Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon
The 1960-Summer Season
1 June through 31 July 1960
by Mary Lupient

The weather in May was normal except for tar::-ential rains which occurred May 21 and 22 causing disastrous floods in some area3. Tne Arboratum in Northfield was completely inundated, lowlands were flooded, rivers and lakes were abnormally high. In eastern Minnesota these rains brought to earth thousands of migrating flycatchers, warblers, thrushes, vireos and other song birds. June weather was cool and pleasant. July was normal except for a few exceptionally hot days during the last week.

Horned Grebes were fairly numerous in waters around the Twin Cities and other areas during the first two weeks in May. Dr. A. E. Allin reported seeing hundreds of them May 12 on Lake Superior from Hovland, Cook County south. An Eared Grebe appeared on Lake Harriet, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, May 15, reported bv E. Hermanson. One was seen on L"ake Owasso, Ramsey County, April 30, by A. C. Rosenwinkel. A Common Loon was observed south of Shakopee, Scott County, July 21 by Mrs.

E. W. Joul. A pair of Red-necked Grebes and also a pair of Common Gallinules nested at Grass Lake, Minneapolis, reported by Mrs. R. E.

Whitesel and Mrs. E. W. Joul.

There were several reports of Common Egrets along rivers and lakes during the entire season. Some of them may have nested. The only record of nests was received from Orwin Rustad who visited a heronry in Rice County which contained approximately 500 Great Blue Heron nests and five nests of Common Egrets. Dr. Willard Colby reported that about 25 Common Egrets were roosting again this spring with Great Blue Herons on an islai~d in the Mississippi near St. Paul, Ramsey County. In Whitewater Park, Winona Dr. Allin. Four Yellow-crowned Night Herons were observed by John A.

Hall July 6 in Ramsey County. They were close enough to enable him to see all the distinguishing field marks.

A pair of Common Goldeneyes remained on Lake Como this spring reported by A. C. Rosenwinkel. First record of them was on May 14 after which he saw them on several later dates. After June 7 and up to date of his report July 26, he saw only the male which by then was in eclipse plumage. Mr. Rosenwinkel thinks something happened to the female while on the nest. He was unable to find the nest. Dr. P. B. Hofslund reported that ducks were definitely fewer around Duluth. St. Louis County.

Several hundred Tundra Swans were in Duluth Bay in late April and early May. Dr. Hofslund saw thousands of White Pelicans on Lake Traverse, Traverse County, in May.

Small flocks were reported at several points in western Minnesota by Dr.

A. B. Erickson, Brother Theodore and Robert Janssen.

Mrs. C. L. Patchin reported that a Red-shouldered Hawk frequented the Minnesota River valley all spring and summer near her home in Scott County. A pair of Broad-winged Hawks on a nest was observed in Roberts Sanctuary, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, May 8 and also the first week in June. Dr. Allin reported that Broad-winged Hawks were common in Lake County, May 12. This writer saw a concentration of 16 American Kestrels July 24, in Scott County.

The Northern Bobwhite is becoming scarcer in Minnesota each year and observations are rare. Robert Janssen heard them calling July 10 in Scott County.

High water inundated so many mud flats that less than the usual number of reports of shore birds was received.

A few Lesser Yellowlegs and small peeps appeared in widely scattered areas. A Wilson's Phalarope was observed in Ramsey County, July 3 by A. C. Rosenwinkel. He reported a King Rail in Ramsey County July 20. Mrs. R. E. Whitesel saw a few returning Lesser Yellowlegs at Grass Lake, July 24.

Ring-billed Gulls were on Lake Como, St. Paul July 9, seen by A. C. Rosenwinkel who also saw 12 Forster's Terns at the same place.

There was a heavy migration of Common Nighthawks over the Minnesota River valley May 22. A few individuals appeared May 19.

There was a large movement of flycatchers in eastern Minnesota, May 21. The following species were observed: Olive-sided, Least, Traills, Great Crested and Yellow-bellied. On July 18 in Washington County John Hall saw 18 Western Kingbirds in a short stretch of road. Many of them were immatures. They obligingly perched on a fence ten feet from the car so identification was assured. The next day he returned to the same area with A. C. Rosenwinkel and they counted 10 immatures and adults.

Fewer Purple Martins were reported and there were many unoccupied martin houses. Drew Simonson reported the nesting of only nine pairs of Purple Martins in four wide· ly scattered localities. Swallows were as abundant as usual and began flocking in late July. This writer saw a concentration of hundreds of Bank Swallows in Scott County July 24.

They were on a dirt road sunning and dust bathing.

The migration of Gray-cheeked and Swainson's Thrushes was very heavy in eastern Minnesota, especially the last half of May. Robins and Eastern Bluebirds were as abundant as usual.

Their nesting was somewhat late due p::l3Sibly to late cold wet spring weather.

On July 29 Harvey Gunderson found a Robin's nest containing three eggs in Winona County. He also found a Mourning Dove's nest in the same vicinity containing two eggs.

There was not much change in the Mourning Dove population according to reports.

Marshes have been drained and dried up to such an extent that it was difficult to find marsh birds.

Very few Marsh Wrens were reported.

Several observers stated that they had not seen any. A Winter Wren was seen May 7 near St. Paul by A. C.

Rosenwinkel.

On May 6, six Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were found where they formerly nested near Vasa, Goodhue County by FINCHES Brother Theodore and Robert Janssen.

One was seen in Hennepin County May 7 by Brother Theodore.

There was a large movement of Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers May 8, in southeastern Minnesota. Possibly because of the cold wet weather they fed on the ground where insects were more abundant. A great wave of nearly all species of warblers common to Minnesota occurred on May 21 and 22. A Worm-eating Warbler was observed by this writer in Scott County during this migration. Blue· winged Warblers and Cerulean Warblers were found near Vasa by Brother Theodore and Robert Janssen.

Great numbers of all species of vireos t h a t commonly migrate through Minnesota appeared during this movement of warblers.

A Black-billed Magpie was reported from Rock County June 6 by Mrs. Rachel Tyron.

Reportedly there was a large number of Common Grackles this season especially on lawns and in gardens in the cities. John Jarosz reported the nesting of Brewer's Blackbirds June 1. The nest was in the shrubbery in the yard around the Minnesota Museum of Natural History. A few Orchard Orioles were seen. One pair nested in Washington County near the home of Mrs. William Davidson.

Scarlet Tanagers were more abundant in eastern Minnesota.

This writer thanks all those who sent records by letter and phone regarding the Dicksissel. Except for a very few instances only one or two individuals of this bird were seen at a time. Orwin Rustad found a goodly number in Rice County. Agnes Elstad saw several in Freeborn County May 21. In Stevens County they appeared in large numbers where the acreage of alfalfa was greater than usual. This report was received from Delmar Holdgrafer. A Lark Bunting near Waubun, Mahnomen County was seen June 6 by John Tester.

There were great flocks of Whitethroated Sparrows in Hennepin County May 6 and 7. Some Whitecrowned Sparrows appeared with them. Harris's Sparrows were uncommonly abundant during the May migration. Flocks of them passed through the Twin Cities. Mrs. E. W.

Joul reported that many Lark Sparrows were feeding young July 2 in Scott County.

A number of records of Northern Mockingbirds was received, as follows: one, Scott County May 6, Mrs. Sophia Harms; one, Hennepin County May 1, Mrs. A. C. Macinnes; one, Hennepin County May 2, Mrs. Donald Barr; one, Anoka County April 23, David Pearson; one, Ramsey County July 1, Mrs.

Robert Leach; and one at Northfield, Rice County, May 10-13, Mrs. R. A. Houston. xxxxx The annual spring meeting of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union was held at Albert Lea May 21 and 22 and the Albert Lea Audubon Society was host. The Committee on Arrangements provided a fine dinner and program. The field trips were very rewarding in spite of the wet weather.

About 125 species were tallied on the composite list. The meeting was most successful but was not as well attended as was expected due to the stormy weather, no doubt.

Seventy participants were present.

Key to the Seasonal Report
1.Upper case (LEAST TERN) indicates a Casual or Accidental species in the state.
2.Species are listed in brackets [Whooping Crane] when there is a reasonable doubt as to its origin or wildness.
3.Bracketed text following a species’ name indicates the total number of north and south counties.
4.Dates listed in bold (10/9) indicate an occurrence either earlier, later, or within the three earliest or latest dates on file.
5.Counties listed in bold (Aitkin) indicate an unusual occurrence for that county.
6.Counties listed in bold and with an underline (Becker) indicate a first county record.
7.Counties listed in italics (Crow Wing) indicate a first county breeding record.
8.Counts listed in bold (150) indicate a total within or exceeding the top three high counts for that species.
9.Dagger “†” preceding observer’s initials denotes documentation was submitted.
10.“ph.” denotes a species documented with a photograph.
11.“v.t.” denotes a species documented by video tape.
The Seasonal Report  is a compilation of seasonal bird sightings from throughout Minnesota. We particularly invite reports from parts of the state that have been neglected or covered lightly in past reports. To become a contributor, contact the Editor of The Loon (editor AT moumn.org).

Species

Information

Loons
Common Loon
(Gavia immer)
no reports