Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon
The 2023-Spring Season
1 March through 31 May 2023
Paul E. Budde, Ezra M. Hosch, Doug W. Kieser, and Brian T. Smith

This was one of the best spring birding seasons ever in Minnesota as 338 species were found. These included 307 out of the 313 Regular species, 22 out of 41 Casuals, and 9 Accidentals — including the state’s first Swainson’s Warbler. Totals for recent spring seasons have been 329 in 2022, 324 in 2021, and 318 in 2020. How exceptional this season was, or whether it is simply continuing a rising trend, remains to be seen.

Two Eurasian Wigeons were found in April, the first record for Rice County and the second for Anoka. The state’s fourth Tufted Duck was seen at Park Point in mid May. The first Chuck-will’s-widow since 1984 was recorded calling in Rochester for one night only. A Limpkin discovered on the last day of the season in Watonwan County was the third record of this species in as many years.

Thirteen records of Black-necked Stilt was actually only the second highest spring total of this species which is soon to become Regular on the state checklist. Two of those records were firsts for Mille Lacs and Houston counties. In all, this species has now been found in 41 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Red Knots were found in McLeod and St. Louis counties, both in late May. A Ruff at the Albany sewage ponds in Stearns County was the second not only for the county but also for this specific location as the first one was here in 1983.

An adult Ross’s Gull was discovered amongst a small flock of Bonaparte’s Gulls at Duluth’s Superior Entry on the last day of the season. In late April an immature California Gull was spotted near Felton Prairie. The state’s first spring Arctic Tern since 2009 was found at the Park Point Recreation Area in late May. At the end of April and in early May four Glossy Ibis visited four Southwest Region counties. This was the fourth consecutive spring with reports of this species; the state’s first confirmed record was in 1991.

Minnesota’s tenth Black Vulture and seventh spring record was found in Fillmore County. A Mississippi Kite was a first record for Wilkin County. Barn Owls were reported from three locations in Houston County where they have been reported annually since 2017, while a specimen was discovered at the other end of the state in Polk County in March. Burrowing Owls provided first records for Brown and Faribault counties.

In the last few days of the season, Scissor-tailed Flycatchers found in Washington and Cass counties were second records for both. White-eyed Vireos were the first record for Lincoln and the second record for Rock County in mid May. A Rock Wren in Grant County was only the second spring record since 2006. A Curve-billed Thrasher in Big Stone County was only the sixth state record of this species, and the first spring visitor since 2000. Another vagrant in Clay County was an adult male Mountain Bluebird photographed in late April.

This season produced the most reports of Eurasian Tree Sparrow ever in the state, including first records for Pennington, Wabasha, and Wilkin counties. Minnesota’s ninth Brambling visited a feeder in Pine County for a few days in late April. This was the fifth record of this Asian visitor since the turn of the century. Notable wandering winter finches were an Evening Grosbeak in Stearns County and Red Crossbills in Blue Earth and Meeker counties. Both White-winged Crossbills and Hoary Redpolls were scarce as they were only seen in heavily birded St. Louis County. A Smith’s Longspur was an unexpected first-time visitor to Kanabec County. Another brief visitor was an adult male Lark Bunting seen in Duluth.

This season was outstanding for wandering warblers. A Worm-eating Warbler was at the Bass Ponds in Bloomington. The state’s first Swainson’s Warbler was discovered in a small park in Edina, Hennepin County. This individual was remarkably cooperative as several hundred birders were able to see it and many fine photographs were obtained during its four-day stay. Three Kentucky Warblers were discovered in Hennepin County over a one-week period. Yellow-throated Warblers continued their movement into the state as birds were found in Houston, Dakota, and Ramsey counties. Also seen (and heard) for the first time in Ramsey County was a Prairie Warbler. And finally, in early May, Hermit Warblers were documented in both St. Louis and Ramsey counties, the first for each and only the third and fourth individuals ever found in the state.

A male Lazuli Bunting seen in Ramsey County marked the fifth spring out of the last ten when this species has been found in the state. A male Painted Bunting in Blue Earth made it eight of the past ten spring seasons for this species.

Weather: March was colder than normal as the statewide average temperature was six degrees (F) below normal. At the end of the month, Ada experienced the coldest temperature of the season, -22º. In mid-April, a very warm air mass brought temperatures into the low 90ºs in the southern third of the state. Still, with a cold beginning and end to the month, the statewide average temperature for April was almost three degrees below normal. In May, things warmed up. Statewide, it averaged 4.5º above normal.

In addition to being cold, March was a stormy month. A storm on the 1st crossed the state from Fargo to Duluth. A second storm on 5–6 March brought heavy snow from the Southwest to the East-central regions. On the 11–12 March, a fast-moving “Alberta Clipper” dropped over a foot of snow from Crookston to Duluth. A fourth event crossed the state on 16–17 March, from Luverne to Duluth. April began with a large storm bringing rain, sleet and heavy snow to southern and central Minnesota. Another large storm with strong winds and every form of precipitation passed through most of the state 14–17 April. The state saw few storms in May, but one large rain event from 10–15 May produced significant rainfall in the southernmost counties. Parts of Brown County, in particular, received between six and nine inches.

Insufficiently documented records of Regular species: Greater Prairie-Chicken 5/11 Big Stone (description didn’t exclude more expected species); Solitary Sandpiper 5/30 Meeker (12) (high tally for a late date); Great Black-backed Gull 3/18 Dakota (with a Lesser Black-backed Gull at the same location, more details required); American Goshawk 3/7 Rice, 3/23 Le Sueur (no details), 4/3 Brown, 4/13, 4/25 Hennepin (limited details), 4/29 Lac qui Parle (conflicting descriptions); Yellow-throated Vireo 5/9 Dakota (15) (high count for early date).

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Alyssa L. DeRubeis for her contributions to these seasonal reports from 2020–2022. 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. We are also grateful for the additional data provided for the creation of this report by eBird (http://www.ebird.org, accessed June 2023). Medians of recent arrivals and departures are based on published and unpublished seasonal report data from the 25-year period 1997 through 2021. Weather data is from the Minnesota DNR’s HydroClim Minnesota newsletter (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hydroclim/index.html). Finally and most importantly, our appreciation goes out to all those who contribute their sightings data to the MOU. 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
Snow Goose
(Anser caerulescens)
2350 Early south (median 3/6) 3/3 Nobles (5) BTS, 3/4 McLeod BHa, 3/5 Lac qui Parle BAb, Rice TFB, ebd. Early north (median 3/19) 3/26 Otter Tail (3) ebd, 4/2 Crow Wing ebd, 4/3 Mille Lacs (13) ebd, St. Louis (7) ebd. High counts 4/10 Lac qui Parle (75,000, Arena Twp.; estimate from video and photos) DlS, 4/10 Chippewa (25,000, Lac qui Parle S.P.) ASu, DlS. Late south 5/20 Rock TWe, 5/22 Faribault RBW, 5/27 Jackson (8) ebd (median 6/9). Late north 5/19 Cook ebd, 5/19–20 Pennington IsH, EzH, MrC, 5/26 Marshall (5) ANy (median 5/31).
Ross's Goose
(Anser rossii)
938 Early south (median 3/8) 3/8 Wabasha (2) PEJ, 3/14 Freeborn ASu, Nobles PEJ, DFN. Early north (median 3/25) 3/26 Morrison BWF, MJB, 4/10 Traverse DLP, 4/11 Clay ANy, DBz, Douglas (3) JEl. High count 4/10 Lac qui Parle (250, Arena Twp.) ASu, DlS. Late south 4/30 Lac qui Parle ebd, 5/6–12 Lyon (3, Black Rush Lake W.P.A.) RJS (median 5/15). Late north 4/17 Clay (3) CMk, Traverse (7) ebd, Wilkin (10) ebd (median 5/22).
Snow Goose X Ross's Goose
(Anser caerulescens X A. rossii)
1 One south report 4/7 Cottonwood MJB.
Greater White-fronted Goose
(Anser albifrons)
1552 Early south (median 2/28) included one reported in late February, then 3/3 Nobles (600, Okabena Lake) BTS, 3/4 Jackson (280) ebd. Early north (median 3/20) 3/15 Traverse (max. 28) DLP, ebd, 3/28 Otter Tail VDo, 4/2 Grant (12) CNn. High counts 4/9 Yellow Medicine (20,000, Normania Twp.; estimated by 500s) DlS, 4/8 Lyon (11,000, near Marshall) NMe, DlS. Late south 5/21 Hennepin ABL, m.ob., 5/24 Lyon NMe, 5/30 Waseca RBW (median 5/31). Late north 5/11 Traverse DLP, ebd, 5/25 Aitkin PEJ, 5/26 Clearwater ebd (median 5/18).
Cackling Goose
(Branta hutchinsii)
1548 Early south (median 2/26) 3/3 Cottonwood (4) KEm, Jackson ph. BTS, Nobles (5) BTS, 3/3–4 Steele (2) DAB, followed by reports from 3/4 Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Scott. Early north (median 3/18) 3/21 Douglas JPE, 3/27 Cass ebd, 3/30 Clay ebd. High counts 4/2 Lyon (235, multiple flocks, Cottonwood) GWe, 4/14 Clay (170, flyovers in two flocks, Blue Eagle Park) StK, SNe, 4/14 Stevens (90, near Morris) ebd. Late south 4/28–29 Hennepin (2) ebd, Lac qui Parle (max. 4) TiW, KeL, 5/10 Wright (Pelican Lake) RCl (median 5/15). Late north 5/12 Otter Tail (2, Maplewood S.P.) WyR, 5/16 Carlton (3, near Wrenshall) ebd, 5/20 Aitkin ebd (median 5/20).
Canada Goose
(Branta canadensis)
3453 Reported from all 87 counties.
Mute Swan
(Cygnus olor)
4 All reports of probable wild birds: 3/12–15 Goodhue (max. 2, Mississippi River Lock & Dam 3) JtM, SDz, PEJ, ebd, 3/19 – 5/28 Washington (max. 4, several locations) PNi, DnS, LiH, m.ob., 3/23 Hennepin (Lake Rebecca P.R.) ebd, 5/21–29 Dakota (max. 2, several locations) TPu, MwT, ALw, KDS, DwS, PCC, ebd.
Trumpeter Swan
(Cygnus buccinator)
3453 Reported for the third consecutive year from all 87 counties. There were several high counts of 200+ birds reported in March, but none explicitly identified why the swans were this species and not migrating Tundras.
Tundra Swan
(Cygnus columbianus)
3050 One report in late February, then early south (median 3/6) 3/2–3 Scott (max. 4) BDG, ebd, 3/5 Goodhue (3) PEJ, Houston (8) DJa, ebd, Steele (5) DAB. On 4/14, two separate Bewick’s Swans (C. c. bewickii) were photographed by KJB in Lac qui Parle (Augusta Twp.) showing extensive yellow at the base of the bill. Early north (median 3/17) 3/23 Otter Tail (11) ebd, 3/25 Traverse (max. 14) KEm, JWH, Wilkin (4) ebd, 3/27 Carlton (30) ebd. High counts 3/30 Wabasha (3,900, Weaver Bottoms) PEJ, 4/7 Sibley (3,000, day total) BTS, MiO. Late south 5/8–11 Hennepin ebd, 5/8–13 Carver ebd, 5/12 Dakota ebd (median 5/7). Late north 5/26 Clearwater (2) ebd, 5/27 Pennington ANy, 5/28 Polk HHu (median 5/28).
Wood Duck
(Aix sponsa)
3453 Reported from all 87 counties. See winter report for overwintering and early south migrants. Early north (median 3/19) 3/25 Pine (4) ebd, 3/26 Morrison (3) MJB, 3/28 Pine (4) SBE. High counts 4/11 Douglas (200, near Nelson) JEl, 4/6 Dakota (150, Spring Lake P.R.) MwT, AnB, ebd.
Blue-winged Teal
(Spatula discors)
3453 Reported from all 87 counties. First reported in Scott late February, then early south (median 3/11) 3/6–9 Stearns HHD. Early north (median 3/29) 4/7 Clay ebd, 4/7–9 Cass (max. 10) JnP, ABi, ebd, 4/9 Crow Wing (max. 5) EGa, ebd, followed by additional reports from Itasca, Morrison, Pennington, Todd. High count 4/24 Steele (500, Armstrong Wetland Restoration) LiH, ebd.
Cinnamon Teal
(Spatula cyanoptera)
26 Two north reports 4/16–23 St. Louis (male, near Duluth) ph. MFu, FJN, JLK, ebd, 4/29 – 5/2 Clay (male, Bridgeview Park, Moorhead) DPW, m.ob. Six south reports 4/20–22 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) DOr, 4/28 – 5/2 McLeod (male, near Hutchinson) ebd, m.ob., 4/29 Cottonwood (male, Talcot Lake Dam) DHr, 4/30 – 5/1 Kandiyohi (male, near Willmar) JoS, m.ob., 5/1 Murray (male, Lake Sarah Twp.) ph. †KEM, 5/5 Redwood (male, Duncan Ave.) SLH.
Blue-winged Teal X Cinnamon Teal
(Spatula discors X S. cyanoptera)
2 4/12–25 Washington (Hazen P. Mooers Park) PNi, DnS, †BDo, v.t. JHe, m.ob., 4/25 Hennepin (Three Ponds Park) ebd.
Northern Shoveler
(Spatula clypeata)
3453 Reported in all 87 counties. As many as 13 birds overwintered in Scott (Blue Lake W.T.P.). Early south migrants (median 3/3) 3/5 Big Stone DLP, 3/10 Le Sueur (3) ebd, 3/11 Goodhue PEJ. Early north (median 3/24) 3/31 Beltrami (2) ebd, 4/2 Cass (2) MJB, Grant (5) ebd, 4/4 Morrison (19) DLP. High counts 4/8 Jackson (790, Robertson Park) EzH, 4/13 Clay (500, Barnesville) TkL, 4/15 Clay (500, Spring Prairie Preserve) PBB.
Gadwall
(Mareca strepera)
3453 Reported from all 87 counties. See winter report for overwintering birds and early south migrants (median 2/24) in February. Early north (median 3/16) 3/5–25 Traverse (max. 20) DLP, KEM, JWH, 3/25 Beltrami ebd. High count 4/2 Houston (900, La Crescent) TPu, IsH, EzH.
EURASIAN WIGEON
(Mareca penelope)
2 All documented reports: 4/10 Anoka (drake, George Watch-Peltier Channel) †CF, 4/18 – 5/1 Rice (drake, flooded field along Kent Ave. in Wheatland Twp.) ph. †DWK, †TPu, †EzH, †NMe, †CRM, †LiH, m.ob.
American Wigeon
(Mareca americana)
3453 Reported statewide. First reported in late February in Scott, then early south (median 3/1) 3/3 Goodhue (5) PEJ, 3/8 Ramsey (4) ebd, 3/9 Houston (max. 10) SHo. Early north (median 3/26) 4/3 Clay (2) ebd, 4/5 Cook (Grand Marais) ebd, 4/6 Otter Tail (Rush Lake) ebd, St. Louis (2) JLK. High count 4/2 Houston (800, La Crescent, counted by 10’s) TPu, IsH, EzH.
Mallard
(Anas platyrhynchos)
3453 Reported from all 87 counties. High count 4/11 Clay (2,500, flooded field near Barnesville) TkL.
Northern Shoveler X Mallard
(Spatula clypeata X Anas platyrhynchos)
1 One south report 5/1 Ramsey (female, Tamarack N.C.) ph. LiH, APi.
Gadwall X Mallard
(Mareca strepera X Anas platyrhynchos)
1 One south report 4/8 Houston (male, Reno Bottoms, Dike Road) MZa.
American Black Duck
(Anas rubripes)
1625 High count 4/6 Houston (12, near La Crescent) ebd. Late south 5/12–19 Dakota (2) ebd, 5/14 Hennepin ebd (median 5/21).
Mallard X American Black Duck
(Anas platyrhynchos X A. rubripes)
37 Apparent hybrids described 3/3 Ramsey GWe, 3/7 Goodhue PEJ, 5/27 Polk ebd. Additional reports north from Cook, St. Louis and south from Dakota, Hennepin, Steele, Washington.
Northern Pintail
(Anas acuta)
3153 See winter report for overwintering birds and early south migrants (median 2/27). As many as three overwintered in St. Louis (Duluth, W.L.S.S.D.) m.ob. Early north migrants (median 3/15) 3/24 Traverse DLP, 4/12 Kanabec RAE. High count 3/21 Freeborn (600) PEJ, 4/2 Lyon (455, Cottonwood) GWe.
Green-winged Teal
(Anas crecca)
3453 Reported from all 87 counties. See winter report for overwintering birds and possible earliest migrants. Early south (median 3/5) 3/1 Cottonwood KEm, 3/3 Nobles (2) BTS, Scott ABL. Early north (median 3/25) 4/4 Morrison (Mill Park) DLP, ebd, 4/7 Cass (2) PSP, 4/9 Itasca SC, Morrison (three locations, total of 57 individuals) KEM, SEm, JEm. High counts 4/23 Clay (410, McDonald W.P.A.) CMk, 4/7 Dakota (400, Lake Byllesby) PNi, DnS, Steele (400, Armstrong Wetland Restoration) LiH. Of note is a report 4/21 Hennepin (drake, Mother Lake) of an apparent Eurasian Green-winged Teal X American Green-winged Teal, ph. †MZa.
Cinnamon Teal X Green-winged Teal
(Spatula cyanoptera X Anas crecca)
1 One south report 4/28 Stearns (male, near St. Cloud) ph. MCV.
Canvasback
(Aythya valisineria)
2953 First migrants reported mid-February (median 2/28), followed by 3/2–5 Goodhue (max. 2) PEJ, ebd, Wabasha (max. 325, Lock and Dam 4) PEJ, GWe, 3/4–5 Big Stone DLP, 3/5 Scott MwT, AnB, ebd. Early north (median 3/27) 3/24 Traverse (2) ebd, 4/9 Morrison (max. 11) KEm, SEm, JEm, TLu, 4/9–10 St. Louis (max. 4) JLK, ebd, 4/10 Cass (5) AxB. High count 4/2 Wabasha (7,000, Weaver Bottoms, counted by 100s to nearest 1,000th) TPu, EzH, IsH.
Redhead
(Aythya americana)
3453 Reported in all 87 counties. See winter report for overwintering and early spring migrants. Early north (median 3/21) 3/5–15 Traverse (max. 12) DLP, ebd, 3/8 Lake SC. High count 4/6 Goodhue (700, Lake Pepin, estimated) KJB.
Ring-necked Duck
(Aythya collaris)
3453 Reported from all 87 counties. See winter report for overwintering and early spring migrants. Early north (median 3/16) 3/15–24 Traverse (max. 33, Reservation Dam) DLP, ebd, 3/19 Becker NaH. High counts 4/6 Goodhue (14,000, Lake Pepin, estimated proportion amongst a raft of 24,000 ducks) KJB.
Redhead X Ring-necked Duck
(Aythya americana X A. collaris)
1 One south record 4/9 Hennepin (male, Fort Snelling S.P.) ph. ArM, TPu, AdP.
TUFTED DUCK
(Aythya fuligula)
1 Fourth state record 5/12 St. Louis (male, Park Point R.A. Sailing Club) NGi, ph. †PHS, SCB.
Greater Scaup
(Aythya marila)
3150 Up to 2 birds overwintered in Scott (Blue Lake W.T.P.). Early south away from Scott (median 3/3) 3/2 Wabasha PEJ, 3/3 Goodhue PEJ, 3/4 Anoka ebd. Early north (median 3/27) 3/18 Douglas (2) AUm, 3/31 Lake (2, Two Harbors) JWL, SLL, 4/3 St. Louis (Park Point) JLK. High count 5/8 St. Louis (1,250, Park Point) PHS.
Lesser Scaup
(Aythya affinis)
3453 Reported from all 87 counties. Overwintered in Scott, Wabasha. Early south (median 2/24) 3/2 Cottonwood KEm, 3/2–4 Goodhue (max. 12) PEJ, ebd, 3/3 Nicollet (4) ebd. Early north (median 3/13) 3/15–24 Traverse (max. 27, Reservation Dam) DLP, ebd. High counts 4/2 Winona (4,000, Prairie Island) TPu, EzH, IsH; 4/12 Houston (4,000, Reno) ASu; 4/14 Lac qui Parle (4,000, near Marietta) KJB.
Harlequin Duck
(Histrionicus histrionicus)
21 One south report 3/4 Chisago (female continuing from January, Interstate S.P.) PNi, DnS. Two north reports 5/10 St. Louis (female, Park Point R.A.) SeM, 5/17–25 Cook (female, Grand Portage W.T.P.) PEJ, WCM, ebd.
Surf Scoter
(Melanitta perspicillata)
21 All south 5/4–8 Hennepin (female, Bde Maka Ska) ABL, m.ob. All north 4/22 – 5/19 St. Louis (max. 8, Park Point) HTo, m.ob., 5/18 Cook (Grand Marais) ebd.
White-winged Scoter
(Melanitta deglandi)
41 One south report 4/23 – 5/20 Pipestone (male, Edgerton W.T.P. and Pipestone W.T.P.) ph. †TPu, NoK, †PRH, ph. DiH, m.ob. All north 4/14 – 5/20 St. Louis (multiple reports, mostly from Park Point) NGi, ebd, m.ob., 5/8 Itasca SC, 5/13 Lake (Beaver Bay W.T.P.) ABm, JlB, ebd, 5/18–27 Cook HTo, PEJ, ebd. High count 5/8 St. Louis (34, Park Point R.A.) NGi, SeM.
Black Scoter
(Melanitta americana)
1 All reports 4/24 – 5/12 St. Louis (max. 2, Park Point) JKL, APi, FJN, ebd.
Long-tailed Duck
(Clangula hyemalis)
32 All south reports 3/2–24 Goodhue (Mississippi River and Sturgeon Lake) PEJ, ETw, MFl, 4/6–7 Anoka (Coon Rapids Dam) DFe, ebd. All north reports were along Lake Superior: 3/4 – 5/26 Cook, with high count 3/4 (42, Grand Marais) HTo; 3/4 – 5/28 Lake, with high counts 5/18, 5/20 (14, Two Harbors) JWL; 5/6–23 St. Louis, with high count 5/23 (4, Scenic Highway 61) JLK, SCB, PHS, ebd.
Bufflehead
(Bucephala albeola)
3453 Reported from all 87 counties. See winter report for overwintering birds. Early south (median 3/5) included one February report of new migrant, then 3/2 Goodhue PEJ, 3/8 Dakota ebd. Early north away from Lake Superior (median 3/23) 4/2 Otter Tail (4) ebd, 4/3 Pine SBE, 4/6 Beltrami (2) ebd. High count 5/8 St. Louis (305, Park Point, counted by 5s) SCB, PHS. Late south 5/23–28 Ramsey (max. 2) DPi, ebd, 5/28–29 Olmsted ebd (median 5/31).
Common Goldeneye
(Bucephala clangula)
3452 Reported statewide. High count 4/6 Goodhue (1,000, Lake Pepin, estimated) KJB. Late south 5/29 Sherburne (2, Sherburne N.W.R.) ebd, 5/31 Big Stone DLP, 5/31 Olmsted (Rochester) LAV (median 5/13), but also see summer report.
Bufflehead X Common Goldeneye
(Bucephala albeola X B. clangula)
1 One report 3/18 Wright (male, Monticello Bridge Park) †MJB.
Barrow's Goldeneye
(Bucephala islandica)
No spring reports since 2018.
Hooded Merganser
(Lophodytes cucullatus)
3453 Reported from all 87 counties. See winter report for overwintering and early south migrants. Early north (median 3/9) 3/15 Morrison (3) ebd, Traverse (4) DLP, ebd, 3/20 Clearwater (4) ebd, 3/24 St. Louis ebd. High count 3/19 Hennepin (213, Minnesota Valley N.W.R., actual count.) CRM, m.ob.
Common Merganser
(Mergus merganser)
3153 Reported statewide. High counts 4/2 Wabasha (750, Pioneer Club, counted by tens.) TPu, IsH, EzH. Late south 5/26 Chisago (2) ebd, Houston LPk, Ramsey JKu, Sherburne (4) ebd, Washington (William O’Brien S.P.) BDo, LiH, but also see summer report (median 5/27).
Red-breasted Merganser
(Mergus serrator)
2653 See winter report for overwintering birds. Early south (median 3/5) 3/5 Goodhue PEJ, GWe, 3/8 Winona (2) PEJ, 3/12 Hennepin (2) ebd. Early north (median 3/31) reports from counties away from Lake Superior 4/9 Itasca SC, Morrison (2) KEm, SEm, JEm, 4/10 Otter Tail ebd, 4/11 Cass (5) ebd, Crow Wing (4) ebd. High count 5/8 St. Louis (200, Park Point) ebd.
Ruddy Duck
(Oxyura jamaicensis)
2852 One overwintered in Scott. Early south migrants (median 3/6) 3/5 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) DSh, 3/10–11 Steele (Lake Kohlmeier) DAB, ebd. Early north (median 3/30) 4/7–9 Beltrami AiS, DvH, ebd, 4/9 Cass (10), Crow Wing (2), Douglas (2), Itasca, Morrison (20), Otter Tail (8), St. Louis (6). High count 4/23 Freeborn (660, Albert Lea Lake) PEJ.
Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys
Wild Turkey
(Meleagris gallopavo)
3352 Reported from every county except Stevens (south) and Lake of the Woods (north). High counts 4/8 Olmsted (76) RMa, 4/8 Otter Tail (60) JsS.
Ruffed Grouse
(Bonasa umbellus)
2916 Found throughout normal range, essentially northeast of a line from Norman to Stearns to Fillmore. According to MN DNR, spring drumming counts were up in 2023.
Spruce Grouse
(Canachites canadensis)
4 Reported throughout the season from Cook, Lake, St. Louis. Also reported 5/22–28 Koochiching (max. 2) AMe, ebd. High count 3/9 Lake (10) KMa.
Sharp-tailed Grouse
(Tympanuchus phasianellus)
141 One south report 4/11 – 5/8 Yellow Medicine (max. 9, Mound Spring Prairie S.N.A.) KRE, JSc, BTS, MiO, ebd. High counts 3/25 Polk (42, agricultural field near Euclid) HHu, 3/20 Beltrami (35, two flocks near Fourtown) DvH. Additional north reports from Aitkin, Becker, Clay, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake, Roseau, St. Louis, Wilkin.
Greater Prairie-Chicken
(Tympanuchus cupido)
7 All reports were from counties in the Northwest and West-central regions: Becker, Clay, Mahnomen, Norman, Otter Tail, Polk, Wilkin. High count 4/23 Clay (41, Spring Prairie Preserve) PBB.
Gray Partridge
(Perdix perdix)
720 Highest number of reports in the last 20 years. All reports were from the southern third, West-central, or Northwest regions of the state. High counts 4/9 Marshall (17, Agassiz Valley) HHu, 4/2 Polk (16, Agassiz Valley) HHu.
Ring-necked Pheasant
(Phasianus colchicus)
2053 Reported south of a line from Norman to Carlton. High counts 4/9 Otter Tail (50, near Fergus Falls) WPl, 3/23 Swift (46, Marsh Lake Dam) DLP.
Grebes
Pied-billed Grebe
(Podilymbus podiceps)
3253 Reported in every county except Kittson, Roseau. See winter report for early south migrants. Early north (median 3/23) 4/2 Cass (2) MJB, Crow Wing MJB, Grant ebd, Itasca ebd, Otter Tail ebd. High counts 4/19 Clearwater (200, Red Lake River, estimate) DvH, 4/22 Hennepin (120, Lake Harriet) ebd.
Horned Grebe
(Podiceps auritus)
2948 Early south (median 3/21) 3/12 Rice ebd, 3/25 Dakota (Lake Byllesby) IsH, EzH, 3/27 Dakota (Spring Lake P.R.) ClB. Early north (median 4/6) 4/9 Cass ebd, St. Louis (max. 8, Park Point R.A.) JLK, NGi, (Duluth, Congdon Blvd.) ebd. High count 5/10 St. Louis (1,995, Park Point, counted by fives) PHS . Late south 5/17 Lac qui Parle BWF, 5/20 Hennepin (Baker P.R.) ebd, 5/28 Hennepin (2, Champlin) ebd (median 5/24). Late north 5/26 Cook (4) ebd, 5/27 St. Louis JLK, 5/31 Marshall (2) HHu, but also see summer report (median 6/6).
Red-necked Grebe
(Podiceps grisegena)
2839 Early south (median 4/3) 4/9 Dakota KDS, Hennepin (Fort Snelling S.P., Snelling Lake) BAF, m.ob., (Mississippi River Lock and Dam 1) ClB. Early north (median 4/7) 4/9 St. Louis NGi, 4/10 Cass ABi. High counst 4/23 St. Louis (2,154, Park Point R.A., counted by fives) SeM; 4/25 Lake (1,270, Two Harbors) JWL.
Eared Grebe
(Podiceps nigricollis)
1624 Early south (median 4/10) 4/8 Olmsted JPr, LAV, 4/9 Nobles LSw, 4/10 Dakota JLa. Early north (median 4/19) 4/12 Douglas (4, Lake Carlos S.P.) BEc, (Lake Osakis) ebd, 4/15 St. Louis JLK, EBr. High counts 5/17 Pennington (10, Thief River Falls W.T.P.) SHo, 4/29 Lac qui Parle (7, Salt Lake) ebd, 5/9 Marshall (7, Agassiz Valley) HHu.
Western Grebe
(Aechmophorus occidentalis)
1222 Early south (median 4/11) 4/13 Dakota/Goodhue (Lake Byllesby) RBW, m.ob., 4/15 Blue Earth ChH, ebd, Lincoln DlS. Early north (median 4/20) 4/21–22 Otter Tail JSc, ebd, 4/27 Douglas JPE, Polk TJJ. High count 5/23 Faribault (101, Minnesota Lake) DnS, PNi.
CLARK'S GREBE
(Aechmophorus clarkii)
1 One north 5/27 Douglas (Lake Osakis) †WPl.
Pigeons, Doves
Rock Pigeon
(Columba livia)
3453 Reported from every county. High counts 4/3 Ramsey (300, Lower Afton Rd., St. Paul) JHe, 4/8 Ramsey (300, University of Minnesota, St. Paul campus) AnA.
Eurasian Collared-Dove
(Streptopelia decaocto)
2053 Found all counties south of a line from Kittson to Chisago, except Red Lake. Noteworthy reports 3/14 – 5/20 Pine (five different locations) KrM, TJo, ebd, 4/24 – 5/21 Hubbard TPu, AaL, ebd, 5/6 Clearwater TPu, AaL. High count 3/13 Dakota (45, U.S. 61 and C.R. 91) KCl.
White-winged Dove
(Zenaida asiatica)
1 One south record 5/11–14 Ramsey (private residence, Little Canada) ph. MWS, ph. †NMe, ph. †KEm, m.ob.
Mourning Dove
(Zenaida macroura)
3453 Reported from every county. High counts 3/3 Hennepin (30, Golden Valley) ebd, 3/13 Olmsted (30, Stewartville) ebd, 4/30 Isanti (30, Cambridge) ebd.
Cuckoos
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
(Coccyzus americanus)
527 Early south (median 5/13) 5/11 Olmsted (Quarry Hill N.C.) ebd, 5/12 Scott MJM, 5/13 Dakota (Pine Bend Bluffs S.N.A.) KDS, Houston (Reno S.F.) SHo. All north 5/23 Douglas (Lake Carlos S.P.) ARW, 5/26–30 Aitkin (Rice Lake N.W.R.) JDS, CLR, KEi, ebd, 5/27 Itasca (Chippewa N.F.) ebd, 5/28–29 Otter Tail (Maplewood S.P.) ebd, 5/29 Otter Tail (Rush Lake Twp.) ebd. High counts 5/27 Olmsted (4, Whitewater W.M.A.) MiD, 5/23 Fillmore (3, Forestville/Mystery Cave S.P.) JBj.
Black-billed Cuckoo
(Coccyzus erythropthalmus)
2532 Early south (median 5/9) 5/9 Dakota ebd, 5/11 Houston (2) ebd, WCM, 5/12 Carver JWZ, Fillmore JTo. Early north (median 5/16) 5/16 Otter Tail ebd, 5/17 Grant ANy, ebd, 5/18 Becker DMz, ebd, Wadena PJB. High count 5/28 Aitkin (5, Rice Lake N.W.R.) LBa.
Nightjars
Common Nighthawk
(Chordeiles minor)
2943 Early south (median 5/3) 5/1–8 Hennepin (three locations) DdS, BeH, ebd, 5/7 Rice TFB, 5/8 Scott ebd. Early north (median 5/12) 5/10 Cass (Ponto Lake Twp.) ebd, 5/11 Pine (Pine City) ebd, 5/12 Becker ShG, HeH, Cass (3, Deep Portage Learning Center) ebd, Mille Lacs GrN, ebd, Pine (Pokegama Twp.) ebd. High counts 5/22 Aitkin (60, Big Sandy Lake) SHo, 5/17 Pine (40, Pine City Twp.) KrM.
CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW
(Antrostomus carolinensis)
1 The sixth state record and the first since 1984: 5/30 Olmsted (Rochester) a.t. SFG.
Eastern Whip-poor-will
(Antrostomus vociferus)
1420 Early south (median 4/29) 4/26 Houston SHo, 4/27 Hennepin (Richardson N.C.) AOp, 4/28 Hennepin (Minneapolis) ebd. Early north (median 5/6) 5/4 Crow Wing (Crow Wing S.P.) ebd, 5/7 Todd ALu, 5/8 Crow Wing (Maple Grove Twp.) ebd, Hubbard AiS, St. Louis NGi, ebd. High count 5/29 Roseau (12, estimate along C.R. 7) ebd.
Swifts
Chimney Swift
(Chaetura pelagica)
3349 Early south (median 4/21) 4/14 Stevens DLP, 4/24 Washington ebd, 4/27 Hennepin ebd, Ramsey ebd. Early north (median 5/1) 5/5 Douglas VKl, 5/7 Becker (2) NaH, 5/7 Clay CMk. High count 5/12 Hennepin (500, The Blake School chimney roost, estimated) JsW.
Hummingbirds
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
(Archilochus colubris)
3249 Early south (median 4/30) 5/1 Fillmore ToM, Houston KRz, Olmsted JJS. Early north (median 5/4) 5/7 Crow Wing ebd, 5/8 Becker NaH, ebd, Douglas JPE, BEc, Morrison TLu, Pine ebd, Todd BWF, SDi. High counts 5/14 Lyon (13, Southwest Minnesota State University) GWe, 5/13 Morrison (10, Fort Ripley) ebd, 5/19 Dodge (10, Tollefson Woods) KEm.
Rails, Gallinules, Coots
Virginia Rail
(Rallus limicola)
2737 Early south (median 4/14) 4/12 Martin ebd, 4/13 Hennepin ebd, 4/15 Ramsey (3, Tony Schmidt Park) LiH. Early north (median 4/29) 4/26 Clay (Bjornson W.M.A.) ebd, 4/28 Clay (2, Magnusson W.M.A.) ebd, 5/5 Aitkin ebd, Douglas JPE. High counts 4/24 Steele (8, Armstrong Wetland Restoration) LiH, 4/27 Hennepin (6, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) DPn, 5/28 Chisago (6, Mud Lake) JGW.
Sora
(Porzana carolina)
3349 Early south (median 4/10) 4/6 Wabasha ebd, 4/11 Hennepin ebd, 4/12 Ramsey LiH. Early north (median 4/23) 4/24 St. Louis ebd, 4/27 Clay TkL, 4/29 Douglas JPE. High count 5/7 Hennepin (14, Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) ebd.
Common Gallinule
(Gallinula galeata)
6 All south 5/6–7 Winona (Whitewater W.M.A.) DAB, KEm, JWH, JCa, 5/8 Freeborn ANy, DBz, 5/15–26 Wabasha (max. 3, near Altura and Whitewater W.M.A.) LHl, NRi, m.ob., 5/23–31 Mower (Austin) ph. RNS, 5/24 Sherburne (Sherburne N.W.R.) SLH, 5/26–31 Anoka (Carlos Avery W.M.A.) ebd, m.ob.
American Coot
(Fulica americana)
3253 Reported from every county except Carlton, Roseau. Overwintered in Scott. Early south (median 3/1) 3/2 Wabasha PEJ, Winona PEJ, 3/14 Jackson PEJ, DFN, 3/14 Olmsted NoK. Early north (median 3/19) 4/2 Crow Wing LAP, Grant (30) ebd, Otter Tail (4) ebd, 4/3 Pine (4) SBE. High count 4/8 Goodhue (5,000, Lake Byllesby) BBr, ThW.
Yellow Rail
(Coturnicops noveboracensis)
32 All south 5/16–26 Anoka (Carlos Avery W.M.A.) DFe, RMS, m.ob., 5/27 Chisago (east of Stacy) ELC. All north 5/14–31 Aitkin (max. 20, also the season high count, McGregor Marsh) KEi, LBa, JMn, CLR, BxP, ebd, 5/19–25 Lake of the Woods (max. 14) JGW, JWH, KEm, AxB, TPu, ebd, 5/19–29 Roseau (max. 13) MrC, IsH, EzH, AFo, ebd.
Limpkin
LIMPKIN
(Aramus guarauna)
1 Third state record: 5/31 Watonwan (330th St., Lewisville) ph. †RHh. Reports continued into the summer.
Cranes
Sandhill Crane
(Antigone canadensis)
3249 First reported in late February in Houston. Subsequent early south reports (median 3/4) 3/2 Hennepin ABL, ebd, Rice ebd, Stearns KrM. Early north (median 3/16) 3/10 Morrison JnP, Otter Tail JsS, 3/15 Mille Lacs HHD, 3/23 Pine (2) ebd. High count 3/24 Wabasha (261, C.R. 84 near Kellogg) MNb.
Stilts, Avocets
Black-necked Stilt
(Himantopus mexicanus)
111 Thirteen statewide reports is the second highest spring total. One north 5/8 Mille Lacs (2, 115th Ave.) †HHD. All south 4/23 – 5/8 Freeborn (max. 2, Geneva Lake) ph. †DBz, ph. †KEm, JWH, ANy, 4/23 Houston (Hokah Twp.) ph.†DBz, ph. †SHo, 4/27–29 Wright (C.R. 37 near Maple Lake) RBd, ph. †TPu, ph. †DWK, ebd, m.ob., 5/7 Swift (near Lac qui Parle Lake) ph. †WOs, 5/7–13 Wabasha (Greenfield Twp., including a record high count of 10 on 5/7 †DWK) JCa, ph. †KEm, DBz, JWH, 5/8 Carver (2, Tacoma Ave. Area) ph. WCM, ph. †TWe, m.ob., 5/8–29 Watonwan (max. 2, Fieldon Twp.) †DBz, ANy, ChH, AnK, JCC, KEm, 5/11 Washington (Hudson Ave. near Lake Elmo) ph. †BDo, †EzH, m.ob., 5/13 Houston (ponds southwest of Reno) ph. †SHo, 5/15 Nobles (Bloom Twp.) ph. †KEm, 5/16 Nicollet (2, Twp. Rd. 182, Granby Twp.) ph. †MiO, BTS, 5/21–31 Brown (max. 3, Moulton Twp.) ph. †BTS, ph. †MiO, m.ob. Most of these sightings were also supported by many other observers with brief descriptive notes or images placed on eBird.
American Avocet
(Recurvirostra americana)
625 Early south (median 4/13) 4/12–13 Pipestone (max. 8, Pipestone W.T.P.) VVD, LVD, VKl, DlS, 4/13 Rock (2, Quarry Ponds) WCM, 4/20 Olmsted JPr, LAV, NoK, JmP, PWP. All north 4/11 Beltrami (2) KCo, 5/7–28 Grant (max. 6, North Ottawa Impoundment) ebd, 5/11 St. Louis JLK, 5/15 Polk HHu, 5/20 Otter Tail (2) WPl, Traverse ANy. High counts 4/23 Faribault (45, flooded field near Brush Creek) WAF.
Plovers
Black-bellied Plover
(Pluvialis squatarola)
1018 Early south (median 4/29) 5/4 Dakota (Lake Byllesby) SSc, TPu, CMB, MwT, AnB, TSk, ebd, Goodhue (5, Lake Byllesby) RMS, SDz, ebd, Wright (2) PLJ. Early north (median 5/15) 5/9–16 St. Louis (almost daily reports, all from Park Point) NGi, SeM, m.ob.; away from St. Louis first seen 5/16 Polk (3) SHo, 5/18 Itasca (2) ebd, Otter Tail (6) ebd. High count 5/27 Marshall (21, Agassiz N.W.R.) ebd. Late south 5/29 McLeod (2) LAb, PAl (median 6/7). Late north 5/29 Aitkin JnP, 5/31 St. Louis (max. 3, Park Point) PHS, ebd (median 6/6). See summer report for latest northbound migrants.
American Golden-Plover
(Pluvialis dominica)
827 Early south (median 4/3) 4/7 Dakota (2, Lake Byllesby) BAF, SHF, KCl, RBW, 4/8 Dakota (180th Street Marsh) YNa, m.ob., 4/10 Dakota (south of Farmington) DGd, TmG, 4/11 Brown (max. 12) BTS, MiO, ARW. Early north 5/12 Crow Wing ebd, 5/14 Kanabec (2) RBW, 5/17 Traverse (13) TWe, ANy, DBz. High count 5/4 Watonwan (150, 320th St.) SLH. Late south 5/28 McLeod JWZ, 5/29 Carver JWZ (median 6/8). Late north 5/28 Aitkin JnP, 5/30 St. Louis PHS, (median 6/3). Also see summer report for latest northbound migrants.
Killdeer
(Charadrius vociferus)
3453 Reported from all 87 counties. Early south (median 2/28) 3/1–5 Houston SHo, DJa, ebd, 3/4 Winona MZa, ebd, 3/5 Fillmore ToM, Goodhue GWe, Olmsted ebd, Scott ebd. Early north (median 3/15) 3/26 Morrison HHD, 3/29 Itasca ebd, 4/1 Pine NSn. High count 4/6 Dakota (168, 190th St.) KCl.
Semipalmated Plover
(Charadrius semipalmatus)
2845 Early south (median 4/20) 4/15 Dakota (2) YNa, 4/18 Goodhue PEJ, Olmsted MiD, m.ob., 4/23 Nicollet ebd. Early north (median 5/7) 4/27 Clay TkL, Crow Wing ebd, 4/29 Wilkin (2) TkL, 5/6 Pine KrM. High counts 5/25 Aitkin (125, in flooded fields and rice paddies) PEJ, 5/13 Dakota (80, Lake Byllesby ) PEJ. See summer report for late migrants statewide.
Piping Plover
(Charadrius melodus)
1 5/19–26 Lake of the Woods (up to 2, Morris Point) TPu, AiS, AxB, JGW, KEm, JWH, ebd.
Sandpipers
Upland Sandpiper
(Bartramia longicauda)
915 Early south (median 4/26) 4/26 Rock KEm, 4/28 Pipestone (2, Osborne Twp.) ebd, 5/4 Lincoln (2) DlS, Pipestone (Edgerton W.T.P) LVD, Renville LoH, Yellow Medicine BTS, m.ob. Early north (median 5/3) 5/5–6 Clay (2, Bluestem Prairie S.N.A.) TkL, ebd, 5/6 Otter Tail JsS, 5/8 Clay (River Oaks Park) TkL, 5/9 Wilkin (3) LSl. High count 5/12 Clay (5, Felton Prairie) ebd.
Whimbrel
(Numenius phaeopus)
42 All south 4/27 Yellow Medicine (240th Ave., Tyro Twp.) GWe, DlS, 5/26 Washington (Big Marine P.R.) BDo, LiH, EzH. Reported north in St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) from 5/16 HTo, peaking 5/21 (44) JLK, through 5/25 JLK, m.ob, but also see summer report. Also found north 5/23 Lake (6, Knife River Marina) MLH, 5/25 Crow Wing (Garrison) ph. PEJ, 5/30 Cook (12, Hibbard Rock) JGW.
Hudsonian Godwit
(Limosa haemastica)
1128 Early south (median 4/18) 4/15 Chisago MTe, 4/18 Cottonwood (7) KEm, Lincoln DlS, Rice (3) RBW, m.ob. Early north (median 5/12) 4/19–20 Pine (Fairfield Ave., Rock Creek) KrM, m.ob., 4/23 Pine (Lily Rd., Pine City) KrM, 4/24 Pine (Falcon Ave., Rock Creek) SBE, 4/27 Morrison SEm, 5/4 Clearwater AxB. High counts 5/18 Otter Tail (29, three locations) RAE, 4/29 Yellow Medicine (27, 185th Ave., Sandnes Twp.) GWe. Late south 5/29–30 McLeod PAl, m.ob., 5/29 Watonwan ChH, AnK, 5/30 Big Stone DLP (median 6/1). Late north 5/25 Aitkin PEJ, 5/25–27 Pennington JWH, m.ob., 5/27 Roseau JWH, m.ob. (median 5/31), but also see summer report for additional late migrants statewide.
Marbled Godwit
(Limosa fedoa)
1827 Early south (median 4/13) 4/14 Lac qui Parle (2) KJB, 4/18–19 Stearns (max. 2) HHD, m.ob., 4/21 Blue Earth KEm, Freeborn (12) KEm. Early north (median 4/13) 4/18 Otter Tail ebd, 4/20–21 St. Louis (2, Park Point) MLH, m.ob., 4/22 Clay JSc. High counts 5/17 St. Louis (30, Park Point R.A.) NGi, 5/26 Roseau (18, Roseau W.T.P.) JGW.
Ruddy Turnstone
(Arenaria interpres)
1113 Early south (median 5/11) 5/7 Wabasha DBz, JCa, 5/10 Dakota/Goodhue (max. 10) KCl, m.ob., Pipestone ANy. Early north (median 5/14) 5/12 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) ClN, m.ob., 5/15 Aitkin (3) KCR, Mille Lacs (2) ANy, DBz. High count 5/23 St. Louis (32, Park Point R.A.) ClN, JDx, ebd. Late south 5/24 Pipestone LVD, 5/25–26 Stearns (max. 2) PCC, m.ob., 5/26 Lyon NMe, DlS (median 6/1). Late north 5/31 Lake (2) ebd, St. Louis (max. 19, Park Point R.A.) PHS, m.ob. (median 6/3), but also see summer report.
Red Knot
(Calidris canutus)
11 Only south report 5/25–27 McLeod (130th St., Glencoe) ph. †DWK, ph. †SvB, ph. †TPu, ph. †EzH, m.ob. Only north report 5/20–24 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) SeM, NGi, ph. †PHS, ph. †AXH, m.ob.
RUFF
(Calidris pugnax)
1 An adult female was documented 5/12–13 Stearns (Albany W.T.P.) †PCC, ph. CRM, m.ob.
Stilt Sandpiper
(Calidris himantopus)
619 Early south (median 5/1) 4/13 Blue Earth (Butternut Valley Twp.) †ARW, 4/24 Rice LiH, 4/29 Lac qui Parle GrN. Early north (median 5/14) 5/18 Clay TWe, 5/20 Douglas BAb, 5/23 Marshall HHu. Late north 5/27 Polk (3) JWH, m.ob., Roseau JGW, 5/28 Kittson ANy, DBz (median 6/1). Late south 5/24 Lyon (5, season high count, Borson’s Slough) NMe, 5/24–28 McLeod SLH, m.ob., 5/27 Le Sueur BAb, BxP (median 6/4), but also see summer report.
Sanderling
(Calidris alba)
1216 Early south (median 5/4) 5/4–6 Goodhue JtM, m.ob., 5/6 Dakota EzH, 5/8 Wright MJB. Early north (median 5/8) 5/8–16 St. Louis (max. 8) NGi, m.ob., 5/16 Marshall HHu. High count 5/24 St. Louis (71, Park Point R.A.) SeM. Late south 5/28 Stearns ebd, 5/29 Benton DOr, 5/31 Kandiyohi (2) ebd (median 6/6). Late north 5/27 Pennington ANy, 5/27–31 St. Louis (31, Park Point R.A.) HTo, m.ob. (median 6/9), but also see summer report.
Dunlin
(Calidris alpina)
2848 Early south (median 4/15) 4/9 Benton HHD, Dakota MwT, AnB, Goodhue (2) MwT, AnB. Early north (median 5/3) 4/13 St. Louis (2, Park Point R.A.) NGi, 4/16 St. Louis (Stony Point) JWL, m.ob., 4/19 Pine KrM. High counts 5/15 Wabasha (127, C.R. 24) LHl, 5/25 Aitkin (110) PEJ. See summer report for late migrants statewide.
Baird's Sandpiper
(Calidris bairdii)
934 Early south (median 4/3) 4/2 Brown ebd, 4/3 Nobles (4) BLz, 4/7 Dakota MwT. Early north (median 4/23) 4/14 Otter Tail CRM, m.ob., 5/1 Grant (2) ANy, DBz, 5/2 Marshall (2) ebd, HHu. High count 5/5 Wright (18, Illsley Ave. NW, Maple Lake) ToL. Late south 5/29 Anoka ETw, MFl, McLeod (2) DWK, m.ob., Watonwan ChH, ebd, 5/30 Meeker (10) PKF, ebd, Steele PSu (median 6/7). Late north 5/27 Marshall (3) JWH, m.ob., Polk JWH, m.ob., 5/28 St. Louis (2) JLK, 5/29 Aitkin SC (median 6/4), but see summer report for additional late migrants statewide.
Least Sandpiper
(Calidris minutilla)
2951 Early south (median 4/10) 4/11–12 Brown (max. 2) BTS, MiO, 4/13 Blue Earth (9) ARW, 4/14 Dakota PEJ. Early north (median 5/3) 4/28 Crow Wing ebd, 5/5–6 Marshall (max. 16) HHu, 5/7 Cook JGW. High counts 5/19 Marshall (110, Agassiz N.W.R.) EzH, IsH, MrC, 5/13 Dakota (100, Lake Byllesby) EzH, MrC. See summer report for late migrants statewide.
White-rumped Sandpiper
(Calidris fuscicollis)
1831 Early south (median 4/28) 4/23 Meeker PKF, 4/28 Faribault CRM, m.ob., Martin DAh. Early north (median 5/13) 5/8 Grant (14) CNn, 5/12–14 Marshall HHu, 5/14 Traverse DFN. High count 5/30 Lac qui Parle (27, 121st. Ave., Walter Twp.) KeL. See summer report for late migrants statewide.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
(Calidris subruficollis)
No spring reports since 2018.
Pectoral Sandpiper
(Calidris melanotos)
2253 Early south (median 3/29) 4/2 Watonwan KEm, JWH, 4/3–8 Dakota (max. 3) CJE, m.ob., 4/8 Carver (6) TWe, m.ob., Faribault (4) PEJ, Hennepin (4) ABL, m.ob. Early north (median 4/14) 4/10 Cass AxB, 4/14 Otter Tail CRM, m.ob., 4/15 Becker KEm, m.ob., Douglas (6) LGl, Kanabec SPS. High counts 4/18 Rice (300, Wheatland Twp.) ebd, 5/4 Wright (240, Albion Twp.) PLJ. See summer report for late migrants statewide.
Semipalmated Sandpiper
(Calidris pusilla)
2343 Early south (median 4/11) 4/10 Carver (4) ebd, Lyon NMe, 4/12 Pipestone LVD, VVD. Early north (median 5/4) 5/5 Clay (2, Bluestem Prairie S.N.A.) TkL, 5/8 Clay (Sabin W.T.P.) CMk, 5/9 Pine (3) ebd. High counts 5/26 McLeod (90, 130th St., Glencoe) EzH, m.ob., 5/31 Stearns (78, Albany W.T.P.) PCC. See summer report for late migrants north and south.
Short-billed Dowitcher
(Limnodromus griseus)
1833 Early south (median 4/29) 5/1 Wright PLJ, 5/4 Goodhue (7) SSc, m.ob, Lyon (45) RJS. Early north (median 5/11) 5/8 St. Louis (2, Gnesen Twp.) JLK, m.ob., 5/10 Aitkin SC, Kanabec KrM, St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog) ClN, m.ob. High count 5/15 Lake (58, Castle Danger W.T.P.) JWL. Late south 5/22 Olmsted LAV, Waseca RBW, 5/24 McLeod BHe, 5/25 Fillmore RBW (median 5/31). Late north 5/27 Marshall HHu, m.ob., 5/30 Polk HHu, 5/31 St. Louis ebd (median 5/28), but also see summer report. Note: Reports of Short-billed Dowitchers prior to 1 May without details are not published in these Seasonal Reports. (See The Loon 89:160–161.)
Long-billed Dowitcher
(Limnodromus scolopaceus)
638 Early south (median 4/17) 4/15 Yellow Medicine (2, Normania Twp.) GWe, (Sandnes Twp.) GWe, 4/18 Brown SLH, Cottonwood (3) KEm. Early north (median 5/5) 4/29 Wilkin (2) TkL, 5/7 Cook (Grand Portage W.T.P.) JGW, (Lutsen W.T.P.) JGW. High counts 5/4 Lyon (20, C.R. 11, Amiret Twp.) RJS, 5/4 Watonwan (20, 320th St.) SLH. Late south 5/11 Dakota (7) KDS, 5/13 Rice TFB, 5/17 Lincoln DlS (median 5/19). Late north 5/13 Clay (4) TkL, 5/16 Kanabec RAE, Marshall (7) HHu (median 5/18).
American Woodcock
(Scolopax minor)
2839 Early south (median 3/12) 3/15 Dakota MJM, Hennepin (2, Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) JMn, 3/16 Hennepin (Edina) TAT, (Bloomington) ebd. Early north (median 3/26) 3/27 Morrison TLu, 4/2 Clay ebd, 4/3 Pine (3) ebd. High count 4/14 Dakota (14, Lebanon Hills R.P.) TPu, m.ob.
Wilson's Snipe
(Gallinago delicata)
3451 Overwintering individuals were reported from several locations, including 3/1–2 Hennepin ebd, 3/1–5 Olmsted (max. 2) LAV, 3/9 Washington (3) TAr. First apparent south migrant (median 3/23) 3/25 Ramsey LiH. Early north (median 3/31) 4/8 Polk HHu, 4/9 Cass ebd, 4/10 Morrison KEm, SEm. High counts 4/11 Anoka (103, C.R. 54, Lino Lakes) DnS, 4/8 Hennepin (57, Mother Lake) ABL.
Spotted Sandpiper
(Actitis macularius)
3352 Early south (median 4/19) 4/15 Washington PNi, m.ob., 4/17 Blue Earth (2) ARW, 4/18 Hennepin DSh, Olmsted ebd, Rock KEm. Early north (median 4/28) 4/18 St. Louis (Western Waterfront Trail) JLK, 4/22 Douglas ebd, 4/30 St. Louis (Western Waterfront Trail) JLK. High count 5/10 Goodhue (30, Lake Byllesby) KCl, m.ob.
Solitary Sandpiper
(Tringa solitaria)
2547 Early south (median 4/19) 4/22 Rice (two locations) LSw, Sibley BHe, 4/23 Dakota ebd, Faribault WAF, Houston ebd. Early north (median 4/29) 4/15 St. Louis (Vermilion Lake Twp.) BLz, 4/22 St. Louis (Western Waterfront Trail) JLK, 4/28 Itasca ebd. High counts 5/7 Hennepin (15, Crow-Hassan P.R.) ebd, 5/8 Lac qui Parle (15, Big Stone N.W.R.) DLP. Late south 5/28 Houston LGl, ebd, Watonwan ebd, 5/29 Sherburne ebd (median 6/1). Late north 5/22–23 St. Louis ebd, 5/23 Lake DFN, 5/26 Carlton ebd (median 6/3), but also see summer report.
Lesser Yellowlegs
(Tringa flavipes)
3253 Early south (median 3/28) 4/7 Dakota (max. 5) AnB, m.ob., Faribault WAF, Freeborn AEB. Early north (median 4/4) 4/11 Clay (3) TkL, 4/12 Cass (2) ebd, Pine (6) KrM. High count 5/7 Wabasha (700, Greenfield Twp.) JCa. Late south 5/31 Hennepin ebd, Stearns PCC (median 6/8). Late north 5/31 Marshall HHu, Polk HHu (median 6/7). Also see summer report for many additional late migrants statewide.
Willet
(Tringa semipalmata)
832 Early south (median 4/22) 4/18 Dakota BxP, 4/21 Cottonwood (2) KEm, Hennepin DEl. Early north (median 4/29) 4/29 – 5/1 Wilkin TkL, ANy, 5/4 St. Louis StK, 5/8 Crow Wing DMz. New county record: 5/12 Koochiching (S.R. 11) DvH. High counts 5/6 Hennepin (63, Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) JMn, 5/6 Wabasha (58) DBz. Late south 5/18 Big Stone DLP, 5/21 Murray (2) ebd, 5/31 Rice ebd (median 5/29). Late north 5/18 Otter Tail (2) ebd, St. Louis NGi, 5/25 Pennington LHl, 5/21–27 Marshall HHu (median 6/1), but also see summer report.
Greater Yellowlegs
(Tringa melanoleuca)
3252 Early south (median 3/23) 3/28 Hennepin DWK, 3/30 Olmsted JPr, 4/2 Blue Earth KEm, JWH. Early north (median 4/3) 4/9 Cass (Wabedo Twp.) ABi, Crow Wing EGa, 4/10 Cass (2, Federal Dam) AxB, ebd, Morrison KEm, SEm. High count 5/2 St. Louis (128, W Pioneer Rd., Duluth) BMu. Late south 5/27 McLeod MJB, ebd, 5/28–31 Goodhue DFN, m.ob., Stearns HHD, m.ob. (median 6/6). Late north 5/29 Clay ebd, 5/29–30 Aitkin (max. 3) SC, LBa, St. Louis PHS (median 6/2). Also see summer report for additional late migrants statewide.
Wilson's Phalarope
(Phalaropus tricolor)
2639 Early south (median 4/21) 4/21–23 Freeborn KEm, PEJ, 4/24 Faribault WAF, Pipestone ebd. Early north (median 4/27) 5/2–5 Marshall (max. 5) HHu, ebd, 5/5 Clay (2) TkL, 5/6 Pine (2) KrM. High count 5/12 Pipestone (210, Pipestone W.T.P.) DlS.
Red-necked Phalarope
(Phalaropus lobatus)
612 Early south (median 5/11) 5/12–13 Pipestone (max. 3, Pipestone W.T.P.) DlS, m.ob., 5/13 McLeod DWK, 5/17 Benton HHD, Pipestone (Edgerton W.T.P.) KEm, ebd. Early north (median 5/17) 5/18–19 Marshall (max. 5) HHu, Morrison (max. 4) MJB, m.ob., 5/19 Lake of the Woods (2) AxB, m.ob. High count 5/26 Marshall (10, Warren W.T.P.) ebd. Late south 5/27 Stearns (3) PCC, m.ob., 5/28 Brown ARW, m.ob., 5/30 Le Sueur (2) BxP (median 6/3), but also see summer report. Late north 5/27 Roseau (3) KEm, JWH, 5/27–5/30 Marshall (max. 2) HHu, m.ob. (median 6/2).
Jaegers
Parasitic Jaeger
(Stercorarius parasiticus)
No spring reports for first time since 2015.
Gulls, Terns
Bonaparte's Gull
(Chroicocephalus philadelphia)
3049 Early south (median 4/1) 4/3 Winona (2) ToM, 4/6 Anoka (10) ebd, 4/7 Faribault WAF, Freeborn AEB, Goodhue EAa. Early north (median 4/12) 4/11–15 St. Louis SeM, NGi, m.ob., 4/13–15 Todd (max. 3) BWF, m.ob., 4/15 Kanabec SPS, Pine (3) DPi. High count 5/10 St. Louis (4,622, Park Point R.A.) PHS. Late south 5/16 Hennepin (6) JhM, 5/19 Wright (4) RCl, 5/21 McLeod (2) KHg (median 6/1). Late north 5/26 Carlton BLz, Pine (3) ebd, 5/26–31 St. Louis (max. 24, Park Point R.A.) PHS, HTo, m.ob. (median 6/12).
LITTLE GULL
(Hydrocoloeus minutus)
1 Only report 5/9 St. Louis (adult, Park Point R.A.) KDx, ClN, JDx, m.ob.
ROSS'S GULL
(Rhodostethia rosea)
1 Fifth state record: 5/31 St. Louis (adult, Superior Entry) ph. †PHS.
Franklin's Gull
(Leucophaeus pipixcan)
1648 Early south (median 3/25) 3/17 Hennepin ebd, m.ob., 3/23 Olmsted ebd, 4/1 Nobles KEm, JWH. Early north (median 4/9) 4/11 Clay ANy, 4/12 Marshall/Polk (Agassiz Valley) HHu, Todd ANy. High count 4/24 Lyon (200, Black Rush Lake W.P.A.) RJS.
Ring-billed Gull
(Larus delawarensis)
3352 Early south (median 2/28) 3/1 Dakota (4) JZj, 3/2 Goodhue PEJ. Early north migrants (median 3/8) found in St. Louis beginning 3/3 ebd; first report away from the North Shore 3/24 Traverse (3) DLP. High count 5/13 St. Louis (20,000, Interstate Island W.M.A.) PHS, SCB.
CALIFORNIA GULL
(Larus californicus)
1 Only report: 4/24 Clay (apparent second-cycle, Riverton Twp.) ph. †TCL.
Herring Gull
(Larus argentatus)
2541 Early south (median 3/1) 3/3–4 Winona (max. 3) ebd, 3/4 Dakota (2) SSp, ebd, Goodhue PEJ. High count 3/29 Dakota (500, Spring Lake P.R.) BLz.
Iceland Gull
(Larus glaucoides)
34 All south 3/7 Dakota (L. g. thayeri, Spring Lake P.R.) KCl, 3/24 Dakota (Hastings) ALw, 3/30 Dakota (second-cycle, Spring Lake) MJB, (thayeri, C.R. 46) MwT, AnB, 4/6–7 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) ebd, 4/7 Washington (thayeri, immature, Point Douglas Park) BDo, 4/30–5/1 Stearns (L. g. kumlieni, first-cycle, Farming Twp.) †PCC, m.ob. Overwintered north along Lake Superior, with reports continuing until 5/10 St. Louis (kumlieni, Park Point R.A.) JWL. High counts 3/1 St. Louis (3, two noted as immature, W.L.S.S.D.) FJN, ebd, 3/3 St. Louis (3, two adults and one second-cycle, at least two reported as kumlieni, W.L.S.S.D.) ebd. Additional reports of kumlieni: 3/11 St. Louis (W.L.S.S.D.) SeM, 3/26 Lake (adult, Agate Bay) JWL, 5/9 Lake (immature, Two Harbors) JWL.
Lesser Black-backed Gull
(Larus fuscus)
214 Early south (median 3/26) 3/18–30 Dakota (max. 2, season high count, Spring Lake P.R., Pine Bend W.T.P.) MwT, m.ob., 3/18–21 Washington (Spring Lake, one of the Dakota County birds) m.ob., 4/1 Scott (Louisville Twp.) AFo. All north 3/3 St. Louis (second-cycle, W.L.S.S.D.) ebd, 4/29 Kanabec (second-cycle, Brunswick Twp.) SPS, St. Louis (adult, W. Skyline Pkwy.) FJN, m.ob. Late south 4/30 Stearns (first-cycle, Farming Twp.) PCC, m.ob., 5/6 Goodhue (adult, Lake Byllesby) KCl, 5/20 Waseca RAE (median 4/22). First county record: 4/22 Waseca (adult, Lake Elysian) BAb.
Glaucous Gull
(Larus hyperboreus)
25 All south 3/19 Ramsey (Upper Landing Park) LiH, 3/30 Kandiyohi (Foot Lake) RAE, m.ob., 3/31 – 4/1 Blue Earth (third-cycle, Loon Lake) ebd, BHW, 4/3 Dakota (2, first- and third-cycles, 140th St. Marsh) KCl, m.ob., 4/8 Hennepin (adult or third-cycle, Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) BAF. High counts 3/3, 3/18 St. Louis (4, W.L.S.S.D.) FJN, AFo, m.ob. Late north 4/22 Clay (second-cycle, Clay County Landfill) PBB, m.ob., St. Louis (second-cycle, Park Point, Southworth Marsh) ClN, KDx, JDx, 5/1–2, 5/9 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) SeM, m.ob. (median 5/2).
Great Black-backed Gull
(Larus marinus)
1 All reports were of singles in Duluth, St. Louis County, beginning 3/3 (W.L.S.S.D.) FJN, m.ob., (Canal Park) LiH, with final report 4/9 St. Louis (W.S.H.C.) ebd.
Caspian Tern
(Hydroprogne caspia)
1527 Early south (median 4/23) 4/21–29 Hennepin ebd, 4/28 Ramsey (2) LiH, JZj, 4/29 Scott PNi, DnS, Wright (2) RCl. Early north (median 4/29) 4/29 Kanabec SPS, 5/6 Hubbard TPu, AaL, 5/7 Cass (11) ebd, Crow Wing DMz, St. Louis (2) IWe. High count 5/10 Wright (98, Pelican Lake) RCl. See summer report for late south migrants.
Black Tern
(Chlidonias niger)
2445 Early south (median 5/1) 4/22 Winona ToM, 5/1 Sherburne (12) ebd, 5/4 Renville (2) ebd. Early north (median 5/9) 5/7 Crow Wing (12) ebd, 5/9 Otter Tail WPl, 5/11 Traverse DLP. High count 5/19 Becker (360, Hamden Slough N.W.R.) ebd.
Common Tern
(Sterna hirundo)
1824 Early south (very few with any details) 4/27 Houston ebd, Wright RBd, 5/1 Hennepin ebd. Early north (median 5/4) 5/3–7 St. Louis (max. 2) MLH, m.ob., 5/5–7 Crow Wing (max. 3) ebd, 5/7 Douglas (3) ebd. High count 5/23 St. Louis (684, Superior Entry) PHS. Late south 5/21 Hennepin (5) ebd, McLeod (15) KHg, Olmsted/Wabasha (15, Lake Zumbro) SHo, 5/24 Meeker (2, Wolf Lake) BHe, 5/26 Meeker (3, Youngstrom Lake) PKF (median 6/2).
ARCTIC TERN
(Sterna paradisaea)
1 First spring report since 2009: 5/25 St. Louis (adult, Park Point R.A.) †PHS.
Forster's Tern
(Sterna forsteri)
2143 Early south (median 4/10) 4/10 Dakota PEJ, 4/11 Olmsted ebd, 4/12 Freeborn (2) RAE, Goodhue (3) KCl, m.ob., Steele RBW, Swift (3) BAb. Early north (median 4/18) 4/12 Douglas BEc, 4/20 Clay TkL, 4/27 Polk HHu. High count 5/4 Goodhue (40, Lake Byllesby) MwT, AnB.
Loons
Red-throated Loon
(Gavia stellata)
27 Exceptional season for this species. All south 4/12 Olmsted (Cascade Lake Park) ebd, 4/18–27 Ramsey (Long Lake R.P.) JMi, m.ob., 4/24 – 5/4 Dakota/Goodhue (max. 3, Lake Byllesby) ANy, m.ob., 4/24–25 Hennepin (Weaver Lake and Rice Lake) ebd, 4/29 – 5/16 Isanti (max. 3, one adult in alternate plumage and two individuals in basic plumage seen separately, South Stanchfield Lake) ELC, m.ob., 5/6 Hennepin (2, Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) SLC, m.ob., 5/13–17 Wright (Swartout Lake) ANy, DBz, m.ob. Early north (median 5/1) 4/21–23 St. Louis (max. 2, Park Point R.A.) ebd, FJN, HTo, SeM, JLK. High count 5/3 St. Louis (115, Park Point R.A.) NGi, StK, HTo. Late north 5/27–28 St. Louis (5, Park Point R.A.) HTo, SeM, 5/30 St. Louis (Brighton Beach) ebd (median 6/12). Only north report away from St. Louis was found 5/18 Cook (Grand Marais) HTo.
Pacific Loon
(Gavia pacifica)
1 Only report 5/22–31 Hennepin (basic plumage, Lake Nokomis) ph. PRH, m.ob., continued into the summer season.
Common Loon
(Gavia immer)
3350 Early south (median 3/23) 3/23 Dakota ebd, 3/24 Washington PNi, m.ob., 3/26 Wabasha MNb. Early north (median 3/28) 4/9 Morrison KEm, m.ob., St. Louis NGi, 4/10 Carlton ebd, Itasca ebd. High counts 4/27 Beltrami (350, Ponemah Narrows, Lower Red Lake) DvH, 4/29 Kanabec (305) SPS.
Cormorants
Double-crested Cormorant
(Nannopterum auritum)
3353 Early south (median 3/14) 3/8 Dakota (2) BBr, 3/16 Washington BLz, Winona ebd. Early north (median 3/27) 4/7–9 Morrison (2) DLP, m.ob., 4/9 Becker HeH, ShG, Pine ebd, St. Louis (max. 12, two locations) SeM, m.ob. High count 5/8 Wright (924, Pelican Lake) RCl.
Pelicans
American White Pelican
(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
3453 Early south (median 3/15) 3/5–6 Goodhue (max. 2) ebd, 3/8 Winona (52) PEJ. Early north (median 4/4) 4/7–8 Morrison (max. 23) TLu, m.ob., 4/8 Cass (8) ebd, Clay (64) PBB, Douglas (20) ebd. High count 4/29 Big Stone (1,500, Marsh Lake) DGd, m.ob.
Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons
Least Bittern
(Botaurus exilis)
610 Early south (median 5/9) 5/10 Wabasha (Kellogg W.T.P.) MNb, 5/15 Wabasha (3, season high count, Whitewater W.M.A.) LHl, Washington KIs. All north 5/12 St. Louis (Mud Lake) JLK, 5/16 Kanabec (Rum River S.F.) RBW, 5/21–28 Hubbard (C.R. 109) BWF, m.ob., 5/22 Cass (Lake Winnibigoshish) JWH, m.ob., Douglas JPE, Itasca LHl.
American Bittern
(Botaurus lentiginosus)
2629 Early south (median 4/12) 4/7 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) ebd, 4/10–12 Anoka (max. 2) BKa, m.ob., 4/15 Hennepin (Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) ebd. Early north (median 4/17) 4/11 Cook JGW, 4/19 Itasca ebd, 4/23 Lake ebd. High count 5/27 St. Louis (8, Voyageurs National Park) ebd.
LITTLE BLUE HERON
(Egretta caerulea)
No reports.
Snowy Egret
(Egretta thula)
214 Reported from the highest number of counties since 2006. Early south (median 4/22) 4/15 Washington (Woodbury Dr.) BDo, (Grey Cloud Dunes S.N.A.) DuW, 4/23 McLeod (Silver Lake) m.ob., Watonwan (2, Case Lake) ARW, m.ob., Winona (Whitewater W.M.A.) ebd. All north 4/12 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) SeM, NGi, 5/5 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) HHu. High count 5/5 Redwood (3, Lake Redwood) RJS. See summer report for late south migrants.
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
(Nyctanassa violacea)
No reports.
Black-crowned Night Heron
(Nycticorax nycticorax)
725 Early south (median 4/2) 4/6 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) ebd, 4/12 Hennepin (2, Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) AnA, 4/15 Hennepin (2, Marshall Terrace Park) ebd, TPu; no south reports away from Hennepin until 4/22 Olmsted (max. 4) LAV, m.ob. Early north (median 4/18) 4/11 Cook ebd, m.ob., 4/14–23 Beltrami m.ob., 4/23 Clay ebd. High count 4/25 Hennepin (12) CMB.
Green Heron
(Butorides virescens)
3047 Early south (median 4/20) 4/14 Hennepin (Hidden Ponds Park) ebd, 4/17 Hennepin (Lake Cornelia) ebd CMB, 4/19 Faribault WAF, Freeborn AEB. Early north (median 5/2) 4/28 Grant CNn, 5/4 Crow Wing ebd, 5/5 Douglas VKl. High counts 5/28 Ramsey (8, Maplewood N.C.) JZj, 5/29 Washington (8, Eagle Point Lake) ebd.
Great Egret
(Ardea alba)
2652 Early south (median 3/20) 3/15 Stearns AaL, 3/26 Washington ebd, 3/27 Dakota ebd. Early north (median 4/3) 4/7 Clay (2) PBB, 4/8 Cass JCu, Douglas JPE. High count 5/14 Renville (60, Preston Lake) CBt.
Western Cattle-Egret
(Ardea ibis)
111 Early south (median 4/20) 4/14 Swift (Appleton Twp.) JGW, m.ob., 4/19 Faribault WAF, 4/21 Rice (Wheatland Twp.) ebd. Only north report 4/28 Crow Wing (C.R. 44) ebd, m.ob. Late south 5/14 Big Stone (5, season high count, Odessa Twp.) ebd, 5/15 Cottonwood (2, Southbrook Twp.) KEm, m.ob., 5/29 Cottonwood (3, Lawcon Park) ebd.
Great Blue Heron
(Ardea herodias)
3253 Early south (median 3/6) 3/7 Goodhue (3, Red Wing) EBy, 3/11 Goodhue (Colvill Park) JtM, SDz, 3/12 Hennepin ebd, Rice ebd, Stearns MJB. Early north (median 3/20) 3/24 Douglas BEc, 3/25 Pine (2) ebd, 3/26 Crow Wing BCS, Morrison TLu. High count 4/14 Hennepin (287, Marshall Terrace Park, Minneapolis) ebd.
Ibises
GLOSSY IBIS
(Plegadis falcinellus)
4 All south 4/23 Pipestone (2, Woodstock W.M.A.) ph. †VKl, ph. †DiH, 4/29 Lyon/Yellow Medicine (290th St., Burton Twp.) ph. †GWe, 5/1 Murray (Lake Sarah Twp.) ph. †KEm.
White-faced Ibis
(Plegadis chihi)
427 Early south (median 4/23) 4/14 Lac qui Parle (15, Hantho Twp.) DLP, (5, Garfield Twp.) KJB, Yellow Medicine (5, Miller-Richter W.M.A.) WCM. All north 4/13 Clay (8, Barnesville Twp.) CRM, m.ob., 4/24 Grant (7, North Ottawa Impoundment) PPe, 5/6 Polk (4, Brandt-Angus flood control project) HHu, 5/19 Wilkin (Western Prairie S.N.A.) ANy, DBz. High count 4/29 Lac qui Parle (66, Augusta Twp.) DlS. Late south 5/15 Blue Earth (C.R. 168) ChH, 5/20 Lyon (Vallers Twp.) RJS, 5/28 Brown (Bashaw Twp.) SLH.
Plegadis ibis
(Plegadis sp.)
8 All south 4/14 Lac qui Parle (20, C.R. 40) ebd, 4/19 Hennepin (Bass Lake Rd., Maple Grove) KBg, 4/23 Pipestone (7, Woodstock W.M.A.) DiH, 4/24 Brown (4, Albin Twp.) BTS, Steele (Armstrong Wetland Restoration) LiH, Wright (17th St. NE, Saint Michael) JCr, 4/26 Big Stone (3, Ortonville Twp.) DLP, 4/29 Lac qui Parle (54, Plover Prairie) WCM, (12, Bolland Slough) KCl, ebd, Yellow Medicine (21, Burton Twp.) KCl, ebd, 5/9 Big Stone (3, Ortonville Twp.) DLP.
New World Vultures
BLACK VULTURE
(Coragyps atratus)
1 One report of this Casual species: 5/22 Fillmore (Forestville S.P.) ph. †ToM.
Turkey Vulture
(Cathartes aura)
3453 Early south (median 3/7) 3/4 Washington MJM, 3/7 Blue Earth BHW, Hennepin NMe, Olmsted (2) JPr, ebd, Winona ebd. Early north (median 3/23) 3/18 St. Louis ebd, 3/22 Pine KrM, 3/23 Crow Wing (2) BCS. High counts 4/12 St. Louis (433, W.S.H.C.) SeM, 4/10 St. Louis (393, W.S.H.C.) SeM.
Osprey
Osprey
(Pandion haliaetus)
2739 Early south (median 3/25) 3/27 Anoka (2) ebd, 3/28 Hennepin ebd, 3/29 Dakota ebd, Ramsey ebd. Early north (median 4/2) 4/8 Crow Wing DMz, Pine ebd, 4/9 Morrison (2) NaH, Otter Tail ebd. High count 4/27 St. Louis (24, W.S.H.C.) SeM.
Kites, Accipiters, Hawks, Eagles
Golden Eagle
(Aquila chrysaetos)
818 South reports in March and April from 18 counties, last reports 4/22 Pipestone ebd, Swift DLP, 4/24 Redwood HCT (median 4/21). Frequent north reports throughout March and April with peak northbound movement in mid March and last reports 4/29 Carlton PHS, 5/4 St. Louis (W.S.H.C.) SeM, 5/9 St. Louis (W.S.H.C.) SeM (median 5/6). High counts 3/20 St. Louis (22, W.S.H.C.) SeM, 3/23 St. Louis (18, W.S.H.C.) FJN.
Northern Harrier
(Circus hudsonius)
3453 Reported from every county. Overwintered south in multiple locations. Early north (median 3/8) 3/15 Morrison ebd, 3/24 Traverse (Reservation Dam W.M.A.) DLP, 3/25 Traverse (Tara Twp.) KEm, JWH. High counts 4/2 Houston (17, Reno) ASu, 4/27 St. Louis (12, W.S.H.C.) SeM.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
(Accipiter striatus)
2749 Reported south and north from the beginning of the season. High counts 5/8 St. Louis (373, W.S.H.C.) SeM, 4/27 St. Louis (219, W.S.H.C.) SeM. Late south 5/26 Hennepin (Pond Dakota Mission Park) ABL, DPJ, 5/29 Dakota ebd, 5/31 Hennepin (Lake Rebecca P.R.) ebd (median 5/30), but also see summer report.
Cooper's Hawk
(Accipiter cooperii)
2853 See winter report for earliest north (median 3/9), followed by 3/6 St. Louis (W.S.H.C.) SeM, 3/7 St. Louis (W.S.H.C.) SeM. High count 4/2 Houston (18, Reno) ASu.
American Goshawk
(Accipiter atricapillus)
91 All south 4/17, 4/25 Hennepin (Rush Creek Regional Trail) ebd, DEl. North reports from Roseau, Cass, Itasca, Koochiching, Crow Wing, Pine, St. Louis, Lake, Cook.
Bald Eagle
(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
3453 Reported from every county. High counts 4/3 St. Louis (318, W.S.H.C.) SeM, 3/24 St. Louis (271, W.S.H.C.) FJN.
MISSISSIPPI KITE
(Ictinia mississippiensis)
11 Two sight records: 5/17 Wilkin (Riverside Cemetery) †TWe, 5/18 Chippewa (Shakopee Lake) †DWK, †HCT.
Red-shouldered Hawk
(Buteo lineatus)
1435 Early north (median 3/12) 3/15 Morrison (Blanchard Dam) ebd, 3/23 Morrison (Little Falls) TLu, 3/24 Mille Lacs AOp. High counts 3/15 Houston (7, Reno) ASu, 4/2 Houston (5, Reno) ASu.
Broad-winged Hawk
(Buteo platypterus)
3246 Early south (median 4/6) 4/2 Le Sueur CZi, Waseca CZi, 4/8 Hennepin ebd. Early north (median 4/12) 4/10 Crow Wing ebd, Grant CNn, 4/13 Cass (2) ebd. High counts 5/9 St. Louis (1,593, W.S.H.C.) SeM, 5/8 St. Louis (1,320, W.S.H.C.) SeM.
Swainson's Hawk
(Buteo swainsoni)
725 Early south (median 4/6) 3/7 Le Sueur CZi, 4/6 Dakota CRe, 4/9 Pipestone (2) LVD. All north 4/13–15 Clay (max. 2, several locations) TkL, m.ob., 4/14 Wilkin CMk, ebd, 4/15 Grant SC. High counts 4/10 Lac qui Parle (15, Salt Lake) DlS, ASu, 4/15 Steele (3, Owatonna) DAB. New county record: 4/24 Itasca (Cohasset) HTo.
Red-tailed Hawk
(Buteo jamaicensis)
3353 Found in every county except Cook. High counts 4/7 St. Louis (616, W.S.H.C.) SeM, 4/11 St. Louis (262, W.S.H.C.) SeM. B. j. harlani reported with documentation until early April from Dakota, Hennepin, Houston, McLeod, Sibley, Steele, with two additional undocumented reports. “Krider’s” race reported from fourteen counties, with many supported by documentation.
Rough-legged Hawk
(Buteo lagopus)
3050 High counts 4/24 St. Louis (75, W.S.H.C.) SeM, 4/14 St. Louis (49, W.S.H.C.) SeM. Late south 4/29 Carver ebd, Hennepin ebd, Meeker PKF, 5/11–12 Yellow Medicine ANy (median 5/10). Late north 5/11 St. Louis (4, W.S.H.C.) SeM, NGi, 5/14 St. Louis (W.S.H.C.) SeM, 5/15 St. Louis (W.S.H.C.) SeM (median 5/27).
Barn Owls
AMERICAN BARN OWL
(Tyto furcata)
11 One north report: 3/20 Polk (specimen found near Climax) ph. †KAB. All south 4/7, 4/18 Houston (Money Creek Twp.) a.t. †KAB, 5/5 Houston (specimen, La Crescent) ph. †KAB, 5/16 Houston (Money Creek Twp.) a.t. †KAB.
Screech-Owls, Owls
Eastern Screech-Owl
(Megascops asio)
118 Only north report: 5/3 Pine (Pine City) NSn. High counts 3/4 Houston (6, county night survey) DJa, 3/3 Houston (3, Cut Across Rd.) ebd. Five individuals noted as gray morphs, three as red morphs.
Great Horned Owl
(Bubo virginianus)
2242 Reported throughout the season and state. Adults on nests or with newly fledged young in 3 north and 19 south counties.
Snowy Owl
(Bubo scandiacus)
71 High count 4/1 Polk (5, Sherack) TJJ. Only south report: 3/5–19 Benton (Sauk Rapids) DRL, m.ob. Late north 4/8 Marshall HHu, Otter Tail ebd, 4/8, 4/16 Polk (C.R. 18, Keystone Twp.) JCJ, SAu (median 4/20).
Northern Hawk Owl
(Surnia ulula)
3 Reported north in St. Louis from Sax-Zim Bog through 3/15 m.ob. Additional north reports 4/8 Koochiching ebd, 4/9 Lake ebd. (This is considered a Sensitive Species in eBird and their records are not public. This summary includes eBird records although they are not in the M.O.U. database.)
BURROWING OWL
(Athene cunicularia)
2 All south 4/23 Brown (Bowser Easment) ph. †BTS, ARW, RAE, JSc (The Loon 95:235), 4/24–30 Faribault (Delavan Twp., discovered by an anonymous Reddit user) ph. †WAF, ph. †KEm, ph. †ChH, BAy, JWH.
Barred Owl
(Strix varia)
2339 Found in almost every county east of a line from Jackson to Polk. High count 3/4 Houston (5, Houston) DJa. Unusual report: 5/25 Norman (Wild Rice Twp.) ANy, DBz.
Great Gray Owl
(Strix nebulosa)
2 Found in Aitkin, and as late as 5/24 St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog) DFe, KCl. (This is considered a Sensitive Species in eBird and their records are not public.)
Long-eared Owl
(Asio otus)
35 High count 3/11 Hennepin (5) ebd. Widespread south reports through mid-April, with last reports 4/22 Sibley DWK, JSP, Hennepin ebd. All north reports 3/21 Clay ebd, 3/26 Polk ebd, 4/10 St. Louis ClN. (This is considered a Sensitive Species in eBird and their records are not public. This summary includes eBird records although they are not in the M.O.U. database.)
Short-eared Owl
(Asio flammeus)
814 Found south in 14 counties; last reports 4/25 Sherburne PLJ, HHD, 4/27 Waseca LHl, 4/29 Lac qui Parle (Salt Lake) GrN, m.ob., (Big Stone N.W.R.) KOC. Found north in Aitkin, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Otter Tail, Polk, St. Louis, Todd. High count 4/18 Otter Tail (3, Hensch W.P.A.) ebd.
Boreal Owl
(Aegolius funereus)
1 Only north report 4/14 Lake (Tomahawk Road) BLz.
Northern Saw-whet Owl
(Aegolius acadicus)
117 Regularly reported south early in the season, with last reports 4/10 Hennepin ebd, 4/12 Ramsey LiH, 4/21 Dakota AOp. North reports from Roseau, Otter Tail, Douglas, Beltrami, Lake of the Woods, Koochiching, Itasca, Carlton, St. Louis, Lake, Cook.
Kingfishers
Belted Kingfisher
(Megaceryle alcyon)
3453 Early north (median 3/23) 4/1 Beltrami AxB, 4/2 Pine ebd, 4/7 Morrison TLu. High counts 4/8 Hennepin (6, Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) ebd, 4/18 St. Louis (6, Western Waterfront Trail) JLK.
Woodpeckers
Red-headed Woodpecker
(Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
3051 Early south reports (median 4/12) likely pertain to overwintering individuals 3/2 Wright RBd, 3/4 Fillmore ebd, 3/7 Winona ebd. Likely migrants 3/23 Olmsted ebd, 4/5 Pope ebd. Early north (median 4/19) 3/1 Crow Wing (Garrison Twp.) ebd, 4/8 Crow Wing (Brainerd) ebd, 4/11 Cass ebd. High counts 5/12, 5/16 Rice (9, Nerstrand Big Woods S.P.) ebd.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
(Melanerpes carolinus)
3253 Found in every county except Norman, Kittson. High count 4/25 Winona (15, Prairie Island Park) ebd.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
(Sphyrapicus varius)
3453 Early south (median 3/25) 3/3–10 Hennepin (Powderhorn Park) ebd, 3/8 Wabasha MNb, 3/11 Hennepin (Lakewood Cemetery) GrS. Early north (median 4/2) 3/16–31 Otter Tail (overwintered) LGu, 4/8 Clay PBB, Douglas (4) ebd, Grant (max. 2, two locations) PPe, Pine KrM. High count 4/15 St. Louis (16, Boulder Trail) JLK.
American Three-toed Woodpecker
(Picoides dorsalis)
3 All reports: 3/2 Cook (Grand Marais) FJN, m.ob., 3/3 St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog) LiH, 3/21 St. Louis (one at Plum Creek Rd., two at Carpenter Rd.) JuG, 3/26 St. Louis (Willow Valley Twp.) JuG, 5/27–29 Koochiching (max. 2, Toomey Williams Rd.) KCR, m.ob.
Black-backed Woodpecker
(Picoides arcticus)
6 Reported from Lake of the Woods, Itasca, Koochiching, St. Louis, Lake, Cook. High count 5/16 Lake (7, Lake C.R. 2, Sand River) JWL, SLL.
Downy Woodpecker
(Dryobates pubescens)
3453 Reported from every county. High counts 3/7 Hennepin (22, Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) ebd, 4/25 Hennepin (20, Wood Lake N.C.) ebd.
Hairy Woodpecker
(Dryobates villosus)
3353 Found statewide. High count 5/31 Hennepin (14, Lake Camelot) CDg.
Northern Flicker
(Colaptes auratus)
3453 Overwintering birds north 3/2–14 Grant CNn, 3/10–13 Otter Tail LGu. Possible early north migrants 3/15 Traverse DLP, 3/18 Clay DnM. High count 4/12 St. Louis (534, Park Point R.A.) NGi.
Pileated Woodpecker
(Dryocopus pileatus)
3449 Reported statewide, but fewest reports from the Southwest region. High count 4/24 Beltrami (7, Lake Bemidji S.P.) ebd.
Caracaras, Falcons
American Kestrel
(Falco sparverius)
3453 Early north (median 3/8) 3/10 Douglas ebd, 3/15 Grant PPe, 3/21 Becker NaH. High counts 4/8 Wright (14, Pelican Lake) RCl, 4/12 St. Louis (14, W.S.H.C.) SeM.
Merlin
(Falco columbarius)
2951 Probable early north migrants (median 3/12) 3/7 Pine KrM, 3/17 Itasca ebd, 3/21 Douglas JPE. High counts 4/10 St. Louis (5, W.S.H.C.) ebd, 4/17 Morrison (5, Little Falls) ebd, 4/26 St. Louis (5, W.S.H.C.) SeM. Late south migrants 5/17 Wabasha ebd, 5/20 Rice ebd, 5/26 Meeker BNn (median 5/18).
Peregrine Falcon
(Falco peregrinus)
1831 Early south arrivals (median 3/13) 3/1–2 Hennepin JhM, BAF, 3/2–3 Goodhue PEJ, 3/3 Dakota KCl, Washington CNC. Early north arrivals (median 3/22) 3/9 Cook JGW, 3/30 Clay TkL, 4/2 Lake ABm, JlB. High counts 4/10 Lake (4, Finland area) ebd, 5/6 Ramsey (4, Cathedral Hill) ebd.
Prairie Falcon
(Falco mexicanus)
1 One report, a new spring record 4/11 Grant (Pine Ridge Park) †DBg.
Flycatchers
Great Crested Flycatcher
(Myiarchus crinitus)
3152 Early south (median 4/30) 5/3 Goodhue ebd, 5/4 Ramsey ebd, Sherburne ebd, 5/6 also in Anoka, Dakota, Hennepin, Le Sueur, Wabasha, Washington. Early north (median 5/7) 5/7 Clay PBB, 5/10 Cass JBu, Morrison SEm, Otter Tail TFu, Pine LEv. High counts 5/15 Carver (14, Carver P.R.) JCy, 5/20 Freeborn (13, Myre Big Island S.P.) ebd, 5/28 Scott (13, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) ebd.
Western Kingbird
(Tyrannus verticalis)
1312 Early south (median 5/7) 5/10 Pipestone (Troy Twp.) ANy, DBz, 5/11 Swift ANy, 5/12 Big Stone DLP, Pipestone (Woodstock W.M.A.) DlS. Early north (median 5/12) 5/7 Clay ebd, 5/9 Marshall HHu, 5/11 Otter Tail WPl. High counts 5/19 Lake of the Woods (9, Rocky Point Road) TPu, AxB.
Eastern Kingbird
(Tyrannus tyrannus)
3453 Early south (median 4/26) 4/26 Wabasha ebd, 4/29 Dakota MKe, McLeod MwT, AnB. Early north (median 5/8) 5/6 Pine (Chengwatana Twp.) ebd, 5/7 Beltrami ebd, Cass ebd, Pine (Pine City Twp.) KrM. High counts 5/18 Pipestone (20, Pipestone W.T.P.) VKl, 5/23 Lyon (20, Camden S.P.) NMe, 5/24 Sherburne (19, Sherburne N.W.R.) ebd.
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER
(Tyrannus forficatus)
11 One north report 5/30 Cass (May Twp., second county record) ph. †CGy. One south report 5/28–29 Washington (Grey Cloud Dunes S.N.A., also a second county record) GrN, ph. †DWK, ph. †TPu, †EzH, †PCC, ph. †APi, ph. TGi, ph. ToM, m.ob.
Olive-sided Flycatcher
(Contopus cooperi)
2635 Early south (median 5/7) 5/7 Wabasha JCa, 5/8 Dakota PNi, 5/10 Carver ebd, Hennepin TSk. Early north (median 5/13) 5/12 Polk TJJ, 5/13 Morrison (Crane Meadows N.W.R.) ebd, 5/14 Morrison (Haven Dr.) SEm, Otter Tail ebd, Pine KrM. High counts 5/29 Koochiching (6, Toomey Williams Road) ebd, 5/16 Hennepin (4, T. S. Roberts Bird Sanctuary) ebd. See summer report for late south migrants (median 6/13).
Eastern Wood-Pewee
(Contopus virens)
3451 Early south (median 5/6) 5/6 Dakota ebd, Hennepin BaS, Olmsted ebd, Washington ebd. Early north (median 5/12) 5/7 Todd ebd, 5/10 Douglas ebd, Otter Tail TFu. High counts 5/28 Scott (15, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) ebd, 5/26 Scott (12, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) BxP.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
(Empidonax flaviventris)
2434 Reported with identification details from 14 south and 3 north counties. Early south (median 5/13) 5/13 Carver ebd, Hennepin ACr, 5/15 Cottonwood DWK, HCT, 5/16 Hennepin CMB, PRH. Early north (median 5/20) 5/21 St. Louis ebd, 5/23 St. Louis DFN, 5/24 St. Louis DFe. High counts 5/19 Olmsted (3, Rochester) JDy, 5/25 Anoka (3, Circle Pines) SRo, 5/30 Steele (3, Somerset Twp.) PSu. Late south 5/30 Hennepin BAF, MZa, Martin RBW, Steele PSu, 5/31 Steele PSu, but see summer report. 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)
15 Reported with details from 9 south counties. Early south (median 5/15) 5/12 Rice (Canon River Wilderness Park) JBj, ebd, 5/15 Rice TFB, 5/15 Anoka LiH. New county record: 5/28 Watonwan (Wood Lake W.M.A.) DlS. Rare spring records 5/19 Lyon (county fairgrounds) RJS, 5/29 Steele (Somerset Twp.) PSu. High count 5/27 Houston (3, Beaver Creek Valley S.P.) KRE.
Alder Flycatcher
(Empidonax alnorum)
3137 Reported with identification notes from 18 south and 9 north counties. Early south (median 5/16) 5/12 Washington BDo, LiH, 5/13 Dakota DEv, 5/15 Ramsey RMD, YNa. Early north (median 5/21) 5/11 St. Louis (Orr) JuG, 5/12 St. Louis (Grassy Point, Duluth) JLK, 5/16 Lake of the Woods ebd. High count 5/29 Koochiching (12, Toomey Williams Road) ebd.
Willow Flycatcher
(Empidonax traillii)
1138 Reported with identification notes from 13 south and 4 north counties. Early south (median 5/11) 5/11 Hennepin ACr, Ramsey LiH, 5/12 Washington BDo, LiH, 5/15 Sherburne PLJ. Early north (median 5/27) 5/29 Polk ANy, DBz, Red Lake (Gervais Twp.) ANy, DBz, 5/30 Traverse ANy, DBz, 5/31 Becker NaH. High counts 5/24 Hennepin (9, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) CMB, 5/26 Dakota (7, Cliff Fen) CMB.
Least Flycatcher
(Empidonax minimus)
3452 Reports with details from 28 south and 10 north counties. Early south (median 5/1) 5/5 Carver (Carver P.R.) JCy, Hennepin (several locations) ClB, CMB, DWK, VRL, 5/6 Anoka ebd, Carver (Chaska) NWi, Hennepin CMB, Ramsey LHi. Early north 5/5 Clay LSl, 5/8 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) PHS, 5/12 St. Louis (near McDavitt Park) ebd, 5/13 Koochiching ebd. High counts 5/15 St. Louis (34, Bass Lake Trails) SJy, 5/18 Lac qui Parle (18, Lac qui Parle S.P.) HCT.
Eastern Phoebe
(Sayornis phoebe)
3453 Found in every county. Early south (median 3/21) 3/25 Houston ebd, Washington TAr, CDe, 3/26 Ramsey LiH, 3/30 Goodhue SDz. Early north (median 3/30) 4/2 Cass MJB, 4/7 Morrison DLP, TLu, 4/8 Douglas JPE, Grant CNn, Otter Tail TFu, JsS. High counts 4/8 Hennepin (20, Oberlin Park) ebd, 4/28 Clay (12, Gooseberry Park) ebd.
Say's Phoebe
(Sayornis saya)
14 All south (median 5/2) 4/12–13 Washington (record early, Grey Cloud Dunes S.N.A.) BDo, m.ob., 4/14 Swift (Appleton Twp.) ph. †KEm, JWH, JGW, 4/22 Rock (one mile east of Hills W.T.P.) †PRH, KEm, 5/19, 5/26 Big Stone (Odessa Gravel Pits) BLz, TWe, DlS, NMe. One north (median 5/8) record was the earliest ever north 4/16–17 St. Louis (Stony Point) JWL, SLL, m.ob.
Vireos
White-eyed Vireo
(Vireo griseus)
2 Two south reports (median arrival 5/10) including a new county record 5/15 Lincoln (Limestone Twp.) ph. †DlS, and a second county record 5/18–20 Rock (Blue Mounds S.P.) ebd, ph. †TWe, BLz.
Bell's Vireo
(Vireo bellii)
11 Early south (median 5/15) 5/12 Washington (Cottage Grove) JZj, ebd, 5/13 Olmsted ebd, 5/15 Washington (Grey Cloud Dunes S.N.A.) DuW. Rare spring records 5/31 Anoka (Carlos Avery W.M.A.) SRo, m.ob., 5/16 Lyon (Garvin Park) RJS. High counts 5/21, 5/26 Dakota (4, Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Cliff Fen) DWK, CMB, 5/21 Houston (4, Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood S.F.) ToM, 5/27 Houston (4, Walker Rd. south of C.R. 21) KRE, CRM, m.ob.
Yellow-throated Vireo
(Vireo flavifrons)
3249 Early south (median 5/2) 5/5 Dakota ebd, Ramsey (Silverwood Park) BTr, Scott SMl, 5/6 Hennepin CMB, SSc, (Lake Hiawatha Park) ClB, Olmsted ebd, Ramsey (Arden Hills) LiH. Early north (median 5/9) 5/9 Crow Wing ebd, 5/9–10 Aitkin ebd, 5/10 Pine KrM, 5/11 also in Cass, Douglas, Itasca, Mille Lacs, Norman, Roseau. Unusual record 5/29 Cook (Barker Lake area) LWd. High counts 5/20 Otter Tail (10, Maplewood S.P.) TkL, 5/23 Aitkin (10, Rice Lake N.W.R.) BxP, 5/28 Scott (10, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) ebd.
Blue-headed Vireo
(Vireo solitarius)
2546 Early south (median 4/28) 4/27 Ramsey ebd, 4/28 Rice TFB, 4/29 Anoka IsH, EzH, Hennepin ACr, ebd. Early north (median 5/1) 5/1 Becker ebd, 5/4–5 Aitkin ebd, 5/5 Clay DPW, LSl. High counts 5/10 Carver (10, Carver P.R.) JCy, 5/22 St. Louis (10, Embarrass Campground Trail) ebd, 5/11 St. Louis (9, Cloquet Line) JEl. Late south 5/30 Blue Earth ebd, 5/31 Hennepin ebd, but see summer report (median 6/1).
Philadelphia Vireo
(Vireo philadelphicus)
2240 Early south (median 5/6) 5/5 Ramsey BTr, 5/7 Faribault ebd, Pipestone LVD, 5/8 Dakota MwT, Stevens JFl. Early north (median 5/14) 5/12 Becker HeH, ShG, 5/13 Crow Wing JLa, Otter Tail (Fergus Falls) WPl, 5/14 Otter Tail (Maplewood S.P.) LSl. High count 5/27 Lake (5, South Arm Knife Lake) ebd. Late south 5/31 Scott MwT, TSk, Wabasha MNb, Washington ebd, but see summer report (median 6/1).
Warbling Vireo
(Vireo gilvus)
3151 Early south (median 5/1) 5/1 Hennepin (Powderhorn Park) LrV, 5/2 Hennepin (2, East Bde Maka Ska Parkway) ebd, 5/3 Hennepin (Westwood Hills N.C. and Brooklyn Center) ebd. Early north (median 5/8) 5/8 St. Louis BHw, 5/9 Crow Wing ebd, 5/10 Douglas BWF, Itasca ebd, Pine SBE. High counts 5/16 Hennepin (20, Wood Lake N.C.) ebd, 5/20 Hennepin (18, Wood Lake N.C.) ebd.
Red-eyed Vireo
(Vireo olivaceus)
3351 Early south (median 5/5) 5/2 Ramsey ebd, 5/5 Carver JCy, Hennepin ebd, Mower SWm. Early north (median 5/10) 5/9 Crow Wing ebd, 5/10 Aitkin ebd, Carlton ebd, Otter Tail TFu. High counts 5/28 Crow Wing (48, Crow Wing S.P.) ebd, 5/20 Wright (35, Stanley Eddy Park South) ToL.
Shrikes
Loggerhead Shrike
(Lanius ludovicianus)
515 Early south (median 3/26) 4/2 Wabasha PEJ, 4/10 Lyon RJS, Redwood SLH, 4/27 Meeker ebd, Sherburne ebd. Early north (median 4/21) 4/11 St. Louis (Chester Creek, Duluth) †ClN, KDx, JDx, 4/28 Becker ebd, Clay (Moorhead) CMk, 4/30 Clay (Bluestem Prairie S.N.A.) ebd Otter Tail ebd. High count 5/19 Wright (3, Pelican Lake) RCl.
Northern Shrike
(Lanius borealis)
2235 High counts 3/11 St. Louis (3, Western Waterfront Trail) JLK, 3/15, 3/20, 3/21 St. Louis (3, Sax-Zim Bog) AVa, ebd. Late south 4/9 Scott BHe, 4/10 Lyon RJS, NMe, 4/12 Anoka ebd (median 4/10). Late north 4/15 Lake ebd, St. Louis (West Knife River Rd.) JWL, 4/17 Koochiching ebd, 4/18 St. Louis (Grassy Point, Duluth) JLK (median 4/20).
Jays, Nutcrackers, Magpies, Crows
Canada Jay
(Perisoreus canadensis)
7 Reported from the northernmost tier of counties from Roseau east to Cook, plus Itasca. Numerous high counts of 8 from Sax-Zim Bog, St. Louis.
Blue Jay
(Cyanocitta cristata)
3453 Observed statewide. High counts 5/9 St. Louis (4,350, Park Point) NGi, SeM, 5/16 St. Louis (3,670, Park Point) HTo.
Black-billed Magpie
(Pica hudsonia)
21 Reported throughout usual north range plus 4/19–21 Carlton (Automba Twp.) RAE, CRM. High counts 3/10 St. Louis (9, Sax-Zim Bog) AVa, HTo, 4/2 Itasca (8, C.R. 71) DvH.
American Crow
(Corvus brachyrhynchos)
3453 Reported statewide. High count 3/10 Olmsted (750, Oakwood Cemetery, Rochester) LHl.
Common Raven
(Corvus corax)
3220 Reported throughout usual range and expanding southward as evidenced by 3/15 Carver/Scott (Minnesota Valley S.R.A.) BAb, 3/24 Swift (Swift Falls C.P.) MJB, 3/26 Swift/Kandiyohi (Hayes Twp.) ANy, 3/31 Pope (near Sedan) CRM, 4/7 McLeod (Bergen Twp.) BDc, 5/24 Kandiyohi (Colfax Twp.) KEm. 5/26 Wabasha (West Albany Twp.) MNb. High counts 3/30 St. Louis (46, W.S.H.C.) SeM, 3/1 Lake (20, Hwy 61) ebd.
Chickadees, Titmice
Black-capped Chickadee
(Poecile atricapillus)
3453 Reported statewide. High count 3/24 Dakota (56, Spring Lake P.R.) ebd.
Boreal Chickadee
(Poecile hudsonicus)
5 Reported from Lake of the Woods east to Cook. High count 5/2 Lake of the Woods (6, Rapid River Rd.) ebd.
Tufted Titmouse
(Baeolophus bicolor)
17 Reported from normal range north to Anoka, Chisago. Extralimital reports 5/11, 5/28 Brown (Flandrau S.P.) ebd, 5/15 Faribault (Walters) ebd. High counts 5/27 Houston (7; 4 along Hillside Rd., 3 at Beaver Creek Valley S.P.) KRE, 4/9 Houston (6, Day Creek) ebd.
Larks
Horned Lark
(Eremophila alpestris)
3453 Reported from all 87 counties, a first for the spring season. High counts 3/4 Dodge (400, Westfield Twp.) ebd, 3/28 Meeker (392, near Litchfield) ebd, 3/14 Rock (382, Beaver Creek Twp.) ASu.
Martins, Swallows
Bank Swallow
(Riparia riparia)
3046 Early south (median 4/16) 4/12 Houston ASu, 4/21 Washington DuW, 4/22 Dakota ebd. Early north (median 4/29) 5/3 Morrison ebd, 5/5 Douglas JPE, 5/6 Todd TPu, AaL. High counts 5/7 Hennepin (200, Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area) MyP, HPe, 5/19 Lac qui Parle (200, Big Stone N.W.R. Auto Tour) BLz, TWe.
Tree Swallow
(Tachycineta bicolor)
3453 Early south (median 3/19) 3/23 Washington ELi, 3/28 Dakota HHD, Houston SHo, Sherburne PLJ, 3/30 Scott ABL. Early north (median 4/2) 4/8 Pine NSn, 4/9 Cass ABi, Crow Wing ebd, Itasca ebd, Morrison ebd, Otter Tail ebd. High counts 4/20 Ramsey (800, St. Paul Downtown Airport) ebd, 4/20 Stearns (700, St. Cloud) MJB.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
(Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
3052 Early south (median 4/11) 4/9 Dakota (Spring Lake P.R.) ALw, 4/10 Houston SDz, Ramsey LiH, 4/11 Dakota (180th St. Marsh) ebd. Early north (median 4/22) 4/27 Clay TkL, 4/28 Crow Wing LAP, 4/30 Becker ebd. High counts 4/16 Houston (100, Blue Lake) ebd, 5/7 Freeborn (50, Myre-Big Island S.P.) ebd, 5/7 Lac qui Parle (50, Marsh Lake Dam) ebd.
Purple Martin
(Progne subis)
2951 Early south (median 4/5) 4/11 Goodhue PEJ, Hennepin GWe, 4/12 Kandiyohi ebd, 4/13 Meeker PKF, Washington KCl, Wright ToL. Early north (median 4/12) 4/11 St. Louis ClN, KDx, 4/12 Todd BWF, 4/14 Pine KrM. High counts 5/22 Wright (120, Otsego) ToL.
Barn Swallow
(Hirundo rustica)
3453 Early south (median 4/6) 4/6 Cottonwood KEm, 4/8 Hennepin VRL, ABL, 4/8–9 Dakota ebd, NoK, 4/9 Ramsey ebd. Early north (median 4/17) 4/14 Morrison HHD, 4/18 Itasca ebd, Wadena PJB. High count 5/13 Pipestone (175, Pipestone W.T.P.) RJS.
Cliff Swallow
(Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
3253 Early south (median 4/16) 4/20 Olmsted (4) JPr, 4/22 Goodhue (5) SWe, m.ob., Hennepin (2) ABL. Early north (median 4/24) 4/27 Crow Wing BCS, 4/28 Clay DPW, 5/4 Pine KrM. High counts 5/12 Lac qui Parle (400, C.R. 15) ebd, 5/16 Norman (250, C.R. 40) SHo, 5/17 Red Lake (250, C.R. 12) SHo.
Kinglets
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
(Corthylio calendula)
3253 Early south (median 3/27) 3/24 Wabasha MNb, 3/25 Hennepin BNn, Scott BHe, 3/26 Meeker PKF. Early north (median 4/3) 4/2 Clay (Woodlawn Park) ebd, 4/6 Itasca ebd, 4/8 Clay (Gooseberry Park) ebd, Grant CNn, Morrison TLu. High counts 5/2 Hennepin (83, Minnehaha Park just east of Penn Ave.) JCa, 4/30 Ramsey (65, Crosby Farm R.P.) AxB, 4/29 Carver (58, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd. Picnic Area) JCy. Late south 5/23 McLeod ebd, 5/24 Hennepin SHF, BAF, 5/28 Sherburne ebd (median 5/27).
Golden-crowned Kinglet
(Regulus satrapa)
3047 Early south (median 3/21) 3/15 Wright ebd, 3/21 Dakota (Spring Lake P.R.) NoK, 3/26 Dakota (Hastings) ALw. Early north (median 3/26) 4/2 St. Louis SeM, 4/2–6 Itasca ebd, 4/8 Clay ebd, Grant PPe. High counts 4/15 Cook (40, Cascade River Wayside) CrB, 4/9 Lyon (28, Southwest Minnesota State University) DlS. Late south 5/8–9 Hennepin (Wood Lake N.C.) LAi, PRH, DnS, 5/9 Hennepin (Champlin) BKe, (Mississippi Gorge R.P.) JHv, 5/10 Carver JCy (median 5/12).
Waxwings
Bohemian Waxwing
(Bombycilla garrulus)
151 Only south report 3/23 Ramsey LiH (median 3/6). High counts 4/11 St. Louis (961, Virginia) DBF, 4/23 St. Louis (820, East Central Entrance, Duluth) JLK. Late north 5/4 St. Louis (Virginia) DBF, 5/5 St. Louis (W.S.H.C.) SeM, (Duluth Heights) JLK (median 4/20).
Cedar Waxwing
(Bombycilla cedrorum)
3448 Present north and south as the period commenced. High counts 3/29 St. Louis (170, Brighton Beach) SeM, 5/24 Hennepin (165, Powderhorn Park) LrV. Only unreported from Rock, Redwood, Jackson, Martin, Waseca.
Nuthatches
Red-breasted Nuthatch
(Sitta canadensis)
2845 Reports from all regions, though fewest reports from the western third of the state. High counts 3/15 Hubbard (10, Itasca S.P. Visitor Center) ebd, 4/10 St. Louis (9, near Markham) BHw.
White-breasted Nuthatch
(Sitta carolinensis)
3453 Reported statewide. High counts 5/9 Olmsted (17, Quarry Hill N.C.) ebd, 3/3 Ramsey (14, Battle Creek Park-East) JZj.
Creepers
Brown Creeper
(Certhia americana)
2950 High counts 4/8 Carver (10, Fox Woods Preserve) ebd, 4/16 St. Louis (10, Park Point Nature Trail) NGi, 5/6 St. Louis (9, Park Point R.A.) SeM. Late south 5/25 Carver ebd, 5/26 Anoka ebd, Washington BDo, LiH (median 5/16).
Gnatcatchers
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
(Polioptila caerulea)
1850 Early south (median 4/19) 4/22 Fillmore ElS, Hennepin MKp, 4/23 Scott CSl. Early north (median 5/4) 4/15 Cook (Grand Marais Campground) ebd, 5/5 Pine KrM, 5/7 Kanabec KrM. Additional out of range north reports include 5/10 Itasca (Williams Narrows Resort) ebd, 5/20 Lake (Two Harbors) SLL, JWL, 5/23 Norman (Faith State W.M.A.) HeH, 5/24 Mahnomen (Island Lake) LHl. High counts 5/16 Anoka (20, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) EzH, MrC, 5/4 Houston (13, Beaver Creek Valley S.P.) ebd.
Wrens
ROCK WREN
(Salpinctes obsoletus)
1 First spring report since 2015: 4/13 Grant (Logan Twp.) ph. PPe.
Carolina Wren
(Thryothorus ludovicianus)
5 All south 3/16, 4/4 Anoka (Coon Rapids) RLR, 4/11 Houston (Crooked Creek Twp.) ASu, 4/23 Winona (Scharmer Heights) ebd, 4/24–29 Carver (Carver P.R., Grimm Rd. Picnic Area) JCy, TWe, 5/6–7 Goodhue (Frontenac) SDz, JtM, ebd, KCl, 5/9 Winona ThN.
Northern House Wren
(Troglodytes aedon)
3452 Early south (median 4/17) 4/8 Dakota ebd, 4/15 Fillmore ToM, Hennepin ebd, Houston ebd, Olmsted SFG. Early north (median 4/30) 4/27 – 5/3 Pine ebd, 5/1 Cass ebd, 5/3 St. Louis ebd. High counts 5/17 Pipestone (23, Split Rock Creek S.P.) HCT, 5/15 Houston (22, Norwegian Ridge Birding & Nature Trail) ebd.
Winter Wren
(Troglodytes hiemalis)
2132 Early south (median 3/25) 3/14 Hennepin CoM, 3/24 Anoka ebd, 4/2 Dakota ADS. Early north (median 4/6) 4/8 Clay ebd, Grant CNn, PPe, 4/9 Itasca ebd. High counts 5/19 Lake (17, Superior N.F.) HTo, 5/15 St. Louis (14, Bass Lake Trails) ebd. Late south 5/16 Goodhue NRi, Hennepin ebd, 5/16–19 Scott (Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) MHo, ECl, ebd (median 5/17).
Sedge Wren
(Cistothorus stellaris)
3346 Early south (median 4/25) 4/26 Olmsted ebd, 4/27 Ramsey JKu, Sherburne JOs, 4/28 Hennepin ebd, Rice TFB. Early north (median 5/1) 5/4 Pine (Pine City Twp.) KrM, 5/5 Itasca SC, Pine (Pine City W.T.P.) KrM, St. Louis (Cook) JuG, 5/6 St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog) ClN, KDx. High counts 5/28 Aitkin (35, McGregor Marsh) ebd, 5/9 Anoka (27, Carlos Avery W.M.A.) RCl.
Marsh Wren
(Cistothorus palustris)
2751 Early south (median 4/22) 4/20 Dakota (180th St. Marsh) KBg, 4/23 Dakota (140th St. Marsh) ebd, Hennepin ebd, 4/24 Le Sueur LiH, Olmsted NoK, Washington BDo. Early north (median 5/5) 5/5 Aitkin ebd, 5/7 Cass ebd, Clay RMD, PBB, 5/8 Crow Wing ebd, 5/10 also in Beltrami, Marshall, Otter Tail, Polk. High counts 5/28 Anoka (20, Carlos Avery W.M.A., Pool 4) JH, 5/28 Lyon (18, Black Rush Lake W.P.A.) DlS.
Thrashers, Mockingbirds
Gray Catbird
(Dumetella carolinensis)
3452 Early south (median 4/24) 4/25 Dakota SSp, 4/26 Hennepin LrV, Ramsey (Sucker Lake) ebd, 4/27 Benton DOr, Ramsey (Long Lake R.P.) JCu. Early north (median 5/2) 5/3 St. Louis PHS, SCB, 5/6 Otter Tail JsS, St. Louis JLK, 5/8 also in Douglas, Grant, Itasca, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Todd. High counts 5/20 St. Louis (31, Western Waterfront Trail) JLK, 5/15 Houston (30, Norwegian Ridge Birding & Nature Trail) ebd.
CURVE-BILLED THRASHER
(Toxostoma curvirostre)
1 Sixth state and first county record, 4/19–22 Big Stone (Appleton) ph. †CVk, ph. †DOr, ph. †KEm. First spring record since 2000.
Brown Thrasher
(Toxostoma rufum)
3352 Early south (median 4/7) 4/8 Rice (Faribault) ebd, Sibley BHe, Wright RCl, 4/9 Fillmore ToM, Goodhue ebd, Hennepin KSz, WPe, MaS, Nicollet RHh, Rice (Northfield) AvB, Washington ebd. Early north (median 4/20) 4/9 Pine (Pine City) †ebd, 4/10 Crow Wing PSP, 4/13 Douglas RAE. High count 5/11 Sherburne (7, Sherburne N.W.R., Wildlife Drive) RCl.
Northern Mockingbird
(Mimus polyglottos)
24 All south (median 4/23) 4/25 Hennepin (Hopkins Central Park) NMe, m.ob., 5/8 Scott (Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) ebd, 5/9 Dakota SSp, 5/20–21 Ramsey (Arden Hills Army Training Site) CMu, m.ob. All north (median 5/5) 5/9–10 St. Louis (East Hillside, Duluth) NGi, m.ob., 5/23 Beltrami (Shoreline Drive) LHl, JGW, JWH, 5/26 St. Louis (Norton Park, Duluth) ebd.
Starlings
European Starling
(Sturnus vulgaris)
3453 Reported from every county. High counts 3/30 Dakota (2,000, SET-Empire) MwT, AnB, 3/23 Rice (1,000, Rice County Sanitary Landfill) AvB.
Thrushes
Eastern Bluebird
(Sialia sialis)
3251 Overwintered south. Early north (median 3/16) 3/26 Mille Lacs HHD, 3/27 Itasca ebd, 4/6 Morrison ebd. High count 5/31 Goodhue (28, Frontenac S.P., Prairie Trail) JtM.
MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD
(Sialia currucoides)
1 One report of an adult male 4/28 Clay (Elkton Twp.) ph. †TkL, ph. †TCL, CMk.
Townsend's Solitaire
(Myadestes townsendi)
14 All south 3/14 Hennepin MZa, 3/20 Wabasha MZa, ebd, 4/10 Sherburne HHD, 4/22 Carver ebd (median 3/30). All north 3/4 St. Louis PNi, DnS (median 4/15).
Veery
(Catharus fuscescens)
3442 Early south (median 5/2) 4/29 Hennepin (Lake Hiawatha) BAF, 5/6 Freeborn ebd, Hennepin (T.S. Roberts Bird Sanctuary) JCa, EMf, m.ob., Lyon DlS, Olmsted SHk, Stearns PCC, Swift ebd, Watonwan RHh. Early north (median 5/7) 4/27 Douglas ebd, 5/7 Crow Wing ebd, St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) HTo, BMu, StK, 5/8 St. Louis (Harley N.C.) JfD, (Park Point R.A.) NGi, HTo, SeM. High counts 5/30 St. Louis (22, H.R.N.R.) JLK, 5/22 Becker (20, Tamarac N.W.R.) CMN, 5/26 Aitkin (20, Rice Lake N.W.R.) BLz.
Gray-cheeked Thrush
(Catharus minimus)
2144 Early south (median 5/2) 5/5 Dakota MwT, Hennepin JHv, Lyon RJS, Olmsted LAV, Wright ebd, 5/6 also in Anoka, Faribault, Rice, Winona. Early north (median 5/7) 5/8 Becker HeH, ShG, Cass TLu, Douglas BEc, Grant CNn, Mille Lacs HHD, Otter Tail ebd. High counts 5/16 Clay (12, nocturnal flight calls, Moorhead) CMk, 5/11 Ramsey (8, nocturnal flight calls, St. Paul) ebd. Late south 5/24 Hennepin (Medina) GWe, McLeod LMc, 5/26 Hennepin (T.S. Roberts Bird Sanctuary) ebd (median 5/27). Late north 5/28 Cass ebd, Cook DRL (median 5/28).
Swainson's Thrush
(Catharus ustulatus)
3252 Early south (median 4/27) 4/26 Hennepin TAT, 4/27 Hennepin (Minnehaha Park) JCa, 4/28 Ramsey JDv. Early north (median 5/2) 4/27 Pine ebd, 5/4 Clay ebd, Morrison SEm, Polk SAu, St. Louis ebd. High counts 5/16 Lyon (50, Camden S.P.) JhB, 5/12 Hennepin (32, Waite Park, Minneapolis) ebd. Late south 5/31 Anoka ebd, Hennepin ebd, Olmsted EzH (median 6/2), but see summer report.
Hermit Thrush
(Catharus guttatus)
3044 Possible overwintering birds 3/5 Scott KEm, JWH, Washington ebd. Early south migrants (median 3/28) 3/17 Ramsey ebd, 3/21 Wabasha MNb. Early north (median 4/4) 4/5 St. Louis BHw, 4/8 Cass ebd, Pine KrM, Polk HHu. High counts 4/17 Ramsey (18, St. Paul) ebd, 4/23 St. Louis (17, Western Waterfront Trail) FJN. Late south 5/27 Benton ebd, 5/28–29 Sherburne (Sherburne N.W.R., Wildlife Drive) ebd (median 5/22).
Wood Thrush
(Hylocichla mustelina)
2743 Early south (median 5/1) 4/27 – 5/3 Hennepin (Eden Prairie) HPe, MyP, 5/2 Ramsey ebd, 5/3 Dakota SSp, Hennepin (Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) LiH, Scott ebd. Early north (median 5/8) 5/4 Pine (Pokegama Twp.) ebd, 5/7 Morrison SEm, Pine (Pine City Twp.) KrM, 5/8 Douglas BWF. New county record: 5/17 Traverse (Traverse C.P.) ANy, DBz, TWe. High counts 5/14 Pine (10, St. Croix Trail) SBE, 5/16 Chisago (10, Wild River Trail) ebd, 5/10 Rice (9, Cannon River Wilderness Park) ebd.
American Robin
(Turdus migratorius)
3453 Reported statewide. Incredible reverse migration in St. Louis on 4/21 with record-high county of 24,000 reported from the Lakewood Pumping Station by KJB. Other 4/21 Duluth counts of this phenomenon included 7,067 (near Lilliput Park) NGi, 3,780 (Essentia Health campus) JWL.
Varied Thrush
(Ixoreus naevius)
1 One south report: 3/4 Dakota (Hastings) ebd.
Old World Sparrows
House Sparrow
(Passer domesticus)
3353 Reported from all counties except Cook. High counts 4/23 Ramsey (150, University of Minnesota, St. Paul campus) AnA, 4/22 Hennepin (100, East River Flats Park) LAt.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
(Passer montanus)
44 The most reports for any season, beginning 3/3–19 Meeker (Dassel Twp.) MJB, †PCC, 3/13 – 4/1 Goodhue (Minneola Twp.) JlF, LHl, 3/30 Wabasha (3) ph. PEJ, 4/9 Lake (Fall Lake Twp.) SKl, 4/11 – 5/15 St. Louis (3, Park Point) BEA, SeM, NGi, m.ob., 4/13 Wilkin (north of Breckenridge) ph. CRM, m.ob., 4/17–23 Wabasha (Lake City) ph. MNb, 4/27 Olmsted (2) ph. JPr, 4/29 Pennington (Thief River Falls) ph. DKy, 4/30 St. Louis (Ely) ph. JKz.
House Sparrow X Eurasian Tree Sparrow
(Passer domesticus X P. montanus)
1 One report 4/13–16 Wilkin (Breckenridge; visiting feeder with a presumably pure Eurasian Tree Sparrow) BAb, ph. KEm, †JGW.
Pipits
American Pipit
(Anthus rubescens)
1934 Early south (median 3/29) 3/18–22 Dakota (Black Dog Lake outflow) CF, ebd, 3/24 Dakota (Vermillion Twp.) ebd, 3/25 Ramsey LiH. Early north (median 4/23) 4/13 Clay ebd, 4/24 Douglas JPE, 5/1 Grant ANy. Unusual spring records 5/16 Beltrami (15, Beltrami) AxB, 5/26 Carlton (Moose Lake W.T.P.) BLz. High count 5/7 Carver (70, Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Rapids Lake) TWe. Late south 5/21 Pope BAb, 5/25 McLeod (Jade Ave.) DWK, 5/28 Watonwan (Wilson Lake, ties record late south date) AnK (median 5/21). Late north 5/25 Marshall HHu, 5/26 Carlton BLz, Cook AaL, Roseau KEm, JWH, St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog) ebd, 5/29 St. Louis (North Shore Dr., Duluth) ebd (median 5/24).
Finches
BRAMBLING
(Fringilla montifringilla)
1 The ninth state record was seen 4/23–25 Pine (residential feeder west of Findlayson) ph. CDH.
Evening Grosbeak
(Coccothraustes vespertinus)
121 Found in most counties north and east of Becker, plus 5/6 Stearns (Sauk River) ph. DRL. High counts 4/30 St. Louis (155, Lakewood Twp.) FJN, 3/11 St. Louis (127, total seen throughout Sax-Zim Bog) MWS.
Pine Grosbeak
(Pinicola enucleator)
11 Found throughout the Northeast and North-central, plus Roseau and Marshall in the Northwest. High counts 3/5 St. Louis (27, Sax-Zim Bog, Arkola Rd. feeders) ebd, 3/3 St. Louis (25, Meadowlands Twp.) IaG. Late north 4/10 Itasca ebd, 4/13, 4/21 St. Louis (Cook) †JuG (median 3/31).
House Finch
(Haemorhous mexicanus)
3153 Reported statewide. High counts 4/20 Ramsey (40, St. Paul) ebd, 4/16 Lyon (36, Cottonwood) GWe.
Purple Finch
(Haemorhous purpureus)
3440 Found statewide, with fewest reports from the southwest quarter. High counts 4/15, 4/22 St. Louis (60, Meadowlands Twp.) IaG, 4/16 Fillmore (60, Rushford) ToM. Late south 5/21 Stevens (2) BAb, Wabasha MNb, 5/24 Sherburne (3) ebd (median 5/22).
Redpoll (Common)
(Acanthis f. flammea)
176 Well-reported from the Northeast and North-central, but away from those regions there were few sightings. All high counts from Sax-Zim Bog in St. Louis: 3/21 (135) ebd, 3/11 (121) MWS, 3/6 (120) ebd. All south reports after March: 4/10 Ramsey ebd, Washington (2) ebd, 4/14 Hennepin (5) ebd, 4/30 Isanti (15) ebd. Late north 5/2 Clay (3) ebd, 5/6 Itasca ebd, 5/19 Pine ebd (median 5/4).
Redpoll (Hoary)
(Acanthis f. exilipes)
1 Only six reports, all but one from Sax-Zim Bog in St. Louis where last found 3/14 ebd. High count only two. Away from the Bog, seen 3/8 St. Louis (Cook) ebd.
Red Crossbill
(Loxia curvirostra)
106 Most reports northeast of a line from Roseau to Washington. Also found 3/13 Meeker (7) PKF, 4/1 Blue Earth (Mankato) ChH. High counts 4/15 Chisago (15, Taylors Falls) JHu, 5/7 Beltrami (15, Bemidji) AxB. Late south 5/14 Washington (3) BPR, 5/22 Benton HHD (median 5/12).
White-winged Crossbill
(Loxia leucoptera)
1 Only found in St. Louis: 3/2 (11, Sax-Zim Bog) ebd, 3/3 (2, Sax-Zim Bog) LiH, 3/8 (6, near Cook) ebd, 3/18 (30, Sax-Zim Bog) ebd.
Pine Siskin
(Spinus pinus)
2021 Found in the fewest number of counties since 2017. Seen in every region, though only Southwest report was 5/11 Cottonwood ebd.
American Goldfinch
(Spinus tristis)
3453 Reported from every county. High counts 5/16 St. Louis (485, Park Point R.A., Minnesota Point migration census site) SeM, HTo, 5/15 St. Louis (103, Park Point R.A., Minnesota Point migration census site) StK, HTo, NGi, SNe.
Longspurs and Snow Buntings
Lapland Longspur
(Calcarius lapponicus)
1551 Reported from almost every county southwest of a line from Marshall to Chisago. Few reports from North-central and only from St. Louis in the Northeast region. Early north (median 3/8) 3/2 Polk (3) HHu, 3/4 Clay (2) ebd. High counts 4/15 Lac qui Parle (52,000, Salt Lake) KJB, 4/10 Lac qui Parle (35,000, Arena Twp.) DlS, 4/11 Pope (7,500) ANy. Late south 5/11 Dakota DvN, 5/16 Pope ANy (median 5/8). Late north 5/16 St. Louis SeM, HTo, NGi (median 5/20).
CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR
(Calcarius ornatus)
No reports.
Smith's Longspur
(Calcarius pictus)
19 All south reports were west of Blue Earth and south of the Minnesota River. Early south 4/18 Lincoln (4) DlS, Rock (33) KEm, 4/24 Brown BTS, Lincoln (2) DlS. Late south 5/4 Lac qui Parle JSc, BTS, MiO, Yellow Medicine JSc, BTS, MiO, 5/5 Faribault BDo, BDo, LiH, 5/8 Lincoln (35, season high count, Limestone Twp.) DlS. Only north report 4/15 Kanabec SPS.
Snow Bunting
(Plectrophenax nivalis)
2844 Found widely in every region. High counts 3/4 Dodge (650, Westfield Twp.) ebd, 4/3 Dakota (400, Emery Ave S. of C.R. 42) AnB. Late south 4/17 Lincoln DlS, Ramsey ebd, 4/30 Lincoln DlS (median 4/11). Late north 5/7 Cook JGW, St. Louis ebd, 5/8 Polk ebd (median 5/3).
Towhees, Sparrows
Grasshopper Sparrow
(Ammodramus savannarum)
1338 Few reports from North-central and none from Northeast. Early south (median 4/22) 4/20–24 Dakota (2, 140th St. Marsh) MwT, m.ob., 4/24 Rice LiH, 4/26 Rock KEm. Early north (median 5/3) 4/30 Clay (Glyndon) ebd, 5/3–5 Clay (Bluestem Prairie S.N.A.) ebd, TkL, 5/8 Mille Lacs HHD. High counts 5/12 Clay (22, Bluestem Prairie S.N.A.) ebd, 5/15 Rock (20, Touch the Sky Prairie N.W.R.) KEm, 5/10 Lincoln (18, Limestone Twp.) DlS.
Lark Sparrow
(Chondestes grammacus)
2243 Early south (median 4/18) 4/10 Dakota DFN, 4/14 Goodhue SDz, JtM, Lyon DlS. Early north (median 5/2) 4/18 Grant ebd, 4/25 Mille Lacs HHD, 4/28 Clay ebd. High counts 5/8 Anoka (12, Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve) ebd, 5/5 Faribault (11, Rice Lake W.M.A.) BDo, LiH.
LARK BUNTING
(Calamospiza melanocorys)
1 One report 5/21 St. Louis (Duluth) DAG, ph. †PHS, ph. †LBa, m.ob.
Chipping Sparrow
(Spizella passerina)
3453 Found in every county. Early south (median 3/22) 3/23 Dakota ebd, 3/25 Ramsey (Red Rock Rd.) LiH, 3/26 Ramsey (Indian Mounds Park) MWS, Scott BHe. Early north (median 4/7) 4/9 Carlton (3) ebd, Cass ebd, Clay PBB, Cook JaJ, Crow Wing ebd, Grant CNn, PPe, Morrison KEm, SEm, JEm, Pine (2) LEv. High counts 5/11 St. Louis (96, Stony Point) StK, NGi, 5/7 Hennepin (60, Hopkins) ebd, 5/8 St. Louis (60, Park Point R.A.) HTo.
Clay-colored Sparrow
(Spizella pallida)
3453 Found in every county. Early south (median 4/20) 4/15 Lyon GWe, 4/25 Dakota JHv, Faribault WAF. Early north (median 4/25) 4/27 Crow Wing (2) PSP, 4/28 Grant (2) PPe, CNn, Otter Tail JsS. High counts 5/12 Clay (60, Oakport Prairie) TkL, 5/21 Polk (51, Tilden Twp.) IsH, EzH, MrC, 5/19 Lac qui Parle (45, Big Stone N.W.R., Auto Tour Road) BLz, TWe.
Field Sparrow
(Spizella pusilla)
1650 Found in almost every county south of a line from Clay to Pine; also reported 4/28 Itasca (along Lake Winnibigoshish) ebd, 5/11 Pennington (Thief River Falls) ebd, 5/19, 5/21 Polk (Angus Olson 4 Flood Control Project) HHu. Early south (median 4/1) 4/3 Goodhue SDz, 4/5 Dakota KDS, 4/6 Hennepin (4) ebd. Early north (median 4/16) 4/9–10 Grant (4) PPe, 4/12 Morrison TLu, 4/14 Todd TLu. High counts 4/24 Dakota (30, Spring Lake P.R.) ebd, 5/10 Carver (30, Carver P.R.) JCy.
Fox Sparrow
(Passerella iliaca)
3249 Early south (median 3/10) 3/4 Washington ebd, 3/5 Blue Earth KRo, 3/7 Blue Earth BSa. Early north (median 3/28) 3/16 Cass JCu, 4/1 Koochiching DvH, 4/3 Polk HHu. High count 4/21 St. Louis (4,418, Lakewood Pumping Station) KJB. Late south 5/8 Le Sueur CZi, 5/12 Meeker PKF, 5/13 Sherburne (2) ebd (median 5/6). Late north 5/13 St. Louis (6, Meadowlands Twp.) IaG, 5/19 Becker ebd, 5/23 St. Louis (Minnesota Point) MwT, AnB (median 5/16).
American Tree Sparrow
(Spizelloides arborea)
3153 High counts 4/21 St. Louis (122, Central Hillside, Duluth) NGi, 4/18 Lake (108, Scenic Drive, Knife River to Two Harbors) KJB, 5/8 St. Louis (80, Park Point R.A.) HTo. Late south 5/7 Ramsey YNa, Sherburne ebd, 5/8 Hennepin ebd, Stearns (St. Joseph) ebd, 5/10 Stearns (2, St. Cloud) ebd (median 5/7). Late north 5/13 Beltrami DvH, Crow Wing BCS, St. Louis (three locations) JLK, BHw, ebd, 5/18 St. Louis (Hermantown) ebd (median 5/12).
Dark-eyed Junco
(Junco hyemalis)
3453 High counts 4/18 Lake (2,740, Scenic Drive, Knife River to Two Harbors) KJB, 4/21 St. Louis (1,800, Lakewood Pumping Station) KJB, 4/8 Wright (500, Granite Lake) RBd. Late south 5/19 Ramsey LSw, Stearns ebd, 5/20 Isanti ebd, 5/23 Meeker PKF (median 5/24). Oregon group individuals last reported south 4/24 Lac qui Parle KeL, 4/27 Yellow Medicine DlS, GWe, and north 4/25 Grant CNn, 5/8 St. Louis KDx, JDx, ClN, with high count 3/25 Lyon (5, Camden S.P.) GWe.
White-crowned Sparrow
(Zonotrichia leucophrys)
2948 Early south away from know overwintering areas (median 4/20) 4/15 Carver JCy, Goodhue ebd. Early north (median 4/26) 4/16 Cass JCu, DoH, St. Louis (Mud Lake) BEA, 4/22 St. Louis (Duluth Lakewalk) PHS. High counts 5/7 Clay (40, Buffalo River S.P.) ebd, 5/2 Lyon (23, Garvin Park) VKl, 5/7 Hennepin (22, Powderhorn Park) ebd. Late south 5/22 Ramsey ebd, 5/24 Sherburne ebd, 5/27 Hennepin ebd, 5/29 Hennepin CSl (median 5/22). Late north 5/26 Cook JBs, 5/27 Lake ebd, 5/29 St. Louis ebd, 5/30 St. Louis (2) ebd (median 5/27). Gambell’s subspecies reported south 4/1 Dakota KCl, 4/28 Fillmore ToM, and north 5/10 Grant CNn.
Harris's Sparrow
(Zonotrichia querula)
2645 Found in every region. Many overwintered south; first probable migrants 4/9 Ramsey LiH, 4/15 Kandiyohi ebd. Early south (median 4/1) 3/1 Fillmore (2) ToM, Olmsted LAV, JDy, 3/3 Lac qui Parle DLP. First north reports in Clay (immature 3/24, 4/9, Humboldt Twp. ebd) were likely of an undetected overwintering individual. Early north migrants (median 4/28) 4/21–28 Grant CNn, 5/1 Wilkin DBz, ANy. High counts 5/10 Swift (37, Appleton) DLP, 5/6 Chippewa (30, Numo W.M.A. and Byholtz W.M.A.) ebd, 5/9 Lincoln (26, Lake Hendricks) DlS. Late south 5/20 Big Stone (2) DLP, Hennepin ebd, Lac qui Parle (2) FAE, 5/21 Stevens ebd, 5/23 Hennepin ebd (median 5/24). Late north 5/21 Becker ebd, Clay TkL, Polk (6, Agassiz Audubon) HHu, 5/21–22 Polk (East Grand Forks) SAu, 5/22 St. Louis ebd, JDx (median 5/25).
White-throated Sparrow
(Zonotrichia albicollis)
3451 Overwintered widely south. Early north (median 4/13) 4/9 Beltrami AxB, Grant PPe, St. Louis NGi, 4/10 Cass JCu. High counts 5/8 St. Louis (600, Park Point R.A.) PHS, 4/28 Hennepin (372, Medicine Lake) RCl, 5/8 St. Louis (355, Western Waterfront Trail) JLK. Late south 5/27 Anoka ebd, Hennepin ebd, 5/29 Sherburne ebd, 5/30 Chisago MBw (median 5/28).
Dark-eyed Junco X White-throated Sparrow
(Junco hyemalis X Zonotrichia albicollis)
1 One report 4/28 Hennepin (Elm Creek P.R.) †MkC.
Vesper Sparrow
(Pooecetes gramineus)
3153 Early south (median 3/28) 4/5 Wabasha MNb, 4/6 Washington (2) ebd, 4/7 Cottonwood MJB, Dakota DFN, Freeborn AEB, 4/8 in eleven additional counties. Early north (median 4/12) 4/9 Morrison (3) KEm, SEm, JEm, 4/10 Otter Tail TFu, 4/11 Becker (5) NaH, Grant CNn, (2) ebd, Polk HHu. High counts 4/22 Wilkin (20, C.R. 52) TkL, 4/17, 4/20 Lincoln (15, Limestone Twp.) DlS.
LeConte's Sparrow
(Ammospiza leconteii)
1417 Few reports from the West-central and Southwest regions. Early south (median 4/20) 4/10 Hennepin ebd, m.ob., 4/12 Ramsey APi, LiH, 4/14 Dakota PEJ, Washington AOp, ebd. Early north (median 4/30) 4/26 Clay (Oakport Wetland) TkL, 4/30 Clay (2, Elkton Twp.) ebd, 5/5 Clay (2, Bluestem Prairie S.N.A.) TkL. High counts 5/25 Lake of the Woods (8, Winter Road Lake Peatland S.N.A.) JGW, LHl, KEm, 4/24 Ramsey (3, Tamarack N.C.) TAn, 4/27 Hennepin (3, Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) HPe, MyP. Late south 5/15 Meeker BWF, 5/29 Stearns HHD, 5/30 Stearns PCC.
Nelson's Sparrow
(Ammospiza nelsoni)
32 All south 5/5 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) ebd, 5/20 Rock (Touch the Sky Prairie N.W.R.) LDW. All north 5/19 Lake of the Woods (Winter Road Lake Peatland S.N.A.) TPu, AiS, TPu, AxB, 5/22 Roseau (2, Roseau River W.M.A.) AFo, 5/26 Aitkin (Mallard Lake) PEJ, 5/29 Roseau (2, near Badger and Lancaster) ebd.
Henslow's Sparrow
(Centronyx henslowii)
218 Early south (median 4/28) 4/27 Hennepin (French Lake) ebd, Sherburne JOs, 4/29 Hennepin (2, Crow-Hassan P.R.) JBs, Washington BDo, 5/1 Goodhue SDz. All north 5/19 Wilkin (2) ANy, DBz, 5/31 Douglas BWF, LGl. High counts 5/12 Goodhue (14, Rattlesnake Bluff, Frontenac S.P.) SDz, 5/22 Scott (8, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community) ebd.
Savannah Sparrow
(Passerculus sandwichensis)
3453 Early south (median 3/30) 3/25 Rice ebd, 4/8 Dakota (2) DdH, Steele PEJ, 4/9 also in Big Stone, Lac qui Parle, Olmsted. Early north (median 4/14) 4/9 Morrison KEm, SEm, JEm, 4/11 Clay (2) TkL, St. Louis (Park Point, 38th St.) NGi, 4/12 St. Louis (Minnesota Point) NGi, Todd ANy, DBz, ebd. High counts 5/9 Aitkin (40, rice paddies along Little Willow River) CLR, KWR, 5/21 Hubbard (38, C.R. 109 wetland) JGW.
Song Sparrow
(Melospiza melodia)
3453 Overwintered widely south, but not north. Early north (median 3/25) 4/7 Beltrami ebd, Grant (Delaware Twp.) CNn, 4/8 Douglas JPE, Grant (5, Herman) PPe, Otter Tail JsS, 4/9 in ten additional counties. High counts 4/12 Lac qui Parle (123, Big Stone N.W.R., Auto Tour Road) DLP, 4/11 Grant (82, Niemackl Lake Park) ebd, 4/17 St. Louis (63, Western Waterfront Trail) JLK.
Lincoln's Sparrow
(Melospiza lincolnii)
2851 Early south (median 4/11) 3/24 Faribault CRM, m.ob., 4/2 Lyon GWe, 4/6 Faribault BAy. Early north (median 4/21) 4/12 Douglas ToR, 4/14 Clay StK, SNe, Grant CNn. High counts 5/5 Clay (40, River Oaks Park) LSl, 5/12 Clay (22, Oakport Prairie) TkL, 5/6 Winona (15, Prairie Island, entrance to McNally Landing Road) ebd. Late south 5/21 Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Lyon, Ramsey, Washington, and then 5/22 Hennepin ebd, 5/25 Dakota ebd (median 5/26).
Swamp Sparrow
(Melospiza georgiana)
3453 Found in every county. Early south (median 3/20) 3/19 Olmsted ebd, Steele DAB, 3/20 Wabasha MNb, 3/24 Dakota (2) KEm, Scott BHe. Early north (median 4/14) 4/9 Douglas ebd, 4/9–10 Crow Wing (2) BCS, 4/10 Cass ebd, JCu. High counts 5/3 Hennepin (48, Westwood Hills N.C.) ebd, 4/29 Hennepin (34, Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) ebd, 5/8 St. Louis (31, Western Waterfront Trail) JLK.
Spotted Towhee
(Pipilo maculatus)
6 One from winter continued through 5/1 in Meeker ph. PKF. All other reports: 3/5 Houston (three miles east of Houston) ph. fide KAB, 4/15 Blue Earth †ChH, 5/1 Fillmore (Forestville S.P.) ph. †ToM, JWH, 5/6 Lyon (Camden S.P.) DlS, 5/8 Jackson (Kilen Woods S.P.) ph. KEm.
Eastern Towhee
(Pipilo erythrophthalmus)
2140 One continued from winter: 3/4 Kandiyohi KEm, JWH. Early south migrants (median 4/11) 4/1–7 Dakota ebd, 4/7 Wabasha MNb, 4/8 Houston (two locations) BCo, MZa, Ramsey PAl. Early north (median 5/1) 4/16 Cass (Ten Mile Lake) JCu, 4/25 Pine (2, Pine City Twp.) SBE, 4/28 Pine (Pokegama Twp.) ebd, 5/3 Cass (Deep Portage Learning Center) ebd, Pine (3, Snake River Campground) SBE. High counts 5/6 Houston (24, Beaver Creek Valley S.P.) ebd, 5/9 Houston (21, Vinegar Ridge S.R.A.) WCM, 5/11 Sherburne (17, Sherburne N.W.R., Wildlife Drive) RCl.
Yellow-breasted Chat
Yellow-breasted Chat
(Icteria virens)
No reports.
Blackbirds, Orioles
Yellow-headed Blackbird
(Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)
3152 Found in all counties except Koochiching, Carlton, Kanabec, Fillmore. Early south (median 3/25) 3/23 Chippewa DLP, 3/25 Watonwan KRo, 3/30 Olmsted JmP. Early north (median 4/9) 4/3–9 Clay (7, Humboldt Twp.) ebd, 4/8 Clay (Cromwell Twp.) PBB, 4/9 Crow Wing PSP, Marshall (2) HHu, Otter Tail (20) WPl, Polk TJJ. High count 4/27 Lyon (275, Black Rush Lake W.P.A.) DlS.
Bobolink
(Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
3352 Early south (median 5/3) 5/4 Lyon (35) DlS, 5/5 Carver JCy, Murray TAT, 5/6 Blue Earth (2) RHh, Faribault WAF. Early north (median 5/6) 5/7 Clay RMD, Pine ebd, 5/9 Aitkin (4) KWR, (4) CLR, Grant CNn, Wilkin (4) ebd, LSl. High counts 5/16 Clay (60, Bluestem Prairie S.N.A.) ebd, 5/15 Rock (50, Touch the Sky Prairie N.W.R.) KEm, 5/21 Polk (46, Tilden Twp.) MrC, EzH, IsH.
Eastern Meadowlark
(Sturnella magna)
2047 Early south (median 3/15) 3/4 Benton HHD, 3/10 Olmsted (Silver Creek Reservoir) JmP, 3/11 Olmsted (2, Dover) MiD, 3/12 Winona (7) ToM. Early north (median 3/26) 3/10 St. Louis SeM, 3/19 Carlton MLH, 3/25 Todd ebd. High counts 5/24 Washington (11, Afton S.P.) DnS, 5/25 Rice (11, St. Olaf College Natural Lands) ebd.
Western Meadowlark
(Sturnella neglecta)
3146 Early south (median 3/12) 3/3–7 Benton HHD, DOr, 3/4–7 Washington RNe, m.ob., 3/7 McLeod BHa. Early north (median 3/17) 3/7 Marshall ebd, 3/15 Traverse DLP, 3/19 Pennington ebd. High counts 3/25 Lyon (39, Green Valley W.M.A.) GWe, 3/29 Jackson (30, Christiania W.P.A.) DaH.
Orchard Oriole
(Icterus spurius)
1951 Early south (median 5/4) 5/5 Fillmore ToM, Freeborn AEB, Hennepin ebd, Wabasha MNb, Washington (2) ebd, 5/6 also in Houston, Meeker, Olmsted. Early north (median 5/12) 5/9–10 Clay (Humboldt Twp.) ebd, 5/10–11 Becker NaH, 5/11 Todd BWF, 5/12 Clay (2, Cromwell Twp.) PBB, (Moorhead) DPW, Grant CNn, Polk SAu. High counts 5/14 Dakota (7, Mendota Heights) ebd, 5/15 Hennepin (6, Crow-Hassan P.R.) MyP, HPe, 5/18 Pipestone (6, Pipestone W.T.P.) VKl, 5/20 Rock (6, Blue Mounds S.P.) TWe, BLz.
Baltimore Oriole
(Icterus galbula)
3453 Found in every county. Early south (median 4/28) 4/23 Wabasha MNb, 4/27–28 Isanti ebd, 4/28 Carver JSt, Ramsey LiH, ebd. Early north (median 5/4) 5/5 Clay ebd, 5/5–6 Pine (Pokegama Twp.) ebd, 5/6 Crow Wing ebd, Douglas ebd, Otter Tail JsS, Pine (Pine City) ebd, Todd ebd. High counts 5/14 Redwood (34, Alexander Ramsey C.P.) DlS, 5/11 Hennepin (26, Cedar Lake) ebd, 5/13 Hennepin (26, T. S. Roberts Bird Sanctuary) JCa, ebd.
Red-winged Blackbird
(Agelaius phoeniceus)
3453 Reported from every county. Overwintered widely south. Early north (median 3/9) 3/11 Grant PPe, Pine (2) NSn, 3/12 Crow Wing PSP. High counts 3/15 Houston (7,317, Reno Skywatch) ASu, 4/2 Lyon (2,250, Cottonwood) GWe, 4/22 Wilkin (2,000, Barnesville) TkL.
Brown-headed Cowbird
(Molothrus ater)
3453 Overwintered in Dakota. Early south migrants (median 3/9) 3/3 Wabasha MNb, 3/5 Winona GWe, 3/16 Ramsey CMu. Early north (median 4/2) 4/9 Clay (4), Crow Wing (2) PSP, Douglas JsS, Otter Tail (3) JsS, Pine (50) KrM. High counts 4/23 Jackson (300, Minneota Twp.) TPu, NoK, 4/27 Lyon (300, Black Rush Lake W.P.A.) DlS, 4/22 Hennepin (260, Mother Lake overlook) BAF.
Rusty Blackbird
(Euphagus carolinus)
2651 Early south (median 3/4) 3/5 Fillmore (2) ToM, Wabasha (7) GWe, 3/13 Houston (15) SHo. Early north (median 3/23) 4/2 Clay (Humboldt Twp.) ebd, 4/7–9 Clay (Cromwell Twp.) PBB, 4/9 Crow Wing JnP, Douglas (2) ebd, Morrison (20) KEm, SEm, JEm, Pine KrM. High counts 4/21 St. Louis (598, Lakewood Pumping Station) KJB, 4/21 St. Louis (350, W.S.H.C.) SeM. Late south 5/6 Hennepin DvN, ebd, 5/9 Lac qui Parle DLP (median 5/5). Late north 5/13 Koochiching (2) ebd, 5/17 Clearwater ebd (median 5/16).
Brewer's Blackbird
(Euphagus cyanocephalus)
3347 Early south (median 3/18) 3/20 Wabasha MNb, 3/25 Sibley JPr, JJS, 3/26 Ramsey ebd, 3/28 Olmsted (10) ebd. Early north (median 4/2) 4/6 Carlton ebd, 4/9 Douglas (7) JsS, Otter Tail (30) JsS, Pine (5) KrM. High counts 4/16 Marshall/Polk (200, Agassiz Valley) SAu, JCJ, 4/20 Clay (200, Barnesville) TkL, 5/6 Clearwater (150, Leonard) TPu.
Common Grackle
(Quiscalus quiscula)
3453 Reported in all counties. Early south away from overwintering areas 3/2 Fillmore ebd, Hennepin (Edina) TAT, 3/3 Goodhue PEJ. Early north (median 3/10) 3/1 Douglas ebd, 3/4–7 St. Louis DEd, 3/9 Cook ebd, 3/15 Hubbard ebd, 3/17 St. Louis BEA.High counts 4/11 Dakota (5,000, Mud Creek W.M.A.) ebd, 4/9 Nicollet (2,500, Traverse Twp.) APi, 4/8 Waseca (1,500, Blooming Grove Twp.) DnS.
Great-tailed Grackle
(Quiscalus mexicanus)
4 All south 3/25 – 5/6 Lyon (3, Black Rush Lake W.P.A.) GWe, 4/8, 5/3 Jackson (2, S.R. 86) EzH, KEm, 5/14 Cottonwood (Delton Twp.) ebd, Murray (7, Lake Shetek S.P.) ebd, (6, Dovray W.P.A.) ebd.
Warblers
Ovenbird
(Seiurus aurocapilla)
3350 Found in all but four counties. Early south (median 4/27) 4/29 Rice ebd, 5/1 Hennepin ebd, Olmsted JJS. Early north (median 5/3) 5/5 Clay LSl, 5/7 Cass ebd, Crow Wing ebd, Morrison (2) SEm, Pine (2) KrM, St. Louis JLK, NGi. High counts 5/20 Itasca (42, Chippewa N.F., Trout Lake Trail) BCS, 5/20 St. Louis (40) ebd, 5/28 Lake (36, Superior Hiking Trail from C.R. 301 to Castle Danger trailheads) NGi, ebd.
WORM-EATING WARBLER
(Helmitheros vermivorum)
1 One well-documented report: 5/1–3 Hennepin (Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) †TSk, †EZh, ph. IsH, ph. DnS, †NMe, ph. †TWe, ph. †KEm, †PCC.
Louisiana Waterthrush
(Parkesia motacilla)
111 South reports confined to the southeast quarter. Early south (median 4/16) 4/9 Winona (2) ToM, 4/12–13 Houston ASu, 4/14 Olmsted (2) JPr, JmP. One north report 5/9 St. Louis (Western Waterfront Trail) †JLK. High count 5/16 Goodhue (5, Frontenac S.P., Sand Point) ebd.
Northern Waterthrush
(Parkesia noveboracensis)
3150 Early south (median 4/23) 4/24 Hennepin (Bde Maka Ska) ebd, Houston ToM, 4/25 Hennepin (Big Willow Park) ebd, 4/28 Hennepin (four additional locations) ACr, VRL, ebd, MZa, Ramsey LiH. Early north (median 5/1) 5/5 Douglas VKl, Pine (3) ebd, 5/5–6 Clay (three locations) LSl, DPW, ebd, 5/7 also in Cass, Crow Wing, Douglas, St. Louis. High counts 5/6 Winona (25, Prairie Island, entrance to McNally Landing Road) ebd, 5/19 Lake (24, Superior N.F.) HTo, 5/7 Anoka (21, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) DnS, GWe. Late south 5/30 Blue Earth ebd, 5/31 Scott ebd, but also see summer report (median 5/31).
Golden-winged Warbler
(Vermivora chrysoptera)
2943 Early south (median 5/4) 4/23 Dakota DdH, 5/5 Hennepin (Crystal) GWe, 5/6 Goodhue PEJ, Hennepin (two additional locations) PRH, EMf, ebd, Lyon DlS, Scott RDE, Stearns HHD. Early north (median 5/8) 5/8 Pine KrM, 5/9 Aitkin (3) KWR, CLR, Cass ebd, Crow Wing JnP, BCS, Hubbard ebd. High counts 5/29 Crow Wing (24, Old Ramsey Rd.) GWe, 5/14 Aitkin (10, Balsam Twp.) KWR, CLR, 5/26 Aitkin (10, Rice Lake N.W.R.) BLz. Presumed late south migrants away from breeding areas (median 5/28) 5/30 Blue Earth (2) ebd, 5/31 Washington DFN (but also see summer report).
Blue-winged Warbler
(Vermivora cyanoptera)
330 Early south (median 5/2) 5/1 Hennepin (2, Mother Lake) ebd, 5/1–2 Hennepin (southwest Minneapolis) ebd, 5/4 Hennepin (downtown Minneapolis) ebd, 5/5 Fillmore ebd, Hennepin CMB, (Boom Island Park) ebd, Wabasha RBW, ebd. All north 5/16 Pine (Ogema Twp.) KrM, 5/19, 5/28 Pine (max. 3, U.S. 70 at the St. Croix River) ebd, LSw, 5/20 Todd (Birchdale Twp.) TLu, 5/23–28 Aitkin (Rice Lake N.W.R.) BxP, m.ob., 5/28 Pine (St. Croix S.P.) MwT. High counts 5/12 Carver (21, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd. Picnic Area) JCy, 5/13 Fillmore (12, Forestville/Mystery Cave S.P.) JBj.
Golden-winged Warbler X Blue-winged Warbler
(Vermivora chrysoptera X V. cyanoptera)
9 Nine individuals reported. Eight described as “Brewster’s” or backcrosses, and one as “Lawrence’s” 5/13 Olmsted (Chester Woods) ph. JPr, m.ob. All were found south and east of Wright, except for 5/11, 5/17 Brown (Flandrau S.P.) MiO, SLH.
Black-and-white Warbler
(Mniotilta varia)
3451 Reported in every county except Martin, Sibley. Early south (median 4/22) 4/20 Hennepin ebd, 4/23 Dakota MwT, Ramsey ebd, Washington ebd. Early north (median 4/30) 5/3 Wilkin ebd, 5/4 St. Louis JLK, 5/5 Clay LSl, DnM, Crow Wing PSP, Douglas VKl, ebd, Grant CNn, Pine KrM, ebd. High counts 5/20 Itasca (32, Chippewa N.F., Trout Lake Trail) BCS, 5/29 Crow Wing (18, Timothy Twp.) GWe, 5/8 Cass (16, Deep Portage Learning Center) ebd.
Prothonotary Warbler
(Protonotaria citrea)
24 Reported from a record number of south counties Early south (median 5/4) 4/23–24 Ramsey (Holman Field) MWS, m.ob., 5/5 Hennepin ebd, Ramsey (Snail Lake R.P.) ebd, 5/6 Dakota ebd, Goodhue ebd, Stearns HHD. High count 5/21 Goodhue (9, Hok-Si-La Park) ebd.
SWAINSON'S WARBLER
(Limnothlypis swainsonii)
1 The first state record was remarkably cooperative over a four-day period: 4/29 – 5/2 Hennepin (Arden Park, Edina) ph. †JrC, †EzH, ph. †TPu, ph. †TGi, ph. RZi, ph. †AXH, †NMe, †PCC, ph. †KCl, ph. LSi, ph. †KEm, ph. GHo, ph. TBu. This record was cited on over 300 eBird checklists; many included additional photos.
Tennessee Warbler
(Leiothlypis peregrina)
3452 Found in every county but Martin. Early south (median 4/28) 4/28 Mower (3) SWm, 4/29 Goodhue ebd, 5/1 Chippewa ebd, Hennepin CMB. Early north (median 5/7) 4/30 Morrison SEm, 5/4 Grant CNn, 5/6 Crow Wing ebd, Todd AaL. High counts 5/13 Yellow Medicine (125, Spellman Lake) DlS, 5/12 Yellow Medicine (95, Miedd Lake) GWe, 5/20 Carver (94, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd. Picnic Area) JCy. Late south 5/31 Stearns NSg, but also see summer report (median 6/7).
Orange-crowned Warbler
(Leiothlypis celata)
3051 Early south (median 4/19) 4/13 Meeker PKF, 4/14 Washington JDS, 4/15 Anoka ebd, Hennepin MZa. Early north (median 4/23) 4/16 St. Louis (Brighton Beach) SeM, 4/25 Polk (3) HHu, 4/27 Clay (2, Oakport Prairie) TkL, (2, River Oaks Park) TCL, Crow Wing (3) ebd, St. Louis (Park Point) NGi, SeM. High counts 5/7 Cass (19, Deep Portage Learning Center) ebd, 5/5 Carver (16, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd. Picnic Area) JCy, 4/29 Hennepin (15, Hagemeister Pond Preserve Park) ACr. Late south 5/26 Sherburne ebd, 5/26–7 Ramsey ebd (median 5/25). Late north 5/26–27 Todd SDi, 5/27 Cook ebd, 5/30 Marshall (2) MJk (median 5/28).
Nashville Warbler
(Leiothlypis ruficapilla)
3151 Early south (median 4/25) 4/24–25 Dakota ALw, 4/25 Hennepin ebd, 4/26 Mower SWm. Early north (median 5/2) 5/5 Clay TkL, Crow Wing BCS, Grant CNn, Itasca (2) BDG, Pine IWe. High counts 5/12 Stearns (63, Rockville C.P.) ebd, 5/9 Hennepin (45, Minnehaha Creek east of Penn Ave. S.) JCa, 5/12 Carver (44, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd. Picnic Area) JCy. Late south 5/31 Washington ebd, but also see summer report (median 6/2).
Connecticut Warbler
(Oporornis agilis)
1015 Early south (median 5/10) 5/11 Hennepin (Champlin) ebd, 5/12 Hennepin (Minnehaha Falls) JPS, VBC, ebd, Scott BrT, 5/13 Cottonwood JuJ, Dakota DEv, Hennepin (Wood Lake N.C.) MyP, HPe. Early north (median 5/17) 5/14 Otter Tail LSl, 5/18 Otter Tail CRM, m.ob., 5/19 Clearwater ebd, Cook ebd, 5/21 Clay DPW, Lake ebd, Norman (Gary Pines) EzH, MrC, IsH. High count 5/27 Koochiching (5, Toomey Williams Road) KWR, ebd. Late south 5/28 Hennepin ebd, Ramsey DnS, MWS, but also see summer report (median 5/30).
Mourning Warbler
(Geothlypis philadelphia)
2332 Early south (median 5/8) 5/7 Faribault ebd, Washington ebd, 5/8–9 Anoka RaJ, 5/9 Hennepin DGu, ebd. Early north (median 5/14) 5/10 Douglas BEc, Koochiching ebd, 5/13 Grant CNn, 5/14 Aitkin CLR, KWR. High counts 5/30 St. Louis (10, H.R.N.R.) JLK, 5/20 Cook (7, Jasper Lake) HTo, 5/30 St. Louis (6, Admiral Road from Zim Road to Kolu Road) MLH. See summer report for late south migrants (median 6/10).
KENTUCKY WARBLER
(Geothlypis formosa)
1 Three reports of this Casual species in mid-May: 5/8–10 Hennepin (Wood Lake N.C.) SLC, a.t. †DWK, †ADS, ph. †TWe, ph. CHg, †NMe, ph. MKz, 5/13–14 Hennepin (Edina) ph. †MZa, 5/15 Hennepin (T.S. Roberts Bird Sanctuary) †JBr.
Common Yellowthroat
(Geothlypis trichas)
3453 Found in every county. Early south (median 4/30) 4/26 Wabasha MNb, 4/28 Ramsey LiH, 4/29 Le Sueur CZi, 5/1 Hennepin ebd. Early north (median 5/6) 5/4 Pine ebd, 5/6 Becker ebd, 5/7 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) SeM, 5/8 Itasca ebd, St. Louis (Western Waterfront Trail) JLK. High counts 5/27 St. Louis (45, Sax-Zim Bog) BLz, ebd, 5/20 Carver (40, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd. Picnic Area) JCy.
Hooded Warbler
(Setophaga citrina)
17 All south (median 5/8) 5/7–31 Scott/Dakota (Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) ebd, m.ob., 5/8–29 Washington (William O’Brien S.P.) BDo, m.ob., 5/12 Olmsted MiD, m.ob., 5/13 Stearns (Sauk River R.P.) NSg, 5/17–18 Washington (Afton S.P.) ebd, BDo. One north report 5/11 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) NGi, SeM, JPR, ebd. High count 5/23 Scott (5, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) ebd.
American Redstart
(Setophaga ruticilla)
3452 Early south (median 5/2) 5/3 Hennepin (Eden Prairie) ebd, 5/5 Fillmore (2) ToM, Freeborn BDo, LiH, Hennepin (Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) MwT, (2) ebd, WPe, GWe, TWe, Ramsey ebd, Scott ebd, Wabasha RBW, Winona ebd. Early north (median 5/6) 5/6 Becker (Tamarac Lake) ebd, 5/9 Aitkin CLR, KWR, Becker (2, South Tamarac Lake) ebd, Cass ebd, Otter Tail WPl, Pine KrM, St. Louis ebd. High counts 5/13 Dakota (100, Miesville Ravine P.R., one mile hike) KTP, 5/20 Carver (63, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd. Picnic Area) JCy, 5/15 Wabasha (56, Carley S.P.) ebd.
Cape May Warbler
(Setophaga tigrina)
2438 Found in almost every county east of a line from Lake of the Woods to Faribault, and in only half the counties west of this line. Early south (median 5/5) 5/5 Hennepin (Minneapolis) WPe, 5/6 Goodhue ebd, Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) ebd, Rice AvB. Early north (median 5/8) 5/6 St. Louis (Western Waterfront Trail) JLK, 5/8 St. Louis (Hartley N.C.) JfD, 5/9 Lake JWL, Pine KrM, ebd. High count 5/12 Benton (6, Benton Beach Park) CRM, m.ob. Late south 5/21 Chisago MTe, Dakota ALw, Goodhue MZa, ebd, Stevens BAb, 5/22 Jackson KEm (median 5/25).
Cerulean Warbler
(Setophaga cerulea)
14 Reported mostly from the Minnesota, Mississippi, and St. Croix river valleys, from Houston to Brown, Wright and Washington, respectively. Early south (median 5/5) 5/7 Nicollet (Seven Mile Creek C.P.) BAb, RHh, 5/10 Brown (Milford Twp.) BTS, MiO, 5/10 Scott ebd, 5/11 Houston WCM. High counts 5/20 Wright (4, Stanley Eddy Park South) ToL, 5/27 Houston (4, Hillside Rd.) KRE.
Northern Parula
(Setophaga americana)
2339 While reports came from all regions, most reports were from the eastern two-thirds of the state. Early south (median 5/1) 4/28 Dakota DSh, 4/30 Nicollet RHh, 5/2 Hennepin ebd, Houston ebd. Early north (median 5/5) 5/8 Mille Lacs HHD, 5/8–9 Cass ebd, 5/9 Pine (two locations) KrM. High counts 5/10 Hennepin (12, Wood Lake N.C.) ebd, 5/15 St. Louis (11, Bass Lake Trails) ebd, 5/13 Lake (10, Encampment) SBE. Late south 5/30 Dakota CUn, 5/31 Hennepin ebd, but also see summer report (median 5/29).
Magnolia Warbler
(Setophaga magnolia)
3151 Early south (median 5/5) 5/1 Olmsted JJS, 5/4 Ramsey ebd, 5/5 Wabasha RBW, Washington DJB. Early north (median 5/7) 5/5 Crow Wing (Bay Lake) JLa, 5/8 St. Louis PHS, 5/9 Aitkin (2) KWR, CLR, Becker BEs, Cass ebd, Crow Wing (Brainerd) ebd, Pine KrM. High counts 5/20 Carver (30, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd. Picnic Area) JCy, 5/15 Steele (28, Rice Lake S.P.) DAB. Late south 5/31 Anoka PRH, ToL, Scott ebd, Sherburne ebd; also see summer report (median 6/2).
Bay-breasted Warbler
(Setophaga castanea)
2539 Early south (median 5/6) 5/7 Hennepin (Medina) JDB, 5/8 Hennepin (2, Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) ebd, 5/9 Hennepin (Wood Lake N.C.) KCl. Early north (median 5/12) 5/12 Cass ebd, Itasca ebd, BSi, Kanabec RBW, Otter Tail WyR. High counts 5/15 Wabasha (7, Carley S.P.) ebd, 5/16 Carver (5, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd. Picnic Area) JCy, 5/20 Scott (5, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) DlS, GWe, 5/25 Pine (5, River Wood Trail) ebd. Late south 5/28 Winona ebd, 5/29 Sherburne ebd, 5/30 Blue Earth ebd (median 5/27).
Blackburnian Warbler
(Setophaga fusca)
2539 Early south (median 5/3) 5/5 Anoka ebd, Carver (Chaska) NWi, 5/6 also in Carver (3, Lake Hazeltine), Goodhue, Hennepin (eight locations!), Nicollet, Olmsted, Wabasha. Early north (median 5/7) 5/7 Pine (Sturgeon Lake) ebd, 5/7–9 Cass ebd, 5/9 Pine (two locations, Pine City Twp.) KrM. High counts 5/26 St. Louis (12, Bear Head Lake S.P.) ebd, 5/28 Lake (12, Superior Hiking Trail from C.R. 301 to Castle Danger trailheads) NGo, ebd. See summer report for late south migrants (median 6/1).
Yellow Warbler
(Setophaga petechia)
3453 Found in every county. Early south (median 4/24) 4/15 Hennepin CRM, m.ob., 4/23 Wabasha MNb, 4/25 Dakota SSp. Early north (median 5/3) 5/3 Morrison (22) ebd, Polk HHu, 5/4 Beltrami AxB, 5/5 Aitkin ebd. High counts 5/13 Yellow Medicine (65, Spellman Lake) DlS, 5/11 Lyon (55, Garvin Park) DlS, 5/26 Hennepin (50, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) ebd, 5/20 St. Louis (46, Western Waterfront Trail) JLK.
Chestnut-sided Warbler
(Setophaga pensylvanica)
3050 Early south (median 5/3) 5/4 Anoka (Coon Rapids) ebd, 5/5 Anoka (Circle Pines) ebd, Hennepin JhM, 5/6 Dakota BBr, Nicollet APi, Wabasha DAB, KEm, JWH. Early north (median 5/7) 5/7 St. Louis JLK, 5/8 Mille Lacs HHD, 5/9 Aitkin (2) KWR, CLR. High counts 5/29 Crow Wing (47, Timothy Twp.) GWe, 5/21 Aitkin (30, Rice Lake N.W.R. Headquarters) ebd, 5/28 Lake (25, Superior Hiking Trail from C.R. 301 to Castle Danger trailheads) NGi, ebd, 5/30 St. Louis (24, H.R.N.R.) JLK.
Blackpoll Warbler
(Setophaga striata)
3151 Early south (median 5/4) 4/29 Olmsted ToM, KHg, 5/5 Carver WCM, Freeborn BDo, LiH, Hennepin TPu, m.ob. Early north (median 5/8) 5/7 Clay (Cromwell Twp.) PBB, St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) SeM, 5/9 Cass ebd, Clay (3, Blue Eagle Park) TkL, Polk TJJ, St. Louis (Duluth, Brighton Beach) ebd. High counts 5/18 Lac qui Parle (28, Lac qui Parle S.P.) HCT, 5/20 Carver (18, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd. Picnic Area) JCy, 5/18 Rock (15, Blue Mounds S.P.) ebd, 5/20 Steele (15, Rice Lake S.P.) DAB. Late south 5/28 Hennepin ebd, Stearns ebd, 5/29 Goodhue (2) ebd, 5/30 Hennepin DSh, ebd, Washington JDS (median 6/1). See summer report for latest north migrants (median 6/4).
Black-throated Blue Warbler
(Setophaga caerulescens)
76 All south 5/15 Carver (Carver P.R.) ebd, 5/16 Anoka LiH, 5/18 Hennepin ebd, Ramsey LiH, 5/18–23 Scott (Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) AnB, ECl, JKu, ebd, 5/20 Scott (Prior Lake) BDG, 5/23 Carver (Minnesota Landscape Arboretum) ebd, 5/28 Dakota AOp. Early north (median 5/15) 5/15 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) NGi, StK, SeM, SNe, HTo, 5/17 Lake (F.R. 166) PgR, 5/19 Itasca ebd, Lake (2, Ester Lake) HTo, St. Louis (Stony Point) SeM. Unusual spring record 5/21 Hubbard (Pickerel Lake) ebd. High count 5/20 St. Louis (3, Whiteface Reservoir) BHw,
Palm Warbler
(Setophaga palmarum)
3251 Early south (median 4/18) 4/10 Hennepin VRL, 4/12 Ramsey (Maplewood) ebd, 4/16 Dakota DVe, Ramsey (Minnesota State Fairgrounds) ElS. Early north (median 4/23) 4/13–23 Wadena PJB, 4/28 Otter Tail (2, Eagle Lake Twp.) JsS, 4/29 Beltrami ebd, Otter Tail (Lake Blanche) TFu. High counts 5/5 Goodhue (300, feeding in 14-acre recently burned prairie, Minneola Twp.) MGe, 5/6 Ramsey (80, Silverwood Park) ebd, 5/7 Carver (62, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd. Picnic Area) JCy. Late south 5/25 Goodhue ebd, Sherburne JGb, 5/27 Hennepin JCa, ebd (median 5/24).
Pine Warbler
(Setophaga pinus)
2327 Almost all reports were east of a line from Freeborn to Otter Tail to Roseau. Early south (median 4/17) 4/15–16 Ramsey (Vadnais Lake) DnS, (Maplewood) MaJ, 4/17 Chisago DPi, Fillmore ToM. Early north (median 4/22) 4/14 Cass (Deep Portage Learning Center) ebd, 4/15–16 Cass (Ten Mile Lake) JCu, 4/16 Itasca ebd, 4/17 Crow Wing LAP. High counts 5/7 Cass (10, Deep Portage Learning Center) ebd, 5/12 Cass (8, Lake Winnibigoshish, Tamarack Point) AxB, 5/22 Becker (8, Tamarac N.W.R.) CMN.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
(Setophaga coronata)
3453 Early south (median 3/27) 3/13 Goodhue KCl, 3/23 Fillmore ToM, 3/26 Renville GWe. Early north (median 4/1) 4/1 Morrison ebd, 4/2 Lake ABm, JlB, St. Louis BMu. High counts 4/15 St. Louis (362, Holiday View) EBr, 5/5 Goodhue (300, feeding in 14-acre recently burned prairie, Minneola Twp.) MGe, 5/5 Clay (250, Bluestem Prairie S.N.A., Williams Unit) TkL. Late south 5/29 Anoka ebd, Hennepin DSh, Scott ebd, Sherburne ebd, 5/30 Wabasha (2) MNb (median 5/31). One “Audubon’s” subspecies seen 5/16–18 Hennepin (T.S. Roberts Bird Sanctuary) CWB, JhM, ph. ASu, JSu, ph. MZa, ebd.
Yellow-throated Warbler
(Setophaga dominica)
3 Alll reports: 4/22 – 5/17 Dakota (Pine Bend S.N.A.) †DuW, ph. †MwT, ph. NMe, m.ob., 4/24, 5/21–27 Houston (max. 2 on 5/21, Reno, Hillside Dr.) ph. †ToM, 5/15–31+ Ramsey (Sucker Lake) ph. a.t. †YNa, a.t. †TWe, a.t. EzH.
PRAIRIE WARBLER
(Setophaga discolor)
1 Seventh spring record over last 20 years: 5/17–19 Ramsey (Silverwood Park) ph. †JrM, †EzH, ph. †NMe, ph. †APi, ph. †TPu, m.ob.
HERMIT WARBLER
(Setophaga occidentalis)
11 Remarkably, two reports of this species, whose only prior Minnesota records are also both from May, in 1931 and 1983: 5/6 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) †PHS, 5/9 Ramsey (Roseville) †CEb.
Black-throated Green Warbler
(Setophaga virens)
2347 Found in every region, with fewest reports from the extreme west. Early south (median 4/30) 4/30 Olmsted ebd, 5/1 Hennepin ebd, 5/4 Brown, Dakota, Lyon, Olmsted, Ramsey. Early north (median 5/4) 5/5 Pine ebd, 5/6 Beltrami TPu, AaL, Cass ebd, Clearwater TPu, AaL, Crow Wing ebd. High counts 5/28 Lake (32, Superior Hiking Trail from C.R. 301 to Castle Danger trailheads) NGi, ebd, 5/20 St. Louis (23) ebd, 5/28 Cook (22, Grand Portage S.P.) ebd. Late south 5/25 Hennepin ebd, Rice TFB, Scott (3) BLz, 5/26 Olmsted ebd (median 5/29).
Canada Warbler
(Cardellina canadensis)
2336 Reported statewide, though with only two reports from the Southwest. Early south (median 5/7) 5/8 Dakota SSp, 5/9 Anoka ebd, Blue Earth RBW, KCl, PAl, ebd. Early north (median 5/13) 5/11–12 St. Louis JEl, 5/12 Aitkin ebd, 5/13 Cass ebd. High counts 5/28 Lake (12, Superior Hiking Trail from C.R. 301 to Castle Danger trailheads) NGi, ebd, 5/27 Carlton (8, Superior Hiking Trail from Jay Cooke S.P. visitor center to Grand Portage trailhead) NGi, ebd. Late south 5/29 Rice MwT, 5/30 Blue Earth ebd, but also see summer report (median 6/1).
Wilson's Warbler
(Cardellina pusilla)
2846 Found statewide. Early south (median 5/4) 4/29 Sherburne HHD, 5/4–5 Meeker PKF, 5/5 Ramsey ebd, 5/6 also in Hennepin, Olmsted, Ramsey, Rice, Scott, Wabasha. Early north (median 5/9) 5/8 Mille Lacs HHD, 5/9 Clay (4) ebd, Otter Tail WPl, 5/10 Crow Wing BCS. High counts 5/20 Carver (20, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd. Picnic Area) JCy, 5/7 Hennepin (8, Westwood Hills N.C.) ebd. Late south 5/27 Blue Earth ebd, 5/28 Winona ebd, 5/31 Anoka PRH (median 5/30). See summer report for late north migrants (median 6/15).
Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks
Summer Tanager
(Piranga rubra)
313 Approximately 16 south and six north individuals. Early south (median 5/3) 4/28 – 5/4 Dakota (Dodge N.C.) ebd, LiH, JHe, MwT, 4/28–29 Freeborn AEB, RBW, 4/29 Dakota (Spring Lake P.R.) ALw, 5/3 Houston DBz. All north 5/11 Cass DEn, St. Louis (Chester Creek, Duluth) ClN, KDx, JDx, 5/14 Lake SLL, JWL, 5/16 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) HTo, ebd, 5/17 St. Louis (Western Waterfront Trail) ph. PHS, JfD, JLK, 5/18 St. Louis (Becks Rd., Duluth) GlS. Late south 5/22 Meeker PKF, 5/24 Washington PNi, DnS, 5/23–31+ Scott ebd, m.ob. (median 5/31).
Scarlet Tanager
(Piranga olivacea)
3146 Early south (median 5/4) 5/3 Dakota SSp, 5/5 Anoka ebd, 5/6 Ramsey ASl, Sherburne ebd. Early north (median 5/10) 5/8 Itasca ebd, 5/9 Cass (Pillager) JBu, 5/11 Cass (Deep Portage Learning Center) ebd, Crow Wing BCS, ebd, PSP, Hubbard ebd, Morrison SEm, ebd, Pine SBE. High count 5/17 Carver (10, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd. Picnic Area) JCy; also tallies of 8 from Goodhue, Chisago, Scott, Wright.
Western Tanager
(Piranga ludoviciana)
3 All reports: 5/6 Le Sueur (Tyrone Twp.) ph. JKR, fide ChH, 5/18 Meeker (Collingwood Twp.) ph. PKF, 5/22 Hennepin (T.S. Roberts Bird Sanctuary) †CWB.
Northern Cardinal
(Cardinalis cardinalis)
2853 Not reported from only four Northwest counties, Grant and Traverse. High counts 5/13 Carver (38, Chaska) ebd, 5/5 Ramsey (30, North Oaks) ebd, 5/7 Olmsted (26, Chester Woods) ebd, 4/26 Hennepin (24, Minnehaha Creek east of Penn Ave S.) JCa.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
(Pheucticus ludovicianus)
3452 Reported from every county except Martin. Early south (median 4/28) 4/23 Wabasha MNb, 4/25 Winona ebd, 4/27 Olmsted ebd, 4/28 also in Anoka, Carver, Houston, Ramsey, Wright. Early north (median 5/2) 5/5 Douglas ebd, Morrison SEm, ebd, 5/6 also in Cass, Crow Wing, Douglas, Otter Tail, Pine, Polk, Todd. High counts 5/23 Fillmore (30, Forestville / Mystery Cave S.P.) JBj, 5/9 Houston (27, Vinegar Ridge S.R.A.) WCM.
Blue Grosbeak
(Passerina caerulea)
15 All south (median 5/19) 5/12–31 Hennepin (Flying Cloud Athletic Fields) ebd, m.ob., 5/15–20 Rock (Blue Mounds S.P.) LDW, TWe, BLz, 5/20 Pipestone (Pipestone N.M.) BLz, TWe, 5/28 Pipestone (Prairie Coteau S.N.A.) ebd, 5/28–30 Cottonwood (SE Mountain Lake) JnH, 5/29–31 Carver (Dahlgren Rd. gravel pit) WCM, JGW, MwT. The only north report provided a second record for Cook County: 5/20 Cook (Grand Marais) CrB. Highest tallies were of only two individuals.
LAZULI BUNTING
(Passerina amoena)
12 One well-documented individual 5/11 Ramsey (Sucker Lake) ph. †DnS. Two other birds seen in Rice and Morrison counties either showed signs of being a hybrid or were not documented well enough to eliminate that possibility.
Indigo Bunting
(Passerina cyanea)
2751 Reported from most counties of every region. Early south (median 5/1) 5/2 Hennepin DAs, Wabasha MNb, 5/5 Dakota ebd, Steele DAB, Washington ebd. Early north (median 5/9) 5/8 Douglas JPE, Pine ebd, 5/10 Cass DoH, ebd, Crow Wing PSP, BCS, ebd, Morrison SEm, St. Louis JLK. High counts 5/17 Olmsted (19, Quarry Hill N.C.) ebd, 5/17 Carver (12, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd. Picnic Area) JCy, 5/22 Fillmore (12, Root River Trail, Lanesboro to Peterson) ebd.
PAINTED BUNTING
(Passerina ciris)
1 One report of an adult male: 5/7–9 Blue Earth (Mankato, Red Jacket Trail) KRo, ph. †ChH, ph. †TWe, ph. †APi, m.ob.
Dickcissel
(Spiza americana)
440 Early south (median 5/9) 5/9 Watonwan ANy, DBz, 5/9–10 Lincoln DlS, 5/11 Rock ebd, 5/12 Pipestone DlS. All north 5/28 Pine MwT, 5/29 Norman (2) ANy, DBz, 5/30 Traverse (3) ANy, 5/31 Wilkin ebd. High counts 5/31 Hennepin (13, Strehler Road) TWe, 5/29 Rock (10, Touch the Sky Prairie N.W.R.) JmP, 5/31 Scott (10) CMB.