The drought in Minnesota came to a screeching halt in the summer of 1990. Unlike the previous two years, rain was common and in some places downright annoying. Temperatures returned to tolerable levels. The birds, however, seemed unimpressed by the radical change in climate. Overall it was a fairly typical season: a few rarities scattered about, a few early or late migrants lingering, and the usual variation in numbers and distribution for the regular species.

June was a wet and moderately warm month. Rain was plentiful throughout the state, especially in the south. The central and southeastern regions, for example, had monthly totals that were more than 3" above average; even the southwest, the driest region in the state, in June, had rainfall half an inch above normal. Despite the lack of sun for much of the month, temperatures were about a degree or so above average for all regions in the state. Not surprisingly, the coldest temperatures were recorded early in June; on 4° June the thermometers dipped below 40° statewide with a low of 25° in St. Louis County. Temperatures hit their peak at the end of the month, but nowhere did they ever get any higher than 97°.

July was a drier month than June for most of the state, although there was much variation from the north (very dry) to the south (very wet). The three northern regions received less than 3" of rain for the month, well below normal ; in contrast, the south-central and southeast were more than 2" above average.

Unlike June, there were no extensive periods of rain dominating the state. Also unlike June, the month was a little bit cooler than average. All regions recorded temperatures slightly below normal, as much as 2° below average in the southwest. However, there was one particularly hot period during 2-5 July when many locations broke 100° and a high of 106° was recorded in Stillwater. In sharp contrast, about ten days later thermometers throughout the state plunged to the mid-40s, with a low of 32° in the northwest on 13 July.

Although they may have gotten a little wet for their efforts, no fewer than 82 observers contributed seasonal reports and/or breeding information for the summer. A total of 266 species was observed, very near the average of 264 for the previous ten years. It should be mentioned that the total number of observers, and the species total, have been relatively consistent for several years-a tribute to the diligent work of many summer birders.

Unfortunately, the documentation of breeding in the state has not been as consistent. This year contributors sent in 580 nest or brood cards, even fewer than last year and about half the 1000 + submitted in both 1985 and 1986. Nesting information was obtained for 142 species, one fewer than last year and the lowest total in several years. Top nesUbrood card contributors were Jean Segerstrorn/Mark Newstrom (70), Jack Sprenger (66), William Longley (59) and Anne Marie Plunkett (53).

A hearty thanks to all contributors for your fine work in the field!

Three or four species stand out as the most noteworthy sightings for the summer. A new species was added to the state list when a Eurasian Tree Sparrow appeared at an Eagan feeder in late June. This unexpected vagrant was observed on and off for several days, but unfortunately the appearances were sporadic and relatively few birders were able to see it. Almost as unusual was the second state record Violet-green Swallow that wandered in from the west, turning up in Dodge County on 9 July (the first record was almost 50 years ago!). Again, this bird stayed only briefly and most birders did not have the chance to track it down. Two other species made news this summer by breeding in Minnesota . The first documented nesting since 1963 of Barn Owls occurred in Dakota County. Seven young were successfully fledged from an old grainery building. One can only hope that this is more than just an aberrant incident; the return of even a modest number of Barn Owls to the state would be very welcome indeed. Finally, the first state nesting record for a pair of Mountain Bluebirds (a Mountain/Eastern mix nested in 1986) occurred this summer in Marshall County.

Other species of note this summer include: a Tricolored Heron making a brief appearance in a flooded area near Crane Creek in western Carver County; three White-faced Ibises in Martin County, only the second summer record in 10 + years; a Greater White-fronted Goose lingering in St. Louis County till early June; Northern Bobwhites again near Caledonia in Houston County; a Rufous Hummingbird at a feeder in Chisago County; a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher hob-nobbing with a Burrowing Owl in Rock County; a Bewick's Wren appearing for a couple of weeks in Sherburne County; a couple of singing male Sprague's Pipits north of Roseau in Roseau County; a White-crowned Sparrow in early July in Blue Earth County, only the second mid-summer record for the state; a Harris' Sparrow with a similar problem summering in Brown County; and, of course, the explosion of House Finches throughout southern Minnesota.

As in any year, some species stood out as being unusually abundant or scarce this summer.

Several waterbirds such as American White Pelican, Redhead, Lesser Scaup, Hooded Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Caspian Tern and Forster's Tern were more common than usual; in contrast, the Great Blue Heron, Wood Duck, and many shorebirds were unusually scarce. Following the pattern of recent years, many raptors continued to increase in numbers; most notable ofthese were Wild Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Bald Eagle, and Peregrine Falcon. One exception for raptors was the American Kestrel, which unexpectedly declined this summer following several years of gradually increasing reports. Other species for which there was a notable increase in reports included Sandhill Crane, Black-billed Magpie, Northern Northern Mockingbird, Blackand- white Warbler, Lark Sparrow, and Pine Siskin. Species with notable declines included Rock Pigeon, Grasshopper Sparrow, Bobolink, Red-winged Blackbird, and House Sparrow. Finally, there were nine species worth mentioning because they were not reported at all this summer; Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, Piping Plover, Willet, Black-bellied Plover, American Golden-Plover, Three-toed Woodpecker, Yellow-breasted Chat and Rusty Blackbird. All of these species had been recorded in six or more of the previous ten summers. Most disturbing is the decline of the Piping Plover; this is the first time in who knows how many years that this species has not been reported !

The format for the species accounts is the same as the past several years. Breeding records are classified based on the criteria found in The Loon 58:22 or in Green and Janssen (Minnesota Birds, p. 7). Counties for which positive breeding is documented for the first time since 1970 are in italics and identified as such according to updated versions of Janssen and Simonson's breeding maps (The Loon 56:167-186, 219-239, 57:15-34). Bold face indicates a county of first or unusual occurrence or an unusual species and date.

A final thanks to all of the summer season reporters who make it possible to document avian distribution and migration. Thanks also to Kim Eckert for his assistance in preparing thi s report.