Although the first part of December was relatively mild, record cold set in after Christmas, and weather remained the dominant theme in birding thereafter. The first three weeks of December were above normal statewide, with temperatures in the third week as much as 15–20 degrees above normal. Temperatures fell during the fourth week of December however, pushing most of the last swans, ducks and gulls out of the state. Subzero lows were the norm from late December to mid February. Virtually the entire state remained in subzero deep freeze from 15–20 January. Prolonged cold completely froze Lake Superior in early February for the first time since 1978, but the affect this had on local bird life is unknown. In other areas, such as Houston County, ice jams caused heavy flooding. Official lows of -40 degrees were reached as far south as St. Cloud, and many unofficial temperatures below -40 degrees were reached all across northern MN. Although there was a warming trend in late January, subzero highs were once again recorded across the state on 8–9 February, and temperatures for the second week in February were as much as 20 degrees below normal in southern MN. From 6–24 inches of snow remained on the ground throughout the state until mid-February, with the southwest receiving more snow than it has for many years. Snow depth as much as 39 inches was recorded in Duluth in early January, and large snow falls of two to four feet were recorded along the North Shore. Highs mostly in the teens gave early migrants no incentive to move into the state.

A number of species lingered longer than usual during the mild December weather. The Great Egret which lingered at Black Dog Lake until 12 December was not only the latest date on record by over two weeks, but also the first winter record. The Eastern Phoebe found at the Bass Ponds, Hennepin County as late as 8 December was also a record late date, and the Ovenbird at a feeder in Rochester was only the second winter record. Hundreds of Tundra Swans were still present along the Mississippi River in Winona and Houston Counties until late December, and 50 were observed flying over Homer on 1 January! An interesting series of waterfowl records came from Bemidji, where both a Wood Duck and a Northern Pintail managed to overwinter despite lows of -46 degrees. A Harlequin Duck at Lake Calhoun, Hennepin Co., was only the second record for this heavily birded county, and a Barrow's Goldeneye on the Mississippi River at Elk River, Sherburne Co., was found where thousands of Common Goldeneyes had spent the winter.

Seven species of gulls were recorded this season, including a Great Black-backed Gull in Duluth. The Twin Cities continued to display remarkable numbers and variety of gulls during the late fall season, including nine Thayer's Gulls and four Glaucous Gulls with a peak of 4,000 Herring Gulls recorded roosting at Lake Calhoun and Harriet. A first winter Iceland Gull was observed daily at the Coon Rapids Dam in mid–December as it flew from its roost at Lake Calhoun to its feeding area in northern Anoka County. For the second year in a row, an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull lingered into December at the city lakes.

The record Snowy Owl invasion which began in October continued through the winter season with 20 individuals recorded in Aitkin County alone. Over 130 individuals were recorded, thus surpassing the previous record of 121 birds set in 1991–1992 (The Loon 64:189–195). Only one Northern Hawk Owl was recorded, and only a modest number of Great Gray Owls was seen. Four Gyrfalcons were recorded this season, including an individual that spent three weeks feeding on meat scraps near Grand Marais, (The Loon 66:70–71), and another that was seen sporadically on the Duluth side of the harbor throughout the winter. Once again, Northern Goshawks were very widespread.

The number and variety of Fringillid finches was once again disappointing, although not quite as dismal as last year. Redpolls were widespread, reaching southwestern MN in good numbers for the first time in years, and a smattering of White–winged Crossbill reports came in from both north and south. The number of Bohemian Waxwings was high in the north, with 2,225 counted in Duluth in early February, the second highest count ever in the state.

Although only 143 species were recorded this season (a record 149 recorded last year), the number of observers sending in seasonal reports continues to grow, an encouraging sign. Unfortunately, the Christmas Bird Count results were not available in time for this report, so comparison of many county and individual totals between this year and previous years may be misleading. Thanks to all observers who sent in reports, especially Peder Svingen, Parker Backstrom, Bob Janssen, and Tony Hertzel, who all helped with the preparation of this report.