SUMMARY: Observers this summer noted 214 species of birds (excluding migrant shorebirds), of which breeding evidence was found for 141 species, the highest number of breeding species in many years.

Coverage is a bare minimum of what it should be, and the absence of several species from the list (Lark Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, etc.) is more due to a lack of observers in their range than scarcity of the birds themselves. When was the last time you saw a report from Koochiching, Kittson, Todd, or Dodge Counties? Vast areas of the state such as the Superior National Forest and northwest prairies are rarely reported on. If we could receive a lot of reports from, say, the Superior National forest, we might be able to predict winter inva~ions of certain fiches before they happen. Try to recruit one more observer for the seasonal report.

The presence of several rare Minnesota specialties enlivened a rather dull birding summer. The Great Gray Owl nest made it onto Canadian TV before the most of us had even heard about the bird! The presence of a Magpie and Baird's Sparrow in the northwest only reflects how little we know of the summer birds of the northwest prairies. The Swainson's Hawk was recorded from Goodhue Co., where there appears to be an isolated colony of these birds, judging from previous records. The nesting of semi-feral Trumpeter Swans several miles from where they were introduced is heartening. The number of lakes that these birds could nest on is quite tempting to ponder over. (See R.E. Turner, The Loon, Dec. '65).

Several species extended their known bpeeding range: Bald Eagle, Osprey, Ring-necked Duck, American Black Duck, and Western Grebe. All of these showed a southward movement, and perhaps a few were influenced to remain south by the cool May weather. Several species of warblers also showed this trend as did the Pine Siskin and Red Crossbill which both nested as far south as the Twin Cities. Northward movements 129 DECEMBER 1970 were quite limited this summer. The Northern Mockingbird continued to show up in unexpected spots, and it seems clear that the mocker is a regular summer resident in Minnesota. Where its main breeding area is remains a question.

Several birds were surprising because of the few reports received. The Eastern Screech-Owl, Towhee, Whip-poo-will are a tew that the careful reader will find. The Cooper's Haw~ remains rare, and studies in the East have shown DDT and other pesticides to be partially at fault. The bird remains regular at Duluth in the hawk migrations, due perhaps to the lack of pesticides in the northern forests. Gone are the days when every fair-sized wood held a pair of Cooper's.

Several species returned after a year or two's absence : Eared Grebe and Spruce Grouse, are examples of this.

Overall, it appeared to be a good nesting year for passerines, but dry conditions ruined many duck nestings in the northwest.

That rare mammal, the Blackfooted Ferret, was sighted in South Dakota only 35 miles west of the Minnesota line in June. Brief notes on mammal observations or any phenological data will be appreciated to make this report more interesting.

A few observations were rejected for lack of details. Birds out of season, out of place, rare, or in some other way unusual should have details about their sighting.

W E AT H E R : J u n e 's t e m p e rat u res averaged 1 to 4 degrees above normal throughout the state, 4 to 5 degrees above normal in the northwest, where there was heavy evaporation. Only Two Harobrs had below-normal temperatures during June.

Precipitation was 1 to 3 inches below normal throughout the state. Heaviest one-day rainfall was on 6-16 at Ada, 2.99 inches.

Most rainfall in June was recorded at Pelican Rapids (7.7 inches) and the least at Cotton (1.24 inches). Temperature extremes ranged from 30 degrees at Cotton (6-19) to 104 july temperatures averaged 0.5 to 2 degrees below norm al in the south, but 2 to 4 degrees above norm al in the central and north, with Grand Marais 6.9 degrees above normal. july precipitation showed no general pattern. Local storms were common, but the north central and northwest had sub-normal rainfall. Many marshes and potholes in the northwest dri ed up, causing some waterfowl losses in july. Heaviest one-day rainfall was at Milaca (7-14, 4.3 inches), heaviest rainfall for the month was at Windom (8.3 inches), and the least for july at Hawley, Clay Co. (0.42 inches). july temperature extremes ranged from 38 degrees at Bigfork and Thorhult on 7-20 to 99 degrees on 7-25 at Faribault and Zumbrota.

Common Loon : nested in Wright, Crow Wing, Wash ington, and Chisago Co's; also reported from Pope, Carver (KH), Meeker, Hennepin, Stearns, Anoka, Cass, Morrison, Lake, and St. Louis Co's.

Increased numbers noticed in the southwest part of its range.