Reports of lingering waterfowl were few. The only noteworthy exception came from the Reno Bottoms, Houston County (pool 8 of the Upper Mississippi River N.W.F.R.) on 2 December, where a record-high count of 7400 Common Goldeneye was obtained among a variety of other waterfowl. There were also relatively few reports of early northbound waterfowl at the end of the season, although early Ross's Geese were seen in Olmsted and Jackson counties 28–29 February. The late February reports of flocks of Greater White-fronted Geese confirmed the recent trend in arrival time for this species; why do the first flocks of White-fronteds consistently arrive earlier than Snow Geese?

Two Harlequin Ducks were seen on the North Shore, including one that overwintered in Two Harbors. Casual in winter, a White-winged Scoter lingered into December in St. Louis County. Long-tailed Ducks seen away from Lake Superior are often found with Common Goldeneyes, as evidenced by the singles found associating with goldeneyes in Winona and Wabasha counties in December, and another in January along the St. Croix River between Afton and Point Douglas — a location where good numbers of Common Goldeneyes often overwinter, and where Long-tailed Ducks have been found in three of the last four winters.

There were numerous reports of Greater Prairie-Chickens and Sharp-tailed Grouse from the area where their ranges overlap in Polk County, plus one report of a single prairie-chicken with Sharp-tailed Grouse near Agassiz N.W.R. in Marshall County. These two species occasionally can be seen on the same lek, and hybrids do occur. There were also single reports of Sharp-tailed Grouse from both Lac Qui Parle and Big Stone counties, outside the typical Minnesota range, but within an area where Greater Prairie-Chickens have been re-introduced.

The Pacific Loon which lingered into December at Two Harbors provided the state's third winter record, while the only Common Loon report was one that overwintered at Cohasset, Itasca County; interestingly, most mid-winter and overwintering reports of Common Loon have been from northern Minnesota, with the last mid-winter report on 22 January 1989 (Stoney Point, St. Louis County), and the last overwintering report from Otter Tail County in 1984–85. A Western Grebe lingered late enough to be included on the Duluth CBC, providing only the eighth winter record for Minnesota; half of all winter Western Grebe records have been from Lake Superior, an unusual location for this species at any season.

The Black-crowned Night-Heron that lingered into December at Black Dog Lake was about the fourteenth winter report. Steve Millard chose the right place to be on Leap Day, 29 February, when he recorded both an early Turkey Vulture — a species seldom reliably reported in winter — and a flock of 12 Sandhill Cranes, which tied the earliest date on record.

The Osprey that lingered into December in Ramsey County was only the sixth winter report, and the first since 1984. Four north reports of Cooper's Hawks still need details for acceptance. Although Gyrfalcon recently became Casual, an adult male gray morph overwintered at the traditional location in the Duluth-Superior harbor, and was believed to be the same individual found here last winter. Unexpected, however, were reports of Gyrs from Dakota and Big Stone counties, both county firsts.

The highlight among the gulls was an adult Franklin's Gull which occurred record-late on 30 December in Dakota and Ramsey counties. Excellent numbers of Thayer's and Glaucous gulls were reported from the Twin Cities, where expected in small numbers, and from Lake Pepin, where probably annual but not as often reported; disturbing was the relatively low number of first-year birds. Single first-winter Iceland Gulls were documented in Lake and Dakota counties.

The number of northern owls was modest, with only 13 Snowy Owls, 4 Northern Hawk Owls, and 35 Great Gray Owls reported. In contrast, the number of Short-eared Owls was nearly a record (n=28). Dan Svedarsky found up to seven near the Pankratz Prairie in Polk County in January — the first he's seen in this area in winter in 34 years! Many observers subsequently enjoyed these birds. The only Boreal Owl report was of one found dead at the Wetlands, Pines and Prairie Audubon Sanctuary in Polk County, a first county record.

Although there were only two American Three-toed Woodpecker reports, the number of Black-backed Woodpeckers tied the record number of individuals set last year (n=49). The number of Black-backeds has been higher than all previous winters for the last five consecutive winters. These numbers probably do not reflect “invasions” since there were only two south reports in the last five years, both in 2001–02. Do these numbers reflect better observer coverage, or an actual population increase? Black-backed Woodpecker is an uncommon permanent resident throughout the coniferous forest region that can be found any time of year with diligent searching.

Common Ravens moved south out of the boreal forest in higher numbers than usual and established a first Meeker County record. In contrast, two southern species — Tufted Titmouse and Carolina Wren — were reported more often and farther north than usual, continuing trends for both species. The number of titmice reports was the most since at least the 1960s, when this species was more common throughout the southeastern part of the state north to the Twin Cities. A late Gray Catbird occurred at the same location as one of the titmice, at the Mount Olivet Retreat Center near Farmington, Dakota County — many thanks to the personnel at Olivet for allowing birders to visit this location! The three Townsend's Solitaire reports were all from unusual locations in Fillmore, Pipestone, and Lac Qui Parle counties, the latter a first county record.

Steve Carlson continues to find the majority of Swamp Sparrows found in winter. Most of these occur along the Minnesota River Valley in Hennepin County where seeps and small streams remain open as they course down steep, wooded ravines and then extend out into cattail marsh habitat in the valley itself. Although the number of individuals generally decreases as the winter progresses, they have been found in small numbers in this habitat every winter. Are there additional areas in the state with similar habitat where Swamp Sparrows can be found regularly in winter? Two more Marsh Wrens were found in this same area; all but three of the twelve winter records for this species have been from the Minnesota River Valley in Hennepin County.

Although some were second-hand reports, Jim Lind turned in a good variety of overwintering sparrows from Two Harbors, Lake County: Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, and White-crowned Sparrow. Nonetheless, it seemed to be a poor winter overall for overwintering passerines.

Good numbers of Hoary Redpolls showed up, but did not exceed several previous incursions when flocks of 10–15 were reported. Aside from White-winged Crossbills, which appeared in average numbers, most other “winter finches” were seen in below average numbers, especially Evening Grosbeaks (see Roger Schroeder's discussion of the CBC data elsewhere in this issue).

Undocumented reports: Spotted Tow-hee 1/24–25 St. Louis (Duluth); Chipping Sparrow 12/17 Big Stone and 2/23 Carver; Brewer's Blackbird 12/14 Owatonna CBC, Roseau CBC (count week), and 2/28 Lac Qui Parle.

This report summarizes 153 species found by over 139 observers. My thanks to Roger Schroeder for coordinating and compiling the CBCs, to Dave Benson, Anthony Hertzel, and Jeanie Joppru for compiling sightings from the state's three rare bird alerts, to Paul Budde for providing a summary of sightings submitted electronically, and to Peder Svingen for reviewing the manuscript.