Golden Eagle
(Aquila chrysaetos)
410 All south reports: 3/3 Rice TFB, 3/11 Sibley (2, Minnesota River valley) JnS, 3/20 Wabasha (Lake Pepin) RPR, 3/26 Olmsted (2 imm., Silver Creek Reservoir) CH, JWH, 3/30–31 Lac qui Parle (first-year, Walter Twp.) ph. BJU, Nicollet AnK, 4/8 Hennepin ABL, 4/15 Murray JnS, 4/21 Isanti CKB (late median 4/14). All north reports: 3/5 Polk SAu, 3/17 Kittson (Orleans) RBJ, DAC, 3/26 St. Louis (Canal Park, Duluth) NAJ, 4/23 Aitkin (Rice Lake N.W.R.) PEJ. Additional north reports from W.S.H.C. in St. Louis from 3/15 to 4/8, with a peak of 15 on 3/16 (EBr).
Northern Harrier
(Circus hudsonius)
3452 Early north (median 3/10) 3/5 Morrison FGo, 3/6 Clay fide JMJ, 3/10 Pennington SAS. High count 5/2 Kittson (10) TrB.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
(Accipiter striatus)
2538 Early north (median 3/7) 3/10 Polk (overwintered) SAu, 3/12 St. Louis RZi, 3/22 Otter Tail ARo. High count 5/8 St. Louis (263, W.S.H.C.) DSC. Late south 5/29 Olmsted ShK, 5/31 Sherburne JSP (no details for either sighting; our understanding of this species' status in southern Minnesota is compromised by potential confusion with other species).
Cooper's Hawk
(Accipiter cooperii)
2848 Early north (median 3/18) 3/5 Morrison FGo, 3/11 Hubbard MAW, 3/27 Clay MM. High count 3/19 Rice (8) DAB. [Corrected]
American Goshawk
(Accipiter atricapillus)
94 All south reports: 3/14 Hennepin (migrant, Lakewood Cemetery) TAT, 3/19 Lac qui Parle (immature, Perry Twp.) †BJU, 4/1 Ramsey REH, 4/16 Swift JOr. North reports from Aitkin, Becker, Cass, Cook, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, Roseau, St. Louis.
Bald Eagle
(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
3453 Reported from every county. High counts 3/16 St. Louis (290, W.S.H.C.) EBr, FJN, Rice (200) TFB, 3/19 Dakota (84, Freedom Park) SHF, 3/19 Rice (75) DAB.
Red-shouldered Hawk
(Buteo lineatus)
1121 Early north (median 3/14) 3/11 Mille Lacs ASc, 3/19 Morrison FGo, 3/26 Todd JeM. All other north reports: Becker, Carlton (no details), Cass, Clay, Crow Wing, Douglas, Hubbard, Otter Tail.
Broad-winged Hawk
(Buteo platypterus)
2737 Early south (median 4/7) 4/16 Rice TFB, 4/19 Sherburne EMa, 4/23 Goodhue KRo. Early north (median 4/10) 4/1 Otter Tail DST, 4/5 Hubbard MAW, 4/12 Douglas ARW, St. Louis EBr, PHS. High counts 5/8 St. Louis (653, W.S.H.C.) DSC, 4/30 Blue Earth (500) AnK, ChH.
Swainson's Hawk
(Buteo swainsoni)
222 Early south (median 4/3) 3/26 Washington RLW, 4/8 Yellow Medicine KRE, m.ob., 4/9 Big Stone LS, Lac qui Parle, Stevens m.ob. New county record 5/15 Isanti LS. All north reports: 5/7 Todd FGo, 5/28 Douglas HHD, RAE.
Red-tailed Hawk
(Buteo jamaicensis)
3453 Reported statewide. Seasonal total of 1,774 at W.S.H.C. (peak of 581 on 4/7) EBr, included single Harlan's on 4/2. Harlan's also reported 3/21 Lac qui Parle ph. BJU, 3/31 Aitkin DAC, RBJ, 4/17 Traverse †RPR. Krider's reported 3/20 Brown BTS, 4/8 Wilkin JWH, 4/30 Big Stone RPR, m.ob.
Rough-legged Hawk
(Buteo lagopus)
1829 High counts 4/1 Kittson (63) TrB, 4/11 Roseau (30, near Roseau) LeG. Late south 4/23 Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/24 Rice DAB (median 5/10). Late north 4/25 Roseau LeG, 5/15 Kittson JMJ (median 5/24).
FERRUGINOUS HAWK
(Buteo regalis)
1 Only documented report 3/21 Lac qui Parle (Garfield Twp.) ph. †BJU.
Barn Owls
AMERICAN BARN OWL
(Tyto furcata)
1 Adult male 4/1 Lac qui Parle (Walter and Perry Twps.) ph. †BJU.
Screech-Owls, Owls
Eastern Screech-Owl
(Megascops asio)
112 Observed south in Brown, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Olmsted, Ramsey, Yellow Medicine. Only north report 3/29 Otter Tail SPM.
Great Horned Owl
(Bubo virginianus)
2542 Observed statewide. High count 4/5 Lincoln (11) BJU.
Snowy Owl
(Bubo scandiacus)
11 Only south report 3/16 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU. All north reports 3/4 Kittson (imm. female) RAE, 3/5 Kittson (ad. male) HHD, RAE.
Northern Hawk Owl
(Surnia ulula)
2 Observed in St. Louis as late as 3/26 (Sax-Zim Bog) DED. Several observations of a pair in Roseau (Roseau River/Lost River S.F.) throughout the first half of the season culminated in the discovery of a nest with two fledged young 5/22 BJS.
BURROWING OWL
(Athene cunicularia)
1 First county record 5/18–19 Kittson (2, Joe River State Wildlife Area) ph. LW, ph. †TrB, RAE.
Barred Owl
(Strix varia)
2133 Observed statewide as far southwest as Brown. High count 5/3 Freeborn (22, Myre-Big Island S.P.) RPR.
Great Gray Owl
(Strix nebulosa)
6 Found in Aitkin, Cass, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Mahnomen, St. Louis. High count 3/5 St. Louis (7) ASe.
Long-eared Owl
(Asio otus)
511 Observed south in Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Dakota, Freeborn, Hennepin, Lac qui Parle, Pipestone, Ramsey, Rice, Sibley as late as 4/10 Pipestone NED. Reported north from Cass, Kittson, Lake, Roseau, St. Louis. Adults observed on a nest in Kittson beginning 4/27 LW.
Short-eared Owl
(Asio flammeus)
410 Observed south in Blue Earth, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Hennepin, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Rice, Steele, Swift, Yellow Medicine as late as 5/30 Chippewa (Chippewa Prairie) BJU. Early north (median 3/22) 3/29 Kittson TrB. Also observed north in Hubbard, Marshall, Polk. High count 4/24 Kittson (9) TrB.
Boreal Owl
(Aegolius funereus)
1 A male found on territory in Lake 3/19 SGW was joined by a female and successfully bred. Last seen 5/18 (ad. feeding young in tree cavity) SGW. One additional report 4/2 Lake (Stony River F.R.) MSo.
Northern Saw-whet Owl
(Aegolius acadicus)
86 Reported south in Anoka, Hennepin, Houston, Lac qui Parle, Olmsted, Ramsey as late as 5/18 Houston KKB. Found north in Cass, Hubbard, Itasca, Lake, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Roseau, St. Louis beginning 3/9 Cass ABi.
Kingfishers
Belted Kingfisher
(Megaceryle alcyon)
3253 Observed south throughout the season. Early north (median 3/26) 3/26 Wadena PJB, 4/5 Otter Tail ARo.
Woodpeckers
Red-headed Woodpecker
(Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
1836 Early south (median 4/22) 4/19 Sherburne (Sherburne N.W.R.) EMa; earlier reports 3/3 Rice TFB, 3/5 Washington (2, Carpenter N.C.) DDo, 3/7 Waseca BL, 3/16 Rice JLO, 3/24 Rice (Nerstrand-Big Woods S.P.) RTe probably refer to overwintering birds. Early north (median 4/25) 4/18 Morrison FGo, 5/7 Morrison FGo and Todd JeM.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
(Melanerpes carolinus)
2452 Observed statewide as far northeast as St. Louis and as far northwest as Roseau.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
(Sphyrapicus varius)
3351 Early south (median 3/28) 3/27 Ramsey RPR then 4/3 in ten counties. Early north (median 4/5) 4/3 Otter Tail ARo, 4/4 Douglas ARW, Mille Lacs ASc, Polk SAu. High count 4/29 Goodhue (13, Frontenac S.P.) DAd.
American Three-toed Woodpecker
(Picoides dorsalis)
1 Only report 5/6 Roseau TAF.
Black-backed Woodpecker
(Picoides arcticus)
6 Reported from Cass, Cook, Itasca, Lake of the Woods, Roseau, St. Louis.
Downy Woodpecker
(Dryobates pubescens)
3353 Observed statewide.
Hairy Woodpecker
(Dryobates villosus)
3150 Found statewide.
Northern Flicker
(Colaptes auratus)
3353 Present south throughout the season. One in Clay 3/3 RHO likely overwintered as there was also a report from January. Early north migrants (median 3/26) 3/27 Morrison FGo. High counts 4/21 Mower (24, Lake Louise S.P.) RTP, 4/17 Fillmore (21, Forestville S.P.) NBO.
Pileated Woodpecker
(Dryocopus pileatus)
3046 Observed statewide as far southwest as Lyon and Murray. High count 4/7 Cass (6) ABi.
Caracaras, Falcons
American Kestrel
(Falco sparverius)
3453 Observed statewide. Early north 3/5 Morrison FGo, 3/14 Red Lake SAS (median 3/7). High counts 3/20 Lac qui Parle (26) BJU, 4/2 Brown (18) BTS.
Merlin
(Falco columbarius)
2217 Early north (median 3/14) 3/8 Kittson TrB, 3/10 Lake JWL. Late south 5/14 Anoka REH, 5/23 Hennepin (Minnehaha Creek) DDo (median 5/18); reports in Dakota in late May probably refer to breeding birds (see summer report).
Peregrine Falcon
(Falco peregrinus)
1524 Early north (median 4/8) 3/27 Clay MM, 4/7 St. Louis (Duluth harbor) JWL. No significant counts.
Prairie Falcon
(Falco mexicanus)
1 One photographed near Dawson in Lac qui Parle 5/9 ph. †BJU.
Flycatchers
Great Crested Flycatcher
(Myiarchus crinitus)
3048 Early south (median 5/1) 4/30 Dakota DAC, Hennepin CMB, TAT. Early north (median 5/8) 5/9 Hubbard MaH, 5/10 Kanabec RAE, 5/11 Cass JeM, DTM. High counts 5/14 Morrison (8) MJB, 5/17 Carver (8) JCy, 5/28 Scott (8) JJo.
Western Kingbird
(Tyrannus verticalis)
68 Restricted to the western third of the state, except for birds in Anoka (2) and Morrison. Early south (median 5/7) 5/2 Lac qui Parle BJU, 5/6 Big Stone BJU. Early north (median 5/10) 5/16 Clay (Bluestem Prairie) RHO, 5/17 Marshall MA.
Eastern Kingbird
(Tyrannus tyrannus)
3350 Early south (median 4/27) 5/1 Lac qui Parle BJU, 5/3 Fillmore DBz, 5/5 Rice TFB. Early north (median 5/6) 5/8 Carlton DCr, 5/9 Grant RAE, 5/10 Aitkin RBJ, DAC, Cass BAW, Douglas ARW.
Olive-sided Flycatcher
(Contopus cooperi)
2029 Early south (median 5/7) 5/6 Hennepin CMB, 5/7 Carver JCy, 5/9 Olmsted JPr. Early north (median 5/15) 5/9 Hubbard MAW, 5/13 Itasca (Ladies Tresses Swamp S.N.A.) RBJ, DAC, 5/14 Becker JPr. High count 5/30 Swift (3) BJU. Reported south through end of period, see summer report for late migrants (median 6/11).
Eastern Wood-Pewee
(Contopus virens)
2542 Early south (median 5/5) 4/25 Anoka REH, 4/30 Rice JLO, 5/5 Hennepin DDo, MaK. Early north (median 5/12) 5/14 Morrison FGo, 5/16 Clearwater DBz. High count 5/28 Scott (10, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) JJo.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
(Empidonax flaviventris)
1628 Reported with details from only 15 south and 4 north counties. Early south (median 5/11) 5/9–10 Hennepin (Wood Lake N.C.) TAT, SLC, CMB, Lac qui Parle (Madison W.M.A). BJU, 5/14 Goodhue DWK, PEB. All north (median 5/20) 5/22, 5/23 St. Louis PHS, 5/27 Grant DWK, 5/29 Cook DFN, Lake DFN. Late south 5/29 Hennepin TAT, 5/30 Hennepin JJo, Steele PSU, Swift BJU (median 6/6). High count 5/22 St. Louis (12, Duluth) JLK. Note: During spring and fall migration, undocumented records of silent Empidonax flycatchers are not included in this report. Observers are encouraged to include identification details in their reports.
Acadian Flycatcher
(Empidonax virescens)
4 Only report with details 5/10 Rice TFB (median early 5/17). Reported without details from two additional south counties.
Alder Flycatcher
(Empidonax alnorum)
1723 Reported with details from only 17 south and 3 north counties. Early south (median 5/16) 5/21 Lac qui Parle BJU, Ramsey TAT, Scott BAF, SHF, 5/22 Blue Earth ChH, Scott DAB, JWH. All north with details (median early 5/17) 5/21 Traverse BJU, 5/22 Lake JWL, 5/28 Lake of the Woods MHK. High count 5/29 Hennepin (9, T. S. Roberts Bird Sanctuary) TAT. See summer report for late south migrants.
Willow Flycatcher
(Empidonax traillii)
226 Reported with details from 12 south counties. Early south (median 5/9) 5/15 Jackson MDU, 5/21 Nicollet JCC, Rice DAB. High counts 5/28 Anoka (5, Carlos Avery W.M.A.) PEB, 5/30 Lac qui Parle (5) BJU. No north reports with details.
Least Flycatcher
(Empidonax minimus)
3448 Reported with details from 20 south and 4 north counties. Early south (median 5/1) 5/1 Fillmore NBO, 5/2 Brown BTS. Early north (median 5/5) 5/15 Lake NLM, 5/16 St. Louis JJo.
Eastern Phoebe
(Sayornis phoebe)
3252 Early south (median 3/21) 3/19 Rice TFB, 3/20 Lac qui Parle, Swift BJU. Early north (median 3/29) 3/30 Cass ABi, 4/3 Clay RHO, Otter Tail BDE. High count 4/11 Scott (10, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) JMN.
Say's Phoebe
(Sayornis saya)
1 Pair at summer 2010 Yellow Medicine nesting location, first reported 5/28+ RLW, SWe. See summer report for documentation.
Vireos
White-eyed Vireo
(Vireo griseus)
1 One photographed 5/28 Lac qui Parle (Walter Twp.) ph. BJU.
Bell's Vireo
(Vireo bellii)
6 Early south (median 5/15) 5/15 Jackson (Black Bridge Rd.) MDu. Also reported from Dakota, Hennepin, Lac qui Parle, Rice, Waseca. High count 5/17 Dakota (3) CMB.
Yellow-throated Vireo
(Vireo flavifrons)
3144 Early south (median 5/1) 5/7 Carver JCy, Dodge DBz, Goodhue JFR, SWe, RTe, Isanti HHD, Olmsted JWH, Rice DAB, JMN, Stearns PCC. Early north (median 5/9) 5/10 Hubbard MaH, Kanabec, Mille Lacs RAE, 5/11 Carlton LAW, Cass BAW, JeM, DTM. High count 5/17 Carver (7, Carver P.R.) JCy.
Blue-headed Vireo
(Vireo solitarius)
2340 Early south (median 4/28) 4/30 Carver (3) JCy, WCM, Dakota BAF, ADS, Hennepin CMB, BeH, SLC, Rice DAB, TFB. Early north (median 5/5) 5/4 Crow Wing JeM, DTM, 5/6 Lake JoB, 5/7 Wadena PJB. High count 5/9 Lac qui Parle (12) BJU. Late south 5/29 Ramsey FKB, Stevens HHD, RAE, 5/30 Lac qui Parle SWe, RLW (median 5/31).
Philadelphia Vireo
(Vireo philadelphicus)
1530 Early south (median 5/7) 5/7 Goodhue RTe, 5/8 Dakota BAF, SWe, 5/9 Carver WCM, Hennepin PEB, Nicollet RMD, Rice TFB. Early north (median 5/14) 5/10 Kanabec RAE, 5/12 Cass BAW, 5/14 Morrison FGo. Late south 5/29 Big Stone (2) BJU, Lac qui Parle SWe, Pope RAE, Stevens HHD, RAE, 5/30 Swift BJU (median 5/30).
Warbling Vireo
(Vireo gilvus)
2745 Early south (median 5/1) 5/1 Hennepin SLC, 5/5 Big Stone BJU, Hennepin DDo, 5/6 Hennepin DWK, Rice TFB. Early north (median 5/8) 5/7 Morrison FGo, 5/9 Grant, Todd RAE, 5/11 Kanabec MHe. High count 5/15 Hennepin (11, Veteran's Memorial Park, Richfield) SBM.
Red-eyed Vireo
(Vireo olivaceus)
3143 Early south (median 5/6) 5/7 Dodge DBz, 5/8 Chisago MHe, Hennepin SLC. Early north (median 5/10) 4/27 Crow Wing FGo, 5/3 St. Louis SES, 5/7 Morrison FGo. High counts 5/25, 5/26 Steele (15) PSu, 5/28 Hennepin (15) MDu, 5/28 Scott (15) JJo.
Shrikes
Loggerhead Shrike
(Lanius ludovicianus)
211 Early south (median 3/20) 3/31 Dakota (4) CMB, 4/6 Goodhue LEC, 4/7 Dakota JLO. All north reports (median early 4/13) 4/23 Clay (Felton Prairie) RHO, 5/14 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) TaB.
Northern Shrike
(Lanius borealis)
1630 Reported from all regions. High count 4/3 Kanabec (3) RAE. Late south 4/3 Brown BTS, 4/5 Anoka HFl, Rice TFB, 4/6 Washington KCr (median 4/5). Late north 4/3 Kanabec (3) RAE, 4/9 Morrison FGo, 4/21 Marshall MA (median 4/19).
Jays, Nutcrackers, Magpies, Crows
Canada Jay
(Perisoreus canadensis)
10 Reported from Lake to Roseau, south to Aitkin and Cass. High count 3/20 St. Louis (7, Sax-Zim Bog) DaJ.
Blue Jay
(Cyanocitta cristata)
3453 Reported statewide. High count 5/12 St. Louis (1,800, Park Point R.A.) JLK.
CLARK'S NUTCRACKER
(Nucifraga columbiana)
1 One found 3/11 in Lac qui Parle ph. †BJU in a spruce stand in the Hantho Beach area. First report since 2004, first spring report since 1972.
Black-billed Magpie
(Pica hudsonia)
181 Out-of-range report 3/25 Sherburne (Sherburne N.W.R. headquarters) ph. BAB. ALso reported from usual Northwest and North-central range as far east as St. Louis. High count 3/5 Kittson (15) RAE.
American Crow
(Corvus brachyrhynchos)
3453 Reported from every county. High counts 3/11 Olmsted (100, Silver Lake) LAV, 3/3 Hennepin (80) DDo.
Common Raven
(Corvus corax)
296 Reported throughout the forested areas of the North, including along the western border as far south as Norman. South reports from Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Sherburne, Stearns, Washington. This species appears to be expanding its range; please include details with any extra-limital sightings. High count 3/6 Aitkin (20) DWK.
Chickadees, Titmice
Black-capped Chickadee
(Poecile atricapillus)
3353 Reported statewide.
Boreal Chickadee
(Poecile hudsonicus)
7 Reported from 7 counties in the Northeast and North-central.
Tufted Titmouse
(Baeolophus bicolor)
8 Reports from Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, and Winona; plus out-of-range reports 3/10 Hennepin RKi, 4/30 Waseca DCu.
Larks
Horned Lark
(Eremophila alpestris)
2752 Common statewide other than the Northeast, where the only reports came from St. Louis in May. High counts 3/1 Fillmore (70) RTP, 3/13 Carver (70) JCy.
Martins, Swallows
Bank Swallow
(Riparia riparia)
2543 Early south (median 4/17) 4/16 Winona DBz, 4/24 Rice DAB, 4/25 Houston DWK, Rice TFB. Early north (median 4/30) 5/7 Cass DAY, 5/8 Kanabec DWK, 5/9 Grant RAE. High count 5/20 Becker (50, Tamarac N.W.R.) SPe.
Tree Swallow
(Tachycineta bicolor)
3253 Early south (median 3/20) 3/19 Houston DBM, Winona DFN, PEJ, 3/20 Wabasha DBz, SKS, Winona DBz. Early north (median 4/3) 4/5 Cass BAW, 4/7 Cass ABi, Morrison SC, Wadena RBJ, DAC. High counts 5/1 Ramsey (300, Crosby Lake) SeH, 5/16 Ramsey (110) BNW.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
(Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
2547 Early south (median 4/12) 4/8 Hennepin SLC, 4/10 Hennepin CMB, 4/13 Ramsey REH. Early north (median 4/21) 4/26 Grant RAE, 4/27 Crow Wing FGo, 5/5 Carlton FKB.
Purple Martin
(Progne subis)
2642 Early south (median 4/5) 4/5 Freeborn RPe, 4/9 Freeborn PEJ, Rice PEJ, Waseca PEJ, 4/10 Rice TFB. Early north (median 4/11) 4/8 Otter Tail BDE, 4/23 Otter Tail DST, 4/26 Grant RAE. High count 5/26 Houston (50, Caledonia) RTe.
Barn Swallow
(Hirundo rustica)
3353 Early south (median 4/11) 4/7 Hennepin BeH, 4/8 Carver RZi, Goodhue RSA. Early north (median 4/19) 4/22 Morrison FGo, 4/25 Hubbard MAW, 4/26 Grant RAE. High count 5/26 Houston (200) RTe.
Cliff Swallow
(Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
3048 Early south (median 4/18) 4/10 Scott PEJ, Stearns PCC, 4/12 Hennepin SLC. Early north (median 4/25) 4/14 Morrison MJB, 4/18 Morrison FGo, 5/7 Mille Lacs ASc, Todd FGo. High count 5/26 Houston (300, Caledonia) RTe.
Kinglets
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
(Corthylio calendula)
2851 Early south (median 3/27) 3/17 Hennepin (Cedar Lake) SKS, 3/30 Scott JEB, 4/1 Hennepin SLC. Early north (median 4/6) 4/7 Douglas ARW, Wadena RBJ, DAC, 4/8 Traverse SC. High counts 5/3 Carver (37) JCy, 4/29 Hennepin (35) SBM. Late south 5/25 Steele PSu, Waseca DCu, 5/26 Blue Earth RBJ, Carver JCy (median 5/24).
Golden-crowned Kinglet
(Regulus satrapa)
1935 Early south (median 3/25) 3/17 Hennepin JMN, 3/20 Hennepin SLC, Lac qui Parle (2) BJU. Early north (median 3/25) 3/27 Itasca SC, 4/7 Morrison SC, 4/8 Cass BAW, Traverse SC. High counts 4/3 Hennepin (8) DDo, 4/23 Hennepin (7) CMB. Late south 5/5 Hennepin (2, Richardson N.C.) MaK, 5/7 Waseca (2) DCu (median 5/7).
Waxwings
Bohemian Waxwing
(Bombycilla garrulus)
156 High counts 4/10 St. Louis (2,300, Lakewalk extension, Duluth) PHS, MSo, 4/10 St. Louis (1,000) AM. All south 3/11 Big Stone BJU, Stearns (25) BWF, 3/13 Wright MJB, 3/16 Sherburne ASc, 3/20 Lac qui Parle BJU, 3/21 Lincoln (5, Hendricks) BJU (median late 4/4). Late north 4/19 Itasca SC, 4/24 St. Louis (68) SLF, 4/25 St. Louis (7) SLF (median 4/17).
Cedar Waxwing
(Bombycilla cedrorum)
2644 Early north 3/15 Polk SAu, 3/26 Wadena PJB, 4/8 Kittson TrB. Most birds did not arrive north until May. High count 5/30 Hennepin (100) DDo.
Nuthatches
Red-breasted Nuthatch
(Sitta canadensis)
3132 High count 3/14 St. Louis (9) KSm. Late south 5/24 Washington RMa, 5/25 Anoka CAB (median 5/23). See summer report for additional south observations.
White-breasted Nuthatch
(Sitta carolinensis)
3452 Reported from all counties except Pipestone.
Creepers
Brown Creeper
(Certhia americana)
2242 Present north and south as the season commenced. High count 3/15 Le Sueur (21, Sakatah Lake S.P.) DCu. Late south 5/20 Hennepin (Powderhorn Park) JJo, 5/28 Scott (Murphy Hanrehan P.R.) JFR (median 5/21).
Gnatcatchers
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
(Polioptila caerulea)
1348 Early south (median 4/21) 4/28 Waseca DCu, 4/29 Hennepin (2) SBM, Mower BPl. Early north (median 5/6) 4/24 Todd DTM, 5/7 Douglas ARW, 5/10 Aitkin RBJ, DAC, Douglas ARW. High counts 5/8 Carver (16) JCy, 5/13 Scott (14) SHF. New county record 5/25 Koochiching (Bartlett Lake) JEB. Other unusual north reports 5/18 Norman DBz, 5/21 Hubbard (Spider Lake) ARW, Traverse (Lake Traverse) BJU, 5/23 St. Louis (Schultz Lake) AMc.
Wrens
Carolina Wren
(Thryothorus ludovicianus)
No documented reports.
Northern House Wren
(Troglodytes aedon)
3153 Early south (median 4/17) 4/3 McLeod (Brownton) LS, 4/17 Hennepin SKS, 4/22 Rice DAB. Early north (median 4/29) 4/28 Morrison FGo, 5/6 Lake JWL, Otter Tail ARo, St. Louis ALo. High count 5/23 Steele (22, Saco Farm Woods & Fields) PSu.
Winter Wren
(Troglodytes hiemalis)
1828 Overwintering bird reported 3/7 Hennepin (Pond Dakota Mission Park) SLC. Early south migrants (median 3/27) 3/30 Freeborn RBW, 4/1 Freeborn HHD, RAE, 4/3 Olmsted (2) JWH. Early north (median 4/6) 4/9 Cass BAW, Traverse BJU, 4/12 Kanabec RAE. High count: 5/2 Hennepin (3) PEB. Late south 5/10 Hennepin CMB, 5/14 Carver JCy, 5/17 Freeborn RoJ, Hennepin LMo (median 5/13).
Sedge Wren
(Cistothorus stellaris)
3032 Early south (median 4/27) 4/28 Big Stone BJU, 4/30 Carver JCy, 5/1 Rice (2) RTe. Early north (median 5/3) 5/5 Carlton LAW, Cass ABi, 5/7 Douglas ARW, JPE. High count 5/24 Washington (10, Grey Cloud Dunes S.N.A.) PNi.
Marsh Wren
(Cistothorus palustris)
1836 Early south (median 4/25) 4/27 Sherburne ASc, 4/28 Big Stone and Lac qui Parle BJU. Early north (median 5/4) 5/9 Kittson TrB, Todd RAE, 5/16 Clay (2, Felton Prairie) RHO, Otter Tail DST.
Thrashers, Mockingbirds
Gray Catbird
(Dumetella carolinensis)
3452 Early south (median 4/27) 4/21 Dakota RLW, 4/24 Steele JHD, 4/29 Hennepin SBM. Early north (median 5/6) 5/2 Douglas ARW, 5/5 Carlton FKB, 5/6 Pine FKB. High counts 5/13 Scott (14, Louisville Swamp) SHF, 5/20 St. Louis (14, Indian Point, Duluth) JLK.
Brown Thrasher
(Toxostoma rufum)
2752 Early south (median 4/13) 4/9 Waseca BWL, 4/11 McLeod PRH, Waseca DCu. Early north (median 4/23) 4/25 Lake JWL, 4/26 Otter Tail, DST, 4/28 Itasca SC, Morrison FGo. High count: 5/26 Houston (11) RTe.
Northern Mockingbird
(Mimus polyglottos)
34 All south 4/23 Big Stone (Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU, 4/30 Rice (River Bend N.C.) DAB, TFB, 5/19 Washington (Cottage Grove) fide BAF, 5/26 Nicollet (Benson Park, North Mankato) AnK, ChH. All north 5/6 Hubbard fide JMJ, 5/14 Cook (Grand Marais) ANy, and 3 locations in St. Louis: 5/9 (east Duluth) FKB, 5/11–19 (Duluth Rose Garden) DOK, PHS, 5/13–30 (Park Point R.A.) NAJ, EBr, ph. PHS, m.ob., 5/19 Brown (New Ulm) fide AXH.
Starlings
European Starling
(Sturnus vulgaris)
3353 Reported statewide. High count 4/2 Dakota (350) JFR.
Thrushes
Eastern Bluebird
(Sialia sialis)
3351 Present Southeast at start of season, migrants widely reported 3/16. Early north (median 3/16) 3/17 Douglas JPE, 3/19 Morrison FGo, 3/21 Mille Lacs ASc. High counts 3/27 Washington (30) JHe, 3/19 Fillmore (23) RTP.
MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD
(Sialia currucoides)
2 All south reports 3/20 Lac qui Parle (male, Marsh Lake) ph. BJU, 4/10 Stevens (male, county road 1, just south of S.R. 28) ph. KRE, PME, HHD, LS, RAE.
Townsend's Solitaire
(Myadestes townsendi)
3 All reports were of over-wintering individuals: reported through 3/8 Ramsey (Vadnais Lake) RZi, 3/24 Lac qui Parle (Hantho Beach) BJU, DBM, RAE, 4/18 Hennepin (Pond Dakota Mission Park) SLC.
Veery
(Catharus fuscescens)
3031 Early south (median 5/1) 4/21 Carver JCy, 5/1 Hennepin CMB, 5/2 Hennepin PEB, Rice TFB. Early north (median 5/8) 5/8 Cass BAW, 5/10 Aitkin RBJ, DAC, Hubbard MaH, Kanabec RAE, St. Louis NAJ. High count 5/31 Scott (5, Murphy Hanrehan P.R.) ADS.
Gray-cheeked Thrush
(Catharus minimus)
835 Early south (median 5/3) 5/1 Hennepin TAT, Ramsey BAF, SHF, 5/2 Lac qui Parle BJU, Ramsey BNW. Early north (median 5/8) 5/10 Douglas ARW, 5/13 Douglas FGo, Itasca EEO. High count 5/6 Hennepin (4) CMB. Late south 5/21 Big Stone and Lac qui Parle BJU, Lyon RAE, 5/24 Carver JCy, Hennepin CMB (median 5/27). Late north 5/22 St. Louis (2) JLK, 5/23 Marshall JMJ, 5/26 Marshall SC (median 5/28).
Swainson's Thrush
(Catharus ustulatus)
2952 Early south (median 4/26) 4/29 Sherburne PLJ, 4/30 Blue Earth, Carver, Dakota, Freeborn, Hennepin, Nicollet, Rice, Stearns, Steele. Early north (median 5/2) 4/23 Carlton LAW, 5/1 Marshall MA, St. Louis (3) JLK. High counts 5/9 Martin (62, Cedar Creek C.P.) JCC, 5/17 Fillmore (32, Forestville S.P.) NBO. See summer report for late south migrants.
Hermit Thrush
(Catharus guttatus)
2642 Probably overwintering was one 3/1 Hennepin LS. Early south migrants (median 3/28) 3/27 Fillmore DBz, JWH, 3/30 Hennepin SLC, 4/2 Lac qui Parle BJU. Early north (median 4/10) 4/4 Otter Tail BDE, 4/7 Douglas ARW. High count 4/16 Hennepin (21) CMB. Late south 5/16 Hennepin TAT, 5/24 Washington RMa (median 5/16).
Wood Thrush
(Hylocichla mustelina)
1334 Early south (median 5/1) 4/30 Hennepin TAT, 5/2 Rice TFB, 5/3 Fillmore RTP. Early north (median 5/8) 5/11 Aitkin MHe, Lake JWL, 5/12 Beltrami MHe, 5/13 Douglas FGo. High count 5/19 Scott (8, Murphy Hanrehan P.R.) CMB.
American Robin
(Turdus migratorius)
3453 Reported from every county. High counts 4/3 Clay (100) KBr, 4/6 Polk (100) SAu.
Varied Thrush
(Ixoreus naevius)
2 Overwintered in St. Louis (Ely) where last reported 3/5 ph. RTe. Two individuals reported from Kittson: a male that overwintered through 3/17 Lancaster TBr, LW, ph. DAC, RBJ and a female 3/13–23 near Skull Lake W.M.A. TBr.
Old World Sparrows
House Sparrow
(Passer domesticus)
2953 Reported statewide, except from the far Northeast.
Pipits
American Pipit
(Anthus rubescens)
320 Early south (median 4/10) 4/1 Lac qui Parle (3) BJU, 4/3 Hennepin SKS. Early north (median 4/28) 4/8 Wilkin SC, 5/9 Cass (2, Longville) BAW. High count 5/14 Goodhue (40) DWK. Late south 5/15 Watonwan JWH, 5/16 Murray (35) WCM, 5/20 Lac qui Parle BJU (median 5/16). Late north 5/17 St. Louis NAJ, 5/28 St. Louis (2) JLK (median 5/22).
Finches
Evening Grosbeak
(Coccothraustes vespertinus)
9 Reported throughout the season in Northeast and North-central parts of the state. Season high counts 3/4 Cass (33) ABi, 3/19 Clearwater (15) CoC, 5/7 St. Louis (13) SLF.
Pine Grosbeak
(Pinicola enucleator)
10 All reports 3/1 St. Louis NAJ, JLo, 3/2 St. Louis (22) JLo, 3/3 Hubbard MaH, Itasca SC, 3/4 St. Louis SFa, 3/5 Cass (35) DWK, ABi, JWH, Lake RTe, Marshall and Roseau HHD, RAE, St. Louis SES, RTe, ASe, 3/6 Cass JLO, DWK, JWH, Itasca SC, St. Louis RTe, 3/7 Aitkin JWH, Lake of the Woods fide JMJ, 3/9 Lake of the Woods fide JMJ, 3/10 St. Louis KJa, 3/12 Itasca SC, St. Louis RZi, 3/13 Cook DMB.
House Finch
(Haemorhous mexicanus)
2953 Reported statewide.
Purple Finch
(Haemorhous purpureus)
2833 Found in every region. Late south 5/22 Anoka DPG, 5/22 Rice JFR. Reported north throughout the season. Season high counts 4/10 St. Louis (60) LSc, 5/1 Goodhue (30) LEC.
Redpoll (Common)
(Acanthis f. flammea)
269 High counts 3/11 Hubbard (510) MAW, 4/9 Hubbard (250) MAW. Late south 3/20 Chisago MHe, Lac qui Parle BJU, 3/22 Washington KMo, PSm, 3/30 Sherburne ASc, 4/23 Hennepin JHe, Olmsted GPe. Late north 4/29 Cook HHD, 4/30 Cook RAE, 5/4 St. Louis AM (median 5/4).
Redpoll (Hoary)
(Acanthis f. exilipes)
13 Numerous reports this season, though all confined to the northern third of the state. Late north 4/3 Beltrami DPJ, 4/9 Hubbard MaH, 4/16 St. Louis †JLK, JCG (median 4/7). Three additional sightings were documented: 3/1 St. Louis (Ely) ph. NLM, 3/6 Cass (Hackensack) †JWH, 3/7 St. Louis (Duluth) ph. MLH.
Red Crossbill
(Loxia curvirostra)
6 All north 3/1 Itasca SC, 3/27 Itasca SC, 4/5 Roseau WBa, 4/9 Douglas ARW, m.ob., 4/18 Lake of the Woods WBa, 4/27–28 Hubbard (15) MaH, 5/23 Becker DBM, 5/25 Lake of the Woods JEB.
White-winged Crossbill
(Loxia leucoptera)
3 Only reports 3/3 Itasca SC, 3/5 Roseau (7) HHD, RAE, 3/7 Aitkin (5) JWH, 3/11 Itasca SC.
Pine Siskin
(Spinus pinus)
2734 Late south 5/21 Martin HHD, 5/24 Hennepin SLC, 5/27 Rice TFB, 5/30-31 Hennepin ABL (median 5/21). Reported throughout the season north.
American Goldfinch
(Spinus tristis)
3453 Reported statewide.
Longspurs and Snow Buntings
Lapland Longspur
(Calcarius lapponicus)
933 Only found southwest of a line from Kittson through Washington. High counts 3/19 Cottonwood (4,000) BRB, 3/20 Lac qui Parle (3,500) BJU. Late south 5/9 Lac qui Parle (24) BJU, 5/14 Dakota (15, Douglas Twp.) SWe (median 5/4). Late north 4/16 Polk JMJ, 4/17 Grant DFN, 4/23 Clay (300) RHO (median 5/19).
CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR
(Calcarius ornatus)
11 Only south report 4/28 Lac qui Parle (male, near Plover Prairie) ph. BJU. All north reports from traditional Felton Prairie location where first reported 5/21 Clay (3) RHO (median 4/15).
Smith's Longspur
(Calcarius pictus)
5 Two new county records: 4/10–23 Brown (Mulligan Twp., as many as 30 individuals) †BTS, m.ob, 4/23–24 Wabasha (Weaver Dunes) †DBz. Other reports 4/8 Lac qui Parle (Perry W.M.A.) BJU, 4/12 Nicollet (St. Peter) †RMD, 4/28 Big Stone (30) BJU, 5/4 Lac qui Parle (Yellow Bank Hills S.N.A.) fide RPR.
Snow Bunting
(Plectrophenax nivalis)
2030 High count 3/27 McLeod (760) DWK. Late south 4/12 Stearns (3) RHi, 4/19 Sherburne EMa (median 3/28). Late north 4/23 Aitkin PEJ, Itasca SC, St. Louis (2) TPW, 5/5 Marshall MA (median 5/8).
Towhees, Sparrows
Grasshopper Sparrow
(Ammodramus savannarum)
926 Early south (median 4/26) 4/20 Sherburne ASc, 4/25 Dakota CMB, Wabasha ANy, 4/26 Stearns BAB, 4/28 Big Stone and Lac qui Parle BJU. Early north (median 5/8) 4/27 Crow Wing FGo, 5/7 Morrison and Todd FGo. Unusual report 5/25 Koochiching JEB. Season high counts 5/29 Yellow Medicine (115 singing males in Florida Twp.) RMD, 5/31 Sherburne (22, Sherburne N.W.R.) ASc.
Lark Sparrow
(Chondestes grammacus)
1230 Early south (median 4/22) 4/17 Wabasha DBz, 4/23 Carver JCy, Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/25 Sherburne ASc, Wabasha ANy. New county records: 5/20 Waseca AnK, 5/15 Watonwan RMD. Early north (median 5/4) 4/23 Mille Lacs ASc, 5/7 Hubbard MaH, Polk SAu, 5/12 Beltrami MHe.
Chipping Sparrow
(Spizella passerina)
3453 Early south (median 3/26) 3/25 Scott KiH, 3/26 Hennepin StB, 3/31 Ramsey KMo, 4/1 Chisago DPi. Early north (median 4/11) 4/10 Grant RAE, Hubbard ANy, Otter Tail BDE, 4/13 Mille Lacs ASc. Season high counts 5/14 Morrison (60) MJB, 4/2 Ramsey (50) SeH.
Clay-colored Sparrow
(Spizella pallida)
3449 Early south (median 4/21) 4/12 Winona NBO, 4/23 Big Stone, Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/29 Hennepin SMy, SLC, Washington KCr. Early north (median 4/27) 4/30 Otter Tail ARo, 5/1 Lake JWL, Wadena PJB, 5/4 Douglas ARW, Kittson TrB, Mille Lacs ASc, St. Louis JLK. Noteable high counts 5/4 Goodhue (30) GMi, 5/5 Hennepin (15) DDo, 5/17 Blue Earth (15) DCu.
Field Sparrow
(Spizella pusilla)
1249 Reported from most south but few north counties. Unusual north were 4/28 St. Louis (Sky Harbor Airport) MH, 5/4 Kittson TrB. Early south 4/3 Blue Earth ChH, 4/5 Scott (2) JMN, Stearns EMa, 4/6 Rice DAB, TFB. Early north (median 4/21) 4/18 Mille Lacs ASc, 4/20 Becker ASM, 4/22 Morrison FGo. High count 5/24 Washington (20, Grey Cloud Dunes S.N.A.) PNi.
Fox Sparrow
(Passerella iliaca)
2645 Early south (median 3/13) 3/17 Hennepin BAF, Olmsted JoP, Rice TFB, 3/18 Dodge DBM, Fillmore RTP, RTP, Hennepin TAT, Rice DAB, RZi, Washington JaH, SLP. Early north (median 3/29) 4/2 Douglas PJK, 4/3 Clay RHO, Otter Tail BDE, DST. Late south 5/4 Hennepin SKS, TMa (median 4/29). Late north 4/27 Crow Wing FGo, St. Louis JLK, 5/1–4 Kittson TrB (median 5/9). High count 4/16 St. Louis (91, Southworth Marsh, Duluth) PHS.
American Tree Sparrow
(Spizelloides arborea)
2649 Late south 5/2 Anoka CKB, 5/4 Freeborn RTP, 5/8 Dakota SWe (median 5/2). Late north 5/7 Morrison FGo, 5/11 St. Louis SLF, 5/26 Todd DTM (median 5/7).
Dark-eyed Junco
(Junco hyemalis)
3253 Seen statewide. Late south 5/25 Washington RBl, 5/27 Hennepin LiM, 5/29 Kandiyohi JoS (median 5/19). Noteable high counts: 4/7 Cass (500) ABi, 4/7 Roseau (300) LeG, 4/23 St. Louis (300) TPW.
White-crowned Sparrow
(Zonotrichia leucophrys)
2741 Overwintered in Rice TFB. Early south (median 4/21) 4/24 Lac qui Parle FAE, 4/28 Big Stone and Lac qui Parle BJU. Early north (median 4/23) 4/26 Marshall MA, 4/28 Morrison FGo, 4/30 Otter Tail ARo, Polk (2) SAu, Todd JeM. High count 5/3 Hennepin (30, Westwood Hills N.C.) ThM. Late south 5/24 Carver JCy, Isanti DPG (median 5/21). Late north 5/26 Wadena (2) MGo, 5/27 Wilkin JWH, BWF (median 5/25).
Harris's Sparrow
(Zonotrichia querula)
1638 See winter report for overwintering individuals. Early south (median 4/3) 4/11 Lac qui Parle FAE, 4/19 Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/26 Rice TFB, 4/28 Big Stone BJU, Jackson KeS, Martin CRM. Early north (median 4/28) 5/4 Kittson TrB, 5/5 Pennington BRe, 5/6 Polk SAu, 5/7 Marshall and Pennington JMJ. Late south 5/26 Pipestone NED, 5/30 Chippewa BJU (median 5/22). Late north 5/18 Kittson and Pennington RAE, 5/20 Polk SAu, 5/21 Traverse BJU (median 5/21).
White-throated Sparrow
(Zonotrichia albicollis)
3349 Reported throughout the state. See winter report for over-wintering individuals. Presumed early south migrants (median 3/20) 3/21 Hennepin CMB, 4/3 Hennepin DWK, CMB, Rice DAB, 4/4 Olmsted LAV. Early north (median 4/11) 4/5 Polk MC, 4/13 Otter Tail ARo, St. Louis JLK, 4/15 Hubbard MAW. Late south 5/21 Big Stone BJU, Dodge JWH, Lac qui Parle BJU, 5/22 Carver JCy (median 5/27). Season high counts 4/30 Hennepin (T. S. Roberts Bird Sanctuary) with reports of 100 (TAT, CMB) to 200 (JJo) individuals, also 4/30 Rice (100) DCu.
Vesper Sparrow
(Pooecetes gramineus)
2951 Early south (median 3/29) 4/2 Faribault HHD, RAE, 4/3 Brown BTS, Wright HHD, 4/6 Freeborn RBW. Early north (median 4/12) 4/8 Otter Tail DBz, DAB, JWH, Wilkin SC, DBz, 4/9 Grant JWH, DAB, Traverse BJU. High count 5/1 Stearns (21, Ashley Twp.) PCC. [Corrected]
LeConte's Sparrow
(Ammospiza leconteii)
1112 Early south (median 4/23) 4/21 Wright JEB, 4/23 Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/24 Rice TFB, 4/25 Dakota DWK, RBW. Early north (median 5/2) 4/27 Cass FGo, 5/5 St. Louis DBF, 5/11 Aitkin MHe. Late south 5/20 Lac qui Parle BJU, Waseca AnK, ChH, but see summer summary for reports south that continue into June. High counts 5/20 Aitkin (12) ASc, 5/26 Aitkin (6) CMB.
Nelson's Sparrow
(Ammospiza nelsoni)
41 South reports 5/20 Lac qui Parle (Gollnick W.M.A.) BJU. North reports 5/5+ Cass (Battleground S.F.) ABi, 5/7 Morrison FGo, 5/20 Aitkin ASc, Kittson DBz, 5/23+ Aitkin (McGregor Marsh) SLo, 5/25 Kittson SC.
Henslow's Sparrow
(Centronyx henslowii)
14 Early south (median 5/11) 4/23 Wabasha DBz, 5/14 Goodhue PEB, 5/20 Chisago (Wild River S.P.) MHe, 5/21 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU. Season high counts 5/22 Blue Earth (4, Minneopa S.P.) ChH, 5/24 Washington (3, Grey Cloud Dunes S.N.A.) PNi.
Savannah Sparrow
(Passerculus sandwichensis)
2947 Early south (median 4/1) 4/3 Brown BTS, 4/9 Big Stone BJU, Lac qui Parle HHD, Nobles BTS, Stearns DPG. Early north (median 4/17) 4/14 Morrison FGo, 4/20 Kittson TrB, 4/23 Wadena PJB.
Song Sparrow
(Melospiza melodia)
3353 Reported throughout the state. Only one report of an overwintering individual in Hennepin (see winter report). Presumed early south migrants 3/11 Lac qui Parle BJU, 3/15 Fillmore NBO, Washington PNi. Early north (median 3/26) 3/4 St. Louis EBr (overwintering?), 3/26 Wadena PJB, 3/31 Mille Lacs ASc.
Lincoln's Sparrow
(Melospiza lincolnii)
2242 Early south (median 4/12) 4/15 Hennepin RTe, Jackson KeS, 4/17 Lac qui Parle BJU, Mower KKu. Early north (median 4/24) 4/18 Douglas ARW, 4/27 Crow Wing FGo, 4/30 Otter Tail ARo. Late south 5/26 Blue Earth ChH, Steele PSu, 5/30 Hennepin SLC, Scott MiT (median 5/25).
Swamp Sparrow
(Melospiza georgiana)
3048 Early south (median 3/24) 3/19 Waseca DCu, 3/21 Hennepin TAT, JM, 3/27 Carver JCy, Hennepin SLC. Early north (median 4/15) 4/11 Morrison FGo, 4/13 Mille Lacs ASc, 4/14 Morrison FGo, MJB, 4/17 Kanabec HHD.
Spotted Towhee
(Pipilo maculatus)
13 Reported in expected range 5/9 Lac qui Parle (Colbert W.P.A.) ph. BJU, 5/11 Lac qui Parle (female, Hantho Beach) ph. BJU, 5/13 Big Stone (male, Ortonville) ph. BJU. Also unexpected 5/1 Dakota (Gun Club Lake) PEJ and far out-of-range 4/30 St. Louis (male, Duluth) ph. MLH, ph. †PHS, m.ob. One report 5/11 Hennepin (T. S. Roberts Bird Sanctuary) TAT was a female towhee with heavy spotting on shoulder, but not seen well enough to distinguish as a Spotted Towhee or a hybrid.
Eastern Towhee
(Pipilo erythrophthalmus)
1236 Two south reports in March of overwintering birds: 3/11 Blue Earth ChH, 3/16 (last date) Kandiyohi RSF. First migrants south (median 4/16) 4/3 Nicollet RPe, 4/9 Hennepin CMB, 4/13 Hennepin SHF. Early north (median 5/4) 5/3 St. Louis JCG, 5/4 Lake JWL, 5/8 Clay RHO, Kittson LW, 5/9 St. Louis ALo. Unusual Northeast report 5/19 Cook ph. DBM.
Spotted Towhee X Eastern Towhee
(Pipilo maculatus X P. erythrophthalmus)
Two reports: 5/6 Blue Earth ph. †ChH, AnK, 5/21 Lyon RAE.
Yellow-breasted Chat
Yellow-breasted Chat
(Icteria virens)
See Undocumented Reports.
Blackbirds, Orioles
Yellow-headed Blackbird
(Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)
2446 Early south (median 3/29) 3/26 Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/2 Wright HCT, 4/8 Lac qui Parle HHD, four more counties on 4/9. Early north (median 4/10) 4/8 Otter Tail DAB, JWH, 4/9 Mille Lacs DBM, Traverse BJU. Season high counts 4/30 Lac qui Parle (80, Kibler W.M.A.) KeS, 4/9 Traverse (45) BJU.
Bobolink
(Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
2846 Early south (median 5/1) 4/30 Blue Earth ChH, 5/3 Lac qui Parle BJU, 5/5 Big Stone BJU, Dakota JLO, SWe, SLP, Olmsted JWH. Early north (median 5/5) 5/7 Cass BAW, Kanabec HHD, 5/10 Aitkin and Mille Lacs RBJ, DAC, Kanabec RAE.
Eastern Meadowlark
(Sturnella magna)
1333 Early south 3/17 Carver JCy, Rice TFB, 3/18 Fillmore RTP, Mower DBM, Olmsted JWH, Rice RZi. Early north (median 3/25) 3/9 Mille Lacs ASc, 3/22 St. Louis EBr, 4/5 Cass BAW, 4/7 Crow Wing SC, Morrison SC, Wadena RBJ, DAC. High count 3/18 Fillmore (16) RTP.
Western Meadowlark
(Sturnella neglecta)
1636 Early south 3/6 Houston SWe, 3/11 Lac qui Parle BJU, 3/18 Dakota JLO, CMB. Early north (median 3/16) 3/19 Marshall MA, 3/20 Otter Tail GO, 3/27 Clay MM. Season high count 3/26 Lac qui Parle (60) DPG.
Orchard Oriole
(Icterus spurius)
1242 Early south (median 5/7) 4/30 Rice DAB, 5/4 Fillmore NBO, Rice TFB, Scott GLa, Sherburne ASc, 5/6 Blue Earth ChH with many reports starting May 9 and onward. Early north (median 5/15) 5/9 Otter Tail GO, 5/14 Becker fide JMJ. Noted out-of-range report 5/22 St. Louis ph. GMa.
Baltimore Oriole
(Icterus galbula)
3252 First south reports of this species arrived nicely in 8 counties on 4/30, one day after their median arrival date (4/29). Early north (median 5/4) 5/6 Otter Tail DST, Todd JeM. Reports from six additional north counties on 5/7. High count 5/10 Hennepin (20) ThM.
Red-winged Blackbird
(Agelaius phoeniceus)
3453 Found in every county. Please see winter report for overwintering records. Presumed early south migrants 3/5 Rock DBM, JPr. Early north (median 3/10) 3/16 Otter Tail TJa, 3/17 Douglas JPE, Otter Tail RBJ, 3/19 Morrison FGo, Otter Tail DST, St. Louis BNW. High count 4/2 Meeker (3,000) MJB.
Brown-headed Cowbird
(Molothrus ater)
3353 See winter report for overwintering records. Early south (median 3/13) 3/4 Dakota KeS, 3/13 Murray HHD, RAE, 3/16 Dakota KeS, 3/17 Carver JCy. Early north (median 4/6) 4/2 Otter Tail GO, ARo, 4/7 Crow Wing SC, Polk SAu, Todd SC. Season high counts 4/23 Cass (500) DAY, 4/21 Dakota (135) KeS.
Rusty Blackbird
(Euphagus carolinus)
1646 Found throughout the south. Few reports from the Northwest and North-central regions. Early south (same as median) 3/6 Winona ANy, 3/13 Pipestone HHD, RAE, 3/16 Big Stone (5) and Lac qui Parle (3) BJU. Early north (median 3/20) 3/31 Mille Lacs ASc, 4/7 Douglas (8) ARW, Otter Tail SC. High count 4/2 Murray (60, Lake Shetek S. P.) RTe. Late south 5/1 Blue Earth AnK, Hennepin CMB, 5/3 Stearns FGo (median 5/1). Late north 5/15 Marshall SAS, 5/21–22 Otter Tail DvS (median 5/3).
Brewer's Blackbird
(Euphagus cyanocephalus)
2837 Early south (median 3/15) 3/18 Mower RAE, 3/20 Wabasha RAE, 3/24 Waseca DCu, 3/25 Dakota JLO. Early north (median 4/2) 4/7 Polk SAS, 4/9 Traverse BJU, 4/12 Morrison FGo, 4/17 St. Louis JLK. Season high counts 4/24 Lac qui Parle (80) BJU, 4/17 St. Louis (75) JLK, 4/30 Lac qui Parle (60) KeS.
Common Grackle
(Quiscalus quiscula)
3453 See winter report for overwintering records. Early north (median 3/9) 3/14 Douglas CAn, 3/16 Lake JWL, 3/25 Todd JeM, 3/27 Crow Wing ABi, 3/29 Polk SAu. Season high counts 4/2 Meeker (500) MJB, 3/19 Fillmore (195) RTP.
Great-tailed Grackle
(Quiscalus mexicanus)
2 Only reports 4/18 Lac qui Parle (Cory Lake) ph. BJU, 4/26 Martin TAT.
Warblers
Ovenbird
(Seiurus aurocapilla)
3243 Early south (median 4/30) 4/23 Hennepin LMo, 4/29 Hennepin SLC, and from six more counties 4/30. Early north (median 5/4) 5/1 St.Louis JLK, 5/6 Cass BAW, and four more counties 5/7. High count 5/14 Morrison (15) MJB.
Louisiana Waterthrush
(Parkesia motacilla)
11 Early south (median 4/23) 4/17 Rice DAB, 4/23 Washington (Falls Creek S.N.A.) DFN, Winona DBz. No north reports. New county record 5/13 Lyon (Camden S.P.) WCM. Also unusual was one 5/9 Lac qui Parle (Lac qui Parle C.P.) ph. BJU. High count 4/25 Houston (7, Beaver Creek Valley S.P.) DWK.
Northern Waterthrush
(Parkesia noveboracensis)
2738 Early south (median 4/25) 4/24 Steele JHD, 4/28 Big Stone BJU, 4/29 Hennepin SBM. Early north (median 5/4) 5/1 St. Louis (2) JLK, 5/3 St. Louis ALo, JLK, 5/5 Cass BAW, 5/7 Itasca SC, Polk SAu. High count 5/6 Hennepin (12) CMB. Late south 5/28 Anoka (Boot Lake S.N.A.) PEB, 5/29 Lac qui Parle BJU (median 5/29).
Golden-winged Warbler
(Vermivora chrysoptera)
2233 Early south (median 5/5) 5/5 Hennepin ChH, 5/6 Hennepin DWK, CMB, TAT, then widespread arrivals 5/7. Early north (median 5/8) 5/10 Cass (2) BAW, Kanabec RAE, 5/11 Aitkin MHe, Becker ASM, Cass (2) ABi. High counts: 5/21 Pine (15, Nemadji S.F.) WCM, 5/15 Carver (12) MDe. Late south away from breeding areas 5/26 Dakota (Ritter Farm Park) NSk, 5/28 Lac qui Parle (2) BJU (median 5/28).
Blue-winged Warbler
(Vermivora cyanoptera)
329 Early south (median 5/2) 4/30 Carver JCy, Rice JLO, JWH, 5/5 Hennepin CMB, MaK. New county record south 5/21 Watonwan HHD. All north (median early 5/23) 5/13 Mille Lacs ASc, 5/21 Pine WCM, 5/24 Itasca (Forest History Center, Grand Rapids) ph. †SC, 5/26 Itasca ph. †EEO. High counts 5/9 Goodhue (10, Hok-si-la Park) JMN, 5/19 Scott (10, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) CMB.
Golden-winged Warbler X Blue-winged Warbler
(Vermivora chrysoptera X V. cyanoptera)
“Lawrence's” hybrid 5/26 Blue Earth (Minneopa S.P.) RBJ.
Black-and-white Warbler
(Mniotilta varia)
3250 Early south (median 4/26) 4/22 Ramsey (Crosby Farm Park) SeH, 4/23 Dakota CAB, KCr, 4/29 Hennepin (3) SBM. Early north (median 5/3) 5/1 Pine RAE, HHD, St. Louis JLK, 5/3 Cass BAW. High count 5/9 Hennepin (21) CMB.
Prothonotary Warbler
(Protonotaria citrea)
10 Early south (median 5/4) 5/1 Hennepin (T. S. Roberts Bird Sanctuary) PEB, 5/8 Hennepin (Hyland P.R.) SLC, 5/12 Goodhue RZi, 5/16 Steele (Rice Lake S.P.) JHD. No north reports. New county record 5/25 Waseca (Blowers Park area) DCu. No reports of more than three individuals.
Tennessee Warbler
(Leiothlypis peregrina)
3248 Early south (median 4/28) 4/30 Hennepin CMB, StB, SLC, 5/2 Dakota JLO, Lac qui Parle and Yellow Medicine BJU. Early north (median 5/7) 5/9 Beltrami DPJ, Cass BAW, Morrison FGo, and six more counties on 5/10. Late south 5/30 Chippewa, Lac qui Parle and Swift BJU, 5/31 Carver JCy, Hennepin SLC (median 6/3). See summer report for additional late migrants.
Orange-crowned Warbler
(Leiothlypis celata)
2142 Early south (median 4/20) 4/23 Hennepin CMB, SLC, 4/24 Hennepin CMB, Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/27 Nicollet. Early north (median 4/25) 5/2 St. Louis JLK, 5/3 Beltrami DPJ, Cass BAW, Clay RHO. Late south 5/24 Pope MMa, 5/26 Waseca DCu, 5/27 Hennepin DDo (median 5/22). Late north 5/23 Aitkin WCM, St. Louis PHS, 5/26 Marshall SC, 5/28 Cook DFN, Douglas RAE (median 5/27).
Nashville Warbler
(Leiothlypis ruficapilla)
2948 Early south (median 4/26) 4/17 Hennepin TAF, 4/29 Faribault CRM then many reports beginning 4/30. Early north (median 5/3) 5/2 St. Louis NAJ, 5/3 Morrison MJB, 5/4 Itasca PLe, 5/5 Cass ABi. Season high counts 5/5 Hennepin (35) ThM, 5/11 St. Louis (35) JLK, 5/9 Goodhue (30) JMN, 5/15 Hennepin (30) DDo. Late south 5/29 Lac qui Parle BJU, 5/30 Swift BJU, 5/31 Hennepin SLC (median 5/29) but see summer report for lingering migrants or possible breeding.
Connecticut Warbler
(Oporornis agilis)
1113 Early south (median 5/11) 5/4 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) KRS, CMB, 5/13 Hennepin CMB, 5/14 Fillmore RTP, Sherburne ASc, 5/17 Anoka (singing) DFN. Early north (median 5/17) 5/13 Itasca RBJ, DAC, Mille Lacs ASc, 5/16 Mille Lacs ASc, 5/20 Aitkin ASc, Becker SPe. Late south 5/26 Waseca RAE, 5/28 Anoka PEB, Hennepin SLC (median 5/30).
Mourning Warbler
(Geothlypis philadelphia)
1628 Early south (median 5/9) 5/6 Hennepin SLC, 5/7 Rice TFB, 5/9 Hennepin CMB, TAT, RZi, ADS, PEB, Lac qui Parle BJU. Early north (median 5/14) 5/11 Aitkin MHe, 5/12 Beltrami MHe, 5/14 Marshall MA, but north reports begin in earnest starting 5/20. See summer report for late migrants south and also for reports into late June indicating potential breeding activity. Season high counts 5/22 St. Louis (6) JLK, 5/23 St. Louis (6) PHS.
KENTUCKY WARBLER
(Geothlypis formosa)
2 Only reports 5/8–9 Hennepin (Wood Lake N.C.) JCo, †CMB, DBM, 5/22 Blue Earth (Williams N.C.) HHD.
Common Yellowthroat
(Geothlypis trichas)
3352 Early south (median 5/2) 4/30 Dakota PEJ, DFN, Dodge JWH, Hennepin StB, Redwood SVo. Early north (median 5/7) 5/7 St. Louis JLK, 5/8 Cass BAW, ABi, 5/9 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) MA, Morrison FGo. Noteworthy high counts 5/16 Steele (30) JHD, 5/11 Hennepin (25) SSa, 5/23 St. Louis (21) PHS.
Hooded Warbler
(Setophaga citrina)
9 All reports: 5/1 Rice (banded) ph. DAT, 5/9 Lac qui Parle (adult male, Madison W.M.A.) ph. BJU, 5/10+ Da- kota and Scott (Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) SBM, m.ob., 5/15 Sherburne PLJ, 5/19 Washington (Lee & Rose Warner N.C.) KMo, 5/21–30 Hennepin (T. S. Roberts Bird Sanctuary) TAT, 5/29 Carver (Carver P.R.) JCy. On 5/15 SAF and BAF identified 5 territories at Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.
American Redstart
(Setophaga ruticilla)
3452 Early south (median 5/3) 5/5 Big Stone BJU, Dakota CRM, Fillmore NBO, Hennepin (3 locations) m.ob., Lac qui Parle BJU, 5/6 from three aditional counties. Early north (median 5/8) 5/7 St. Louis (2) JLK, 5/9 Clay RHO, Morrison FGo, 5/10 from five additional counties. High counts 5/23 St. Louis (81 from Southworth Marsh, Park Point R.A., and hike past Sky Harbor Airport) PHS, 5/22 St. Louis (65, Park Point R.A.) JLK, 5/18 Rice (50, Sakatah Lake S.P.) DCu.
Cape May Warbler
(Setophaga tigrina)
2234 Many more south reports than usual. Early south (median 5/7) 5/6 Chisago (2) DPi, Hennepin TAT, (2) DWK, (2) SBM, SLC, 5/7 Goodhue (2) m.ob., Isanti HHD. Early north (median 5/9) 5/7 Todd JeM, 5/9 Cass ABi, 5/10 Aitkin RBJ, DAC, St. Louis ALo, (6, Indian Point, Duluth) JLK. High counts 5/13 Hennepin (20, Veteran's Memorial Park, Richfield) SBM, 5/14 Itasca (18, Splithand Lake) JLK. Late south 5/23 Hennepin DDo, Stearns MJB, 5/26 Sherburne JEB (median 5/22).
Cerulean Warbler
(Setophaga cerulea)
110 Early south (median 5/7) 5/7 Goodhue MDe, BNW, 5/8 Goodhue LEC, 5/10 Brown BTS, Rice TFB, 5/11 Olmsted JWH, JPr, Wright HCT. One north report 5/21 Douglas (Lake Irene) JPE. High count 5/21 Houston (9 on territories at Beaver Creek Valley S.P.) AXH.
Northern Parula
(Setophaga americana)
2134 Found in all regions. Early south (median 5/1) 4/18 Hennepin (Lake Hiawatha) DDo, JFR, 4/21 Hennepin JeG, 4/30 Dodge JWH, 5/5 Hennepin SLC, Lac qui Parle BJU, Ramsey (2) BNW. Early north (median 5/6) 5/5 Cass ABi, 5/6 Carlton LAW, 5/8 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) AM, (different location) JLK. Also notable north 5/15 Douglas (Lake Carlos S.P.) ARW. High counts 5/14 Itasca (12, Splithand Lake) JLK, 5/15 Scott (11, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R. north trails; 9 males, 2 females) BAF, SHF. Late south 5/23 Olmsted LAV, 5/26 Blue Earth ChH (median 5/26).
Magnolia Warbler
(Setophaga magnolia)
3051 Reported abundantly this season, from all but six counties. Early south (median 5/5) 4/30 Dakota BAF, 5/2 Lac qui Parle BJU, 5/3 Washington PSm. Early north (median 5/9) 5/8 St. Louis JLK, AM, 5/9 Itasca SC, Polk SAu. Noteable high counts 5/23 St. Louis (39, Park Point, Duluth) PHS, 5/9 Hennepin (22) CMB. Late south 5/30 Chippewa BJU, Hennepin TAT, SLC, Swift BJU (median 5/31).
Bay-breasted Warbler
(Setophaga castanea)
2033 Early south (median 5/8) 5/7 Goodhue JLO, m.ob., Hennepin CMB, Rice TFB, 5/9 Goodhue JMN, Hennepin CMB, DBM, Jackson JCC. Early north (median 5/13) 5/10 Aitkin RBJ, DAC, 5/13 Mille Lacs ASc, 5/14 Itasca JLK. Late south 5/26 Steele PSu, 5/28 Blue Earth RMD, 5/30 Swift BJU (median 5/25). High count 5/13 Hennepin (20) SBM.
Blackburnian Warbler
(Setophaga fusca)
2544 Early south (median 5/4) 5/5 Carver RDE, Dakota ADS, Hennepin ChH, CMB, AnK, (Bass Ponds) RTe, SLC and then reported from throughout the south frequently for the rest of the month. Early north (median 5/7) 5/7 Douglas ARW, 5/10 Cass BAW, Clay RHO, Kanabec RAE, Pennington JMJ. Late south 5/28 Anoka PEB, Blue Earth RMD, Hennepin SLC, Lac qui Parle BJU, RLW, SWe, Steele DAB, PSu, 5/30 Chippewa BJU, Hennepin SHF (median 5/31).
Yellow Warbler
(Setophaga petechia)
3453 Reported in all counties. Early south (median 4/27) 4/29 Hennepin SBM, 4/30 Carver JCy. Early north (median 5/4) 5/7 Douglas ARW, Morrison FGo, St. Louis JLK, Todd FGo, JeM, 5/8 Cass BAW, ABi. High count 5/23 St. Louis (41, Park Point, Duluth) PHS.
Chestnut-sided Warbler
(Setophaga pensylvanica)
3147 Early south (median 5/6) 5/5 Hennepin RTe, eight additional counties on 5/7. Early north (median 5/8) 5/10 Aitkin RBJ, DAC, Kanabec RAE, Todd JeM, and three more counties 5/11. Season high counts 5/23 St. Louis (30, Park Point R.A., Duluth) PHS, 5/22 St. Louis (20, Park Point R.A.) JLK. Late south (away from known summer breeding locations) 5/30 Hennepin SLC, DDO. Also see summer report.
Blackpoll Warbler
(Setophaga striata)
2946 Early south (median 5/4) 4/30 Sherburne (Talahi Woods) MJB, Yellow Medicine (adult male) DWK, 5/1 Sherburne FGo, 5/3 Sherburne PLJ. Early north (median 5/9) 5/6 Cass (Woodrow Twp.) BAW, 5/7 Wadena PJB, 5/9 Morrison FGo, 5/10 Todd JeM. Late south 5/30 Big Stone HHD, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle and Swift BJU (median 5/30). Late north 5/29 Kittson JWH, BWF, JMJ, Pennington JWH, BWF, 5/31 Hubbard MaH, Lake of the Woods JCC (median 5/30), but see summer reports for June migrants.
Black-throated Blue Warbler
(Setophaga caerulescens)
31 All south (median 5/11) 5/14–15 Hennepin (Veteran's Memorial Park, Richfield) CMB, SMC, SBM, 5/23 Hennepin (male, Wood Lake N.C.) CMB, SLC. All north (median 5/18) 5/9 St. Louis JCG, 5/22–23 St. Louis PHS, JLK, AM, 5/28 Lake SIv, 5/29 Cook DFN, KRo, SLP, SIv.
Palm Warbler
(Setophaga palmarum)
2647 Early south (median 4/22) 4/23 Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/25 Fillmore RTP, Waseca DCu, 4/26 Olmsted JHD. Early north (median 4/25) 4/30 St. Louis RAE, HHD, (12, Indian Point, Duluth) JLK, 5/1 Pine RAE, HHD. Late south 5/22 Carver JCy, Goodhue SWe, 5/24 Hennepin CMB, JJo, Sherburne PLJ (median 5/23).
Pine Warbler
(Setophaga pinus)
2218 Early south (median 4/23) 4/16 Scott CRM, Winona HHa, 4/17 Nicollet RMD, Mower BPl, 4/18 Lac qui Parle (Madison) ph. BJU, 4/22 Carver JCy. Early north (median 4/25) 4/18 Morrison FGo, 4/28 Cass BAW, Hubbard MAW, 5/1 Pine RAE, HHD.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
(Setophaga coronata)
3253 See winter report for overwintering birds. Early south (median 4/2) 3/27 Hennepin TAT, Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/1 Hennepin SLC then many reports beginning 4/3. Early north (median 4/7) 3/22 Aitkin WEN, 3/27–28 Lake (S. c. auduboni, hybrid?) ph. †JWL, ph. †PHS, 4/7 Hubbard MaH, 4/9 Traverse BJU. Late south 5/27 Fillmore RTP, Hennepin LMo, 5/30 Hennepin SLC, Swift HHD (median 5/28). Noteable high counts 5/15 Itasca (250) JLK, 5/5 Anoka (200) DWK, 5/6 Ramsey (200) IHu, SHu, 5/10 Anoka (200) DWK.
Black-throated Green Warbler
(Setophaga virens)
1936 Early south (median 4/30) 4/30 Hennepin CMB, SLC, Rice DAB, 5/1 Hennepin CMB, PJK, Waseca DCu. Early north (median 5/4) 5/7 St. Louis JLK, 5/8 Cass BAW, ABi, 5/11 Itasca EEO, St. Louis FKB, SC. Late south 5/28 Blue Earth RMD, Steele DAB (median 5/30).
Canada Warbler
(Cardellina canadensis)
1830 Early south (median 5/9) 5/5 Hennepin CMB, 5/7 Goodhue JLO, m.ob. 5/9 Hennepin CMB, RZi. Early north (median 5/14) 5/13 Mille Lacs ASc, 5/14 Mille Lacs JSP, 5/15 Crow Wing and Morrison FGo. Late south 5/30 Chippewa BJU, Hennepin TAT, SLC, Redwood SVo, Rice TFB, Swift BJU (median 5/31). Noteable high counts 5/22–23 St. Louis (13, Park Point R.A.) PHS.
Wilson's Warbler
(Cardellina pusilla)
2543 Early south (median 5/4) 5/3 Carver JCy, 5/5 Anoka DWK, Big Stone BJU, Hennepin MDu, Lac qui Parle BJU. Early north (median 5/10) 5/7 Douglas ARW, 5/8 St. Louis ALo, 5/10 Aitkin RBJ, DAC, Douglas ARW, Itasca SC. Late south 5/30 Hennepin CMB, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle and Swift BJU (median 5/29). Noteable high counts 5/15 Hennepin (16) SBM, 5/23 St. Louis (11, Southworth Marsh, Park Point R.A. and hike past Sky Harbor Airport along Minnesota Point) PHS.
Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks
Summer Tanager
(Piranga rubra)
311 A most impressive 25 individuals reported — 18 south and 7 north! Early south 4/23 Hennepin (female, Lake Calhoun) ph. DMc, WHo, 5/5 Rice (frst-spring male) ph. BJB, 5/5–8 Olmsted (first-spring male) ph. REJ, m.ob. Late south 5/28 Lac qui Parle (Walter Twp.) BJU, Steele (Rice Lake S.P.) DAB, 5/29 Hennepin LMS. Additional documented south reports 5/14 Watonwan ph. AnK, 5/23 Blue Earth ph. MRu. All north reports: 5/9–15 St. Louis (near UMD campus) ph. fide JWL, 5/10 Kanabec (first-spring male, west of Ogilvie) RAE, 5/12 St. Louis (first-spring male, Lakeside neighborhood of east Duluth) ph. JWL, MH, 5/12–16 St. Louis (Duluth Twp.) fide JWL, 5/13 St. Louis (near Cotton) fide JWL, 5/13 Cook (Lutsen) ph. JuH, 5/28–31 St. Louis (first-spring male, West Orange St., Duluth) ph. CEd, ph. PHS, m.ob.
Scarlet Tanager
(Piranga olivacea)
2042 Early south (median 5/5) 4/23 Stearns ARW, 5/7 Goodhue BNW, Rice JM, 5/8 Martin JCC, Rice BJB. Early north (median 5/12) 5/5 Mahnomen DTh, 5/10 Cass BAW, Todd JeM, 5/14 Becker MMD.
Western Tanager
(Piranga ludoviciana)
4 All reports were from feeding stations: 5/1–2 Pine (Pine City) NJo, 5/11 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) MA, 5/14 Becker (Detroit Lakes) MMD, 5/27–28 ph. Polk JOJ.
Northern Cardinal
(Cardinalis cardinalis)
2350 Reported statewide. Northernmost records 3/5 Cook DMB, 5/25 Kittson TrB.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
(Pheucticus ludovicianus)
3353 First reported south on 4/30 (median 4/28) from nine different counties! Early north (median 5/3) 5/3 Otter Tail BDE, 5/5 Carlton DCr, 5/6 Cass BAW, Clearwater CoC, Otter Tail ARo. Season high counts: 5/13 Scott (21, Louisville Swamp) SHF, 5/14 Carver (20, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) JCy. Also see undocumented reports.
Blue Grosbeak
(Passerina caerulea)
2 Only reports for this late spring arriving species 5/24 Pipestone NED, 5/29 Yellow Medicine RMD.
Indigo Bunting
(Passerina cyanea)
2347 Early south (median 5/4) 5/1 Fillmore NBO, Goodhue LEC, 5/3 Anoka DPG, 5/5 Hennepin CRM, 5/6 Washington JaH. Early north (median 5/9) 5/4 Polk SAu, 5/10 Becker DBH, Todd JeM, 5/11 Otter Tail ARo. Season high counts 5/16 Fillmore (14) RTP, 5/28 Steele (11) PSu.
Dickcissel
(Spiza americana)
7 Early south (median 5/10) 5/9 Blue Earth ChH, 5/11 Dakota RLW, and then 5 more counties beginning 5/28.