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Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon | |
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The 2010-Winter Season 1 December 2010 through 28 February 2011 Bruce A. Fall and Paul E. Budde |
Greater White-fronted Geese arrived early in the West-central region, while a Tundra Swan overwintered in Scott. All five Aythya species were found at Blue Lake W.T.P. in Scott this season, where four of them overwintered. Five Harlequin Ducks was an exceptional number; the only one that lingered more than a day, however, was a male — also at Blue Lake. Long-tailed Ducks were confined to the Northeast. There were two reports of Common Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser hybrids, one in St. Louis and the other in Dakota. A Barrow's Goldeneye was documented at Swan Park in Wright, while a Common Goldeneye x Barrow's Goldeneye first found in November lingered in Duluth until mid-December. Up to three Red-breasted Mergansers seen through mid-winter in Dakota were unusual.
Sharp-tailed Grouse set a record high count in Kittson. A mid-February Horned Grebe was either a record early migrant or an undetected overwintering bird. Gray-morph Gryfalcons were found in Lac qui Parle and St. Louis.
Twenty-three Thayer's Gulls and eight Iceland Gulls in Duluth on 5 December were both new high counts for the state. The only Lesser Black-backed Gulls were two first-cycle birds in Duluth in early December. In the middle of the same month, an adult Slaty-backed Gull was the seventh record for Minnesota — all since 2006. At the end of the season, nine Great Black-backed Gulls in Duluth set a new single-day record for this species.
Benton and Marshall counties picked up their first Eurasian Collared-Doves. A subarcticus Great Horned Owl was seen in Scott. Snowy Owl reports continued to decline in number, with only 12 individuals reported this season. Northern Hawk Owls were present in respectable numbers; they moved as far south as Aitkin, and a high count of ten was impressive for a non-invasion year. Great Grays were more scarce and confined to Aitkin, Lake of the Woods, and the Northeast.
The Cedar Creek Bog CBC censused 37 Red-headed Woodpeckers, while no other CBC produced more than 2! Several Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were present through mid-December. A Black-backed Woodpecker was as far south as the Sand Dunes S.F. in Sherburne. A January Northern Flicker was notable for St. Louis.
A Black-billed Magpie was photographed in Lac qui Parle in February. Tufted Titmice were as far north as Dakota and Ramsey. Two Carolina Wrens were located in December — one in the Metro area and the other in the Southeast region. A Winter Wren overwintered in Hennepin, while another was caught by a mouse trap near Henderson.
Ten Townsend's Solitaires were found in the season, but only one was documented as overwintering. Similarly, only one of the 11 Hermit Thrushes found in the season was noted as overwintering. Eleven Varied Thrushes were found — all either in the far north or in the southeast quarter of the state.
An immature female Cape May Warbler first found in the fall lingered into early December. Five Yellow-rumped Warblers were reported in the season, the last one from the Wabasha CBC in early January. Another late migrant was a Chipping Sparrow frequenting a Minneapolis feeder until 1 December, while a Savannah Sparrow seen in Kandiyohi in mid-January may have been trying to overwinter. White-crowned Sparrows successfully outlasted the season in St. Louis and Rice.
Among the winter finches, Pine Grosbeaks were found as far south as Pine. A nice find on the Faribault CBC was a Red Crossbill. This species made appearances in four south counties, while White-wingeds were only in the north Metro and in Stearns (and their numbers were down in the northern half of the state). Common Redpolls were absent from the southern third of Minnesota, and only one flock — at the very end of the season — exceeded 100 birds. Hoary Redpolls made a good showing in 15 north counties. Ely hosted huge numbers of Pine Siskins at the end of the season, and south reports of this species were also up. Evening Grosbeak numbers were also up, including two reports from CBCs in the south and several north high counts of over 50 birds.
Weather summary: A warm November gave way to a cold December in Minnesota. Temperatures during the first half of the month were 5º–10º below normal, though by the end they were only slightly below normal for the full month. Many parts of the state received record or near-record precipitation for December. Most of this came from two storms: 8–9 December and 23–26 December.
January precipitation levels were near normal. Again, there were two major precipitation events — a heavy snowstorm in western and southern Minnesota on 6–7 January and a rain/snow event on 23–25 January. Monthly mean temperatures were about 4º above average in the north and 3º–4º below average in the Southwest and South-central regions.
February temperatures were below average statewide, except for the Northeast. In the West-central, Southwest, and South-central regions, temperatures were more that 5º below average. Precipitation, on the other hand, was near normal statewide. There was only one major storm, 5–7 February. The last half of the month was cold, but with little storm activity.
Undocumented reports: BARROW'S GOLDENEYE 1/16 St. Louis (Lake Superior, near Lakewood Road), 12/27–29 Washington; Sandhill Crane 12/27 Mille Lacs; Red-shouldered Hawk 1/12 Morrison (4), 2/5 Todd; Gray Jay 1/5 Fillmore; Common Raven 12/17 Hennepin, 12/26 St. Paul CBC (NE Suburban), 2/13 Stearns; Ruby-crowned Kinglet 12/27 Hennepin; Spotted Towhee 12/18 Grand Marais CBC; Chipping Sparrow 12/1 Dakota; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 12/30 Washington (female), 1/1 Afton CBC; Brewer's Blackbird 12/23 Northern Meeker County CBC (20).
Acknowledgements: Thanks to all who submitted seasonal reports and documentation, especially to those using the on-line seasonal report at the MOU website. Special thanks to Dave Cahlander for his continuing efforts to streamline and improve this process. Carl Greiner, serving as Minnesota CBC coordinator, compiled and summarized vast amounts of data from 70 counts. Bruce Fall, as the Minnesota eBird coordinator, tracked down details for many of the records considered. Finally, thanks to Anthony Hertzel, Jeanie Joppru, and Jim Lind for their tireless compilations of weekly birding summaries available via the RBAs and on-line.
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Species |
N | S |
Information |
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| Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks | |||||
| Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) | 1 | 2 | All reports: 12/2 Lac qui Parle (12) BJU, 12/18 Northwest McLeod (Hutchinson) CBC (20), 12/30 Hubbard (2, Akeley Township) MAW, 1/30 McLeod (Hutchinson, flock of 10+ in nature preserve; origin uncertain but birds appeared free-flying and unbanded) DPG. | ||
| Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) | 2 | All reports: 12/18 Fairmont CBC, 2/15 Lac qui Parle (three small northbound flocks totaling 27 birds, Walter Twp.) ph. BJU, 2/28 Lac qui Parle BJU. | |||
| Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) | 3 | 3 | All reports: 12/2 Lac qui Parle (16) BJU, 12/5 Washington (1) RTe, Douglas (2) JPE, 12/11 Clay (4) PBB, 1/2 Pillager CBC (6), Cass (7) DAY, 1/19 Ramsey (1) SKS. None of these reports included any descriptive details. | ||
| Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) | 15 | 35 | Reported from six north counties after the CBC period, with high count 2/24 St. Louis (40) LKn. High counts south 12/8 Olmsted (946) OWB, 12/22 Dakota (750) YK, MJI. CBC high counts 12/17 Lac qui Parle (10,600), 12/18 Rochester (4,000). | ||
| Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) | 1 | One adult 12/16–1/1 Dakota (Black Dog Lake and vicinity) JPM, †PEB, †MDu, m.ob. | |||
| Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) | 9 | 22 | High counts north: 12/13 Otter Tail (100) DST, 1/9 Hubbard (67, Park Rapids) DBM, 2/5 Otter Tail (50) BDE fide JMJ, 2/19 Cass (42, Federal Dam) DBM. High count south: 12/25 Wright (1200, Monticello) PKr. CBC high counts 1/2 Northern Wright County (1500), 12/26 St. Paul Northeast Suburban (69), 12/18 Fergus Falls (64). Numerous January and February reports south especially from Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Scott, Wabasha, Washington, Wright. Away from Wright (Monticello), post-December high counts included 2/3 Carver (50) DPG, 1/29 Dakota (18, Black Dog Lake) PEJ. | ||
| Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) | 1 | All reports 12/17–2/27 Scott (overwintered Shakopee, Mill Pond) †DWK, †RSA, †PEB, m.ob. | |||
| Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) | 16 | All reports were of 1 or 2 birds. Overwintered Hennepin (male and female, Bass Ponds) m.ob., Olmsted (two males) JWH. Midwinter reports from Nicollet, Rice, Scott, Sibley, Steele, Wabasha, Watonwan also suggest overwintering. | |||
| Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) | 2 | All reports: 12/15 Hennepin (Lake Hiawatha) DDo, 12/18 Dakota (Bloomington CBC). | |||
| Gadwall (Mareca strepera) | 10 | Overwintered Scott (Blue Lake, Shakopee) with high counts on 1/28 (38) PEJ, 1/14 (35) ALD. Other mid-winter records were of 1 to 3 individuals, presumably overwintering: Dakota, Goodhue, Ramsey, Winona. CBC high counts 1/1 Whitewater River (42), 1/2 Wabasha (27). | |||
| American Wigeon (Mareca americana) | 4 | All reports, of single birds: 12/1 Hennepin JyH, 1/1–8 Scott (Mill Pond, Shakopee) DBM, JCy, PEJ, 1/11–2/12 Wabasha (county road 32) CH, JWH, DBM, RBW, 2/17 Dakota (Black Dog Lake) PEJ. | |||
| Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) | 18 | 34 | High counts: 12/18 Dakota (1,990) PEB, 12/28 Scott (1,550, Shakopee Mill Pond) MJI, 12/18 Clay (1,365) fide JMJ. CBC high counts: 12/18 St. Paul (North) (3,580), Bloomington (3,157), Minneapolis (North) (2,352), Excelsior (2,061), Fargo-Moorhead (1,365), Duluth (1,129). Numerous overwintering reports from January and February of as many as 183 individuals St. Louis (Duluth) m.ob. | ||
| American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) | 4 | 14 | High counts 2/3 St. Louis (9) LDa, 12/26 Wabasha (8) PEJ, 1/29 Dakota (8, Black Dog Lake) PEJ. CBC high counts 12/18 Duluth (33), 12/18 St. Paul North (9), 12/18 Dakota Bloomington (8). Numerous January and February records of up to nine birds overwintering St. Louis (Duluth) m.ob. Other post-December north reports included 1/2 and 2/20 Itasca SC, 2/23 Douglas ARW. | ||
| Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) | 1 | 9 | One north report: 2/18 Clay (male, Moorhead W.T.P.) RHO. Mid-winter south reports of presumably overwintering birds included up to 3 Dakota (Hastings, Lake Rebecca) m.ob., Scott (male, Blue Lake, Shakopee) m.ob., Ramsey TAT, Freeborn KSm. Probable early migrants 2/16 Dakota (7, Black Dog Lake) PEJ. Reports from other south locations increased in mid to late February. | ||
| Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) | 6 | December through 1/1 records included numerous reports of up to five birds Dakota (Black Dog Lake) m.ob., plus single birds 12/2 Lac qui Parle BJU, 12/7 Hennepin PLJ, Excelsior CBC, 12/16 Martin BRB. High count 12/18 Dakota (5) PEB. There were no January records later than 1/1. February records included 2/6 Steele RBW, 2/23 Blue Earth ChH, and probable early migrants 2/28 Dakota (8) PEJ. | |||
| Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) | 1 | 6 | One north report: 12/18 Otter Tail (male, Fergus Falls) DST. Overwintered Scott (up to 5, Blue Lake W.T.P.) m.ob. High counts 12/3 Hennepin (12) TAT, 2/28 Goodhue (11, Prairie Island, probable early migrants) PEJ. | ||
| Redhead (Aythya americana) | 10 | Overwintered Scott (male, Blue Lake W.T.P.) m.ob. Male 1/1–17 Washington (Pt. Douglas Park) BAF, JPM, PEJ. Four were reported 1/14 Scott (2, Blue Lake W.T.P.; 2, Schroeder Acres Park, Shakopee) ALD. High counts 2/28 Goodhue (8, probable new migrants) PEJ, 2/19 Jackson (5) KSm, 2/27 Wright (5) PEJ. | |||
| Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) | 9 | Overwintered Scott (Blue Lake W.T.P.) with up to 31 present January to mid-February PEJ, ALD, BAF, m.ob. One female overwintered Dakota (Lake Rebecca, Hastings) m.ob. Also reported 1/8 Stearns (2) MJB, and 2/28 Lac qui Parle (4) BJU. | |||
| Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) | 4 | All reports: 12/1 Hennepin (female) †SLC, 12/6, 12/12 Washington (Pt. Douglas) JPM, PEJ, 12/19 Hennepin (female, Bass Ponds) †PEJ, 12/26 Goodhue (2 females) †SWe, 1/1 Scott (female, Blue Lake W.T.P.) PEB. | |||
| Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) | 4 | 7 | Two north reports after December: 1/2 Itasca SC, 2/26 St. Louis RZi. Overwintered south Scott (Blue Lake W.T.P.) m.ob., including post-December high count 1/14 (7) ALD. Other January–February south reports (single birds except as noted) included: 1/9 Lac qui Parle RBW, 1/17 Goodhue (Colville Park) SKS, 2/14 Ramsey TAT, 2/28 Lac qui Parle (2) BJU. CBC high count 12/31 Hastings-Etter (8). | ||
| Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) | 3 | 2 | All reports of single female-plumage birds except as noted: 12/17–26 Scott (imm. male, Blue Lake W.T.P.) PEJ, †MJI, ph. RTe, m.ob., 12/18 Ramsey †KS, MJM, BaD, Otter Tail (Otter Tail River near downtown Fergus Falls) DST, 12/18, 12/28 St. Louis (Lake Superior at mouth of French River) ph. KRE, KRo, 2/6 Lake (Knife River harbor) †ChH. | ||
| Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) | 2 | All reports: 12/1 Lake SC, 2/17 St. Louis (4, Stoney Point) JCG fide JWL, 2/25 Lake (12, Two Harbors) LKn. | |||
| Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) | 4 | 9 | All reports of 1–2 birds. Scattered December reports from 4 north and 7 south counties. All north reports after December: 2/6 Lake ChH, AnK, 2/17 Lake (Knife River marina) AmB. All south reports after December: 1/1 Dakota (Black Dog Lake) SHu, 1/1–3 Scott (Shakopee Mill Pond) m.ob., 1/29–2/4 Dakota (Black Dog Lake) PEJ. | ||
| Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) | 10 | 22 | High count north: 12/10 St. Louis (440, Duluth, Canal Park) PHS, with 358 still at that location 1/9 PHS. All post-December north records away from Lake Superior included 1/2 Pillager CBC, 1/6 Lake (19, Ely) YK, 1/9 Lake (57, Birch Lake dam) KJB, 2/27 Lake (Kawishiwi River) PEB, St. Louis (peak of 14, Silver Lake, Virginia, where overwintered) SLF. High count south: 1/2 Washington (475, Prescott WI area) BAF. CBC high counts 1/2 Wabasha (783), 12/18 Fergus Falls (550). | ||
| Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) | 1 | 2 | Only documented report: 2/27+ Wright (adult male, Mississippi River, Monticello) †PEJ, †DFN, †DWK (The Loon 83:141). | ||
| Common Goldeneye X Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula X B. islandica) | A hybrid adult male discovered 11/27 continued through 12/19 St. Louis (Duluth, Canal Park) ph. †KJB, ph. †MLH, ph. PHS. | ||||
| Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) | 5 | 12 | All north reports 12/1 Cass BAW, 12/18 Otter Tail (3) BDE fide JMJ, 12/23 St. Louis (Duluth, Canal Park) JLK, PHS, 2/23 Douglas ARW, St. Louis (3, Duluth Port Terminal) LKn, 2/25 Lake (6, Two Harbors) LKn. Apparently overwintered (reports in January to mid-February) in small numbers (up to 4) south in Blue Earth, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Washington. High count 12/9 Ramsey (12) CMB. CBC high count 12/18 St. Paul (North) (11). | ||
| Common Goldeneye X Hooded Merganser (Bucephala clangula X Lophodytes cucullatus) | Two reports of this hybrid: adult male discovered 11/27 continued through 1/11 St. Louis (Duluth, Canal Park) ph. †KJB, ph. PHS, 12/18 Dakota (first-year male, Mississippi River at Prescott WI) ph. †BAF, ph. †JPM. | ||||
| Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) | 8 | 25 | High count north: 12/1 Cass (67) BAW. High count south: 12/26 Wabasha (4,000, east end Lake Pepin) PEJ, with several other reports late December to early January of 2,000 from the same location. CBC high counts 12/26 Red Wing (845), 1/1 Afton (327), 12/18 St. Paul (North) (311). There were a number of north reports January to mid-February of presumably overwintering birds in small numbers (up to 29) from St. Louis (Duluth) m.ob. Two January reports away from Lake Superior included 1/2 Pillager CBC (7), 1/25 Beltrami JnS. There were many mid-winter reports south, especially in the Twin Cities Metro area, including 1/22 Dakota (650, near Prescott WI) BAF. | ||
| Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) | 3 | 5 | Scattered north reports of small numbers of birds from throughout the period, all from Lake Superior including 1/8 St. Louis (5, Duluth) RTe, 1/15 and 1/18 St. Louis (4, Stoney Point) KJB. CBC high count 12/18 Duluth (8), 12/19 Two Harbors (8). Numerous mid-winter south reports of up to 3 individuals from Dakota (Black Dog Lake, near Prescott WI, Hastings) m.ob. | ||
| Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) | 1 | 7 | One north report: 12/11 Clay (Crystal Sugar lagoons, Moorhead) PBB. All south reports were from December and February, with high count 12/16 Martin (3) BRB. Last December report 12/22 Ramsey MJI, YK. Earliest February report 2/16 Dakota (2, Black Dog Lake) PEJ. | ||
| Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys | |||||
| Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) | 16 | 42 | Statewide expansion continues with reports from 58 counties, 4 more than last year and 15 more than 2008. No reports from counties north of line from Clay to Cass to Carlton (except St. Louis), or from extreme southwest. High counts south 12/18 Nicollet (94) ChH, 12/18 Dakota (50); high count north 12/2 Clay (24) RHO. CBC high counts 12/18 Henderson (250), 12/26 St. Paul (Northeast Suburban) (210). | ||
| Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) | 18 | 2 | Reported from fewer counties both north and south than last year. Only two south reports: 12/18 Sherburne CBC, 12/31 Hastings-Etter CBC. CBC high counts 12/18 Duluth (14), 12/19 Virginia (14), 1/3 Hibbing (14), 12/19 Two Harbors (11), 12/19 Fredenberg (10). | ||
| Spruce Grouse (Canachites canadensis) | 5 | Reports throughout the period from Cook, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, St. Louis. High count 2/27 Lake (6, county road 2, 2.3 miles north of Sand River) PEB, MAO. All other reports were of 1–3 birds. | |||
| Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) | 10 | 3 | All south reports were of single birds, except as noted: 12/28 Lac qui Parle (one each section 24 Riverside Twp., Big Stone N.W.R.), 1/5 Lac qui Parle (section 35 Perry Twp.), 2/12 Chippewa (1 mile west of Clara City), 2/15 Big Stone (0.5 miles east of Odessa) BJU. North reports from northwest counties plus St. Louis and Aitkin. High count 1/8 Kittson (81, all in one field) TrB. Other individual high counts were 11 or fewer, including 2/24 St. Louis (11, Sax-Zim Bog) LKn. CBC high counts 1/2 Baudette (24), 12/20 St. Sax-Zim (14), 12/29 Aurora (11). | ||
| Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido) | 3 | 1 | All reports with details: 12/28 Lac qui Parle (1, section 33, Perry Twp.) BJU, 1/25 Wilkin (2, Rothsay W.M.A.) YK, 2/15 Lac qui Parle (1, Plover Prairie) BJU. Also reported on two CBCs: 12/18 Fargo-Moorhead, 12/28 Bluestem Prairie/Buffalo River S.P. | ||
| Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix) | 4 | 21 | All north reports: 12/18 Fargo-Moorhead CBC (17), 12/19 Grand Forks-East Grand Forks CBC, 1/5–1/16 Morrison (12–14, Elmdale) MJB, RAE, HHD, 2/5 Polk (12) fide JMJ, 2/6 Pennington (4) JMJ. Numerous south reports across the region excluding Twin Cities Metro counties, with high count 1/9 Chippewa (20) RBW. CBC high count 12/18 Owatonna (21). | ||
| Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) | 15 | 44 | Only one report north of line from Clay to Pine: 12/19 Grand Forks-East Grand Forks CBC. From Clay to Pine and south reported from nearly all counties except not extreme southwest. High counts 12/16 Martin (60) BRB, 12/18 Steele (35) NFT. CBC high counts 12/17 Lac qui Parle (362), 12/18 Northwest McLeod (Hutchinson) (257), 12/23 Northern Meeker County (249), 12/18 Marshall (218). | ||
| Grebes | |||||
| Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) | 1 | 3 | All reports: 12/2 Lac qui Parle (Minnesota River below Churchill dam) BJU, 12/8 Rice TFB, Scott RZi, 12/18 Fergus Falls CBC. | ||
| Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) | 1 | One report 2/16–17 Dakota (Black Dog Lake, record early by two weeks!) PEJ was possibly a very early migrant rather than overwintering. | |||
| Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) | 2 | All reports: 12/2 Hennepin (continuing from 11/27, Lake Calhoun) TAT, 12/5 Goodhue (Red Wing, Bayfront Park) JWH. | |||
| Pigeons, Doves | |||||
| Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) | 26 | 48 | Found statewide. High counts 1/8 St. Louis (200, Canal Park) RTe, 12/7 Wadena (180) RPR. CBC high counts 12/18 St. Paul (North) (1,642), 12/23 Northern Meeker County (682). | ||
| Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) | 5 | 25 | North reports limited to counties bordering the Dakotas. Two new county records: 12/4 Benton (Rice) HHD, 1/13 Marshall (Alvarado) LEG. High counts 12/26 Dodge (47) RAE, 1/25 Faribault (47, Winnebago) DBM, 12/10 Traverse (37, Wheaton) HHD, 1/9 Swift (30, Kerkhoven) JoS. | ||
| Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) | 17 | 37 | Reported as far north as Beltrami, Lake, Lake of the Woods, St. Louis. High counts 1/2 Chisago (35) DWK, 1/1 Carver (21) RBJ, 12/19 Lake (19, seen in one yard in Two Harbors during CBC) JWL. CBC high count totals 12/19 Cedar Creek Bog (147), 12/18 Faribault (137), 12/18 Winona (133). | ||
| Rails, Gallinules, Coots | |||||
| American Coot (Fulica americana) | 3 | 7 | All north 12/5 Douglas JPE, 12/11 Clay (2, Crystal Sugar lagoons, Moorhead) PBB, 12/18 Fergus Falls CBC (6). Overwintered south in Scott, where high counts varied over the season: 1/14 Scott (50, Blue Lake W.T.P.) ALD, 12/18 Scott (20, (Blue Lake W.T.P.) RSA, 2/20 Scott (17, Blue Lake W.T.P.) PEJ. Possible early migrants 2/27 Wright DFN, PEJ, 2/28 Lac qui Parle BJU. | ||
| Cranes | |||||
| Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) | See Undocumented Reports. | ||||
| Plovers | |||||
| Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) | 1 | Two early migrants found 2/26 in Houston (south of Brownsville) DJa. | |||
| Sandpipers | |||||
| Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) | 2 | Reported from the Bass Ponds in Hennepin 12/9 SLC, 12/27 TAT. Also found in Olmsted 12/5 Dover Twp. JWH, 1/2 JPr, 1/16 Dover Twp. JWH. | |||
| Gulls, Terns | |||||
| Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) | 3 | 7 | North high counts 12/1 Cass (3, Gull Lake) BAW, 12/11 St. Louis (3) PHS. Reported south through 1/19 in Dakota, then not again until 2/13. South high counts 12/2 Dakota (150) MDu, Washington (100) MDu, Hennepin (24) TAT may represent some of the same individuals. After 12/2 only single digits reported except that 16 were found on the St. Paul (North) CBC. | ||
| Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) | 3 | 3 | Only found near Lake Superior (Cook, Lake, St. Louis) and near the Twin Cities (Dakota, Hennepin, Washington). North December high counts of 2,867 (12/25, Superior Entry, (MN and WI) KJB) and 1,807 (12/23 St. Louis (Canal Park) PHS) tapered off to 940 in January (1/16 St. Louis KJB) and 100 in February (2/23 St. Louis LKn). Last reported south 1/19 Dakota (21) KSm. South high counts 12/18 Dakota (600, Black Dog Lake) PEB, 12/26 Dakota (500, Black Dog Lake) JPM, 1/1 Dakota (295, near Hastings) BAF. | ||
| Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) | 1 | 3 | North reports all from St. Louis, where a peak count of 8 (1 first-cycle, 2 third-cycles, 5 adults) were seen in Duluth on 12/5 by KJB . Total for the season in Duluth was ten (1 first-cycle, 2 second-cycles, 2 third-cycles, 5 adults) ph. KJB, though by Janaury at most only two were present at any one time. Additional photographic documentation of many of these individuals by ph. PHS, ph. MLH. South reports began with an adult Kumlien's at Kaposia Landing in Ramsey/Dakota 12/5–6 ELC, †JPM and 12/15 SLo, and possibly the same adult in Dakota/Washington at Lock and Dam #2 and Pt. Douglas Park 12/18–1/18 ph. †BAF, m.ob. Probable second-cycle Thayer's x Iceland intergrade in Dakota (Lake Rebecca) 12/19–1/16 ph. YK, BAF. | ||
| Iceland Gull (Thayer's) (Larus g. thayeri) | 1 | 3 | Reported north only from St. Louis. Peak numbers in December, with high counts of 23 (7 adults, 3 third-cycles, 3 second-cycles, and 10 first-cycles) on 12/5 Duluth KJB and 12 on 12/10 (6 first-cycle, 1 second-cycle, 2 third-cycle, and 3 adults at Canal Park, Duluth) PHS. Total for the season based on photographic identification of individuals was 33 (14 first-cycles, 5 second-cycles, 5 third-cycles, and 9 adults) ph. KJB. South reports limited to Dakota, Ramsey, Washington. High counts 12/18 Dakota (3 — first-cycle, third-cycle, adult) PEB, 1/16 Dakota (3 — first-cycle, second-cycle (possible intergrade with Iceland), adult) BAF. Last reported south 1/18 Dakota (adult) JPM. | ||
| Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) | 1 | Two first-cycles found in St. Louis (Superior Entry) in November lingered into December: one until 12/3 ph. KJB, the other until 12/5 ph. KJB. | |||
| SLATY-BACKED GULL (Larus schistisagus) | 1 | Adult first seen on 12/19 at the Superior Landfill in Wisconsin was later found that same day in St. Louis at Canal Park where it was exhaustively documented and photographed ph. †KJB, ph. †PHS (The Loon 83:141–142). It was last seen in Minnesota on 1/16 KJB. Seventh state record and third for St. Louis. | |||
| Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) | 1 | 2 | All north reports from St. Louis, where overwintered. High count of 13 on 2/16 in St. Louis (9 first-cycle, 1 second-cycle, 1 third-cycle, 1 adult in Duluth) PHS. KJB photographically identified 24 individuals in the Duluth-Superior harbor during the season, including 14 first-cycles, 1 second-cycle, 4 third-cycles, and 5 adults | ||
| Herring Gull X Glaucous Gull (Larus argentatus X L. hyperboreus) | An adult “Nelson's” Gull, discovered in November, lingered in Duluth until 12/2 KJB. | ||||
| Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) | 1 | Only found in Duluth, St. Louis, but present there in record numbers. Numbers slowly grew throughout the winter, from 4 in late December, 6 in mid-February, 7 on 2/23 (5 first-cycle, 2 adults) ph. LKn, and culminating in a state high count of 9 on 2/26 (8 first-cycle and 1 second-cycle at 27th Ave. W.) PHS. At least one adult and another second-cycle were also present during the season, making a total of at least 11 birds. | |||
| Cormorants | |||||
| Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) | 2 | Two reports: 12/19 Dakota (Mississippi River, Hastings) YK, 2/13 Goodhue (Prairie Island) PEJ. | |||
| Pelicans | |||||
| American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) | 3 | Overwintering birds in the Twin Cities were injured and flightless: through 2/14 Dakota and Ramsey (2, Kaposia Landing) m.ob., through 2/24 Dakota (Black Dog Lake) m.ob. One additional report 12/2 Lac qui Parle of a fresh road-killed bird near north end of Lac qui Parle Lake BJU; this bird had been banded 6/26/10 in Minnesota (no further details). | |||
| Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons | |||||
| Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) | 1 | 7 | One north report: 12/9 St. Louis (Manganika Lake, south of Virginia) SLF fide JWL. Overwintered Ramsey (Mississippi River, Pig's Eye outflow), with from 1–5 birds reported throughout January to 2/13 m.ob. Also overwintered Hennepin (2, Bass Ponds) m.ob., and possibly Martin (one report 1/23) HHD, RAE. High counts from December in Ramsey (Pig's Eye outflow) included 12/22 (16) YK, MJI, 12/29 (9) BAF. | ||
| New World Vultures | |||||
| Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) | No reports (see Undocumented Reports). | ||||
| Kites, Accipiters, Hawks, Eagles | |||||
| Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) | 3 | 5 | Most reports from traditional wintering areas in Houston, Wabasha and Winona. Additional reports: 12/16 Lake ABL, 12/28 Kanabec ph. †RMD, RBW, 2/24 Hubbard (fide MAW). Also reported from the Austin, Sherburne N.W.R. and Two Harbors CBCs without details. | ||
| Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) | 2 | 5 | Two north reports: 12/18 Fergus Falls CBC, 2/17 Grant RBW. Only one south report after CBC period: 1/14 Lac qui Parle (female, Madison W.M.A.) BJU. All reports of single birds except 12/18 Willmar CBC (2). | ||
| Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) | 11 | 32 | Numerous reports statewide from 43 counties (12–16 more than in any of the past 5 years); relatively few were documented. Individual north reports after December totaled about 8 different individuals. North reports with details: 1/1 Roseau DWi, Pine HHD, RAE, 1/23–2/5 St. Louis DMK. South reports with details after December: 1/8 Dakota PEB, 1/23 Hennepin BAF, 1/27 Hennepin MDu, 2/8 Hennepin BAF, 2/9, 2/13 Hennepin (different locations) SLC, 2/12 Hennepin PEB, 2/13 Anoka DPG. | ||
| Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) | 4 | 30 | All north 12/4 Polk (East Grand Forks, blue band on bird identified it as having been locally banded) DL, 12/5 Beltrami DPJ, 12/18 Fargo-Moorhead CBC (2, no details), 12/19 Grand Forks-East Grand Forks CBC (same as 12/4 bird?), 12/28 Kanabec (Mora) RBW, RMD. SLC documented 4 individuals at disparate locations in Hennepin. Also documented in Hennepin at 3 additional locations by SF, MDu, PEB. Only other bird with identification details: 2/12 Olmsted DAB. | ||
| American Goshawk (Accipiter atricapillus) | 14 | 4 | Reported widely north (found in 8 or fewer counties north in prior four winters). One documented report: 12/18 Sibley (adult) ph. fide CWG. Additional south reports from Big Stone, Lac qui Parle and Dakota were without details. Because of identification problems, seasonal compilers request documentation for this species outside its normal range. | ||
| Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) | 24 | 44 | Reported from 68 counties (a record), from all regions of the state except extreme southwest. High counts 12/10 Ramsey (47, Mississippi River) CMB, 2/26 Houston (40) DJa, 12/22 Houston (39) NKe, AKe. All individual north counts were of 1–3 birds. CBC high counts 2/18 Winona (116), 1/2 Wabasha (85); CBC high counts north 12/18 Duluth (12), 12/29 Aurora (12). | ||
| Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) | 1 | 10 | All north 2/4 Cass (Woodrow Twp.) BAW, but also see undocumented reports. South reports limited to the East-central and Southeast regions. SLC noted one overwintered in Hennepin (Bass Ponds). | ||
| Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) | 15 | 46 | Reported statewide, except for the Northwest. High counts: 12/16 Martin (8) BRB, 2/6 Steele (8) DBM. CBC high counts 12/18 St. Paul (North) (69), Faribault (49), Bloomington (48). | ||
| Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) | 20 | 43 | More reports than in any of the previous 5 years. Fewest reports from the western third of the state. High counts 12/10 Aitkin (11) ASc, 2/19 St. Louis (8, Sax-Zim Bog) ASt. CBC high count 12/18 Faribault (13), 12/20 Sax-Zim (11). | ||
| Screech-Owls, Owls | |||||
| Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) | 2 | 13 | All north reports: 12/18 Fargo-Moorhead CBC and Fergus Falls CBC. Scattered throughout the south with most observations in the East-central and Southeastern regions, as is typical. Absent from the Central zone. CBC high count 12/19 Austin (6). Red morphs were noted 1/29 and 2/2 Rice TFB (same bird?), and 2/5 Freeborn DAB, DWK, JLO. Gray morphs were only noted 1/28 Hennepin RTe. | ||
| Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) | 17 | 35 | Reported from 52 counties statewide, same as last year. CBC high counts 12/18 St. Paul (North) (13) and 12/26 St. Paul (Northeast Suburban) (11). A well described B. v. subarcticus located 2/19 Scott DWK (Mohoney's Marsh W.M.A.). | ||
| Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) | 6 | 3 | Widely scattered throughout the state excluding the extreme southern counties, with a total of only about 12 individuals observed, and continuing the downward trend in overall numbers since 2005. Seen on only 4 CBCs north and 1 south, with the high count 12/18 Duluth (2) . All south reports include 12/18 Hennepin SMC (and possibly later), 1/6 Rice TFB, and likely different birds 1/11–13 Rice fide DAT (possibly earlier according to locals), m.ob., 1/23–2/13 Rice fide TFB, m.ob., and 2/15 Lac qui Parle BJU. | ||
| Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) | 9 | Observed across the northern counties in a rough triangle between Roseau, Aitkin and Cook. Not quite the invasion experienced last year, but still a respectable number of individuals reported beginning 12/7 St. Louis SCZ and Cook fide JWL continuing through the end of the season. Observed on 4 CBCs with the high count 1/2 Baudette (4). This total was dwarfed by the individual high count 2/12 Roseau (10) SAu. One to two individuals were noted in the Sax-Zim Bog beginning with the 12/20 Sax-Zim CBC through 2/28 St. Louis m.ob. | |||
| Barred Owl (Strix varia) | 14 | 22 | Reports spanned the season and the state except absent from the Southwest. CBC high count 12/19 Austin (6), which typically has one of the higher counts. Individual high counts were 1/5 Rice (5) TFB and 2/4 Hennepin (5 at Pond Dakota Mission Park and Mound Springs Park, Bloomington) SLC. | ||
| Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa) | 4 | Approximately 8–10 individuals reported, significantly fewer than numbers reported the past 5 years. As is typical, the Sax-Zim Bog in St. Louis was the hub of activity beginning 12/9 with observations extending through the period (m.ob.), with a high count 1/13 St. Louis (4) MSS, m.ob. | |||
| Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) | 2 | 5 | All north 12/23 Clay (S. Moorhead) RHO, 2/6 Morrison (Little Falls) MJB, FGo. All south 12/1 Rice TFB, 12/6 Kandiyohi JoS, RJF, 12/28 Lac qui Parle (Camp Release Twp.) BJU, 1/3 Blue Earth ph. CJS, 1/4 Freeborn AEB, 1/26 Lac qui Parle (Walter Twp.) BJU. | ||
| Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) | 3 | 2 | All north 12/5 Kittson LW, 12/19 Grand Forks-East Grand Forks CBC, 1/22 Kittson (2) LW, 2/12 Roseau SAu, 2/16 Roseau MM. All south 12/10–1/25 Lac qui Parle (Walter Twp.) BJU, 12/18 Lac qui Parle (Hastad W.P.A., Hantho Twp.) BJU, 1/27 Kandiyohi RJF. | ||
| Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus) | No reports. | ||||
| Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) | 8 | 8 | Approximately 23 individuals, including 14 north and 9 south. December north reports all from CBCs: 12/18 Fargo-Moorhead (2), 12/19 Grand Forks-East Grand Forks, 12/31 Cook Area. Only mid-winter record was 1/7 St. Louis (Duluth, near Chester Bowl) DRB, ph. KRE, ph. MLH, CMB. Late January records from Otter Tail (1/22 fide JMJ), Becker (1/27 fide JMJ) and Hubbard (1/30 MAW). North reports more common in February, coming from Aitkin, St. Louis (4), Roseau, Polk, Hubbard. The season's south reports were from Blue Earth, Carver, Hennepin (2), Lac qui Parle, Ramsey, Rice, Sherburne, Stearns. | ||
| Kingfishers | |||||
| Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) | 4 | 17 | All north 12/18 Fergus Falls CBC (2), St. Louis (female, Hartley N.C.) fide JWL, 1/1 Long Prairie CBC (2), 1/2 Cass DAY. Overwintered in Hennepin SLC. CBC high counts 1/1 Whitewater River (5), 12/18 Bloomington (4), Faribault (4). | ||
| Woodpeckers | |||||
| Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) | 1 | 9 | Only north report 12/1 Mille Lacs (Princeton) ASc. South reports throughout the season from Anoka (Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve) and Rice (Nerstrand-Big Woods S.P.) Additonal south reports from Houston, Olmsted, and from the following CBCs: Albert Lea, Cedar Creek Bog (37 birds; no other CBC reported more than 2!), Rochester, St. Paul (Northeast Suburban), Henderson, Winona. | ||
| Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) | 24 | 45 | Reported statewide, though few sightings along the northern tier of counties. Northernmost records included 12/3 St. Louis (Ely) fide JWL, 1/1 Roseau CBC. CBC high counts 12/18 Henderson (78), Winona (75), 12/26 St. Paul (Northeast Suburban) (73), 12/18 Bloomington (70), Willmar (70). | ||
| Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) | 4 | All reports: immature found in late November lingered in Minneapolis, Hennepin (4200 block of Wentworth Ave. S.) through 12/19 TAT. Another was in Minneapolis (Powderhorn Park) 12/1–19 JJo. Three others found on CBCs (no details): 12/18 LaCrosse-LaCrescent, Winona, Jackson County. | |||
| American Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis) | 4 | Only 7 individuals: 12/26, 2/20 St. Louis (max. 2, along the Cloquet Line near the Low Lake boat access) NLM, 1/1 Lake (female, F.R. 387 about five miles east of S.R. 1) MM, 1/3 Lake of the Woods (2, Faunce Rd.) DWi, 1/8 St. Louis (male, McDavitt Rd., Sax-Zim Bog) DWK, ph. RTe, KRE, m.ob., 2/11 Itasca SC. | |||
| Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) | 9 | 1 | Reported north from normal range, including Roseau, Lake of the Woods, Cass, Itasca, Aitkin, Carlton, St. Louis, Lake, and Cook. Two south reports, neither with details: 12/18 Sherburne N.W.R. CBC, 12/20 Sherburne (Ann Lake) ASc. CBC high count 12/26 Ely (8, of which 5 found by NLM near Low Lake boat access). | ||
| Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) | 28 | 43 | Seen in most regions statewide, but missing from the far southwestern counties. CBC high counts 12/18 Bloomington (218), Faribault (183), 12/26 St. Paul (Northeast Suburban) (158), 12/18 Rochester (156). | ||
| Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus) | 28 | 44 | Found in most regions statewide, but missing from the far southwestern counties. CBC high counts 12/18 Henderson (92), Bloomington (81), St. Paul (North) (73), 12/26 St. Paul (Northeast Suburban) (73). | ||
| Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) | 6 | 31 | Most reports south of a line from Clay to Chisago. Exceptions were 12/18 Grand Marais CBC, 1/3, 1/10 St. Louis (Woodland neighborhood of Duluth) fide JWL. High count 1/15 Hennepin (3) DWK. CBC high counts 12/31 Hastings-Etter (10), 12/18 Willmar (9), Henderson (9). | ||
| Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) | 25 | 39 | Reported statewide, except from the Southwest. CBC high counts 12/26 St. Paul (Northeast Suburban) (40), 12/18 Crosby (29). | ||
| Caracaras, Falcons | |||||
| American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) | 9 | 29 | Averages over prior three years were 5 north and 27 south counties, so north reports up. After 1/1, only 3 north reports: 2/11 Douglas JPE, 2/17 Douglas, Traverse RBW. South sightings spread uniformly across the season. | ||
| Merlin (Falco columbarius) | 5 | 14 | Approximately 24 (8 north, 16 south) individuals. Found on 7 CBCs, with only Duluth producing multiple birds (2). Prairie subspecies reported 12/28 Big Stone (Odessa) BJU, 1/23 Hennepin (Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) ph. BWN. | ||
| GYRFALCON (Falco rusticolus) | 1 | 1 | An adult gray morph was photographed in Lac qui Parle (Hantho Twp.) on 1/5 ph. BJU. An immature gray morph was found away from roads along nordic ski trails in St. Louis (Manganika Creek, near Virginia) on 1/10 †SLF. | ||
| Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) | 1 | 6 | All north reports from Duluth in St. Louis: 12/26 Canal Park EGy, 1/8 Duluth harbor KRE, LS. South reports from usual sites in the Twin Cities and Olmsted, and one 1/13 Rice RTe. | ||
| Shrikes | |||||
| Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis) | 28 | 40 | Reported widely throughout the season except from the Southwest. County totals were the highest in at least five years. High count 12/18 Stearns (7) RPR, PCC. Duluth CBC held the honors with the highest count (12) on 12/18. | ||
| Jays, Nutcrackers, Magpies, Crows | |||||
| Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) | 12 | Found as far south as Cass, Crow Wing, Aitkin, and Carlton. CBC high counts all from the Northeast: 12/26 Ely (56), 1/1 Isabella (29), 12/29 Aurora (28). Also see Undocumented Reports. | |||
| Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) | 30 | 47 | Found statewide. CBC high counts 12/19 Cedar Creek Bog (373), 12/26 St. Paul (Northeast Suburban) (341). | ||
| Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) | 12 | 1 | Very unusual was one south 2/19 Lac qui Parle (Walter/Perry Twps.) ph. BJU. North reports from this species' traditional range. CBC high count 1/2 Baudette (35). | ||
| American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) | 28 | 47 | Reported statewide. High counts were from roosts in Hennepin 12/4 south side of downtown Minneapolis (6,035) PEB, 1/15 Elliot Park, south Minneapolis (3,000) BAF. | ||
| Common Raven (Corvus corax) | 24 | 5 | Reported from traditional locations northeast of a line from Washington to Otter Tail. Also see undocumented records. Please provide details for any extra-limital observations. CBC high counts 12/26 Ely (187), 1/2 Baudette (134), 12/20 Sax-Zim (121). | ||
| Chickadees, Titmice | |||||
| Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) | 30 | 48 | Found throughout the season in all but 9 western counties. High counts 1/2 Lake of the Woods (73) DWi. CBC high counts 12/18 Duluth (2,248), 12/26 St. Paul (Northeast Suburban) (1,082), 12/18 Bloomington (888). | ||
| Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) | 5 | Found in Aitkin, Itasca, Lake, Lake of the Woods, St. Louis. High counts 12/26 Lake (17, along Spruce Rd. and S.R. 1) JWL, 12/25 Lake (8, Stony River F.R. between S.R. 1 and the Whyte Rd.) fide JWL, 1/3 Lake of the Woods (7, Faunce Rd., Beltrami Island S.F.) DWi. CBC high count 12/26 Ely (21). | |||
| Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) | 8 | Scattered reports from the traditional Southeast range, with the farthest north reports from Dakota (12/31 Ravena Twp. (2) ADS, plus two more found on the 12/31 Hastings-Etter CBC) and Ramsey (12/1 MWi). CBC high count 12/18 Winona (47); no other CBC tallied more than 6. | |||
| Larks | |||||
| Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) | 20 | 43 | More north reports than usual, with most of the observations in February. Unusual north was 12/17–18 St. Louis (Canal Park) ph. PHS. South reports were widespread and throughout the season. High counts 12/5 Rock (180) DWK, 2/23 Steele (170) NFT. CBC high count 12/14 Cottonwood (210) was well below the average high CBC count of the prior three winters (863). | ||
| Kinglets | |||||
| Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula) | 1 | One report: 12/8 Hubbard (deer hunter observed one perch next to his stand, close enough to see ruby crown and absence of yellow and eye line) fide MAW. Also see Undocumented Reports. | |||
| Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) | 6 | 12 | All north reports were from December except 1/1 Rice Lake N.W.R. CBC. Only south reports after December were from Blue Earth, Rice and Wright. CBC high count 12/27 Pine County (7). No individual high counts greater than 2. | ||
| Waxwings | |||||
| Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) | 26 | 11 | Much more widespread that usual. Average county counts of last five winters only 15 north and 3 south counties. High counts north 2/15 St. Louis (800, Duluth) MSS, 2/17 St. Louis (400–500, Ely) fide JWL. South reports began 12/1 Sherburne ASc, 12/2 Lac qui Parle (14) ph. BJU, 12/3 Ramsey (60) AXH, 12/8 Sherburne (90) ASc. Additional documented reports south 12/19 Dakota (2) †ADS, Kandiyohi (7) ph. ARa, JoS. CBC high counts 12/18 Duluth (1,294), 12/19 Virginia (688). Also notable was 12/18 Wild River (153). Very few south reports after December. | ||
| Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) | 14 | 31 | Reported from about the same number of counties (north and south) as in the prior three winters, though north reports after early January were limited to a regular flock in Polk and a single report from Roseau. High counts 12/2 Lac qui Parle (250, Hantho Beach on Lac qui Parle Lake) BJU, 12/26 Blue Earth (130, Calvary Cemetery, Mankato) ChH. CBC high counts 12/18 Willmar (546), 12/18 Bloomington (102). | ||
| Nuthatches | |||||
| Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) | 25 | 30 | Most reports north of a line from Freeborn to Clay. High counts 2/3 Lake (18) LDa, 1/2 Lake of the Woods (9) DWi, 2/17 Itasca (9) JnS. CBC high counts 12/26 Ely (286), 12/31 Cook Area (139). | ||
| White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) | 28 | 46 | Found in all regions, though with the fewest reports from the western third of the state. High counts 12/26 Washington (28) RMa. CBC high counts 12/26 St. Paul (Northeast Suburban) (264), 12/18 Bloomington (193). | ||
| Creepers | |||||
| Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) | 18 | 31 | Reported statewide except from the extreme southwest. Numerous Janaury and February records, both north and south. High counts 1/5, 2/6 Hennepin (5, Minnehaha Creek east of Lake Hiawatha) DDo, 2/13 Hennepin (4, Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) BAF. CBC high counts 12/18 Faribault (14), Northwest McLeod (Hutchinson) (13). | ||
| Wrens | |||||
| Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) | 2 | Two reports: 12/6 Dakota (Mount Olivet Conference and Retreat Center, Farmington) DKa, 12/18 LaCrosse-LaCrescent CBC. | |||
| Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis) | 2 | All south 12/10+ Hennepin (overwintered, Pond Dakota Mission Park) SLC, 12/18 Hennepin (same location) †MAO, RBJ, DAC, approx. 12/18 Henderson CBC (perished in a mouse trap) ph. ABS. | |||
| Thrashers, Mockingbirds | |||||
| Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) | 2 | 1 | All north 12/19 Lake (Two Harbors) JWL, 1/25–26 St. Louis (East Duluth) fide JWL. All south 12/18 Steele ph. WTH, 12/31 Ramsey (Maplewood) MMa. | ||
| Starlings | |||||
| European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) | 28 | 46 | Found statewide. High counts 12/27 St. Louis (700, 27th Ave. West, Duluth) YK, MI, 1/19 St. Louis (700, 27th Ave. West) KJB. CBC high counts 12/26 Red Wing (1,535), 12/18 Northwest McLeod (Hutchinson) (1,441). | ||
| Thrushes | |||||
| Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) | 13 | Limited to the southeast corner of the state, as far north as Anoka and west as Blue Earth, except for two reports from Lac qui Parle: 12/2 BJU, 12/10 HHD, RAE. The majority of sightings were in December; only found in 3 counties in February. High count 12/18 Olmsted (9) LAV. CBC high counts 12/18 Winona (33), LaCrosse-LaCrescent (20). | |||
| Townsend's Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi) | 2 | 4 | All north reports: 12/19–24 Lake (Two Harbors) JWL, ph. MLH, 12/24 Lake (second bird in Two Harbors) JWL, 1/10 St. Louis (downtown Duluth) fide JWL. All south: one overwintered in Ramsey (November – March, Lake Vadnais) m.ob., 12/2–1/9+ Lac qui Parle (max. 2, Hantho Beach W.M.A.) BJU, m.ob., 12/18 Carver (Carver P.R.) PCA, Excelsior CBC (second bird, loc.?), 12/28 Lac qui Parle (near Louisburg) BJU, 1/22+ Hennepin (Pond Dakota Mission Park) DWK, †SLC, TAT. | ||
| Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) | 1 | 7 | Only north report 12/5 St. Louis (Ely) †SES. South reports 12/5 Winona (near Elba) JWH, 12/8 Scott RBW, 12/9–2/24 Rice (overwintered at River Bend N.C.) †TFB, 12/10 Hennepin (Pond Dakota Mission Park) SLC, 12/18 Dakota (Apple Valley) TCB, Ramsey (Lake Owasso) ph. Ben Wilson, †CCh, 12/19 Hennepin (Minnetonka) ChP, 1/5–10 Ramsey (St. Paul) DCZ, 1/10 Yellow Medicine (Granite Falls) fide AXH, 2/7 Hennepin (Izaak Walton League, Bloomington) SLC, DWK. | ||
| American Robin (Turdus migratorius) | 17 | 38 | Reported statewide throughut the season, though north reports diminished as the season progressed. High counts 12/18 Hennepin (400, Logan Park, Minneapolis) JT, 12/22 Hennepin (185, Bass Ponds) TAT. CBC high counts 12/18 St. Paul (North) (1,047), Bloomington (709). No counts above 80 after 1/1. | ||
| Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius) | 4 | 6 | North reports: female overwintered in Kittson (Lancaster) November – March LW, ph. TrB, m.ob., 12/26+ St. Louis (male, overwintered in Ely) fide JWL, ph. YK, ph. DMK, m.ob., 1/5–9 Aitkin fide MMc, JPr, 2/1 Pennington fide JMJ. South reports: 12/4 Blue Earth (male) ph. DER, 12/15–18 Hennepin (female, Champlin) ph. SJR, 12/18 Scott (Savage) ph. ThA, 1/1–2/18 Freeborn (male, rural Hartland) AEB, m.ob., 1/11 Hennepin JRJ, 1/20 Goodhue (male, Cannon Falls) LEC, 1/26 Wabasha MNo. | ||
| Old World Sparrows | |||||
| House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) | 26 | 47 | Reported from 73 counties, the most in the past 5 years. Reported from every county (except Koochiching) east of a line from and including Lake of the Woods south to Jackson, but unreported from 13 counties west of that line. High count 12/18 Hennepin (295) JCC. CBC high count 12/18 St. Paul (North) (1,785), which also had last year's high count with nearly the same total. | ||
| Finches | |||||
| Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) | 14 | 2 | All south reports 12/19 Cedar Creek Bog CBC (8), 12/26 St. Paul (Northeast Suburban) CBC (6). Reported from the most north counties since 2005. High counts 1/25 St. Louis (86) KJB, 1/2 Lake of the Woods (55, Baudette) DWi. CBC high counts 12/26 Ely (130), 1/2 Baudette (67). There were only six reports after January, all of 30 or fewer birds. | ||
| Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) | 20 | Reported from nearly all counties north of a line from and including Pine to Becker to Polk, but from no counties south of this line. High counts 1/2 Lake of the Woods (55) fide JMJ, 1/6 St. Louis (54, Ely) YK. CBC high counts 12/31 Cook Area (515), 12/26 Ely (332). | |||
| House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) | 15 | 41 | Reported from about the same number of counties as last year, from throughout the season. High count 12/14 Blue Earth (60) ChH; north high count 1/4 Polk (18) SAu. CBC high counts 12/18 Bloomington (335), 12/26 St. Paul (Northeast Suburban) (275), 12/18 St. Paul (North) (256) CBC high count north 12/18 Duluth (63). | ||
| Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) | 22 | 38 | Reported from throughout the state except extreme southwest, from more counties (60) than in any of the previous 5 years. High count 2/27 St. Louis (100, Ely feeders) PEB; high counts south 2/4 Fillmore (26) NBO, 1/5 Fillmore (24) RTP. CBC high counts 12/26 Ely (186), 12/19 Itasca S.P. (55). | ||
| Redpoll (Common) (Acanthis f. flammea) | 28 | 11 | Reported from four more counties than last year, but far fewer than in 2008 (major invasion year). No reports south of a line from and including Yellow Medicine to Dakota. South high count 12/28 Chippewa (20, Lac qui Parle W.M.A.) BJU. Reported from all but seven north counties, with high count 2/28 Hubbard (320) MAW; other high counts were 100 or fewer. CBC high counts 1/1 Isabella (300), 12/26 Ely (295). | ||
| Redpoll (Hoary) (Acanthis f. exilipes) | 15 | Reported from more north counties than in any of the previous 5 years. All documented records include 1/2 St. Louis (Cromwell) ph. LSc, 1/5–2/17 Kittson (Lancaster feeder, multiple birds with a maximum of 8 on 1/4) ph. TrB, 2/5 St. Louis ChH, 2/16 Cook (Lutsen) ph. DBM, 2/26–27 St. Louis (up to 3, Sax-Zim Bog) †PEB, †WLe, ph. MLH. Observers are encouraged to include documentation of all reports of this species. | |||
| Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) | 10 | 4 | All south reports 12/7 Benton DBM, 12/18 Faribault CBC, 1/17 Lac qui Parle BJU, 12/18–2/19 Sherburne (1–2 birds, Sand Dunes S.F.) ASc, KRo. Reported from about the same number of north counties as the previous five years, with high counts 1/13 St. Louis (23) KJB, 1/25 St. Louis (19) KJB, 2/5 Roseau (10) SAu. Reported on only 3 CBCs, with high count 1/2 Pillager (6). | ||
| White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera) | 8 | 2 | All south reports: 12/18 Minneapolis (North) CBC (6), 2/18 Stearns (4, Collegeville) MJB. Reported from far fewer north counties than last year (8 vs. 24); most were from CBCs including high counts 12/26 Ely (67), 1/2 Baudette (30), 12/31 Cook Area (26). Individual high count 2/12 Roseau (30) SAu. | ||
| Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) | 24 | 32 | North reports from about the same number of counties as the previous three years. South reports from ten more counties than last year, but still well below the 2008 invasion year total. High count 2/27 St. Louis (1,000, Ely feeders, with one feeder alone hosting at least 600) PEB, MAO; this represents the highest count since 1993. Other north high counts were much more modest (48 or fewer). South high count 1/19 Hennepin (27, Minnehaha Creek east of Lake Hiawatha) DDo; this flock continued throughout the season and some apparently remained to nest in early spring (see Spring report). CBC high counts 12/31 Cook Area (252), 12/26 Ely (135), St. Paul (Northeast Suburban) (131). | ||
| American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) | 26 | 42 | Reported from 68 counties (slightly fewer than last year but more than the previous five) from throughout the state. High counts 12/26 Washington (52) LS, 12/18 Steele (47) NFT. CBC High counts 12/18 St. Paul (North) (466), 12/18 Bloomington (446), 12/26 St. Paul (Northeast Suburban) (399). All north reports after the CBC period were of 39 or fewer birds and south reports for the same period did not exceed 45 birds. | ||
| Longspurs and Snow Buntings | |||||
| Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) | 16 | 35 | Reports up for the second consecutive winter. Only absent from the Northeast. High counts 12/5 Rock (250) DWK, 2/12 Nicollet (80) DWK. CBC high counts 12/31 Hastings-Etter (170), 12/18 Fergus Falls (95). | ||
| Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) | 29 | 51 | Found in all but 7 counties. High counts 1/15 Blue Earth (520) ChH, 1/15 Blue Earth (500) AnK. CBC high counts 12/18 Crookston (925), 12/18 Marshall (802). | ||
| Towhees, Sparrows | |||||
| Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) | 1 | Only report with details 12/1 Hennepin (lingered at feeding station since mid-November) BeH. Also see Undocumented Reports. | |||
| Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) | 1 | 9 | One north report 12/18 Fargo-Moorhead CBC. Two south reports after December: 1/1 Kandiyohi (Willmar) JoS, 1/13 Nicollet TRo. CBC high count 12/18 Bloomington (4). | ||
| American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea) | 14 | 42 | Reports north and south comparable to the last four winters. Few sightings from the northern third of the state. High counts 12/15 Olmsted (45) LAV, 12/18 Scott (40) RSA. CBC high counts 12/18 Winona (485), Rochester (304). | ||
| Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) | 24 | 45 | Reported from about the same number of counties as last year. High count 12/19 Mower (78) NFT. CBC high counts 12/18 Winona (1,472), 12/18 Rochester (611). Three reports of the “Oregon” subspecies were documented by photos: 12/2–2/28 Hennepin (Minnehaha Creek near Lake Hiawatha) ph. DDo, 12/22 Dakota (Eagan) ph. JPM, 1/16 Washington (Dellwood) ph. KMe. | ||
| White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) | 2 | 3 | All reports: 12/8–2/21 Rice (overwintered, backyard feeder) TFB, 12/18–2/6 St. Louis (immature overwintered at feeder, Grand Lake) ph. NP fide JWL, CWG, 12/31 Hastings-Etter CBC, 1/1 Pine (immature at feeder, Sturgeon Lake) HHD, RAE, 1/20 Stearns FGo. | ||
| Harris's Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula) | 2 | 10 | Reported from more counties than in 4 of the previous 5 years. Two north reports: 12/18 Fargo-Moorhead CBC, 12/19 Grand Forks-East Grand Forks CBC. All south reports after the CBC period: 12/26–1/26 Meeker (feeder near Dassel) PKF, ph. YK, ph. DAC, 1/13 Freeborn DBM, 1/20 Stearns FGo, 1/22 Faribault RBW, 1/26 Jackson KSm. | ||
| White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) | 10 | 15 | Reported from about the same number of counties as last year. Only one north report after the CBC period: 2/5 St. Louis SES. Also reported on 10 north CBCs, with a high count 12/18 Duluth (4). South reports were lacking in the Southwest, with most from the Twin Cities and the Southeast. South reports after the CBC period included apparently overwintering birds: Carver (Laketown Twp., WCM), Scott (Jordan, SMi), and multiple birds in Hennepin (2, Richfield, PEJ; Excelsior, DBM; Minnesota Valley N.W.R. Headquarters, m.ob.). CBC high count 12/18 St. Paul (North) (11). | ||
| Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) | 1 | Only report 1/9–15 Kandiyohi RJF, DBM. | |||
| Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) | 1 | 6 | Reported from fewer counties (7) than in any of the previous five years. Only north report 12/18 Fargo-Moorhead CBC. South reports were all from East-central and Southeast regions, from Isanti to Houston. Two birds were reported after the CBC period, both in Hennepin: one overwintered through the end of the season at a Richfield feeder PEJ, and one through 1/22 at Richardson N.C. DWK, BeH. | ||
| Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) | 2 | All reports: 12/5 Hennepin (Bloomington, Izaak Walton League) SLC, 12/15 Goodhue (Prairie Island) GMi. | |||
| Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) | See Undocumented Reports. | ||||
| Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) | 2 | 3 | North reports 12/10 – early January when taken by Sharp-shinned Hawk (male, Otter Tail) JSz, DST, m.ob., 12/18 Fargo-Moorhead CBC. Three south reports including 12/5 Hennepin (Eden Prairie) DKo, 12/11 – 2/4 Kandiyohi (female) †RJF, m.ob., and a male that overwintered in Blue Earth ph. JPB. | ||
| Blackbirds, Orioles | |||||
| Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) | 1 | Only report 12/10 Chippewa HHD. | |||
| Sturnella meadowlark (Sturnella sp.) | 1 | One report: 1/14 Lac qui Parle (2, section 12, Mehurin Twp.) BJU. | |||
| Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) | 7 | 28 | Reported from fewer counties than last year. All north reports were from December except 1/8 Wilkin DBM, 1/28 Otter Tail ARW. South reports after December were relatively few but included high counts 1/9 Swift (110, west of Appleton near Marsh Lake) WCM, 2/24 Waseca (75, Goose Lake Park) DCu. CBC high counts 12/14 Cottonwood (91), 12/28 Albert Lea (35). | ||
| Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) | 1 | 6 | One north report: 12/1–2 Polk (female at feeder, East Grand Forks) SAu. All south reports after CBC period include 1/13–15 Hennepin (up to 4, Minnesota Valley N.W.R. Headquarters) YK, DWK, 1/15 Freeborn (3) HHD, RAE, 1/30 Dakota SWe, 2/1 Hennepin SLC, 2/9 Dakota (7) KSm. High count 12/31 Dakota (74 at feed lot near Hastings) ADS. | ||
| Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) | 3 | 11 | Found in more counties (14) than in any of the previous 5 years. All north reports: 12/18 Fargo-Moorhead CBC, 12/28 Bluestem Prairie/Buffalo River S.P. CBC (3), 1/22–24 Mahnomen (Tulaby Lake) ph. CSo, 1/28 Becker (Tamarac N.W.R) fide JMJ. All south reports after CBC period 1/4–2/15 Lac qui Parle (2–3 overwintered section 25, Walter Twp.) BJU, 1/5–2/18 Dakota (overwintered near Hastings) KSm, †PEB, 1/6 Freeborn AEB, 1/16 Olmsted (section 3, Dover Twp.) JWH, 2/13 Blue Earth ChH. CBC high count 12/17 Lac qui Parle (21). | ||
| Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) | See Undocumented Reports. | ||||
| Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) | 11 | 26 | Reported from more counties both north and south than in any of the previous 5 years; most of these were prior to and during the CBC period. All north reports after CBC period included 1/8 Wilkin (Breckenridge) DBM, 1/22 Mahnomen (Tulaby Lake) CSo, 2/17–18 Polk (East Grand Forks) SAu, 2/19 Douglas JPE. All south records after CBC period included 1/16 Swift (4) RAE, JoS, 1/24 Ramsey BNW, 1/31–2/14 Dakota (1–2) KSm. CBC high count 12/18 St. Paul (North) (11). | ||
| Warblers | |||||
| Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) | 1 | One from fall lingered in Hennepin (Edina) through 12/10 SLC. | |||
| Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) | 5 | All reports: 12/2 Lac qui Parle (Hantho Beach) BJU, 12/5 Ramsey (Lake Vadnais) YK, Winona (near Elba.) JWH, 12/18 Winona CBC, 12/27 Hennepin ATF, 1/2 Wabasha CBC. | |||
| Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks | |||||
| Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) | 17 | 45 | Reported from about the same number of counties as last year, although including only one (Polk) north of line from Clay to Itasca. Farthest north reports 12/18 Grand Marais CBC, 12/2–22 Polk (East Grand Forks) SAu. High count north 12/2 Mille Lacs (4) RBW. South high counts 12/18 Hennepin (24) MDu, 1/13 Hennepin (24) YK. CBC high counts 12/18 Henderson (350), 12/18 Excelsior (298), 12/18 Faribault (288). CBC high count north 12/19 Little Falls (26), 12/18 Duluth (25). | ||
| Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) | See Undocumented Reports. | ||||