A total of 277 species was observed during the season, well above the previous ten-year average of 267 and tying the record-high total originally set in 2000. Seasonal reports and/or breeding information were submitted by 177 individuals, easily breaking the previous record of 156 set the past two years. (No doubt this helps explain why reports were significantly higher than normal for more than 60 species!) Contributors sent in 722 nest or brood cards, similar to last year. Breeding data were collected for 162 species (slightly above average). The top contributors of breeding information included Jean Segerstrom & Mark Newstrom (211 nest/brood cards), Robert E. Holtz (75), Michael R. North (73), and Roger J. Schroeder (52). Thanks to all contributors for your excellent efforts!

Only two mid-June observations of Red-throated Loons were surprising, considering the recent documentation of late spring migrants in June and July (no fewer than 26 individuals were found in early June 1999, and groups of 18 and 15 were tallied in 2000). Pied-billed Grebes, Red-necked Grebes, and Eared Grebes were reported in record numbers — likely related to the overabundance of rain. Unfortunately, Horned Grebes did not follow suit, with none being reported from their traditional breeding range. Clark's Grebes, recently reported almost every summer, were at two locations; breeding occurred in western Minnesota, but it is not known if the Clark's mate was another Clark's or a Western Grebe. A new nesting colony of American White Pelicans was discovered in Meeker County; breeding in the state has traditionally been limited to just two established sites, but four new (and widely separated) sites have been documented within the past eight years. However, it is not known if they all remain active.

Only one Snowy Egret was reported, about average for the summer season but fewer than expected following a good spring migration. Cattle Egret sightings included a remarkable 90 individuals in Traverse County on 14 July! There were no reports at all of Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, only the second time in recent memory that it has not been found during the summer. What is the present status of this species in the state? Two records of White-faced Ibis (holdovers from May in southwestern Minnesota, and two birds found in Meeker County) are indicative of its changing status and gradual range expansion to the north.

Waterfowl were plentiful throughout the state, based on DNR census results and record-high numbers of reports for six species. Of note were observations of a Greater White-fronted Goose (seen in three counties, although it may have been just one bird), two Snow Geese, a Ross's Goose, several Mute Swans, and several Bufflehead. The second summer Mississippi Kite in the past five years was documented in the same general area of the Twin Cities as one found in April. (Unfortunately, none of the eight or nine sightings during the intervening six weeks was sufficiently documented, so it was impossible to determine whether or not the same bird was involved.) Another mid-summer Rough-legged Hawk was found in northwestern Minnesota. The amazing story of breeding Merlins in the Twin Cities area continued, and the Midwest Peregrine Restoration Project reports that the Peregrine Falcon population may be approaching stability — less than 20 years ago, even one successful nesting in the entire state was considered a big event! Discouraging was the continued decline of Gray Partridge and Sharp-tailed Grouse numbers. Ruffed Grouse drumming counts were down this year, as expected. Doing well were Ring-necked Pheasants and Wild Turkeys. One Northern Bobwhite was heard regularly all summer in Houston County, where this species' wildness has been assumed. Reports were up for Virginia Rail, Sora, and American Coot (like the waterfowl, apparently enjoying the unusually wet summer).

Wet conditions also created abundant shorebird habitat. On 25 July, a census by Bridgett Olson at Big Stone N.W.R. totalled 4928 shorebirds! Reports for no fewer than ten species were well above average, and six of those were record-highs. Sorting out northbound vs. southbound shorebirds can be difficult, but please see Karl Bardon's excellent article concerning summer shorebird migration (The Loon 74:65–82), which does much to clarify the status of birds found during the summer months. Noteworthy records this year included American Avocets at eight different locations (including one successful nesting), a late Whimbrel on 5 June at Duluth, an unusually early fall Hudsonian Godwit on 28 July, two separate reports of Red Knots, a record-high count for the White-rumped Sandpiper, and an unprecedented number of Wilson's Phalaropes scattered throughout the state. The most unusual shorebird this season was the Long-billed Curlew discovered at a sod farm in Anoka County on 19 July. Although there was initial confusion as to its identity (having a relatively “short” bill didn't help), the bird was very cooperative and remained in the area for over a week.

Unfortunately, not all shorebird news was positive. Piping Plovers apparently did not nest at their last remaining site in Lake of the Woods County (water levels were way too high). Furthermore, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported that singing-ground surveys of American Woodcock indicate long-term declines in the central North American breeding population of this species.

Two early June observations of Bonaparte's Gulls were fewer than usual. A new nesting site for Ring-billed Gulls was located in central Minnesota at a sewage treatment plant. The reports of Caspian Terns at scattered locations throughout the state were not unusual for this species, which has occasionally nested here. For the second consecutive summer, there were multiple reports of Eurasian Collared-Doves (documented and undocumented); nesting reportedly occurred again in extreme southeastern Minnesota. Speaking of breeding, two pairs of Northern Hawk Owls nested in Cook County, following last year's unprecedented four nests in northeastern Minnesota (The Loon 75:8–14). Only a handful of nesting records existed for this species previous to last year. Another owl of note was the well-publicized Burrowing Owl that lingered into early June after being admired by many during May — apparently, this bird remained single and hopes of breeding were dashed. A reliable location for finding Great Gray Owls was the Sax-Zim bog area of St. Louis County, where individuals were found at eight separate locations during June. Only one report of Short-eared Owl this year was in sharp contrast to the large number reported in each of the past two summers. American Three-toed Woodpeckers were observed in typically remote boreal forest of the Arrowhead region.

A large number of Olive-sided Flycatchers lingered in southern Minnesota at the beginning of June; perhaps this was related to the extremely late leaf-out noted in May (see spring report). There were also numerous early June reports of Alder Flycatchers extending into and south of the Twin Cities area. A record number of Willow Flycatcher reports was received, some of these as far northeast as St. Louis County! Overlapping breeding ranges, combined with lingering migrants, makes it imperative that observers be careful whenever encountering an Empidonax, especially in early June. For the third time in the past four summers, a White-eyed Vireo was found in southeastern Minnesota. An impressive number of Bell's Vireos was reported. American Crows were observed in 70 counties — above average — but did their numbers decline? The effects of West Nile Virus on this and other species were extremely hard to document, as very few (if any!) observers make a habit of recording peak numbers for common species, especially year-around resident species that we take for granted. Perhaps the Breeding Bird Surveys and Christmas Bird Counts will provide some insight.

An unprecedented six separate Carolina Wrens were found, all in an area extending from the Twin Cities toward the southeast. Previously, one report at most was the norm, making this by far the largest summer influx on record. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers continued to expand their range into central Minnesota and they are now relatively common in southern Cass County. Northern Mockingbirds were found at three separate locations, including a nesting pair seen by many in the Twin Cities area.

Some years the warbler migration extends unusually late into June, but despite the delayed leaf-out this spring, most species were more or less on schedule. With the notable exception of Tennessee Warbler, there were relatively few late south dates. (On a related note, observers in the East-central and Southeast regions of the state should keep an eye out for a number of warbler species, typically thought of as “northern” breeders, that nest as far south as the Twin Cities area and beyond — in many cases the southern extent of their breeding range is poorly known. Examples include Nashville, Chestnut-sided, Yellow-rumped, Black-and-White, and Mourning warblers.) Black-throated Blue Warblers were found in good numbers along a census route in extreme northeastern Minnesota; more suprising was the late migrant found in Marshall County. Seemingly strange was the lack of reports of Yellow-throated Warbler; despite the fact that this species is Casual, it had been found in six of the previous eight summers, and successfully nested last year. Two late Blackpoll Warblers were the first to be recorded in four summers. Encouraging were the many sightings of Cerulean Warblers, extending up into the northern half of the state. There were also reports of Kentucky Warblers from three separate locations, including one well-documented bird in early June at Moorhead! Hooded Warblers had a good showing, with the usual batch at Murphy-Hanrehan Park on the southern edge of the Twin Cities area, and a most unusual first for Pine County. Singing Wilson's Warblers were once again found in extreme northeastern Minnesota. No Yellow-breasted Chats were located this summer, ending a streak of five consecutive years (most of which included multiple sightings).

Numerous birders were able to enjoy the Baird's Sparrow discovered in mid-June and seen throughout the summer in Polk County. An additional Baird's was found in mid-July at a separate location in the same county. This species was once an uncommon breeder in the far west. The four reports of Henslow's Sparrows were significantly fewer than the previous two years, but closer to the long-term average. Most unusual was the late Harris's Sparrow found in Stearns County in early June. Chestnut-collared Longspurs, as usual, were found only at their reliable Felton Prairie site in Clay County. Northern Cardinals continued to push their way slowly northward, one feeder at a time.

Buntings made news this summer, with the sighting of a Lazuli Bunting in mid-June near Willmar (probably one of the three or more found in this area in May), and the Painted Bunting photographed in northern St. Louis County. Dickcissels, notorious for being irruptive in some years, were more common than usual. There have been anecdotal reports that meadowlark numbers (both species) are declining, but no hard evidence of that can be found here — something else for observers to keep an eye on! (Also see The Loon 72:127–132.) Like the Eurasian Collared-Dove, the Great-tailed Grackle appears to be inching its way into the state, with another documented record occurring this summer. And finally, a few scattered sightings of Red and White-winged Crossbills were forwarded from northern Minnesota, typical for these erratic birds.

Unconfirmed and/or Undocumented Reports: Snow Goose (no date) Benton; Tundra Swan (entire summer) St. Louis (Duluth); Eurasian Collared-Dove 6/10 Otter Tail (near Perham) and 6/11 Lyon (Russell); Great-tailed Grackle breeding reported 8/11 Cottonwood (small colony of adults feeding young at Bat L.).

Weather Summary: Summer 2002 weather patterns seemed to validate all of the global warming theories — temperatures in June and July were generally two to four degrees warmer than normal across the state. On several occasions beginning in late June, warm temperatures and high humidity combined to create heat index values over 100 degrees. Did these conditions have a negative impact on nesting success? On the flip side, there were none of the frosts that sometimes can occur in early to mid-June.

Rainfall totals were well above normal in most regions of the state. This was in sharp contrast to the national picture; according to the National Drought Monitor, “more than one-third of the contiguous United States was in severe to extreme drought… at the end of June 2002.” June was one of the wettest months in Minnesota's history, with torrential rains hitting a variety of locations on several occasions. Flooding was especially severe in northwestern Minnesota; anecdotal evidence suggests that high water levels decimated breeding attempts by species that rely on shallow water.

Format, Maps, and Acknowledgments

The format for the species accounts is similar to that of recent years. Breeding records are classified based on the criteria adopted in April 2001 by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union Records Committee. Each species having at least one nesting record in 2002 has an accompanying map indicating counties in which these records occurred; confirmed nesting records are indicated by dark shading, possible nesting records by lighter shading.

Counties for which confirmed breeding is documented for the first time since 1970 are in italics and identified as such according to updated versions of County Nesting Records of Minnesota Birds (Hertzel and Janssen, M.O.U. Occasional Papers: Number 2, 1998). Divisions of the state into regions (e.g. West-central, Southeast) are based on those delineated in Birds in Minnesota, p. 25 (Janssen 1987); see also The Loon 73:14.

A final thanks to all of the summer season reporters who make it possible to document avian distribution and migration. Dave Benson and Anthony Hertzel summarized sightings called in to the M.O.U. “hotlines” in Duluth and the Twin Cities. Thanks also to Anthony Hertzel for preparing the breeding maps, Paul Budde for compiling the electronic reports, and to Peder Svingen, Kim Eckert, and Karl Bardon for their assistance in preparing this report.