 |
Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon | |
|
The 1961-Spring Season 1 March through 31 May 1961 by Ronald L. Huber |
Weather - The weather for March, April and May was not appreciably different enough from normal to cause any immediate changes in migration. Standout weather conditions were a snow storm on April 15-16 which snarled traffic and sent migrant arrivals to feeders for survival. A. C. Rosenwinkel reports that he found these migrants very concentrated in evergreens and other warm places which were sheltered from the wind. Dr. Rysgaard, from whom it is nice to receive correspondence after a long absence of his material from the Flicker, reports that the storm forced many species to the ground in the Northfield area, since the only open areas were along the roadsides. Strong southerly winds on about 10 May which blew in a few unusual southern species are listed below.
General Considerations - Data was accumulated from thirty-four observers who managed to birdwatch in 31 different counties. We had anticipated a larger response, but then, too, we sent out the requests for observations at the very last moment. Perhaps in the next issue, we can have information from the rest of you who did not find time to send your Spring reports. I would like to take a line here to thank those who did contribute. Although time limitations this time precluded my personal communication with each of you, I hope that in the future I shall be able to write each of you and get to know you.
Species Reported -
Common Loons and Grebes: All the loons and grebes occurring in Minnesota were seen this season.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Species |
Information |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks | |||||
| Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) | None of the unusual waterfowl were recorded, although the White-fronted Goose was seen. A bird for which there are few recent published Minnesota records and which is quite similar, at a distance, to immature Blue Geese, is one that should be identified carefully. Seven were seen, at very close range, by R. Grant on 29 April at Mud Lake on the north end of Lake Traverse. Although isolated as a group of seven, they were in the company of many thousands of Blue and Snow Geese. On 21 May, William Pieper and the Huber brothers saw what must have been the last lingering flock of geese in that area. About 100 Blue and Snow Geese passed low overhead, and we observed at least six White-fronts among them. Snow Geese: by R. Grant on 7 April in Ramsey County, about 30 birds. | ||||
| Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) | first seen by the Huber brothers on 31 March at Fisher Lake, Scott County, sitting on the ice. Some open water was nearby. That same day there were several seen flying over Belle Plaine, Sibley County by the same observers. We also saw about ten at Artichoke Lake, Big Stone County on 23 April. Other reports were 8 April, Washington County, by Dean Honetschlager, 10 April at Rochester by Dr. Rysgaard, 6 April at Duluth by Jan Green and the latest report of the season, 1 May, at Duluth by Joel Bronoel. | ||||
| White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi) | seen by Jan Green at Duluth from 9 to 11 May. | ||||
| Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) | seen by R. Janssen at the Blackdog Plant, on the Minnesota River, in Dakota County on 19 March. Seen as late as 5 April at Duluth by Robert Ulvang. | ||||
| New World Quail | |||||
| Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) | seem to be getting harder to find. Brother Theodore reported them on 27 May at Ridgeway, Winona County and Harding Huber heard one on 30 May just south of Reno, Houston County. | ||||
| Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys | |||||
| Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) | were heard drumming at the Dorer Pools, Wabasha County, on 13 May by members of the Avifaunal Club. Seen on 11 May near Vasa, Goodhue County by R. Janssen. | ||||
| Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) | were reported by Joe Antonio on 10 April near Emharass, St. Louis County. R. Grant saw one in Becker County on 6 May, just south of Waubun. | ||||
| Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix) | were reported 13 May at Hampton, Dakota County by R. Janssen and 20 May at Gaylord, Sibley County by R. Janssen and Brother Theodore. Two were seen near Hoffman, Grant County by members of the Avifaunal Club 21 May. | ||||
| Grebes | |||||
| Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) | seen by Robert Ulvang on 5 April at Duluth. In that area, the peak of abundance was 7 May when Jan Green reported about 200 of them. On 15 April the Huber brothers saw one on Lake Harriet in Minneapolis and we saw them again on 23 April in Traverse, Wright, Big Stone, and Meeker Counties. On 21 May one was seen near Herman, Grant County by William Pieper and the Huber brothers. | ||||
| Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) | reported on 5 April at Duluth by Robert Ulvang and on 23 April at Graceville, Big Stone County, by William Pieper and the Huber brothers. | ||||
| Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) | apparently slipped by most observers, but R. Grant observed two at Salt Lake, Lac qui Parle County, on 20 May. He said they appeared to be building a nest. The following day, three were seen by the Huber brothers and William Pieper in the same area. | ||||
| Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) | abundant on Lake Traverse again this year, and they undoubtedly breed there. Members of the Avifauna} Club saw them there on 23 April and 6, 11 and 12 May. R. Grant observed a pair courting and displaying there on 20 May. Pelican and Cormorant: Both were seen this season. | ||||
| Pigeons, Doves | |||||
| Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) | Seen on 4 April at Duluth by John C. Green. A. C. Rosenwinkel saw them in the Twin City area on 1 March. Dr. Rysgaard saw them 5 days earlier near Northfield. Cuckoos: Both species were reported, and apparently arrived on schedule. Although they are normally among the last of the migrants to arrive, a very late wave hit Houston County on 10 June when the Huber brothers saw and heard more than 30 cuckoos of both species. R. Grant contributed a similar report for the same area on the same day. Owls: Six species were seen this season. | ||||
| Nightjars | |||||
| Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus) | heard 23 May in Washington County by Dean Honetschlager and seen 26 May at Dunraven, Washington County by Brother Theodore. Common Nighthawk seen very early by Brother Theodore at Dunroven, Washington County on 21 April, about 30 birds. Dr. Ward Tanner saw them 19 May at Kasota. Dean Honetschlager saw them on 13 May in Washington County. Chimney Swifts first arrived in Duluth on 18 May when seen by Jan Green. Dean Honetschlager saw them in Washington County on 12 May. Dr. Rysgaard saw them on 15 May near Northfield and A. C. Roenwinkel saw them on 6 May near the Twin Cities. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. | ||||
| Rails, Gallinules, Coots | |||||
| KING RAIL (Rallus elegans) | seen 27 May at La Crescent by Brother Theodore. | ||||
| Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) | "abundant" at Swan Lake, on 20 May when six were seen by R. Janssen. | ||||
| Sora (Porzana carolina) | also seen there on the same day. Common Moorhens also were there on the same day. Shorebirds: Thirty-one species were reported this season. Yellowlegs seemed quite scarce, especially the Greater. There were several reports of Dowitchers, but in only one instance was identification of species certain, being established by the call note of the birds as they took flight. | ||||
| Stilts, Avocets | |||||
| American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) | seen 23 April at Salt Lake by Avifaunal Club members. Seen there periodically through April and May. On 21 May a nest with four eggs was found. As many as 20 adult birds were seen in the area at one time. A lone individual was also seen near Big Lake, east of Herman, Grant County on the same day. Gulls and Terns: Nine species were seen; the terns arrived normally. A few unusual dates are listed below for the gulls. | ||||
| Plovers | |||||
| Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) | seen 14 May near Kimball Prairie, Stearns County by Brother Theodore. Jan Green saw them at Duluth on 24 May. | ||||
| American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominica) | seen 6 May near Montevideo, Chippewa County by Avifaunal Club members. Jan Green reported them at Duluth on 21 April and 22 May. William Pieper saw them on 11 May near Wheaton, Traverse County. He also saw them on 16 May in Lyons, Lincoln and Yellow Medicine Counties. | ||||
| Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) | Six were seen at Salt Lake by Avifaunal Club members on 6 May. Jan Green saw them in Duluth from 9 to 29 May. | ||||
| Sandpipers | |||||
| Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) | seen on 31 May at Duluth by Jan Green. | ||||
| Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica) | Two were seen on 6 May at Salt Lake by members of the Avifaunal Club. Jan Green saw them at Duluth on 15 May. | ||||
| RED KNOT (Calidris canutus) | seen from 26 to 29 May at Duluth by Jan Green; on 27 May by P. B. Hofslund and members of the Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis) | seen 21 May at Salt Lake by Avifauna} Club members and Jan Green reports ten of them at Duluth on 30 May. Short-billed Dowitcher. Six were seen by the Huber brothers and William Pieper near Big Lake, east of Herman, Grant County on 21 May. Identified by call-note. Other Dowitcher reports, specific identity unknown, were 29 April at Salt Lake by R. Grant and 15 May at Duluth by Jan Green. | ||||
| Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis) | seen 5 May at Salt Lake by R. Grant. Two birds. | ||||
| Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) | Six were seen by the Huber brothers and William Pieper near Big Lake, east of Herman, Grant County on 21 May. Identified by call-note. | ||||
| Limnodromus dowitcher (Limnodromus sp.) | Other Dowitcher reports, specific identity unknown, were 29 April at Salt Lake by R. Grant and 15 May at Duluth by Jan Green. | ||||
| American Woodcock (Scolopax minor) | Dr. Ward Tanner reported that American American Woodcock were feeding in Dr. Charles Hamrun's back yard at St. Peter. A student of P. B. Hofslund's found one dead at Duluth on 8 April. R. Janssen and Brother Theodore saw one near Chaska, Carver County on 20 May. | ||||
| Willet (Tringa semipalmata) | reported at Duluth by P. B. Hofslund's ornithology class (I believe this is the second or third record for that area) on 11 May. One was seen at Salt Lake on 5 May by R. Grant. Red Knot: seen from 26 to 29 May at Duluth by Jan Green; on 27 May by P. B. Hofslund and members of the Avifaunal Club. White-rumped Sandpiper: seen 21 May at Salt Lake by Avifauna} Club members and Jan Green reports ten of them at Duluth on 30 May. | ||||
| Gulls, Terns | |||||
| Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) | seen on 15 April, quite early, an adult and one in winter plumage near Flying Cloud Airport, west of Minneapolis by A vi faunal Club members. Of special interest are several California Gulls seen on 10 May in Steele County, North Dakota, barely 25 miles west of the Minnesota border, by William Pieper. They were along the very edge of the Red River Valley. | ||||
| Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) | seen as late as 22 April at Duluth by Jan Green. | ||||
| Loons | |||||
| Common Loon (Gavia immer) | first reported on 4 April by A. C. Rosenwinkel in the Twin Cities area. On 5 April one was seen at Duluth by Lyle Patterson. The peak of influx was probably on 7 April when I saw one or more on each of our city lakes in MinneRed- throated Common Loons were reported at Duluth from May 13 to 20 by Jan Green. Another was seen on May 27 by R. Grant, William Pieper and the Huber brothers. | ||||
| Cormorants | |||||
| Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) | seen on 23 April at Lake Traverse by the Avifaunal Club. Dean Honetschlager reports one near Marine-onthe- St. Croix in Washington County on 15 April. John Hale saw them at Grant Portage, Cook County on 27 April. Egrets, Herons and Bitterns: Eight species were reported this spring. A ninth species was added, the Great White Heron, and the second sight record for the state of the Cattle Egret was recorded. | ||||
| Pelicans | |||||
| American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) | seen in large numbers by the Avifauna} Club on 23 April at Lake Traverse. Again on 5 May there were ten seen in the same area by R. Grant. | ||||
| Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons | |||||
| American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) | seen 26 April near Northfield by Dr. Rysgaard, 30 April in Twin City area by A C. Rosenwinkel and 6 May at north end of Lake Traverse by the Huber brothers. | ||||
| Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) | quite often elusive, were seen on 20 May at Swan Lake, in Nicollet County, by Brother Theodore, R. Janssen and R. Glassel. | ||||
| Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) | R. Grant reports six on nests at the Rice Lake heronry, Ramsey County on 23 March. By 4 April there were over 200 on nests. Dr. Rysgaard reports this species at General Shield's Lake, Rice County on 2 April. Great White Heron was seen 13 May (shortly after the strong southerly winds) near Elmore, Faribault County. (See Notes of Interest). | ||||
| Great Egret (Ardea alba) | Not seen in large numbers, but they did seem to be widespread this spring. Seen by Dr. Rysgaard at General Shield's Lake on 2 April, by R. Grant on 13 April in Hennepin County. The Huber brothers saw them on 29 April near Frontenac, Goodhue County, 6 May near Brown's Valley at the south end of Lake Traverse and 13 May in Houston and Wabasha Counties. | ||||
| Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) | the second sight record for Minnesota, was seen about halfway between La Crescent and Hokah, Houston County, on 13 May by R. Glassel, R. Grant and the Huber brothers. (See Notes of Interest). | ||||
| Green Heron (Butorides virescens) | Green Heron. seen 30 April near Northfield by Dr. Rysgaard, 29 April in Twin City area by A. C. Rosenwikel and 5 May at Marine-on the-St. Croix by Dean Honetschlager. | ||||
| Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) | Yellow-crowned Night-Herons were recorded by the Avifaunal Club members at La Crescent, Houston County on 13 May. Seen again in same area 30 May by William Pieper. | ||||
| New World Vultures | |||||
| Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) | was seen 19 April near Northfield by Dr. Rysgaard, two were seen near Frontenac on 29 April by the Huber brothers; several were seen in Winona County on 13 May by members of the Avifaunal Club; and William Pieper saw them near Reno, Houston County, on 30 May. | ||||
| Kites, Accipiters, Hawks, Eagles | |||||
| SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus) | was seen by members of Dr. Warner's ornithology class on 25 April by the Mendota | ||||
| Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) | numerous throughout the eastern part of the state this season. (See Seasonal Report.) | ||||
| Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) | reported only by R. Grant: two seen on 29 April near Lake Traverse and on 5 May one in the dark phase was seen in the same area. Rough-legged Hawk was seen as late as 21 April by Jan Green at Duluth. | ||||
| FERRUGINOUS HAWK (Buteo regalis) | seldom seen in Minnesota, although it may breed here, was seen by Avifaunal Club members on 18 March near Sebeka, Wadena County. Another was seen by William Pieper on 19 May near Clarksfield, Yellow Medicine County. | ||||
| Screech-Owls, Owls | |||||
| Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) | R. Grant found one young just out of the nest about the second week of May in Hennepin County just north of Minneapofis. Great Horned Owl. R. Grant reports a female incubating in Anoka County on 23 March. Heard 9 March by Gordon Gullion at the Cloquet Forest Research Station. William Pieper reports adult with two young at the Dorer Pools. | ||||
| Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) | R. Grant reports a female incubating in Anoka County on 23 March. Heard 9 March by Gordon Gullion at the Cloquet Forest Research Station. William Pieper reports adult with two young at the Dorer Pools. Snowy Owl: Joe Antonio saw one 21 March at Embarrass, St. Louis County. Sam Cox saw one the entire month of March on Minnesota Point, Duluth. Seen as late as 22 April at Duluth by Jan Green. Barred Owl: Ole Finseth heard one calling at Chub Lake near Carlton, during two weekends in March. Jan Green saw one in Duluth on 4 May. Gordon Gullion saw one on 7 April at the Cloquet Forest Research Station. Dr. Rysgaard saw one at Vasa, Goodhue County on 10 May. | ||||
| Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) | Joe Antonio saw one 21 March at Embarrass, St. Louis County. Sam Cox saw one the entire month of March on Minnesota Point, Duluth. Seen as late as 22 April at Duluth by Jan Green. | ||||
| Barred Owl (Strix varia) | Ole Finseth heard one calling at Chub Lake near Carlton, during two weekends in March. Jan Green saw one in Duluth on 4 May. Gordon Gullion saw one on 7 April at the Cloquet Forest Research Station. Dr. Rysgaard saw one at Vasa, Goodhue County on 10 May. Long-eared Owl seen 17 April at Duluth by Jan and John Green. Two adults and four young found in nest in Hennepin County by R. Grant on 9 May. | ||||
| Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) | seen 6 May at Salt Lake, and Beardsley, Big Stone County, by members of the Avifaunal Club. Seen 27 April at Duluth by P. B. Hofslund. Goatsuckers: Both species were seen. Eastern Whip-poor-will. heard 23 May in Washington County by Dean Honetschlager and seen 26 May at Dunraven, Washington County by Brother Theodore. Common Nighthawk seen very early by Brother Theodore at Dunroven, Washington County on 21 April, about 30 birds. Dr. Ward Tanner saw them 19 May at Kasota. Dean Honetschlager saw them on 13 May in Washington County. Chimney Swifts first arrived in Duluth on 18 May when seen by Jan | ||||
| Woodpeckers | |||||
| Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) | was seen by Nels Hervi and Virginia Barrows near Ely on 3 April. Northern Flicker. Earliest report was 1 April at Northfield by Dr. Rysgaard. Robert Ulvang saw one at Duluth on 5 April. Otherwise the peak of arrival for the state was 15 April. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was first seen by Dean Honetschlager in Washington County on 10 April. A. C. Rosenwinkel saw them on 13 April in St. Paul and Dr. Rysgaard saw them on 15 April at Northfield. By 15 April they had reached Duluth, as seen by several observers. Flycatchers: All Minnesota species were seen this season. Western Eastern Kingbird was seen 27 May at Duluth (I doubt that there are | ||||
| Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) | Earliest report was 1 April at Northfield by Dr. Rysgaard. Robert Ulvang saw one at Duluth on 5 April. Otherwise the peak of arrival for the state was 15 April. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was first seen by Dean Honetschlager in Washington County on 10 April. A. C. Rosenwinkel saw them on 13 April in St. Paul and Dr. Rysgaard saw them on 15 April at Northfield. By 15 April they had reached Duluth, as seen by several observers. Flycatchers: All Minnesota species were seen this season. Western Eastern Kingbird was seen 27 May at Duluth (I doubt that there are many records for that area), by members of the A vifaunal Club. Brother Theodore saw one at Orrock, Sherburne | ||||
| Caracaras, Falcons | |||||
| Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) | reported by Ray Naddy on 31 March at Duluth. R. Grant saw two near Frontenac on 20 April and one at Salt Lake on 5 May. | ||||
| Vireos | |||||
| Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii) | Seen 30 May near Reno, Houston County by William Pieper and other Avifaunal Club members. | ||||
| Jays, Nutcrackers, Magpies, Crows | |||||
| Common Raven (Corvus corax) | seen as late as 16 May by P. B. Hofslund's class at Duluth. Wrens: Five species were reported. | ||||
| Gnatcatchers | |||||
| Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) | Seen 13 May by Avifaunal Club members near Whitewater Park. Observed building nest near Vasa by Brother Theodore on 11 May. Seen 30 April at Red Wing by Dr. Rysgaard. | ||||
| Wrens | |||||
| BEWICK'S WREN (Thryomanes bewickii) | Dr. Rysgaard saw one on 4 April at Northfield. Seen near Dorer Pools, Wabasha County on 13 May by Avifaunal Club members. Seen in same vicinity but in Winona County on 27 May by Brother Theodore. | ||||
| Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) | Seen by members of Dr. Warner's ornithology class on 18 May at T. S. Roberts' Sanctuary in Minneapolis. Another was heard singing but not seen on 30 May just south of Reno, Houston County by Avifaunal Club members. | ||||
| Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis) | Seen 14 April at Duluth by Jan Green. Seen 15 April at Northfield by Dr. Rysgaard and 7 May by A. C. Rosenwinkel in the Twin City area. | ||||
| Sedge Wren (Cistothorus stellaris) | Seen 15 May by Brother Theodore at Carlos A very Game Refuge. Seen 11 May at Duluth by Jan Green. Thrushes and Mimic Thrushes: All common species were reported. | ||||
| Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris) | Seen by Brother Theodore on 15 May at the Carlos Avery Game Refuge. Seen by Avifaunal Club members on 21 May near Odessa, but in Lac qui Parle County. | ||||
| Thrashers, Mockingbirds | |||||
| Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) | Seen by R. Grant just north of Centerville, Anoka County on 27 April. | ||||
| Thrushes | |||||
| Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) | Seen 15 April by Dr. Rysgaard at Northfield. | ||||
| Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) | Seen 13 May at Whitewater Park by Avifaunal Club members. | ||||
| Pipits | |||||
| American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) | Many seen on 23 April at Salt Lake by Avifaunal Club. Vireos and Warblers: 34 species reported. Peak influx on second week of May. A. C. Rosenwinkel observed a heavy concentration of warblers in the Twin City area on 10 May. Southerly winds on that day probably accounted for the appearance of two rare warblers, one of which was a new state record. | ||||
| Finches | |||||
| Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) | Mrs. Paul G. Kief reports several in Montevideo, Chippewa Co., from February 17 until April 2. Mrs. Lee E. Payne of Willmar, Kandiyohi Co., reports that a flock spent all of March at her feeder. Mrs. Allan had them at her feeder in Ramsey Co., until May 12. Ray Naddy saw them at Duluth as late as May 31. | ||||
| Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) | Purple Finch................. Hoary Redpoll................ Common Redpoll.............. American Goldfinch............ Vesper Sparrow................ Savannah Sparrow............ Grasshopper Sparrow........... Lark Sparrow................. Harris's Sparrow............... White-crowned Sparrow......... White-throated Sparrow......... Tree Sparrow................. Chipping Sparrow............. Clay-colored Sparrow.......... Field Sparrow................. Dark-eyed Dark-eyed Junco............ Dark-eyed Dark-eyed Junco................. Song Sparrow................ Lincoln's Sparrow.............. Swamp Sparrow............... | ||||
| Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) | also reported everywhere; this is probably one of the largest invasions in years. They oould breed in the state this year, since John T. Pratt reports that they seem to be paired off already in his area. There is thus far only one published record of their nesting in Minnesota that I know of. Dean Honetschlager reports Red Crossbills oommon at Marine-on-the-St. Croix from 20 March until 12 May. A. C. Rosenwinkel reports them for 29 April and 13 May (20 birds in the Twin City area. Dr. Rysgaard reports that on 18 April several flocks took up temporary residence in evergreens at Northfield. Dr. Horace Scott saw a small flock at Frontenac as late as 10 May. R. Grant saw a small flock on Minnesota Point, Duluth on 27 May. Dr. Ward | ||||
| Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) | abundant in all areas reported from. A nest was reported on or about 13 April at the T. S. Roberts' Sanctuary in Minneapolis reported by E. D. Swedenborg. Another report of nest building came from Mrs. Andrews of the Lake Minnetonka area on 8 May. See Notes of Interest. | ||||
| Longspurs and Snow Buntings | |||||
| Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) | Seen as late as 17 April at Cloquet Forest Research Station by Gordon Gullion. A. C. Rosenwinkel reports that they were seen on 16 April, the day after the big storm, feeding in their yard with House Sparrows. | ||||
| Towhees, Sparrows | |||||
| Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) | Seen 13 May Cannon Falls by Brother Theodore. | ||||
| Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) | Seen in Ramsey County 27 April by R. Grant. Seen 21 May in Big Stone County by Avifaunal Club members. | ||||
| LeConte's Sparrow (Ammospiza leconteii) | Seen 6 May by Harding Huber at north end of Lake Traverse. Jan Green reports them for Duluth on 4 and 11 May. | ||||
| Nelson's Sparrow (Ammospiza nelsoni) | Seen 15 May at Carlos Avery Refuge by Brother Theodore. | ||||
| Henslow's Sparrow (Centronyx henslowii) | Seen 6 May on the Becker-Mahnomen County line by R. Grant, just south of Waubun. Brother Theodore saw them 27 May at Winona. | ||||
| Blackbirds, Orioles | |||||
| Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) | Seen 27 May at Duluth by R. Grant on Minnesota Point. Seen in the exact same spot two days later by Jan Green. Also, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Everett had one in their back yard at Duluth from 18 to 20 May. | ||||
| Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) | Seen 21 May at Rosen, Lac qui Parle County by Avifaunal Club. Seen 27 May at Winona by Brother Theodore and 30 May at Reno, by William Pieper. | ||||
| Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) | Evening Grosbeak.............. 1 1 5 2 3 1 1 5 1 2 2 1 9 8 6 4 7 6 7 | ||||
| Warblers | |||||
| Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) | Seen 13 May in Twin City area by A. C. Rosenwinkel and same day at La Crescent by A vi faunal Club members. Blue-winged and Golden-winged Warblers: Seen in same bush in Whitewater park area on 13 May. | ||||
| Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis) | Having never seen this warbler, I recently surveyed all issues of the Flicker since 1937. I found only three published Minnesota records for this species as compared with 17 for the rare Blackthroated Blue!!! I would therefore like to invite all of you to send me your Connecticut Warbler records, past and present. On 27 May we heard two singing near Nickerson, Pine County, but were unable to see the birds. Brother Theodore saw one near Nerstrand, Rice County on 18 May. An early arrival was seen 10 May at Frontenac by Dr. Rysgaard. William Pieper and Harding Huber saw one at Duluth on 27 May. Robert Janssen saw one singing from the top of an Elm tree at Sand Dunes State Forest on 30 May, an unusual incident, | ||||
| KENTUCKY WARBLER (Geothlypis formosa) | The first specimen taken for the state; a female found dead at the Northeast Athletic Field in Minneapolis on 22 May was brought to Harding Huber. The specimen was in fairly good shape and was turned over to the Museum of Natural History. It can now be officially listed as occurring in Minnesota, since for scientific purposes all previous sight records are hypothetical. | ||||
| Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) | Abundant this spring; reported by almost all observers, the earliest being 13 May at Christmas Lake near Lake Minne- tonka, Hennepin County seen by Brother Theodore. | ||||
| Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) | Seen 19 May at Kasota by Dr. Ward Tanner. Seen 14 May in west Minneapolis by William Pieper. | ||||
| Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) | A species that often eludes spring observers, was seen as early as 23 April by Nels Hervi near Virginia, St. Louis County. William Pieper saw one in Minneapolis on 13 May and A. C. Rosenwinkel saw one at Willow River, Pine County on 27 May. | ||||
| Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) | First warbler to arrive. Seen on 30 March by A. C. Rosenwinkel in the Twin City area. Dr. Rysgaard reports them on 15 April at Northfield. | ||||
| PRAIRIE WARBLER (Setophaga discolor) | Previously unreported for the state, was seen by Mrs. Leach and other observers on 13 May at the lzaac Walton League Bass Ponds, in Bloomington, just south of Minneapolis. They had time to study the bird closely. | ||||
| Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks | |||||
| Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) | A female was seen by this writer at Duluth on 27 May. Seen by A. C. Rosenwinkel at Willow River on 27 May. Fingillidae: Variable in their appearances, but for the most part were seen as usual. The Harris' and Whitecrowned Sparrows managed to elude most observers~ while the Dickcissel is here in moderate numbers this year. | ||||