The highlight of the 2019–20 winter season was undoubtedly the observation of a Lesser Goldfinch visiting a feeder near Warren in Polk County, representing the first sighting for the state (The Loon 92:6–8). The bird was first seen and photographed on December 8 and remained in the area for four days, allowing several birders to view it. Lesser Goldfinches have been observed in Iowa and both Dakotas with occasional breeding in the southwest corner of South Dakota. This bird now becomes the 442nd species on the Minnesota bird list (not counting extirpated and extinct species). Other notable records this season included three Casual species (California Gull, Barn Owl, Eurasian Tree Sparrow), and two second winter records (Northern Waterthrush, Lark Sparrow).

As with the previous two winters, there was little evidence of widespread early spring waterfowl migration into southern Minnesota. Reports of early migrants mostly consisted of small numbers of a few duck species in late February, and an influx of geese in the Southwest on the last day of the month. In contrast, the winter 2016 waterfowl migration began in earnest in mid February. Other than Canada, the only goose species reported in midwinter was Cackling, with eight in Clay County in early January.

Mute Swans were reported from three counties with a total of up to seven different individuals. This is a typical total for the previous five winters, and the species does not seem to be substantially increasing or decreasing. Several thousand Tundra Swans lingered in the Mississippi River near Brownsville until early December but numbers diminished quickly after that; a few overwintered farther upriver in Goodhue and Wabasha counties. Trumpeter Swans continue to overwinter in large numbers, with midwinter counts of 100 or more from nine counties. As usual, Blue Lake W.T.P. and nearby Shakopee Mill Pond in Scott County hosted a number of overwintering ducks — at least 14 species were found, including state midwinter high counts of six at Blue Lake (Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, and Hooded Merganser).

Only one scoter was reported — a White-winged in Grand Marais. The only Long-tailed Ducks were from Lake Superior, where they were found in normal numbers in Cook County but scarce farther southwest. The only Harlequin Ducks also were in Grand Marais. A Barrow’s Goldeneye was reported from Lake Pepin and another was seen by many for nearly a month through late February on the Mississippi River in Monticello; both were females. Interesting was the report of a male Bufflehead X Common Goldeneye hybrid at Monticello. This hybrid was reported here in two previous winters (2015, 2016), and photos suggest these may have been the same individual. Only two others have been documented in the state.

Wild Turkeys were reported from a season record-tying 75 counties (the same as last winter’s total), from as far northwest as Marshall County and northeast to Tofte, where four birds were a first winter record for Cook County. The highest counts in the state came from Pennington County in the Northwest, where 250 set a new record for the season. This total was over twice that of the highest south counts. Eurasian Collared-Doves were found in 55 counties, tying last winter’s record; two reports were from Kittson County in the far northwest corner. In January, a Wilson’s Snipe was seen flying across the road near Lutsen, for only the second Cook County winter record.

Great Blue Herons were reported from only five counties, the fewest in a decade. The only ones after December were singles at two Rice County locations. For the second consecutive winter, none were reported overwintering at the formerly reliable Mississippi River (Pig’s Eye) site in Ramsey County. As recently as winter 2011, as many as ten were found there in midwinter but numbers declined in subsequent winters. No gulls of any species were reported away from Lake Superior after 6 January. As in the past several winters, Great Black-backed Gulls remain scarce in Duluth with only a single adult that was seen by many after December. As recently as winter 2011, as many as 11 were found there but numbers have continued to decline since that peak. Three December Lesser Black-backed Gulls (one in Duluth, two in Minneapolis) continue the string of reports in 12 consecutive winters. A first-cycle California Gull at Point Douglas Park, Washington County, was only the fifth winter record for the state.

A Barn Owl in Sax-Zim Bog was the first north record since 1986. It was seen by many observers over two January days. Comments from some local residents suggest that this owl may have been present for up to a month prior to its discovery by birders. Unfortunately, the owl’s physical condition deteriorated to the point that it could no longer fly; it was picked up by several birders for transport to The Raptor Center in St. Paul, but it died during the trip. At least four different Boreal Owls were reported, including one cooperative individual at the Admiral Road feeding station in Sax-Zim Bog that was seen by many over its three-week stay. In only two of the previous ten winters were more than three Boreals reported.

For the fourth consecutive winter, no Gyrfalcons were found in the state. However, Peregrine Falcons reached a season-high, being seen in 16 counties, mostly along the Mississippi River corridor from Benton south to Houston County. Continuing a trend from the past few years, Common Ravens were reported from as far south as Scott and Dakota counties in near record numbers.

Several species were found in season-high or near season-high levels this winter. Tufted Titmouses were observed in 14 counties, again largely following the Mississippi River corridor as far north as Anoka County. Hermit Thrushes were found in 18 counties, easily surpassing the previous high of nine. Varied Thrushes appeared in 11 counties, one off the record high of 12 set just last year. And Townsend’s Solitaires continue to be seen in a large number of counties — 17 for this season, including a first county record sighting in Murray.

Overall, it was a slow winter for finches. Most notable, Evening Grosbeaks were found in only two counties — St. Louis and Lake — establishing a season low total for at least the past 40 years. Common Redpolls were reported from only 17 counties, far below the ten-year average of 55 and last winter’s total of 66 counties. And for the first time since 2013, there were no reports of Hoary Redpolls. By comparison, in 2017–2018, a major invasion year, this species was seen in 47 counties. In contrast, Pine Grosbeaks, Purple Finches, Pine Siskins, and both crossbills were seen in numbers close to their ten-year averages.

A few other notable sightings from this winter season included a second winter record of Northern Waterthrush that was lingering at Fort Snelling State Park on December 14–15. Other late migrants sighted included a Baltimore Oriole in Anoka County on 3 December, a Field Sparrow in Wabasha County on 5 December, an Orange-crowned Warbler on 8 December in Hennepin County, and a Rose-breasted Grosbeak in Kanabec County on 18 December. A Lark Sparrow first seen on 21 December  in Blue Earth County continued to 1 January, marking only the second winter record for this species. Finally, a Spotted Towhee braved out most of the winter in Morrison County.

Acknowledgements: We thank Jeanie Joppru for compiling and providing transcripts of Minnesota’s Detroit Lakes weekly birding report. Special thanks to Dave Cahlander for building and maintaining the Seasonal Report submission and production web pages (http://moumn.org/moureports/season.php) through which most of this data is collected and organized. In addition to the data collected through this MOU website, we are grateful for the data provided for the creation of this report by eBird (http://www.ebird.org, accessed March 2020). Steve Weston, serving as Minnesota CBC coordinator, compiled vast amounts of data from 85 counts. Medians of recent arrivals and departures are based on published and unpublished Seasonal Report data from 1994 through 2018. Our appreciation goes out to all our contributors, especially those who respond to our requests for details and who submit observations online.

Minneapolis, MN;  Golden Valley, MN;  Washington, DC.