Summer 1976 was not only hot and dry, but by some measures it was also the driest summer of the driest year of this century. Only the northwest and southeast corners of the state had adequate moisture, while conditions elsewhere, especially in the southwestern prairies and the northeastern coniferous forests, were a disaster. Prairie wetlands, even some good sized lakes, dried up, while northern bogs and woodlands became potential forest fires. While longer term effects of the drought are still in the news, immediate effects on summer birds seem limited. Water birds were not as scarce as some might expect, and several species seemed more common.

Shorebirds, for example, certainly had plenty of habitat along receding shorelines.

One victim of the drought, however, had to be the Yellow Rail population in Aitkin Co. whose marshes not only dried up, but also were being mowed for hay and plowed up. Another victim may have been the Shorteared Owl -not one was reported all summer.

Forty-five contributors filled out report forms this summer, as compared to 42 last year and 4 7 two summers ago. The 240 species recorded compared to 241 and 249 the last two summers, but an excellent total of 156 species nested (compared to only 133 last year). There was also a good total of noteworthy finds. The best of them all was easily the Arctic Loon at Lake Harriet, an observation that certainly defies explanation and that ranks with some of the best sightings ever in Minnesota. Another casual bird, the Snowy Egret, was recorded twice, and one of these was way up at Agassiz Refuge. Great Egrets and Yellow-crowned Night-Herons also showed up north of their normal range. Tundra Swans lingered well into the summer, while American Black Duck and Green-winged Teal nested in the southeast. A Rough-legged Hawk in June was very late, and the casual Ferruginous Hawk made an appearance.

King Rails, also casual, even nested; a Yellow Rail in Ramsey Co. tried to make up for the lack of rails in Aitkin Co.; and Common Moorhens north of La Crescent were interesting. Lesser Yellowlegs and Pectoral Sandpiper set new records for late spring departure.

Several gulls were noteworthy: a very late Glaucous, Herring and Ring-billed summered almost everywhere, Franklins were up at Duluth and Mille Lacs but down at Agassiz, and Bonapartes were at Mille Lacs in flocks; also the Caspian Tern was around in unusual numbers. The drought drove two Eastern Screech-Owls to a birdbath in Cottonwood Co., and Great Grays again nested in Roseau Co. The casual Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was seen in Rock Co., the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, much sought after by out of state birders, was almost abundant in Lake Co., and Acadian Flycatchers continued to expand its range. Also apparently expanding, this time to the south, was th~ Winter Wren. The Loggerhead Shnke, while declining in recent years, did fairly well this summer.

Vireos and warblers of note: no less than five Bell's Vireos in Wabasha Co., Black-throated Blues again made a good showing, the casual Yellow-breasted Chat (no less than five casual species seen this summer) was recorded twice including a most unusual nesting, and Blackpoll and Wilson's Warblers turned up in mid-summer. ~ Rusty Blackbird showed up again ~n Cook Co., suggesting possible nestmg; Blue Grosbeaks positively nested for the first time in the state and also spread north into Pipestone Co., only o.ne Lark Bunting turned up and contmued to be scarce in spite of dry recent summers. Finally, sparrows of interest: good numbers of Henslow's, "numerous" Sharp-taileds at Agassiz, a very late Harris,' and a hard to find Lincoln's nest in Roseau Co.

One final note. If you're looking for an interesting area to explore next summer, try Franconia in Chisago Co.

Here last summer, North met South with Louisiana Waterthrush and Acadian Flycatcher along side of Winter Wren and Mourning Warbler (also Pine Warblers at nearby Sunrise). Perhaps next summer an even more curious mix will occur.