Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon
The 1976-Spring Season
1 March through 31 May 1976
By Terry Savaloja

In contrast with the spring of 1975 this spring was almost the exact opposite. 1976 was one of the driest springs on record, most of the state did not receive more than 2 inches of rain for April and May. Some areas in the south-west and west-central parts of the state received less or almost none and experienced severe drought conditions.

May started out cool and with just over 1 inch of snow on the 2nd.

After that the ·weather warmed up and stayed dry. Temperatures in April and May were above normal and in both months we received almost 75 percent of available sunshine. Good migrations occurred on May 13th, 14th and on May 19th, 20th, both accompanied by weather systems.

Summary: A total of 189 species were recorded by 89 observers.

A Red-throated Loon on 5-29 was the only report of this increasingly rare species. In the heron family, the Little Blue Heron was reported twice, the Snowy Egret twice, the Cattle Egret only once, and an extralimital record of the Yellow-crowned Night Heron. White-fronted Geese showed up in western counties in their best numbers in many years. Big Stone and Agassiz NWR's came in with good waterfowl peak numbers. Cinnamon Teal were reported from the southern part of the state. Red-shouldered Hawks are still expanding and Swainson's appear to be doing very well.

The rare Ferruginous Hawk was reported once. Yellow Rails were back in Aitkin Co. but most marshes were dry by late May. Marshall sewage lagoons came through with the first state record of a Snowy Plover and this bird should be watched for in western counties. A Long-b!.lled Curlew was reported from Swift Co. and Wimbrels were reported in good numbers.

Gulls once again made a good showing with four Glaucous, Iceland, Thayer's and two Little Gull reports.

The first Monk Parakeet report in several years was in Wright Co., good shot! Two reports of Burrowing Owls are encouraging along with three Great Gray Owl reports. A Scissortailed Flycatcher apparently over shot its home range and ended up in Lake Co. Black-billed Magpies are becoming common in the NW corner of the state. A Bewick's Wren in Crow Wing Co. was the first in several years, and Carolina Wrens may possibly be on the increase. Mountain Bluebirds are apparently changing their status in the state, with two reports again this spring. A new location for Sprague's Pipits and 17 reports for Loggerhead Shrikes are encouraging. In the warblers, Black-throated Blues were reported twice, Yellow-breasted Chats twice at Blue Mounds State Park, and Hooded Warblers twice, one from the northern part of the state. A Graycrowned Rosy Finch in Bemidji on 3-31 was the state's 5th record. Baird's Sparrows made a good showing and Nelson's Sparrows were reported from a new area. Smith's Longspurs were reported once and Chestnut-collard Longspurs five times.

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

Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks
Snow Goose
(Anser caerulescens)
Early south 3-2 Lincoln LK; 3-8 Olmsted VH; 3-19 Rock KE; early north 4-15 Marshall SV, AWR; 4-25 St. Louis NJH; 5-2 St. Louis DS, JH; peak several reports of 3000+.
Greater White-fronted Goose
(Anser albifrons)
18 reports of 750+ individuals, more reports than usual. Early 3-20 Chippewa RBJ (8); 3-21 Lac qui Parle HCK (2); 3-23 Cottonwood ED; peak 3-31 Big Stone (300) BS.
Canada Goose
(Branta canadensis)
Early north 3-19 Marshall AWR, SV; 4-23 Hubbard HF and Mille Lacs MI.
Tundra Swan
(Cygnus columbianus)
Early south 3-19 Stearns NMH; 3-20 Wabasha GE; 3-22 Wabasha KE; early north 3-29 Crow Wing DK; 4-2 Pine ML; 4-4 Marshall A WR, SV; late 5-20 Big Stone BS.
Wood Duck
(Aix sponsa)
Early south 3-10 Wabasha RL; 3-12 Ramsey RH; 2 reports on 3-18; early north 3-24 Crow Wing DK; 3-30 Marshall SV, AWR; 4-1 Aitkin JB; peak 415 Big Stone (300) BS.
Blue-winged Teal
(Spatula discors)
Early south 3-18 Fillmore GE; 4 reports on 3-20; early north 4-5 Crow Wing DK; 4-8 Otter Tail NJ; 4 reports on 4-9; peak 4-30 Marshall (11,300) AWR.
Cinnamon Teal
(Spatula cyanoptera)
2 reports 4-17 to 4-29 Mower RKJ; 4-5 Grant GO.
Northern Shoveler
(Spatula clypeata)
Early south 3-10 Wabasha RL; 3-15 Yellow Medicine GO; 3-18 Rice OR; early north 4-3 Otter Tail GW and Crow Wing DK; 4-5 Mille Lacs MI; 4-8 Marshall SV, A WR; peak 4-30 Marshall (810) A WR.
Gadwall
(Mareca strepera)
Early south 3-2 Hennepin HPR; 3-4 Wabasha WM; 3-18 Goodhue LH; early north 4-2 Marshall A WR; 4-9 Marshall SV; 4-11 Otter Tail GW; peak 4-30 Marshall (5,250) A WR.
American Wigeon
(Mareca americana)
Early south 3-2 Hennepin HPR; 3-18 Rice OR; 2 reports on 3-19; early north 4-2 Crow Wing DK; 4-3 Otter Tail GW; 4-5 Mille Lacs MI; peak 4-30 Marshall (2060) AWR.
Mallard
(Anas platyrhynchos)
Peak 4-30 Marshall (5,000) A WR.
American Black Duck
(Anas rubripes)
Early south 3-7 Wabasha WM; 3-13 Hennepin PCHS; 3 reports on 3-18; early north 4-4 and 4-10 St. Louis JCG; 4-12 Cook JH; 4-20 St. Louis GN.
Northern Pintail
(Anas acuta)
Early south 3-2 Lincoln LK and Hennepin HPR; 3-7 Washington GA; early north 3-25 Marshall SV, A WR; 4-4 St. Louis JCG; 4-5 Crow Wing DK; peak 4-30 Marshall (750) A WR.
Green-winged Teal
(Anas crecca)
Early south 3 reports on 3-19; early north 4-2 Marshall SV, A WR; 4-3 Crow Wing DK; 4-7 Mille Lacs MI; peak 4-30 Marshall (3430) A WR.
Canvasback
(Aythya valisineria)
Early south 3-15 Nobles GO; 3-18 Olmsted VH and Wabasha LH; early north 4-3 Otter Tail GW; 4-5 Mille Lacs MI; 4-10 Marshall SV, AWR; peak 4-23 Marshall (1780) A WR.
Redhead
(Aythya americana)
Early south 3-2 Wabasha WM; 3-3 Hennepin HPR; 3-7 Big Stone BS; early north 4-3 Otter Tail GW; 4-5 Mille Lacs MI and Crow Wing DK; peak 4-15 Big Stone (2000) BS.
Ring-necked Duck
(Aythya collaris)
Early south 3-7 Washington GA; 3 15 Nobles GO; several reports on 3-18; early north 3-16 Otter Tail GW; 3-30 Crow Wing DK; 4-1 Mille Lacs MI; peak 4-30 Marshall (3330) A WR.
Greater Scaup
(Aythya marila)
19 reports: early south 3-22 Goodhue KE; 3-25 Lyon HK; 3-28 Yellow Medicine GO and Hennepin PCHS; early north 3-31 Mille Lacs MI; 4-10 and 5-11 St. Louis JCG; 4-20 St. Louis GN.
Lesser Scaup
(Aythya affinis)
Early south 3-6 Washington JD; 314 Stearns NMH; several reports on 3-18; early north 3-23 Crow Wing DK; 4-3 Otter Tail GW; 4 reports on 4-4; peak 4-30 Marshall (10,400) A WR.
Surf Scoter
(Melanitta perspicillata)
2 reports 5-22 St. Louis RBJ, KE, TS; 5-23 Lake (2) LH.
White-winged Scoter
(Melanitta deglandi)
4 reports from Lake Superior: 4-22 St. Louis (1) GN; 5-15 Lake (45) DS; 5-22 St. Louis RBJ, KE, TS and Cook (1) LH; 1 report away from Lake Superior 5-11 Marshall (2) AWR. Winter 1976
Black Scoter
(Melanitta americana)
3 reports: 5-18 St. Louis (1) GN; 5-19 St. Louis (1) JCG; 5-25 Lake (1) JH.
Long-tailed Duck
(Clangula hyemalis)
6 reports all from Lake Superior: early 3-19 Cook (4) ETS; late 5-22 St. Louis RBJ, KE, TS, and Cook (38) LH; peak 5-15 Lake, Cook (45) DS.
Bufflehead
(Bucephala albeola)
Early south 3-10 Hennepin PCHS; 7 reports on 3-20; early north 3-31 Mille Lacs MI; 4-2 Crow Wing DK; 4-3 Otter Tail and Morrison LSR; late south 5-12 Rock KE; late north 5-23 St. Louis JCG; peak 4-23 Marshall (630) A WR.
Common Goldeneye
(Bucephala clangula)
late south 5-2 Stearns NMH and Scott SG, PS; peak 3-26 Big Stone (1100) BS.
Hooded Merganser
(Lophodytes cucullatus)
Early south 3-2 Wabasha WM; 3-14 Dakota SG, PS; 3-19 Rice OR; early north 3-20 Crow Wing DK; 3 reports on 3-29.
Common Merganser
(Mergus merganser)
Early north 3-31 St. Louis JCG; 4-2 Marshall SV, A WR; late south 4-24 Lyon HK; peak 4-15 Marshall (500) AWR.
Red-breasted Merganser
(Mergus serrator)
Early south 3-20 Dakota BDC; 3-21 Freeborn RKJ and Lac qui Parle HK; early north 3-9 St. Louis JCG; 3-18 Crow Wing DK; 4-3 Morrison LSR; late south 5-16 Hennepin ERW; peak 4-29 St. Louis (300) JCG.
Ruddy Duck
(Oxyura jamaicensis)
Early south 3-18 Rice OR; 3 reports on 3-19; early north 4-15 and 5-11 Marshall A WR; 4-29 Hubbard HF; 525 Morrison LSR; peak 4-16 Big Stone (400) BS.
New World Quail
Northern Bobwhite
(Colinus virginianus)
3 reports: 4-20 Dakota (1) BH; 4-25 Wabasha (1) WM; 5-16 Anoka JBB. Could all be released birds.
Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys
Wild Turkey
(Meleagris gallopavo)
4-18 Wabasha (1) RL; 3-28 Winona (20) JB, TS.
Ruffed Grouse
(Bonasa umbellus)
Reported from 25 counties.
Spruce Grouse
(Canachites canadensis)
3-20 Cook (2) ETS.
Sharp-tailed Grouse
(Tympanuchus phasianellus)
2 reports: 3-4 Aitkin (3) JB; 5-29 Polk (3) GO.
Greater Prairie-Chicken
(Tympanuchus cupido)
5 reports from 5-10 to 5-30 from Wilkin (83) and Polk (26).
Gray Partridge
(Perdix perdix)
Reported from Yellow Medicine, Stearns, Rock, Nobles, Murray, Lac qui Parle, Pipestone, Lincoln, Cottonwood, Dakota, Mower, Rice, Jackson, Otter Tail, Marshall, Redwood, Crow Wing, Norman and Wilkin.
Ring-necked Pheasant
(Phasianus colchicus)
Reported from 24 counties.
Grebes
Pied-billed Grebe
(Podilymbus podiceps)
Early south 3-14 Hennepin ETS; 318 Rice OR; 3-19 Olmsted VH; early north 3-24 Crow Wing DK; 4-1 Otter Tail GW; 4-5 St. Louis DS and Mille Lacs MI.
Horned Grebe
(Podiceps auritus)
Early south 3-25 Lyon HK; 4-5 Hennepin CH; 4-7 Lyon GO; early north 3-31 St. Louis DS; 4-5 Mille Lacs MI; 4-8 Marshall SV. 157 Winter 1976
Red-necked Grebe
(Podiceps grisegena)
Early south 4-8 Stearns NMH; 5-1 Pope (10+ ) BH; early north 4-14 Marshall SV; 4-21 Crow Wing DK; 4-22 St. Louis JCG.
Eared Grebe
(Podiceps nigricollis)
Early south 4-7 Lyon HK; 4-10 Cottonwood ED; 2 reports NE 4-27 St. Louis Helen Tucker; 5-20 Cook JH.
Western Grebe
(Aechmophorus occidentalis)
Early south 4-17 Kandiyohi BH; 420 Lincoln LK; 4-24 Lac qui Parle OJ; early north 4-27 and 5-7 Marshall SV, MS.
Pigeons, Doves
Mourning Dove
(Zenaida macroura)
Early north 3-1 Mille Lacs MI; 3-22 Crow Wing DK; 3-27 Marshall SV.
Cuckoos
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
(Coccyzus americanus)
5 reports: 5-25 Anoka JBB; 5-26 Hennepin ETS; 5-29 Norman RBJ; 531 Olmsted JF; 5-30 Wabasha Ray F. Bochmen.
Black-billed Cuckoo
(Coccyzus erythropthalmus)
Early south 3 reports on 5-17; reports north 5-9 St. Louis PD (details?); 5-18 St. Louis GN; 5-24 Itasca MS. Monk Parakeet 1 report: 5-8 Wright (1 shot) DF.
Nightjars
Common Nighthawk
(Chordeiles minor)
Early south 4-22 Hennepin FN; 5-8 Hennepin SG, PS; early north 4-16 Cass AS (details?); 5-13 Crow Wing DK; 5-19 Pine ML and Marshall SV.
Eastern Whip-poor-will
(Antrostomus vociferus)
Early south 4-10 Hennepin BE earliest date on record; 5-3 Hennepin Jim Crist; 5-7 Fillmore GE; reports north 5-11 Otter Tail NJ; 5-14 St. Louis PD; 5-21 Marshall and 5-15 Roseau SV.
Swifts
Chimney Swift
(Chaetura pelagica)
Early south 4-16 Freeborn HK; 4-25 Stearns NMH; 4-28 Fillmore GE; early north 5-9 Otter Tail NJ; 5-10 Crow Wing JB; 5-11 Morrison LSR.
Hummingbirds
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
(Archilochus colubris)
Early south 4-29 Kandiyohi DA; 510 Wabasha RL; 5-13 Hennepin PCBS; early north 5-1 Clay LCF; 5-13 St. Louis GN; 5-14 Crow Wing JB and St. Louis JCG.
Rails, Gallinules, Coots
Virginia Rail
(Rallus limicola)
Early south 3-2 Hennepin RBJ (wintering?); 4-19 Hennepin JG; 4-28 Cottonwood LR; 2 reports on 4-30; early north 4-29 Aitkin JB; 5-7 Marshall SV; 5-11 St. Louis JCG.
Sora
(Porzana carolina)
Early south 4-14 Wabasha WM; 4-17 Hennepin ETS; 4-21 Carver JRG; early north 4-21 Mahnomen MS; 4-28 Marshall SV; 5-8 Pine ML.
Common Gallinule
(Gallinula galeata)
4 reports: 5-9 Anoka (1) KL· 5-16 Houston and Hennepin (2) BB: 5-29 ' Houston (7) DGW.
American Coot
(Fulica americana)
Early south 3-1 Hennepin BE; 3-14 Dakota SG, PS; 3-15 Nobles GO; early north 3-22 Crow Wing DK; 3-28 Otter Tail GW; 4-5 Marshall SV.
Yellow Rail
(Coturnicops noveboracensis)
Early May Aitkin TS; 5-22 Aitkin RBJ, KE, TS (2 heard).
Cranes
Sandhill Crane
(Antigone canadensis)
9 reports: 4-7, 5-21, 5-29 Marshall JCG, SV, DGW; 3-26 Stearns NMH; 4-19 Houston FL (rare in Miss. Valley); 4-22 Becker MS; 4-28, 5-16 Anoka BB, KL; 5-29 Polk ETS; 5-30 Roseau RBJ, KE.
Plovers
Black-bellied Plover
(Pluvialis squatarola)
Early south 5-6, 5-9 Hennepin BE; 5-12 Lyon GO; 5-14 Lyon HK; early north 5-11 St. Louis GN; late 5-31 Anoka KL and Marshall SV. Winter 1976
American Golden-Plover
(Pluvialis dominica)
Early south 3-24 Dakota RBJ; 4-10 Rock KE; 4-19 Freeborn HK; early north 4-25 Otter Tail GW; late 5-31 Marshall SV.
Killdeer
(Charadrius vociferus)
Early south 3-1 Lincoln LK; 3-7 Olmsted JF; 3-10 Fillmore GE; early north 3-19 Otter Tail GW and Crow Wing Steve Blanich; 3-21 Marshall SV; 3-24 Crow Wing DK.
Piping Plover
(Charadrius melodus)
16 reports: 4-22, 5-1 Lyon HK; 7 reports on 4-24 Lac qui Parle; 4-25 Lac qui Parle ETS, CB; 5-5 Lyon BDC; 6 reports from St. Louis from 5-21 to 5-29 up to 6 in number.
SNOWY PLOVER
(Charadrius nivosus)
5-1 Lyon HK, first state record.
Sandpipers
Upland Sandpiper
(Bartramia longicauda)
Early south 4-18 Rock KE; 4-24 Lac qui Parle RBJ; 2 reports north 5-21, 5-25 St. Louis GN.
Whimbrel
(Numenius phaeopus)
4 reports of 20 birds: 5-23 Cook (Tofte) (17) Tom Hart; 5-26 St. Louis (1) BDC, BB; 5-30 St. Louis (1) CH, DGW; 5-31 Marshall (1) KE, RBJ, casual away from Lake Superior.
Marbled Godwit
(Limosa fedoa)
Early south 4-24 Lac qui Parle RBJ, KE, CB; 4-25 Lac qui Parle ETS; 2 reports north 4-22 Mahnomen MS; 527 Norman JCG. Hudsonia,n Godwit Early south 4-23 Lyon HK; 8 reports on 4-24 Lac qui Parle; reports north 5-9 (1), 5-16 (130) Marshall SV; 5-18 (2) St. Louis JCG.
Ruddy Turnstone
(Arenaria interpres)
Early south 5-8 Lyon ED; 5-10 Lyon HK; 5-12 Lyon GO; early north 5-18 St. Louis DS, JCG; late 5-23 Lyon KE; 5-31 Marshall SV.
RED KNOT
(Calidris canutus)
4 reports all from St. Louis Co. 5-18 (1) JCG; 5-21 (4-5) JH, DS; 5-26 (6) BB, BDC; 5-29, 5-30 (3) CH.
Stilt Sandpiper
(Calidris himantopus)
4-25 Lac qui Parle ETS; 9 reports from Lyon Co. from 5-4 to 5-25; peak 5-12, 5-14 Lyon (200) HK; no reports north.
Sanderling
(Calidris alba)
Early south 4-14 Lyon GO earliest date on record; 4-24 Lac qui Parle several observers; early north 5-21 St. Louis GN, JH; 5-22 Marshall SV; late 5-28 Hennepin CH. America,n Avocet 16 reports: 5-1 Murray (16) KE; 5-2 (2) HK, 5-4 (1) GO, 5-5 (10) BDC, 5-12 (8) HK, 5-15 (1) BL, 5-23 (1) RL, all Lyon Co.; 5-3, 5-5, 5-7 Cottonwood LF; 5-22 Lac qui Parle (2) KE; 5-15, 5-16, 5-24 Lac qui Parle CB; 5-26 Grant RL; 5-30 Marshall (2) KE, ETS; 5-10 (2), 5-16 (8) Marshall SV. 
Dunlin
(Calidris alpina)
Early south 4-22 Lyon HK; 5 reports on 4-24; early north 5-7 Marshall MS; 5-13 St. Louis DS; 5-18 St. Louis JCG; late 5-26 St. Louis JG.
Baird's Sandpiper
(Calidris bairdii)
Early south 3-31 Dodge RBJ; 4-7 Lyon GO; 4-9 Lyon HK; 1 report north 5-22 Marshall SV; late 5-20 Hennepin BE.
Least Sandpiper
(Calidris minutilla)
Early south 4-10 Ramsey DGW; 4-20 Lyon HK; 3 reports on 4-24; early north 5-8 Marshall SV; 5-11 Mille Lacs MI; 5-17 Cook JH; late 5-28 Hennepin CH. 
White-rumped Sandpiper
(Calidris fuscicollis)
Early south 4-24 Lac qui Parle CB; 5-1 Lyon GO; 5-5 Lyon BDC; only reports north 5-24 (6) and 5-29, 5-31 Marshall SV; late 5-30 Polk KE.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
(Calidris subruficollis)
2 reports of this rare spring migrant: 5-15 Goodhue ERW; 5-16 Yellow Medicine HK.
Pectoral Sandpiper
(Calidris melanotos)
Early south 3-24 Goodhue RBJ; 4-2 Lyon HK; 4-7 Lyon GO; early north 4-4 Crow Wing DK; 4-22 Marshall SV; 5-17 Cook JH; late 5-22 Lyon SG, PS.
Semipalmated Sandpiper
(Calidris pusilla)
Early south 4-17 Lyon BL; 4-18 Cottonwood ED; 4-20 Lyon HK; early north 5-21 St. Louis DS; late 5-25 Lyon HK and St. Louis GN, JCG.
WESTERN SANDPIPER
(Calidris mauri)
8 reports: 4-23 to 5-25 Lyon, up to 21 in number HK, GO, LH; 4-25 Lac qui Parle BE; 5-9, 5-11 Olmsted JF; 5-11 Hennepin OJ.
Short-billed Dowitcher
(Limnodromus griseus)
Early 5-7 Lyon; 5-10 Wright ETS; 5-11 Hennepin OJ; 3 other reports with call note data; late 5-15 Lyon BL.
Long-billed Dowitcher
(Limnodromus scolopaceus)
4/24 Lac qui Parle several observers; 5/10 Wright ETS only ones with call note data.
American Woodcock
(Scolopax minor)
Early south 3-16 Houston FL; 3-20 Stearns NMH; 3-24 Freeborn DG and Goodhue RBJ; early north 3-27 Pine ML and St. Louis Dick Robertson; 3-31 Marshall SV and Crow Wing JB; also reported from Bib Stone and Roseau.
Wilson's Snipe
(Gallinago delicata)
Early south 3-22 Fillmore GE; 3-24 Goodhue RBJ; 4-3 Wabasha and Hennepin PCHS; early north 4-1 Crow Wing DK; 3 reports on 4-6. LONG-BILLED CURLEW: 1 report: 4-24 Swift RBJ, KE, Paul Egland, Chuck Bergman.
Spotted Sandpiper
(Actitis macularius)
Early south 4-13 Hennepin EJ; 4-17 Murray BL; 4-20 Hennepin JG; early north 4-24 St. Louis PD; 4-28 Marshall SV; 4-29 Crow Wing DK.
Solitary Sandpiper
(Tringa solitaria)
Early south 4-12 Carver HPR; 4-14 Hennepin PCHS; 4-15 Hennepin OJ; early north 5-5, 5-10 St. Louis JCG; 5-11 St. Louis GN; late 5-27 Winona VH.
Lesser Yellowlegs
(Tringa flavipes)
Early south 3-23 Lyon HK; 3-24 Goodhue RBJ; 3-29 Yellow Medicine GO; early north 4-4 Crow Wing DK; 4-5 Otter Tail NJ; 4-13 Aitkin JB; late 5-25 St. Louis JCG.
Willet
(Tringa semipalmata)
Early south 4-19 Stearns NMH; 4-24 Lac qui Parle AFE, HK; 4-29 Hennepin HPR; no reports north; late 5-16 Lyon KE.
Greater Yellowlegs
(Tringa melanoleuca)
Early south 3-24 Lyon HK; 3-27 Yellow Medicine GO; 4-3 Wright BH; early north 4-13 Aitkin JB; 4-14 Marshall SV; 4-21 Itasca MS; late 5-16 Stearns NMH and Yellow Medicine HK.
Wilson's Phalarope
(Phalaropus tricolor)
Early south 3 reports on 4-23; early north 4-13 Aitkin JB; 5-10 Marshall sv.
Red-necked Phalarope
(Phalaropus lobatus)
Early south 5-13 Cottonwood LR, ED; 5-14 Lyon HK; 5-15 Lyon BL; reports north 5-10, 5-29 Marshall SV, JCG
Gulls, Terns
Bonaparte's Gull
(Chroicocephalus philadelphia)
Early south 3-27 Goodhue ETS; 4-9 Lyon GO; 3 reports on 4-10; early north 5-9 St. Louis JCG; 5-10 Marshall SV and St. Louis (1000) Tom Peek; 5-11 St. Louis GN; late 5-25 St. Louis JCG, GN.
Little Gull
(Hydrocoloeus minutus)
2 reports both St. Louis: 5-18 (2 ad) JCG; 5-29 (2 imm) BL.
Franklin's Gull
(Leucophaeus pipixcan)
Early south 3-19 Lincoln LK; 3-25 Lyon HK; 3-27 Martin RBJ; early north 4-8 Marshall SV; 4-22 Becker MS; 4-23 Clay LCF.
Ring-billed Gull
(Larus delawarensis)
Early south 3-15 Nobles GO; 3-18 Wabasha LH; 3 reports on 3-19; early north 3-25 Mille Lacs MI; 3-30 St. Louis JCG, DS.
Herring Gull
(Larus argentatus)
Early south 3-14 Wabasha WM; 3-19 Rice OR; 3-20 Swift RBJ; early north 3-29 St. Louis NJH; 4-1 Mille Lacs MI.
Iceland Gull
(Larus glaucoides)
1 report: 3-14 St. Louis JCG.
Glaucous Gull
(Larus hyperboreus)
4 reports: 3-7 (8 imm, 2 ad), 4-7 (1 imm, 1 ad) St. Louis JCG; 3-18 Cook (1 imm) JH; 3-19 Cook (1) ETS.
Caspian Tern
(Hydroprogne caspia)
Early south 4-22 Hennepin CH; 4-23 Ramsey RH; 5-7 Dakota JG and Goodhue DB; early north 5-2 Mille Lacs JB; 5-8 Mille Lacs MI; 5-11 St. Louis JCG, GN; late 5-25 St. Louis JCG, GN.
Black Tern
(Chlidonias niger)
Early south 4-24 Big Stone ETS; 4-29 Hennepin LH; 4-30 Hennepin SG, PS; early north 5-11 Morrison LSR; 5-12 Otter Tail NJ; 5-13 Mille Lacs MI and Crow Wing DK.
Common Tern
(Sterna hirundo)
Early south 4-10 Ramsey LH; 4-20 Winter 1976 Hennepin CH; 3 reports on 4-25; early north 4-28 Mille Lacs MI; 5-4 Otter Tail NJ; 5-9 St. Louis JCG.
Forster's Tern
(Sterna forsteri)
Early south 4-2 Ramsey BH earliest date on record; 4-4 Kandiyohi LR and Jackson ED; 4-11 Hennepin BE; early north 4-24 Marshall SV; 5-7 Itasca MS; 5-8 Mille Lacs MI.
Loons
Red-throated Loon
(Gavia stellata)
1 report 5-29 St. Louis (1) FN.
Common Loon
(Gavia immer)
Early south 3-23 Stearns NMH; 3-26, 4-1 Freeborn DG; early north 4-3 Morrison LSR; 4-5 Mille Lacs MI and Crow Wing DK.
Cormorants
Double-crested Cormorant
(Nannopterum auritum)
Early south 4-1 Big Stone BS; 4-3 Pope BH; 4-4 Chisago DGW; early north 4-10 Otter Tail GW; 4-11 Marshall SV; 4-17 St. Louis DS.
Pelicans
American White Pelican
(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
Early south 4-11 Lac qui Parle AFE; 4-12 Yellow Medicine GO; 4-14 Washington WL; early north 4-15 to 4-21 Marshall SV; 4-22 Wilkin MS.
Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons
American Bittern
(Botaurus lentiginosus)
Early south 4-12 Hennepin JG; 4-15 Lac qui Parle CB; 2 reports on 4-17; early north 4-17 St. Louis JCG; 4-19 Marshall SV; 4-20 St. Louis GN.
Least Bittern
(Ixobrychus exilis)
4 reports: 5-17 Dakota JG; 5-21 to 5-23 Freeborn DG; 5-23 Yellow Medicine (unusual southwest) GO; 5-29 Marshall (Agassiz NWR) LH.
Great Blue Heron
(Ardea herodias)
Early south 3-16 Hennepin HPR; 317 Stearns NMH; 2 reports on 3-18; early north 3-24 Mille Lacs MI; 3-26 Marshall SV; 3-27 St. Louis NJH.
Great Egret
(Ardea alba)
Early south 3 reports on 3-27; early north 4-14 Marshall SV; 4-16 Otter Tail GW; 4-22 Crow Wing DK.
Snowy Egret
(Egretta thula)
2 reports: 4-17 Murray (Currant Lake) BL, R. Glassel, H. Huber, R. Rhume; 5-14 Goodhue (1) DGW.
Little Blue Heron
(Egretta caerulea)
2 reports: 4-23 to 4-27 Winona (1) VH and Dave Palmquist; 5-9 Wabasha Helen Tucker.
Cattle Egret
(Bubulcus ibis)
Only 1 report 5-29 Grant (1) RBJ.
Green Heron
(Butorides virescens)
Early south 4-2 Carver JRG; 4-4 Hennepin PCHS; 4-17 Olmsted VH; early north 4-27 St. Louis GN; 5-15 Morrison LSR; 5-18 Mille Lacs MI.
Black-crowned Night-Heron
(Nycticorax nycticorax)
Early south 4-4 Hennepin ETS; 4-7 Freeborn DG; 4-10 Lac qui Parle AFE; early north 4-19 Marshall SV; 4-22 St. Louis P. Hofslund; 5-8 Otter Tail GW.
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
(Nyctanassa violacea)
2 reports: 5-6 Hennepin (1) JRG; 5-29 to 6-2 Aitkin (2)· W. Nelson.
New World Vultures
Turkey Vulture
(Cathartes aura)
Early south 3-19 Hennepin PCHS; 3-20 Wright BH; 3-28 Winona: VH; early north 4-5 to 4-10 St. Louis Tom Davis, PD, NJH.
Osprey
Osprey
(Pandion haliaetus)
Early south 4-13 Olmsted JF; 4-24 Wabasha RL and Yellow Medicine LR; early north 3-27 Crow Wing DK; 4-3 Crow Wing JB; 4-10 St. Louis NJH; earlier in the north again this year.
Kites, Accipiters, Hawks, Eagles
Golden Eagle
(Aquila chrysaetos)
3 reports of 4 individuals (14 reports last year): 3-11 Houston (1 imm) FL; 3-20 Chippewa (2) RBJ, KE; 3-28 Lac qui Parle (1) GO.
Northern Harrier
(Circus hudsonius)
Early south 3-6 Goodhue SG, PS; 3-7 Dakota OJ; 3-11 Rice OR and Houston FL; early north 3-17 Marshall SV; 3-19 Aitkin JB; 3-22 Pine ML.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
(Accipiter striatus)
Early south 3-1 Anoka JBB; 3-11 Le Sueur HC; 3-13 Wabasha WM; early north 3-4 Crow Wing JB; 4-3 Crow Wing DK; 4-11 Hubbard HF.
Cooper's Hawk
(Accipiter cooperii)
Early south 3-11 Olmsted JF; 3-20 Le Sueur HC; 3-20 Stearns NMH; early north 4-6 to 5-26 Crow Wing JB; 4-23 Mille Lacs MI; 5-11 Cook JH.
American Goshawk
(Accipiter atricapillus)
3 reports: 3-29 Marshall (1) SV; 4-6 Crow Wing DK; 4-24 Chippewa OJ.
Bald Eagle
(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
42 reports from 3-2 to 5-31 for a total of 160 individuals (45 adults, 30 imm, 85 no age); reported from St. Louis (10), Wabasha (76), Clearwater (3), Big Stone (5), Chippewa (17), Hennepin (2), Swift (4), Dakota (4), Goodhue (9), Anoka (1), Carlton (1), Le Sueur (1), Freeborn (7), Washington (1), Kandiyohi (1), Stearns (1), Houston (3), Otter Tail (1), Mille Lacs (2), Hubbard (2), Itasca (3), Marshall (2), Clay (1), Crow Wing (2), Cass (1).
Red-shouldered Hawk
(Buteo lineatus)
Early south 3-8 Washington GA; 318 Hennepin OJ; 3-22 Goodhue KE; reports north 3-1 Crow Wing Steve Blanich; 4-1 Crow Wing DK; 5-14 Cass AS northward extension.
Broad-winged Hawk
(Buteo platypterus)
Early south 3-17 Sibley HK. (details?); 3-23 Wabasha WM (details?); 3-27 Anoka KL (details?); 4-3 Olmsted FS; early north 4-1 Crow Wing DK; 4-4 Clay LCF; 4-11 Mille Lacs MI; one report of the rare dark phase 5-2 Lac qui Parle LH; Chris Hope.
Swainson's Hawk
(Buteo swainsoni)
16 reports of 20 individuals: early 4-4 Yellow Medicine GO; 4-14 Mower RKJ; other reports from 4-16 to 5-26 from Rock, Pipestone, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Dakota.
Red-tailed Hawk
(Buteo jamaicensis)
Early north 3-15 Crow Wing DK; 3-21 Crow Wing JB; 3-23 Marshall AWR.
Rough-legged Hawk
(Buteo lagopus)
Early north 3-13 Crow Wing JB; 319 Marshall SV; 3-24 Pine ML; late 5-16 Swift HK; 5-22 Carlton RBJ, KE, TS.
FERRUGINOUS HAWK
(Buteo regalis)
1 report 5-23 Lake Benton Lincoln Co. light phase KE.
Screech-Owls, Owls
Eastern Screech-Owl
(Megascops asio)
Reported from Rice, Kandiyohi, Stearns, Lyon, Lac qui Parle Crow Wing (Deerwood, 5-22, KE, TS,' RBJ).
Great Horned Owl
(Bubo virginianus)
Reported from 30 counties.
Snowy Owl
(Bubo scandiacus)
5 reports: 3-8 Aitkin (1) JB; 3-13 St. Louis JCG; 3-17 to 3-22 Anoka WL; 3-18 Mille Lacs (1) MI; 5-2 St. Louis (1) NJH.
BURROWING OWL
(Athene cunicularia)
5-7 Lyon (1) Carroll Henderson, 529 Polk many observers. Bar:red Owl Reported from 18 counties.
Great Gray Owl
(Strix nebulosa)
3 reports: 3-19, 3-20 (1) Aitkin Lloyd Paynter; 5-26 Aitkin (1 carrying food) JB; 5-30 Roseau (1) RBJ, KE.
Long-eared Owl
(Asio otus)
1 report: 4-7 Lyon NH.
Short-eared Owl
(Asio flammeus)
8 reports: 3-17, 4-5 Marshall SV; 3-25, 4-1 Rock KE; 3-27 Cottonwood LR; 4-17 St. Louis JCG, DS; 4-28 Lyon HK; 4-24 Wilkin LH; 5-30 Roseau RBJ, KE.
Northern Saw-whet Owl
(Aegolius acadicus)
8 reports: 3-27 Itasca MS and Crow Wing DK; 4-6 St. Louis P. Hofslund; 4-8 St. Louis PD; 4-11 Crow Wing and 4-22 Aitkin JB; 4-28 Koochiching DB; 5-21 St. Louis GN.
Kingfishers
Belted Kingfisher
(Megaceryle alcyon)
Early south 3-1 Hennepin BE; 3-5 Fillmore GE; 3-7 Lyon HK; early north 4-3 Otter Tail GW and Marshall SV; 4-4 St. Louis GN, JCG. ·
Woodpeckers
Red-headed Woodpecker
(Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
Early north 3-25 Crow Wing DK; 4-20 Pine ML; 5-9 Mille Lacs MI.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
(Melanerpes carolinus)
Reported from 21 counties.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
(Sphyrapicus varius)
Early south 3-31 Freeborn DG; 3 reports on 4-3; early north 4-8 Clay LCF and Pine ML; 4-9 St. Louis PD; 4-12 Mille Lacs MI. Hairy Woodpecker. Reported from 35 counties.
Black-backed Woodpecker
(Picoides arcticus)
2 reports: 4-13 St. Louis (1) PD; 4-28 St. Louis (1) DS.
Downy Woodpecker
(Dryobates pubescens)
Reported from 37 counties.
Northern Flicker
(Colaptes auratus)
Early north 3-27 Crow Wing DK; 3-30 Clay LCF; 3-31 Cass AS; 1 report of the red-shafted sub-species 3-27 Lyon NH.
Pileated Woodpecker
(Dryocopus pileatus)
Reported from 28 counties.
Caracaras, Falcons
American Kestrel
(Falco sparverius)
Early north 3-6 St. Louis Molly Kohlbry; 3-14 Otter Tail GW; 3-15 St. Louis DS.
Merlin
(Falco columbarius)
4 reports 3-25 Stearns NMH (wintering?); 4-4 Lac qui Parle CB; 5-1 Aitkin JB; 5-5 Hennepin OJ; 5-7 Beltrami MS.
Peregrine Falcon
(Falco peregrinus)
7 reports 4-3 Goodhue BL; 4-8 Hennepin Karol Gresser; 4-16 Aitkin JB; 5-1, 5-2, 5-8, 5-11 Marshall AWR.
Flycatchers
Western Kingbird
(Tyrannus verticalis)
Early south 5-8 Wabasha WM; 5-9 Rock LH; early north 5-16 Marshall SV; 5-22 Otter Tail NJ; also reported from Lake of the Woods 5-31 KE, RBJ. Great-crested Flycatcher Early south 5-8 Wabasha WM; 5-9 Olmsted JF; early north 5-14 Otter Tail NJ; 5-15 Crow Wing JB and Todd GW; 5-16 St. Louis JCG.
Eastern Kingbird
(Tyrannus tyrannus)
Early south 4-24 Lac qui Parle KE, RBJ; 5-3 Kandiyohi DA; 5-6 Olmsted JF; early north 5-17 Marshall SV and Itasca MS; 5-18 St. Louis JCG.
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER
(Tyrannus forficatus)
1 report: 4-30 Lake (1 dead) Mr. & Mrs. Larsen.
Olive-sided Flycatcher
(Contopus cooperi)
Early south 5-14 Martin RBJ; 5-15 Goodhue GA, DGW; 5-16 Stearns KE; early north 3 reports on 5-22.
Eastern Wood-Pewee
(Contopus virens)
Early south 4-13 Lyon HK; 4-25 Rice OR; 5-6 Ramsey LH; early north 5-23 Becker LCF and Pine ML; 5-26 St. Louis JCG.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
(Empidonax flaviventris)
Early south 5-15 Freeborn DG, JF; 5-16 Anoka KL; early north 5-19 Crow Wing DK; 5-22 Pine ML and St. Louis JCG.
Acadian Flycatcher
(Empidonax virescens)
1 report: 5-16 Goodhue ETS earliest date on record.
Alder Flycatcher
(Empidonax alnorum)
Reports south: 5-6 Hennepin ETS; 5-24 Hennepin OJ; 5-28 Rock KE; early north 5-21 St. Louis GN; 5-24 St. Louis PD; 5-28 Marshall SV.
Willow Flycatcher
(Empidonax traillii)
4 reports: 5-27 Olmsted JF; 5-30 Mower RKJ; 5-31 Roseau KE; 5-24 Wabasha Ray R. Bockman. Flycatcher Sp. "Traill's" Flycatchers not identified as Willow or Alder: Early south 5-5 Lyon HK; 5-7 Olmsted VH; 5-12 Yellow Medicine GO; 1 report north 5-19 Clay LCF.
Least Flycatcher
(Empidonax minimus)
Early south 4-30 Hennepin RH; 3 reports on 5-5; early north 5-10 Itasca MS and Cas AS; 3 reports on 5-13. 
Eastern Phoebe
(Sayornis phoebe)
Early south 3-24 Ramsey BH; 3-27 Hennepin BE; 4 reports on 3-28; early north 3-30 Marshall SV; 3-31 Crow Wing JB and Itasca MS; 4-1 Crow Wing DK.
Vireos
Bell's Vireo
(Vireo bellii)
1 report: 5-15 Goodhue (Vasa, 1) BDC.
Yellow-throated Vireo
(Vireo flavifrons)
Early south 5-10 Hennepin JG; 3 reports on 5-12; early north 5-15 Crow Wing JB and Marshall SV; 5-20 Clay LCF.
Blue-headed Vireo
(Vireo solitarius)
Early south 5-1 Hennepin BE; 5 reports on 5-5; early north 5-13 St. Louis GN; 5-14 Crow Wing JB and St. Louis DS; 2 reports on 5-17; late south 5-23 Lincoln KE. Red-eyed Vi reo Early south 5-6 Stearns NMH; 5-9 Rock LH; 5-10 Hennepin BB; early north 5-11 Itasca MS; 5-15 Lake ME; 5-20 St. Louis PD.
Philadelphia Vireo
(Vireo philadelphicus)
Early south 5-6 Cottonwood ED; 5-8 Pipestone LH and Goodhue BE; 5-10 Lac qui Parle (6) AFE; early north 5-14 St. Louis DS; 5-20 Clay LCF; late south 5-25 Hennepin VL and Olmsted JF.
Warbling Vireo
(Vireo gilvus)
Early south 4-26 Hennepin FN (earliest date on record); 5-7 Goodhue JG; 3 reports on 5-8; early north 5-6 Crow Wing DK; 5-13 Itasca MS and Marshall SV; 5-14 Otter Tail NJ.
Shrikes
Loggerhead Shrike
(Lanius ludovicianus)
17 reports: more than for several years 3-27 Nicollet RBJ and Stearns NMH; 3-27 to 4-22 Dakota several observers; 4-9 Clay LCF; 4-10 Fillmore RBJ; 411 Murray AD; 4-24 Lac qui Parle OJ and Yellow Medicine HK; 5-8 Cottonwood ED; 5-19 Clay DGW; 5-29 Lake of the Woods GO; 5-30 Roseau KE, RBJ; 5-31 Cook JH. Starling Reported from 30 counties. Winter 1976
Northern Shrike
(Lanius borealis)
Late south 3-25 Anoka KL; 3-28 Olmsted JF; 3-31 Hennepin PCHS; late north 4-3 Marshall SV; 48 St. Louis PD.
Jays, Nutcrackers, Magpies, Crows
Canada Jay
(Perisoreus canadensis)
Reported from Cook, Itasca, St. Louis, Cass, Aitkin, Hubbard Co's. Blue Ja,y Reported from 34 counties.
Black-billed Magpie
(Pica hudsonia)
7 reports: 3-12 Otter Tail NJ; 4-6 Hubbard HF; 4-12 Marshall SV; 5-21 Roseau DGW; 5-29 Polk RL, JCG; 5-30 Polk (ad. at nest) RBJ. Common Ra,ven Reported from Cass, Itasca, Cook, Lake, St. Louis, _Mille Lacs, Aitkin, Carlton, Crow Wmg, Goodhue (5-16OJ) Co's.
American Crow
(Corvus brachyrhynchos)
Reported from 33 counties.
Chickadees, Titmice
Black-capped Chickadee
(Poecile atricapillus)
Reported from 31 counties.
Boreal Chickadee
(Poecile hudsonicus)
3 reports: 3-13 to 3-19 Hennepin (3) ERW; 4-2 Cook JH; 5-22 Carlton TS, RBJ, KE.
Tufted Titmouse
(Baeolophus bicolor)
3 reports: 4-9 Olmsted (1), 4-10 Fillmore (1) RBJ; 5-16 Wabasha Helen Tucker.
Larks
Horned Lark
(Eremophila alpestris)
Early north: 3 reports on 3-3.
Martins, Swallows
Bank Swallow
(Riparia riparia)
Early south 4-11 Dakota JD; 4-19 Stearns NMH; 4-24 Fillmore GE and Houston FL; early north 5-6 St. Louis GN; 5-14 St. Louis PD; 5-17 Marshall sv. Rough-winged Swa·llow Early south 4-11 Houston FL; 4-16 Hennepin OJ; 4-18 Rock KE; early north 4-19 St. Louis JCG; 5-11 Mille Lacs MI; 5-13 St. Louis GN. Winter 1976
Tree Swallow
(Tachycineta bicolor)
Early south 3-25 Wabasha WM; 3-26 Dakota RBJ; 3-28 Winona VH; early north 4-5 Crow Wing DK; 4-6 Mille Lacs MI; 4 reports on 4-9.
Purple Martin
(Progne subis)
Early south 3 reports on 4-4; early north 4-7, 4-15 St. Louis NJH; 4-10 Mille Lacs MI; 4-13 Crow Wing JB and Otter Tail NJ.
Barn Swallow
(Hirundo rustica)
Early south 3-23 Olmsted JF; 4-12 Cottonwood ED; 4-15 Carver JRG; early north 4-27 Marshall SV; 5-5 Itasca MS; 5-6 St. Louis GN.
Cliff Swallow
(Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
Early south 4-24, 4-25 Lac qui Parle AFE, RBJ; 4-28 Lac qui Parle GO; early north 4-30 Marshall SV; 5-1 Lake ME; 5-6 St. Louis GN.
Kinglets
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
(Corthylio calendula)
Early south 3-20 to 3-24 Hennepin ERW; 3-25 Olmsted JF; 3-27 Hennepin BE; early north 4-3 Clay LCF; 4-5 Mille Lacs MI; 4-10 Cass AS; late south 5-30 Anoka KL.
Golden-crowned Kinglet
(Regulus satrapa)
Early south 3-2 Hennepin RBJ; 320 Olmsted JF; 3-22 Olmsted VH; early north 3-28 Pine ML; 4-2 Crow Wing DK; 4-4 Aitkin JB; late south 5-10 Hennepin OJ.
Waxwings
Bohemian Waxwing
(Bombycilla garrulus)
12 reports: 3-4 (75), 3-23, 3-24 (8) Crow Wing JB; 3-8 to 3-30 (9) Washington DGW; 3-17, 3-18 St. Louis (150) P. Hofslund; 3-20 Washington (105) GA; 3-29, 3-31 Hennepin Brad and Mark Johnson; 3-29 Hennepin (8) RBJ; 4-10 Dakota (4) MW.
Cedar Waxwing
(Bombycilla cedrorum)
Early south 3-2 Washington DGW; 3 reports on 3-6; early north 3-4 Clay LCF; 3-27 Otter Tail GW.
Nuthatches
White-breasted Nuthatch
(Sitta carolinensis)
Reported from 30 counties Red•breasted Nuthatch 32 reports from Clay, Cass, Itasca, St. Louis, Mille Lacs, Crow Wing, Cook, Hubbard, Stearns, Roseau, Olm- sted, Dakota, Wabasha, Lac qui Parle, Anoka, Koochiching, Beltrami, Hennepin Co's.
Creepers
Brown Creeper
(Certhia americana)
Early south 3-1 Anoka JBB; 3-2 Kandiyohi DA; 3-10 Blue Earth VR; early north 3-23 Hubbard HF; 3-29 St. Louis JCG; 4-5 St. Louis DS.
Gnatcatchers
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
(Polioptila caerulea)
Early south 4-30 Goodhue RBJ; 5-7 Goodhue DB; 3 reports on 5-8.
Wrens
BEWICK'S WREN
(Thryomanes bewickii)
1 report: 4-8 Crow Wing JB (first in several years).
Carolina Wren
(Thryothorus ludovicianus)
2 reports: 5-12 Goodhue Ross Wagner; 5-23 Pipestone GO.
House Wren
(Troglodytes aedon)
Early south 4-16 Fillmore GE; 4-18 Washington GA and Hennepin HPR; early north 5-9 Otter Tail GW and St. Louis DS; 5-11 Marshall SV and Mille Lacs MI.
Winter Wren
(Troglodytes hiemalis)
Early south 3-7 Hennepin ETS (wintering?); 3-28 Olmsted JF; 3-31 Mower RJK; 4-4 Rock KE; early north 4-6 St. Louis JCG; 4-10 Lake ME; 4-12 Cook JH.
Sedge Wren
(Cistothorus stellaris)
Early south 4-11 Freeborn DG; 4-27 Anoka WL; 5-13 Hennepin JG; early north 5-8 Pine ML; 5-16 Marshall SV; 5-17 Itasca MS.
Marsh Wren
(Cistothorus palustris)
Early south 4-16 Hennepin OJ; 4-22 Cottonwood ED; 5-3 Hennepin JG; early north 5-4 Marshall SV; 5-11 St. Louis JCG; 5-13 St. Louis DS.
Thrashers, Mockingbirds
Gray Catbird
(Dumetella carolinensis)
Early south 4-15 Hennepin BDC; 422 Olmsted JF; 4-27 Blue Earth DP; early north 5-13 Morrison LSR and Crow Wing DK; 3 reports on 5-14.
Brown Thrasher
(Toxostoma rufum)
Early south 4-2 Hennepin HPR; 415 Ramsey BDC; 6 reports on 4-17; early north 4-22 St. Louis GN and Crow Wing DK; 4-23 Itasca MS; 4-28 Marshall SV and St. Louis DS.
Northern Mockingbird
(Mimus polyglottos)
4 reports: 5-5 Le Sueur Ward Tanner; early May Morrison (Royalton) NMH; 5-11 Carver HPR; 5-28 (Aitkin) Aitkin (1) Steve Blanich.
Thrushes
Eastern Bluebird
(Sialia sialis)
Early south 3-6 Houston FL; 3-19 Carver HPR; 5 reports on 3-20; early north 3-30, 4-6 Marshall SV; 4-3 Mille Lacs Ml; 4-4 Aitkin JB.
MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD
(Sialia currucoides)
2 reports: 3-28, 3-29 Marshall (2 males) SV; 4-1 Rock (1) KE.
Veery
(Catharus fuscescens)
Early south 4-29 Anoka HPR; 5-2 Lac qui Parle LH; 3 reports on 5-6; early north 4-28 St. Louis PD; 5-11 St. Louis GN and Mille Lacs MI; 5-13 Itasca MS and Crow Wing DK.
Gray-cheeked Thrush
(Catharus minimus)
Early south 4-9 Cottonwood LF; 410 Wright DF; 4-20 Hennepin VL; (early dates); early north 5-8 Otter Tail GW; 5-13 Crow Wing DK; 5-15 Morrison LSR; late south 5-24 several reports.
Swainson's Thrush
(Catharus ustulatus)
Early south 4-9 Ramsey RH; 4-14 Ramsey BDC; 4-25 Lac qui Parle AFE; early north 4-28 St. Louis PD; 5-9 Mille Lacs MI; 5-13 Morrison LSR; late south 5-28 Rock KE.
Hermit Thrush
(Catharus guttatus)
Early south 3-27 Freeborn DG; 3-31 Mower RKJ; 4-3 Olmsted JF; early north 4-6 Mille Lacs MI; 4-8 Crow Wing DK; 4-16 St. Louis DS; late south 5-24 Anoka BB.
Wood Thrush
(Hylocichla mustelina)
Early south 5-10 Sherburne JBB and Washington GA; 5-12 Hennepin ETS; early north 4-19 Cass AS; 429 St. Louis NMH earliest dates for north; 5-14 St. Louis DS and Itasca MS; 5-17 St. Louis JCG very few reports.
American Robin
(Turdus migratorius)
Early north 3-20 Mille Lacs MI; 3 reports on 3-23.
Old World Sparrows
House Sparrow
(Passer domesticus)
Reported from 30 counties.
Pipits
American Pipit
(Anthus rubescens)
14 reports: 4-10, 4-14 Rock KE; 4-11 Anoka KL; 4-24, 4-25 Lac qui Parle 4 reports; 4-27, 5-2 Lyon GO, HK; 4-28 Dakota MW; 5-6 Cottonwood ED; 5-10 Marshall SV; 5-17 Cook JH; 5-22 St. Louis LH.
SPRAGUE'S PIPIT
(Anthus spragueii)
2 reports 5-6 (Blue Mounds State Park) Rock Co. (1) KE; 5-30 (Marcoux) Polk Co. (1) DB new location.
Finches
Evening Grosbeak
(Coccothraustes vespertinus)
Late 5-24 Anoka JBB; !5-26 St. Louis JCG.
Purple Finch
(Haemorhous purpureus)
Late south 5-16 Anoka KL; early north 3-20 Mille Lacs MI; 3-21 Clay LCF; 3-23 Crow Wing JB. Pine Grosbe~k 4 reports: 3-19 Itasca MS; 3-24 St. Louis JCG; 3-27 St. Louis DS and Cook JH. GRAY-CROWNED ROSY FINCH 3-21 Beltrami (Bemidji) JM 5th state record.
Common Redpoll
(Acanthis flammea)
Late south 4-8 Anoka KL; late north 4-11 St. Louis PD.
Hoary Redpoll
(Acanthis hornemanni)
11 reports 3-5 (1), 3-24 (2) Clay LC~; 3-9 Washington DGW and Hennepm PCHS; 3-18 Itasca NMH; 3-20 (4) St. Louis PD; 3-20 to 3-27 Marshall SV; 3-21 (7) St. Louis DS; 3-23 Hennepin ETS; 3-24 to 3-26 Anoka KL; 3-31 (2) Cook JH.
White-winged Crossbill
(Loxia leucoptera)
4 reports: 3-28 Cass (7) AS; 3-30 St. Louis (3) P. Hofslund; 5-29 Polk ETS, RBJ.
Pine Siskin
(Spinus pinus)
Late south 5-31 Olmsted JF; early north 3-10 Hubbard HF and Morrison LSR.
American Goldfinch
(Spinus tristis)
Early north 4-14 St. Louis GN; 4-26 Otter Tail NJ; 5-4 Mille Lacs MI. Red C rossbi II 16 reports: 3-21, 3-22 Crow Wing JB, DK; 3-27 Winona LH; 3-31 Mille Lacs MI; 4-26, 5-13 Hennepin VL; 5-2 Hubbard HF; 5-7 Olmsted JF; 5-14 Hennepin JG; 5-15 Stearns NMH; 5-16 Morrison DF; 5-21 Cass HH; 5-22 Hennepin CH; 5-29, 5-30 Polk ETS, RBJ, KE.
Longspurs and Snow Buntings
Lapland Longspur
(Calcarius lapponicus)
Early south 3-6 Olmsted, Dodge RBJ; 3-7 Fillmore GE; early north 4-16 Aitkin JB; 4-19 St. Louis JCG and Aitkin PD.
Smith's Longspur
(Calcarius pictus)
4-13 Wilkin Frank Cassel.
Snow Bunting
(Plectrophenax nivalis)
Late south 3-22 Cottonwood LF; late north 4-27 Marshall SV.
Towhees, Sparrows
Grasshopper Sparrow
(Ammodramus savannarum)
Early south 4-28 Lyon HK; 5-8 Rock LH, KE; 5-9 Rice OR and Hennepin BE; early north 5-20 Clay DGW; 5-22 Pope RBJ; 5-23 Pine ML.
Lark Sparrow
(Chondestes grammacus)
Early south 5-4 Olmsted VH; 5-5 Anoka KL; 5-6 Olmsted Helen Tucker; 1 report north 5-28 Clearwater ETS.
Chipping Sparrow
(Spizella passerina)
Early south 4-4 Freeborn DG and Stearns NMH; 4-5 Anoka BB; 2 reports on 4-8; early north 4-13 Otter Tail NJ; 4-17 Todd GW; 4-19 Crow Wing DK.
Clay-colored Sparrow
(Spizella pallida)
Early south 4-28 Murray AD; 5-5 Lyon HK; several reports on 5-6; early north 5-8 St. Louis JCG and Marshall SV; 5-9 Otter Tail GW; 5-10 Otter Tail NJ.
Field Sparrow
(Spizella pusilla)
Early 3-13 Hennepin ERW (2nd earliest date on record); 3-18 Hennepin HPR.
Fox Sparrow
(Passerella iliaca)
Early south 3-20 Olmsted JF, VH; several reports on 3-25; early north 3-30 Clay LCF; 4-1 Mille Lacs MI· 4-2 Crow Wing DK; late 5-13 Stearns 'Me.
Dark-eyed Junco
(Junco hyemalis)
Late south 5-21 Hennepin ETS; early north 3-1 Clay LCF; 3 reports on 3-19. Winter 1976 Tree Sparrow Early north 3-3 Clay LCF; 3-14 Otter Tail GW; 3-23 Marshall SV; late 5-13 St. Louis JCG.
White-crowned Sparrow
(Zonotrichia leucophrys)
Early south 3-1, 3-20 Hennepin (wintering?) ERW; 3-29 Dakota JD; 4-16 Stearns MC; early north 4-13 Cass AS; 4-27 Itasca MS; 4-30 Marshall SV; late 4 reports on 5-22.
Harris's Sparrow
(Zonotrichia querula)
Early south 3-5 Freeborn DG; 3-27 Jackson RBJ; early north 3-1 Clay (wintering?) LCF; 5-5 Crow Wing JB; 5-6 Morrison LSR; late 5-23 Clay LCF.
White-throated Sparrow
(Zonotrichia albicollis)
Early north 4-15 Clay LCF; 4-16 St. Louis JCG; 4-18 Crow Wing JB; late south 5-22 Hennepin BE and Stearns NMH.
Vesper Sparrow
(Pooecetes gramineus)
Early south 3 reports on 4-4; early north 4-14, 4-16 Marshall SV; 4-17 Clay LCF; 4-22 Norman MS.
LeConte's Sparrow
(Ammospiza leconteii)
13 reports, more than usual; 4-19 Dakota OJ, JG; 4-24, 4-25 Lac qui Parle AFE, ETS; 5-6 Hennepin ETS and Olmsted Helen Tucker; 5-12 St. Louis BDC; 5-22 Aitkin RBJ, KE, TS; 5-22 Marshall DGW, SV; 5-28 Polk RL; 5-29 Marshall LH, JCG.
Nelson's Sparrow
(Ammospiza nelsoni)
5 reports: 5-27 to 5-30 Marshall SV, JCG, LH, DB; 5-28 Polk RL.
BAIRD'S SPARROW
(Centronyx bairdii)
5-22 Clay Dr. Oscar Johnson; 5-31 Wilkin HK.
Henslow's Sparrow
(Centronyx henslowii)
1 report: 5-11 Wabasha (2) WM.
Savannah Sparrow
(Passerculus sandwichensis)
Early south 3 reports on 4-2; early north 4-16 Aitkin JB; 4-21 Mille Lacs Ml; 4-24 Becker MS.
Song Sparrow
(Melospiza melodia)
Early south 3-1 Anoka JBB; 3-8 Cottonwood LF; 3-15 Rice OR; early north 3 reports on 4~1.
Lincoln's Sparrow
(Melospiza lincolnii)
Early south 4-18 Rock KE and Hennepin ETS; 4-24 Lac qui Parle OJ, RBJ; e~rly north 4-16 Clay LCF; 5-1 St. Loms PD; 5-5 Morrison LSR· late south 5-23 Lincoln KE. '
Swamp Sparrow
(Melospiza georgiana)
Early south 3-24 Hennepin PCHS; 4-4 Anoka KL; 4-5 Washington GA; early north 4-17 St. Louis DS, JCG; 4-20 St. Louis GN; 4-22 Marshall SV.
Eastern Towhee
(Pipilo erythrophthalmus)
Early south 4-22 Goodhue JG; 3 reports on 4-24 Lac qui Parle (spotted western race); early north 4-28 Cass HH; 5-16 Cass AS.
Blackbirds, Orioles
Yellow-headed Blackbird
(Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)
Early south 4-8 Hennepin LH' 4-9 Hennepin BE; 4-11 Lyon HK and Hennepin SG, PS; early north 4-13 Marshall SV; 4-17 Otter Tail GW; 4-20 Mah.nomen MS; also reported midApnl Cook (Gunflint Trail) Justine Kerfoot.
Bobolink
(Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
Early south 5-4 Carver HPR, JRG; 4 reports on 5-7; early north 5-12 Otter Tail NJ; 5-13 Marshall SV; 5-14 Todd GW and St. Louis DS.
Eastern Meadowlark
(Sturnella magna)
Early south 3-5 Freeborn DG; 3-7 Olmsted FS and Fillmore GE; 3-17 Wabasha WM; early north 3-22 Mille Lacs MI; 3-24 Pine ML; 3-27 Cook JH.
Western Meadowlark
(Sturnella neglecta)
Early south 3-1 Lincoln LK; 3-6 Dodge RBJ; 3-8 Stearns MNH; early north 3-6 Otter Tail NJ· 3-23 Otter Tail GW; 3-26 Clay LCF. '
Orchard Oriole
(Icterus spurius)
10 reports from 5-15 to 5-30 from Rock, Goodhue, Wabasha, Murray Lincoln, Lac qui Parle, Polk (5-29: 5-30 KE, DB, RBJ); Marshall (5-30, 2, ETS) breeding status still unknown in NW.
Baltimore Oriole
(Icterus galbula)
Early south 4-26 Mower RKJ; 5-1 Hennepin JRG: 5-5 Hennepin HPR; early north 4-29 Cass HH; 5-8 Crow Wing JB; 5-11 Otter Tail NJ.
Red-winged Blackbird
(Agelaius phoeniceus)
Early north 3-8 Pine ML; 3-19 Crow Wing DK; 3-20 Wadena JB; 3 reports on 3-23.
Brown-headed Cowbird
(Molothrus ater)
Early south 3-1 Olmsted JF; 3-3 Fillmore GE; 3-9 Cottonwood ED; early nortb 4-4 St. Louis GN; 4-6 Crow Wing JB; 4-9 St. Louis JCG.
Rusty Blackbird
(Euphagus carolinus)
Early south 3-6. Dodge RBJ; 3-13 Lyon HK; 3-15 Rice OR; early north 4-8 Aitkin JB and Marshall SV; 4-16 Cook JH; 4-20 St. Louis GN; late south 5-20 Stearns MC.
Brewer's Blackbird
(Euphagus cyanocephalus)
Early south 3-18 Lac qui Parle AFE; 3-21 Mower RKJ; 3-23 Hennepin PCHS; early north 3-28 Lake ME; 3-31 Mille Lacs MI; 4-16 Aitkin JB and St. Louis DS.
Common Grackle
(Quiscalus quiscula)
Early south 3-1 Lincoln LK; 3-2 Freeborn DG; 3-5 Anoka WL; early north 3-22 Crow Wing DK; 3 reports on 3-23.
Warblers
Ovenbird
(Seiurus aurocapilla)
Early south 4-25 Carvery HPR; 4-26 Cottonwood ED and Dakota JG; 4 reports on 5-5; early north 5-9 Cass AS; 5-10 Itasca MS and Lake ME; 5-12 CTOW Wing JB.
Louisiana Waterthrush
(Parkesia motacilla)
6 reports: 5-5 Hennepin CH; 5-6 Anoka (1) LH; 5-8 Goodhue (1) BE; 5-9 Wright (1) BH; 5-10 Wright (1) ETS; 5-12 Hennepin (1) DB.
Northern Waterthrush
(Parkesia noveboracensis)
Early south 4-27 Cottonwood LF; 430 Goodhue RBJ; 5-1 Hennepin ETS and Houston FL; early north 5-4, 5-8 Marshall SV; 5-14 Crow Wing JB; 5-15 Morrison LSR and Itasca MS; late south 5-23 Lincoln KE.
Golden-winged Warbler
(Vermivora chrysoptera)
Early south 5-11 Hennepin BDC and Jackson ED; 3 reports on 5-12; early north 5-13, 5-21 St. Louis GN; 5-15 Crow Wing JB; Otter Tail (5-29, expansion) GW.
Blue-winged Warbler
(Vermivora cyanoptera)
14 reports: 5-1 Fillmore RKJ; 5-8 to 5-21 Goodhue many observers; 5-13 Hennepin OJ, PCHS; 5-14 Hennepin HPR; 5-23 Olmsted JF. Brewster's Warbler 1 report of this hybrid: 5-16 Goodhue (1) ETS.
Black-and-white Warbler
(Mniotilta varia)
Early south 4-18 Stearns MC; 4-23 Cottonwood LF; 4-28 Anoka BB; early north 5-1 Clay NJ; 5-6 St. Louis GN and Crow Wing DK. Phothonotary Warbler 2 reports: 5-1 Houston FL (2nd earliest date on record); 5-20 Goodhue (1) LH.
Tennessee Warbler
(Leiothlypis peregrina)
Early south 4-9 Freeborn DG; 5-6 Hennepin FN, BDC; 5-8 Anoka WL and Pipestone LH; early north 5-13 St. Louis GN and Marshall SV; 5-14 Crow Wing JB and St. Louis DS; late south 5-25 Murray AD and Olmsted JF.
Orange-crowned Warbler
(Leiothlypis celata)
Early south 4-11 Dakota JD (ties early date); 4-28 Hennepin JG; 4-30 Goodhue RBJ; early north 4-30 Clay LCF; 5-1 Marshall SV; 5-3 Cook JH; late 5-22 Crow Wing JB.
Nashville Warbler
(Leiothlypis ruficapilla)
Early south 4-25 Cottonwood LF (ties early date); 4-30 Carver HPR; 5-4 Houston FL; early north 5-4 St. Louis PD; 5-7 Cass AS and St. Louis NJH; 5-10 St. Louis JCG; late south 5-24 Hennepin SG, PS.
Connecticut Warbler
(Oporornis agilis)
19 reports from 5-15 to 5-31 from Pipestone (2), Carlton (1), Beltrami (1), Roseau (2), Cottonwood (2), Clearwater (1), Hennepin (6), Itasca (2), Pine (1), Lincoln (1), Rock (1), Mower (2), Crow Wing (1), Mille Lacs (1).
Mourning Warbler
(Geothlypis philadelphia)
Early south 5-13 Hennepin RBJ, HPR; 5-1R Hennepin FN; early north 5-15 Morrison LSR; 5-18 St. Louis GN; 5-20 Marshall SV and Crow Wing DK; late south 5-31 Cottonwood LF.
Common Yellowthroat
(Geothlypis trichas)
Early south 4-28 Yellow Medicine GO; 4-30 Goodhue RBJ; 5-5 Mower RKJ; early north 4-28 St. Louis DS; 5-4 Cass HH; 5-10 Lake ME. Y.ELLOW-BREASTED CHAT 2 reports: 5-12 (1) KE and 5-25 (1) GO both from Blue Mounds State Park, Rock Co.
Hooded Warbler
(Setophaga citrina)
2 reports: 5-28 Hennepin (1 male) and 5-31 Otter Tail (1 male) DB.
American Redstart
(Setophaga ruticilla)
Early south 5-7 Hennepin ETS; 5-8 Hennepin BE; 5-9 Hennepin DB, BDC; early north 5-11 St. Louis JCG; 5-12 Crow Wing JB; 5-13 St. Louis GN.
Cape May Warbler
(Setophaga tigrina)
Early south 5-12 Olmsted VH; 5-13 Goodhue WKE, BDC; 5-14 Goodhue FN; early north 5-12 Mille Lacs MI; 5-13 St. Louis GN; 5-14 St. Louis PD, DS; late south 5-19 Wabasha WM.
Cerulean Warbler
(Setophaga cerulea)
Early south 5-13 Goodhue BDC; 3 reports on 5-14; also reported from Sherburne, Stearns, Hennepin, Houston, Dakota, Fillmore.
Northern Parula
(Setophaga americana)
Early south 4-20 Olmsted VH; 5-6 Hennepin DB; 5-7 Goodhue JG; early north 5-13 St. Louis GN and Itasca MS; 5-15 St. Louis NJH, DS; late south 522 Redwood SG, PS.
Magnolia Warbler
(Setophaga magnolia)
Early south 6 reports on 5-11; early north 5-14 St. Louis PD; 5-15 St. Louis NJH and Crow Wing JB; 5-16 Marshall SV; late south 5-31 Lyon NH.
Bay-breasted Warbler
(Setophaga castanea)
Early south 5-9 Hennepin HPR; 512 Hennepin SG, PS; 4 reports on 5-13; early north 5-20 Marshall SV; 5-21 St. Louis GN; 5-22 Mille Lacs MI.
Blackburnian Warbler
(Setophaga fusca)
Early south 5 reports on 5-12; early north 5-6 Crow Wing DK; 5-15 St. Louis NJH and Itasca MS; 5-17 St. Louis PD; late south 5-23 Blue Earth VR and Mower RKJ.
Yellow Warbler
(Setophaga petechia)
Early south 5-6 Wabasha WM; 4 reports on 5-7; early north 5-10 Crow Wing JB; 5-11 St. Louis JCG and Marshall SV.
Chestnut-sided Warbler
(Setophaga pensylvanica)
Early south 5-7 Hennepin OJ; 5-9 Freeborn DG; 5-10 Ramsey WL; early north 5-12 Crow Wing JB and Pine ML; 3 reports on 5-13.
Blackpoll Warbler
(Setophaga striata)
Early south 5-6 Dakota JD; 5-7 Hennepin OJ; 5-10 Olmsted VH; early north 5-12 Mille Lacs MI; 5-13 Marshall SV; 5-14 St. Louis DS; late south 5-31 Olmsted JF.
Black-throated Blue Warbler
(Setophaga caerulescens)
2 reports: 5-19 Clearwater (1) WL; 5-28 St. Louis (Babbitt, 2) PD.
Palm Warbler
(Setophaga palmarum)
Early south 4-24 Hennepin HPR; 4-25 Hennepin CH and Goodhue SG, PS; 4-27 Dakota JG; early north 4-27 Clay LCF; 4-28 Marshall SV; 5-5 Itasca MS; late south 5-23 Lincoln KE.
Pine Warbler
(Setophaga pinus)
Early south 5-5 Washington GA; 5-6 Stearns NMH and Wabasha WM; 5-11 Anoka JBB; early north 4-24 Crow Wing JB; 4-26 Itasca MS; 5-22 St. Louis PD.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
(Setophaga coronata)
Early south 4-3 Hennepin PCHS; 3 reports on 4-4; early north 3-31 St. Louis Steve Walczynski; 4-2 Crow Wing DK; 4-8 Mille Lacs MI; late south 5-30 Lac qui Parle AFE.
Black-throated Green Warbler
(Setophaga virens)
Early south 5-1 Hennepin DB; 3 reports on 5-5; early north 5-8 St. Louis NJH; 5-9 St. Louis JCG; 3 reports on 5-13; late reports on 5-23.
Canada Warbler
(Cardellina canadensis)
Early south 5-11 Hennepin HPR; 5-12 Hennepin SG, PS, DB; 3 reports on 5-18; early north 5-14 Itasca MS; 5-21 Clay LCF and Crow Wing DK; 3 reports on 5-22; late south 5-28 Hennepin SG, PS.
Wilson's Warbler
(Cardellina pusilla)
Early south 5-5 Wabasha WM; 5-8 Goodhue BDC and Hennepin ETS; 5-9 Hennepin BE; early north 5-13 Crow Winter 1976 Wing JB; 5-14 St. Louis PD; 5-15 Morrison LSR; late south 5-23 Lincoln KE and Hennepin BE.
Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks
Scarlet Tanager
(Piranga olivacea)
Early south 5-12 Olmsted VH and Lyon HK; 3 reports on 5-13; early north 5-13 Crow Wing JB; 5-17 Itasca MS; 5-20 Marshall SV.
Northern Cardinal
(Cardinalis cardinalis)
3 reports north 3-18 to 4-24: Clay (1) LCF; 5-5 Crow Wing (1) JB; May St. Louis Henry Roberts.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
(Pheucticus ludovicianus)
Early south 4-24 Hennepin OJ; 4-30 Goodhue RBJ and Olmsted JF; 3 reports on 5-3; early north 4-11 Lake ME; 4-30 to 5-4 Hubbard HF; 5-10 St. Louis JCG.
Blue Grosbeak
(Passerina caerulea)
1 report: 5-30, 5-31 Murray AD.
Indigo Bunting
(Passerina cyanea)
Early south 5-4 Rice OR; 5-6 Mower RKJ; 5-7 Olmsted JF; early north 5-20 Crow Wing DK; 5-21 St. Louis GN; 5-22 Mille Lacs MI.
Dickcissel
(Spiza americana)
Only 6 reports 5-14 to 5-30 reported from Lyon, Murray, Freeborn, Olmsted, Mower and Polk (5-29, 1, ETS).