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Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon | |
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The 1982-Winter Season 1 December 1982 through 28 February 1983 Kenneth J. La Fond |
With this season's report, we are introducing a minor change in content and format. In an effort to minimize duplication and to make the seasonal report more comprehensive, we have decided to incorporate the Christmas Bird Count data into this report. This will be done by plotting all of the CBC records on the base map used in compiling the seasonal contributors' information. Species unusual as to time or location will be so identified in the text and the additional information on the more common species will help make the overall report more complete. In addition, a brief tabular summary will be provided for all of the CBC's received. Kim Eckert will continue to summarize the CBC data for AMERICAN BIRDS.
The weather throughout the period was generally mild, with the Twin Cities having the warmest winter in fifty years. The entire state was free from snow in early December and the northwest part of the state remained snow-free all season.
Duluth's coldest temperature was only -10° and the Twin Cities had only thirty hours of below zero readings. Late December brought from 8" to 16" of snow to most of the state, again excepting the extreme northwest. December 29 was cold, with 20° readings in the far north and zero readings in the south. January had about average snowfall and mild temperatures and February was about the same, with the coldest period being the final week of the month.
A total of 68 seasonal reports were received, representing the efforts of at least 87 individual contributors. In addition, the
37 CBC reports received represent the effort of about 650 participants. The aggregate total of the CBC's indicates there were at least 208,000 birds in the state at some time during the period. Of the 37 CBC's received, Rochester had the high species total with 52, while the St. Paul northeast count was a close second with 51.
The species total for the period was 142, about average for the last few years. The warm weather induced a number of species to attempt over-wintering in the state, including three species of warblers, Rosebreasted Grosbeaks and White-crowned, White-throated and Lincoln's Sparrows.
The warm weather and an apparently adequate food supply in the far north gave the Winter Finches no compelling reason to move south and so they didn't. Reports indicate these witlter visitants were very scarce except along the Canadian border.
Gull-watching in Duluth was again good with Thayer's, Glaucous and two Blackbackeds found during the period.
The warm weather in late February brought an early start to the spring migration and late in the period waterfowl and blackbirds were moving into the state in good numbers.
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Species |
Information |
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| Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks | |||||
| Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) | Overwintered in the West Central Region at Fergus Falls (SDM) and the east central region at Lake Cornelia, Hennepin Co. (mob). Also reported at Rochester from 1217 until 1/3 1 (RBJ), (BE). | ||||
| Ross's Goose (Anser rossii) | An apparently wild, non-hybrid individual overwintered with Mallards and domestic geese in a small pond in southern Washington Co. (mob). For more comments on this observation see The Loon 55:84-85. | ||||
| Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) | A late migrant at Rochester on 1217 (KE). | ||||
| Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) | Reported from 25 counties throughout the state with the exception of the NW Region. The north central report was of 13 overwintering in Hubbard Co. (OJ) and the north east report was of spring migrants over Carlton Co. on 2/27 (fide Laura Erickson). Mid to late February arrivals were also reported from Cottonwood, Brown and Mower counties. Peak CBC numbers included 29,600 in Rochester and 17,800 in Lac qui Parle Co. | ||||
| Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) | At the Weaver Marshes, Winona Co., late migrants numbered 5,000 on 1217 (KE). January and early February reports indicate at least a few individuals overwintered in the same area (WDM). More surprisingly, an individual also overwintered in the north central region, Aitkin Co., 117 until 2/27 (WN). | ||||
| Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) | Reported only from the Twin Cities area; Hennepin on 121l8 (DZ/MC) and 2/ 28 (SC); Scott on Ill (RBJ), (RG) and the Afton CBC. | ||||
| Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) | A possible overwintering individual or an extremely early migrant at the Ross' Goose location in south Washington County from 21l2 onward (mob). | ||||
| Gadwall (Mareca strepera) | Again reported only from the usual wintering location at Shakopee, Scott co. | ||||
| American Wigeon (Mareca americana) | Two reports; Hubbard in the north central until lll6, (OJ, AB) and Anoka in the east central, until Ill (PKL). | ||||
| Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) | Reported from 34 counties throughout the state except the NW Region. | ||||
| American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) | Reported from 15 counties south and east of Stearns, plus Cook in the northeast. | ||||
| Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) | Late December migrants in Waseca 12/ II (PKL) and Olmsted, until 121l9 (BE). A January report from Dakota 1/4 (MW). Returning migrants in Scott, 2/26 (RA) and Otter TAil, 2/27 (SDM). | ||||
| Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) | Reported only from Wabasha in the south east. Late migrants until 1217 (RBJ) and returning migrants from 2/14 onward (WDM). | ||||
| Redhead (Aythya americana) | A December report from Dakota, 12/18 (MW). | ||||
| Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) | Six reports this year. Cook 121l8 (KMH) in the NE, Otter Tail 2/6 (SDM) in the west central, Hennepin, until 1/3 (mob) and Wabasha, Olmsted and Mower in the SE. | ||||
| Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) | Reported in Beltrami, 12/4, 12/5 (JP, AS). Details in The Loon 55:37. | ||||
| Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) | December and January Lake Superior reports from Cook, Lake and St. Louis. | ||||
| Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) | Reported from 21 counties throughout the state with the exception of the NW and SW regions. Buffiehead Overwintered in Beltrami (mob), present in Cook (KMH) and St. Louis (KE) until 12/ 18 and a south report from Ramsey until 12/24 (mob). | ||||
| Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) | December migrants in the north at Cass 12/2 (DZ) and the south at Hennepin 12/3 (DB). A January report from Lake, 1/21 (FL) and returning migrants at Duluth 2/ 25, (Duluth RBA). | ||||
| Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) | Reported from five north and nine south counties. Numerous reports of returning migrants in mid to late February. | ||||
| Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) | Reported fromm Duluth on 12/18 (KE) and 1/1 (PKL). | ||||
| Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) | Two Olmsted County reports; 1217 (KE) and 2/22 (BE). | ||||
| Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys | |||||
| Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) | Reported only from the extreme SE in Houston, Winnebago Valley (EMF) and near Hokah (FL). | ||||
| Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) | Reported from 18 counties north and east of a line from Olmsted to Otter Tail to Polk. Numerous reports of reduced numbers. | ||||
| Spruce Grouse (Canachites canadensis) | Reported only from Cook in the NE m Dec. and Jan. (KMH). | ||||
| Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) | Reports from six counties in the north central and north west regions. | ||||
| Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido) | Reported from Otter Tail and Wilkin where they were booming on the very early date of 1/30 (RBJ). | ||||
| Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix) | Reported from 22 counties south and west of a line from Pennington to Dakota. | ||||
| Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) | Reported from 40 counties north to Duluth, Aitkin, 1/15 (WN) and Norman Co. | ||||
| Grebes | |||||
| Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) | Reported only from Lake Cornelia, Hennepin Co., Ill thru 2/28 (mob). | ||||
| Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) | A Lake Superior report from Lake Co., 1/23 (BDC). | ||||
| Pigeons, Doves | |||||
| Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) | Reported from 57 counties throughout the state including 8,0711 on the Duluth CBC. | ||||
| Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) | Two north reports; Becker 2/ II (TNWR) and 10 on the Duluth CBC. Also reported form 13 south CQUnties. | ||||
| Rails, Gallinules, Coots | |||||
| American Coot (Fulica americana) | Overwintered at Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County (SDM, GMO) and reported from Hennepin on 12/8 (AB) and 12/12 (PKL). | ||||
| Plovers | |||||
| Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) | Early south migrants in Murray 2/28 (AD) and Mower 2/27 (RRK). | ||||
| Sandpipers | |||||
| Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) | Two January reports; Otter Tail 1/3 (GMO) in the west central and Dakota 1/ 23 (MW), in the east central. | ||||
| Gulls, Terns | |||||
| Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) | A late north migrant in Hubbard on 12/4 (HJF) and late south migrants in Wabasha and the Twin Cities area until 12/19. | ||||
| Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) | Late north migrants inland from Lake Superior were recorded on 12/5 in Hubbard (JP), Crow Wing and Mille Lacs (PKL). In the Twin Cities area and the SE late migrants remained until 12-25. Spring migrants returned to theSE on 2/12, Wabasha, (JB, BE) and the Twin Cities area on 2/13, Dakota (MW). On Lake Superior 681 were recorded on the Duluth CBC, 50+ overwintered in Lake and 200 in Cook. Returning migrants increased the Cook Co. numbers to 500 by late Feb. (KMH). | ||||
| Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) | An adult was present in Duluth from 12/ 16 until 12/22 (KE). Details in The Loon 55:33. | ||||
| Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) | December and January reports from Cook and Lake and perhaps as many as 12 overwintered in Duluth. Also reported from the only other area in the state where it is possibly regular, Black Dog, Dakota Co. 12/13 (MW). | ||||
| Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) | An adult in Duluth from 12/ 16 until 12/ 22 and a different adult from 1/20 until 2/ 12 (mob). Details in The Loon 55:32-33 and 85. | ||||
| Loons | |||||
| Common Loon (Gavia immer) | The only report was of an immature captured on the ice near Dodge Nature Center, St. Paul 12110, and released on Black Dog Lake 12111 (RBA). | ||||
| Cormorants | |||||
| Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) | A late migrant at Black Dog, 121l8 until 12/22 (MW) plus two very early migrants or possible overwintering individuals at Lock and Dam #3, Goodhue Co., 1/30 (JP-AM) and 21l5 (RBJ). | ||||
| Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons | |||||
| Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) | Three south reports: Dakota, 12/18 (MW), Winona, 1/22 (RA), and Rock 1/31 (JS). | ||||
| Kites, Accipiters, Hawks, Eagles | |||||
| Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) | Reported form Marshall, 12/12 until 12/ 19 (JM) and Otter Tail Ill (SDM) in the north, and Wabasha, Winona and Houston in the south. | ||||
| Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) | North reports from Wilkin, 1/1 (SDM), Otter Tail, 1/14, 1/28 (GMO)) and Hubbard 2/21 (DJ). South reports from Stearns 12/3 (NH) and Goodhue, (no date). | ||||
| Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) | Reported from Hubbard and Becker in the north and Anoka, Hennepin, Dakota, Goodhue, Olmsted and Houston in the south. | ||||
| Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) | Reported form Aitkin, 12/30 till 1-2 (WN), Washington 12/25 (DS), Olmsted 12/18 (BE) and Mower 12/1 I (RJ). | ||||
| American Goshawk (Accipiter atricapillus) | Last fall's record Hawk Ridge flight resulted in what is probably a record winter season for the species. About 40 reports from twenty-three counties throughout the state except the south and west central regions. The southernmost reports were from Mower and Fillmore and the westerly reports included Swift, Otter Tail and Marshall . | ||||
| Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) | Thirty-five reports from 23 counties throughout the state with the exception of the south west region. Overwintering reports include Polk (KSS) and Otter Tail (GMO). Winter reports of this species have been increasing for the past several years. | ||||
| Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) | A north report from Pine, 1/13, Feb.(ML) and south reports from Goodhue 1/30 (JP/AM) and Mower (RRK). | ||||
| Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) | Fewer reports than usual, possibly the result of the record Northern Goshawk influx. Reports from 21 counties north to Duluth, Kanabec and Otter Tail. | ||||
| Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) | Twenty-five reports from 13 north and six south counties. | ||||
| Screech-Owls, Owls | |||||
| Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) | More reports than usual; Otter Tail in the north and 14 counties in the south. | ||||
| Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) | More reports than ususal; 41 counties throughout the state including an Arctic race individual in Otter Tail and 13 on the Duluth CBC. | ||||
| Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) | Only ten overwintered in Duluth (D. Evans) but the species was fairly widespread in the north with reports from ten additional counties. In the south, reports were received from seven counties including a wing tagged individual in Nobles on 12/15. (JS). | ||||
| Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) | Reported from Lake of the Woods 1/23 (AS) Koochiching, five miles south of Birchdale, 1/18, l/23, 2/5 (mob). | ||||
| Barred Owl (Strix varia) | Reported from 20 counties throughout the state with the exception of the central and SW regions. Two reports from the western prairies, Clay 12/30 (LCF) and Wilkin 1/17 (PKL). | ||||
| Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa) | Six north reports from Lake of the Woods, Beltrami, Itasca, Aitkin and Cook. | ||||
| Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) | Two reports; Dakota 1/2 (JP/AM) and Olmsted 12/2 (JB). | ||||
| Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) | Reported only from Sherburne 2/17 (EH). | ||||
| Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus) | Reported in Cook where it was heard calling along the Gunflint Trail from l/20 thorugh 2/27 (KMH, JP/AM). | ||||
| Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) | Reported only from Dakota on 2/21 (JP/ AM) and 2/23 (RBJ, RG). | ||||
| Kingfishers | |||||
| Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) | Overwintered in Otter Tail (SDM). Present in Aitkin on 1115, 1116 (WN) and Lyon, three on 12/18 (HK). Also reported from seven counties south and east of the Twin Cities area. | ||||
| Woodpeckers | |||||
| Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) | North reports from Crow Wing, 12/18 (6) through 2/5 (mob) and Aitkin 2/6 (WN). Also reported from Lyon in the SW, Anoka, Washington and Dakota in the east central and Houston and Mower in theSE. | ||||
| Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) | Overwintered in Wilkin (SDM). Additional north reports from Crow Wing, 12/ 18 (WN), Aitkin, 1/8 (WN), l/30 (SC), Pine 1113 (TP) and Duluth, until 12/ 14 (K. Sundquist). Also reported from 12 south counties including Lyon, 12/18 (3), (HK). | ||||
| Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) | Reported on the St. Cloud-Collegeville CBC. | ||||
| American Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis) | Seven reports from five northern counties, Becker 12/22 (DJ), 2/28 (RBJ, RG), Beltrami 2/28 (AS), Itasca 12/27 (TL), Lake 12/22 (SWIMS) and Cook 12/18 thorugh 2/23 (KMH). | ||||
| Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) | A south report from Washington, 1/1 (RBJ, RG) and the St. Paul NE CBC. Ten reports from the north central and NE regions and a NW region report from Mahnomen, Roy Lake, 1/22 (PKL), 2/27 (RBJ, RG). | ||||
| Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) | Reported from 50 counties throughout the state. | ||||
| Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus) | Reported from 53 counties throughout the state. | ||||
| Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) | Overwintered in Cook (KMH). Also reported form Clay 12/16 through 12/21 (LCF) and 2/13 (TS) and eight counties in the south. | ||||
| Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) | Reported from 32 counties throughout the state with the exception of the SW region. | ||||
| Caracaras, Falcons | |||||
| American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) | Forty-five reports from 34 counties in all regions except the north central. The north region reports included Marshall 1/27 and 2/9 and Duluth, until 12/20 (C. Curtiss). | ||||
| Merlin (Falco columbarius) | Seven reports this year. Marshall, Jan. (JM) and Pennington 2/4 (KSS) in the NW, Duluth 2/5, (TL, Terry Wiens) in the NE, Pine, 1/29 (mob), Anoka, (Mpls. North CBC) and Dakota two weeks in mid Dec. at a Mendota Heights feeder (RBA) in the east central. also, a SE report from Wabasha 12/29 (JP/AM). GRYFALCON Two reports; a grey phase individual at Agassiz NWR, Marshall County 12/21 (JM) and in early Jan. (C. Steinhauer). A Duluth report in late January (L. Erickson, D. Evans). | ||||
| Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) | Three reports from the western regions; Wilkin, 1/5 through 2/22 (SDM, RBJ), Cottonwood 2/6 (L. Rupp) and Rock 2119 (PKL). | ||||
| Shrikes | |||||
| Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) | Reported on the Crookston CBC (Needs details). | ||||
| Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis) | Reports of about 75 individuals from 27 north and 16 south counties throughout the state. | ||||
| Jays, Nutcrackers, Magpies, Crows | |||||
| Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) | Reported from Roseau, Marshall and Mahnomen in the NW region. Pine in the east central and six additional north counties. | ||||
| Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) | Reported from 59 counties throughout the state. | ||||
| Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) | Reported from eight counties in the north central and NW regions. | ||||
| American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) | Reported from 64 counties throughout the state including Roseau, Lake of the Woods and Cook. Apparently becoming more common in winter in the far north. | ||||
| Common Raven (Corvus corax) | Reported from all NE and north central counties plus Pine and Kanabec in the east central and Becker, Mahnomen, Marshall and Roseau in the NW region. | ||||
| Chickadees, Titmice | |||||
| Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) | Reported from 57 counties throughout the state. | ||||
| Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) | Reported from Hennepin 1/3 until 1/8 (VL, SC) in the south and Itasca, St. Louis, Lake and Cook in the north where it was much more common than usual. | ||||
| Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) | South reports from Washington, Rice, Winona, Fillmore and Houston. A north report from Otter Tail (GMO) needs details. | ||||
| Larks | |||||
| Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) | Reported from 44 counties throughout the state with the exception of the NE region. The only December report was from Olmsted. Migrants returned in mid to late January and were widespread by early February. | ||||
| Kinglets | |||||
| Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula) | A north report from Beltrami, 12/28, five miles north of Bemidji (AS). | ||||
| Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) | More reports than usual; 24 counties throughout the state north to Itasca, Beltrami and Kittson. | ||||
| Waxwings | |||||
| Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) | Reports from the three northern regions indicate the species was common in Jan. and Feb. north and east of a line from Pen nington to Aitkin. Peak numbers were 1,000 in Duluth on 2-5 (JC). In the east central two were in Hennepin on 2/9 (SC) and one was with a flock of 10 Cedars in Blaine, Anoka Co., on 12/26 (PKL). A month of so later the Iowa RBA also re | ||||
| Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) | Numerous February reports from the NW region and Cook Co. in the NE, December reports from Duluth and widespread reports from nine south counties. | ||||
| Nuthatches | |||||
| Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) | Reported from 35 counties throughout the state. | ||||
| White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) | Reported from 58 counties throughout the state including an overwintering pair in Lake (SWIMS) and a Cook report on 12118 (KMH). | ||||
| Creepers | |||||
| Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) | Reported from 35 counties throughout the state including overwintering records from Cook, Lake and Beltrami. Winter Wr~n Reported on the Excelsior CBC. | ||||
| Thrashers, Mockingbirds | |||||
| Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) | Reported from Duluth from 12/14 until 12/18 (mob). | ||||
| Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) | One on the Aurora, St. Louis Co. CBC, one in Duluth at the H. Simonson feeder until 12/21 and a south report from Mower Co. at the Harmel Nature Center on 1/23 (RRK). | ||||
| Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) | Reported only from Duluth on 1/23 (mob)-and 2/25 (JP/AM). | ||||
| Starlings | |||||
| European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) | Reported from 66 counties thorughout the state. | ||||
| Thrushes | |||||
| Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) | A Duluth report on 12/12 (D. Green) | ||||
| MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD (Sialia currucoides) | Reported from Cook County, Cascade .River on 12/18 (KMH). | ||||
| Townsend's Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi) | Reported from Two Harbors, Lake County until 12115 (J. Church). | ||||
| Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) | Overwintered in Sherburne (EH/SS) and a report from Hennepin County 12/15 until 12/27 (mob). | ||||
| American Robin (Turdus migratorius) | Reported from 21 counties thorughout the state north to Norman, Clearwater, Koochiching and Cook. Varied Thursh Two north and two south reports. In the north one was at a Cloquet, Carlton Co. feeder on 12/29 (J. Anderson) and one was in Aitkin Co. on 1/1 and 1/6 (WN). The south reports are both from the Mpls. RBA; one at Elk River in Jan. (this individual flew into a window and is now a museum specimen) and one in Roseville, Ramsey Co. in February. | ||||
| Old World Sparrows | |||||
| House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) | Last on the new checklist but first in this years contest for the most widely reported species; 72 counties throughout the state. | ||||
| Finches | |||||
| Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) | One south report from Chisago Co. In the north, they were present in virtually all counties north and east of a line from Pine to Becker to Roseau. The reports were mixed but they seemed to be more common than usual in the north central and north west and less common in the north east. | ||||
| Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) | Relatively scarce this year with reports from only eight northern counties. Reported only once from Aitkin, Cass, Becker and Marshall. In Cook and Beltrami they were less common than normal and in St. Louis they were completely absent from the Duluth CBC. In Koochiching they were abundant in International Falls on 1/15 (PKL) and were still present on 2/ 26 (RBJ). | ||||
| Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) | Reported from 37 counties from throughout the state. | ||||
| Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) | This species was down appreciably in numbers and perhaps had its worst season on record. At the time, they seemed almost non-existent but once all the reports were reviewed, they were present in nine northern and three southwesterly counties. The only sizeable flocks were in Pine, 100 +on 1/2 (PKL) and Redwood, IOO+on 2112 (HCF). There were no reports of Hoary Redpoll's this season. | ||||
| Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) | A south report from Lyon 12/18 (HK) and reports from eight northern counties. | ||||
| White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera) | Reported only from Marshall, Becker, Beltrami, Itasca, Crow Wing, Lake and Cook. | ||||
| Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) | Widespread throughout the north half of the state (18 counties) and south reports from Lac qui Parle, Lyon, Cottonwood, Hennepin and Wabasha. | ||||
| American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) | Perhaps the best season on record for this species. Reports from 50 counties throughout the state. In the north, they were generally described as being abundant with the peak numbers occuring in a field of unpicked sunflowers in northeast Roseau Co. on 2/ 12, 500+ (PKL). In the south the species was equally widespread but apparently less abundant since no large numbers were reported. | ||||
| Longspurs and Snow Buntings | |||||
| Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) | Reported from II counties in the west and south regions. | ||||
| Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) | Reported from 36 counties thorughout the state. | ||||
| Towhees, Sparrows | |||||
| Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) | One report; an early migrant in Mower 2/21 (T. Dorsey). | ||||
| American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea) | Reported from 38 counties throughout the state including overwintering reports from Marshall in the NW region (KSS) and Lake in the NE (SWIMS). | ||||
| Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) | Widespread throughout the state with reports from 43 counties including Kittson, Marshall; overwintered (KSS), Lake 1/1, 1/2 (SWIMS) and Cook, Dec. (KMH). | ||||
| White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) | Overwintered in Otter Tail (GMO, SDM) and Pine (ML) in the north and Olmsted (JB) in the south. Additional south reports from Hennepin, 12/19 (RBJ) and Dakota, 1/2 and 113 (JB, RG).Details in The Loon 55:87. | ||||
| Harris's Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula) | Two west region reports; Wilkin 1130 (RBJ) and 216 (SDM) and Cottonwood, overwintered (LAF). | ||||
| White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) | North reports from Cook, 12/18 (KMH) St. Louis, Duluth until 12131 (D. Gilbertson) and Crow Wing 12/18 (WN), 215 (RBJ, RG), 2-6 (WN). In the south overwintered in Hennepin, Dakota and Wabasha. Also reported from Nicollet (JCT) and Lac qui parle 12/24, 1115. (AFE). | ||||
| Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) | Two north reports; overwintered in Marshall (KSS) and a Dec. report from Cook (SL). In the south, overwintering reports from Hennepin, Nicollet and Blue Earth and additional reports from Anoka and Mower. | ||||
| Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) | Minnesota's second winter record; an individual at the Art Hawkins feeder, Lino Lakes, Anoka Co. from 116 until 1129. Details in The Loon 55:86. | ||||
| Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) | A late migrant in Wabasha, 1217 (KE). | ||||
| Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) | Reported on the Austin CBC. | ||||
| Blackbirds, Orioles | |||||
| Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) | Very early migrants in Cottonwood, 2/ 24 (WH) | ||||
| Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) | A female overwintered at the Morningside Orchards, Winona Co., fide (RBJ). | ||||
| Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) | Reported from eight north and 14 south counties. Overwintered in Marshall (KSS) in the NW and numerous reports of returning migrants in the south and central regions in mid to late February. Meadowlark (sp) In the west regions an overwintering report from Marshall (KSS), a Becker Co. report on 2/11 (KSS) and a Chippewa Co. report on 1/6 (AFE) probably represent the Western Meadowlark. North central reports from Hubbard, 2/ 17 fide (DJ) and Aitkin Ill (WN) are both unusual as to time and location. A south central report from Martin 12/22 (EBK) is more expected and SE reports from Goodhue 2/20 (SDM) and | ||||
| Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) | South reports from Lac qui Parle, Cottonwood, Nicollet, Blue Earth and Dakota. | ||||
| Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) | Two SW reports; Lyon, a flock of 36 on 12/18 (HK) and Murray 2/1 until 2/15 (AK). | ||||
| Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) | Reported on the Bemidji CBC, Nicollet, 12/3 and 12/9 (JCF) and possible early migrants in Clay on 2/25 (LCF). | ||||
| Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) | Widespread throughout the state with reports from 27 counties north to Lake of the Woods, Koochiching and Cook where three overwintered in Grand MaraiS (KMH). Numerous reports of returning migrants in the south in late Feb. | ||||
| Warblers | |||||
| Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) | One present at a Wright Co. feeder on 12/28 (GS). Details in The Loon 55:33. | ||||
| Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) | Two reports: Hutchinson, McLeod Co. from 12/22 until 12127 (C. Weseldh) and Wabasha, 12/1 until 1218 (WDM). | ||||
| Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) | Present for the third year in a row, this time an Audubon's race at an Edina feeder on 1/27 (P. Huber). | ||||
| Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks | |||||
| Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) | Three north reports, Wilkin, two all winter (SDM) Otter Tail, Deer Creek, 117 (PKL) and a Duluth feeder on 12118 (V. Adams). Also reported from 18 south counties. | ||||
| Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) | Three reports; Crookston CBC, Eagan, Dakota Co., a male all winter (J. Stripe) and a second year male in Hennepin until 1/18 (mob). Details in The Loon 55:86. | ||||