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Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon | |
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The 1983-Winter Season 1 December 1983 through 29 February 1984 Ken LaFond |
This report represents the efforts of over 750 individuals and is one of the more comprehensive I've had the opportunity to compile during the past five years. Sixtytwo seasonal reports and 45 Christmas Bird Counts were received. The CBC's recorded 114 species and the seasonal report and individual contributors brought the period total to a record 145.
The Rochester count took top honors with a total of 60 while Bloomington (56) and Duluth (52) were runners up.
Weatherwise, snow and cold came early, particularly to the north and east. The Twin Cities recorded their snowiest early winter on record. Low temps of -31 o at Isabella on 12-4 and a high of -18° in Duluth on 12-23 were indicative of condi
tions in the northeast. Mid December snowfalls of 10" and 12" occurred, again principally in the north and east. January started out warm, had very cold temps in mid-month and finished above average temperature-wise with normal snowfall.
February had generally above average temps but strong winds and severe blizzard conditions prevailed in the south central and south west on the 6th and again on the 18th. Mild conditions, with temps sometimes in the 40's completed the month.
The big news this season was the appearance of the Brambling at an Owatonna feeder and the record invasion of Great Gray Owls, principally in the northeast.
Winter finches were more widespread and abundant than last year and raptor and waterfowl migrants were returning in late February.
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Species |
Information |
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| Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks | |||||
| Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) | Reports from three south counties; Lake Cornelia, Hennepin, up to 3 until 1-8 (mob); Scott, 10 (?) on 1-4 MRBA, and Olmsted, 12-17 until 2-20 (2) (mob) and a blue phase individual on 2-25 (KL). | ||||
| Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) | Reported on the Rochester CBC. | ||||
| Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) | Reports from three north and 31 south counties. The north reports consisted of the Aurora CBC, the Fargo CBC and the wintering flock at Fergus Falls, Otter Tail Co. The total statewide CBC count was 15, 1349. There were fifteen south reports of returning migrants, the first on 2-I2 and the balance from 2-16 through 2-25. | ||||
| Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) | Late migrants in Hennepin on I 2-3 (mob). Southeast reports from Wabasha, 12-6 (19) and 2-9 (I) (WDM); Houston, 12-2 (500) (FL) and Olmsted, 2-22 (I) (JBK) (BE). A SW report of two flying south of Windom in Jackson Co. on 2-23 (KL) is very difficult to explain. | ||||
| Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) | Overwintered in Dakota (JD) and Hennepin (mob). Also reported in Olmsted, 12-7, (JBK, BE) and on the St. Paul, Mankato and Willmar CBC's. | ||||
| Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) | Reported without details on the Austin CBC. | ||||
| Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) | Overwintered at Orwell Dam, Otter Tail (GMO) and late migrants in Hennepin on 12-1 and 12-2 (mob). | ||||
| Gadwall (Mareca strepera) | In addition to the usual overwintering individuals in Scott Co. there were early and mid-December reports from Hennepin, Ramsey and Houston. | ||||
| American Wigeon (Mareca americana) | Twin Cities area reports from the St. Paul CBC, Anoka, until 12-11 (KL), Hennepin , until 1-7 (ETS) and in Scott until Ill (2) (AB) and again on 2-12 (DB). A southeast report from Olmsted on 2-12 (KL). | ||||
| Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) | Reported from 37 counties throughout the state north to Polk, Beltrami, Koochiching and Cook. A state wide CBC total of 14,856 individuals of whicn only 135 were reported from the three northern regions. | ||||
| American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) | Reported from Cook (4) in the NE, Otter Tail (3) in the west central and 13 counties in the SE quarter of the state. A statewide CBC total of 88 individuals. | ||||
| Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) | Reported on the Mpls. North and Excelsior CBC's. A January report from Otter Tail on 1-7 (SDM) and three reports of returning migrants (?) in February from Hennepin 2-27 (MRBA), Dakota, 2-24 (AB) and Scott, 2-24 (3) (JCF). | ||||
| Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) | A late migrant at Lake Cornelia, Hennepin Co. until 1-4 (ETS), (MRBA) and an early (?) migrant in Mower on 2-14 (RRK). | ||||
| Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) | Reported on the Mankato and Rochester CBC's. December reports from Hennepin, 12-5 (SC), Wabasha 12-6 (WDM) and Houston 12-2 (FL). Spring migrants in Houston, up to 60, 2-25 (KL) (FL) and Otter Tail, 2-26 (GMO). | ||||
| Redhead (Aythya americana) | Two December reports; Otter Tail 12-16 (SDM) and Hennepin, 12-2 (SC) (DB). A February report from Goodhue on 2-26 (JD). | ||||
| Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) | Reported on the St. Paul and Rochester CBC's. The Rochester individual remained on Silver Lake all winter (mob). Early spring migrants in the west central; Otter Tail 2-26 (4), (GMO). | ||||
| Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) | Late north migrants in Hubbard; 37 on 12-1 (HJF) and Cook, 12-2 (KMH). South reports from the Willmar and Excelsior CBC's and Sherburne, Ramsey, Dakota, Scott, Rice and Olmsted counties. | ||||
| White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi) | A late migrant in an unusual location; Lake Calhoun, Hennepin Co., 12-1 (RBJ). | ||||
| Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) | Lake Superior reports from Cook; 11 on the Grand Marais CBC and 25 near Five Mile Rock on 12-26 (SS) and "a few" on 2-1, B. J. Rose. A St. Louis County report from Stoney Point on 2-5, R. Johnson. | ||||
| Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) | Overwintered in Cook (KMH) in the northeast, Otter Tail in the west central, (92), (SDM) and the Twin Cities area, about 400, (mob). Returning migrants numbered about 1000 on the Mississippi in Houston on 2-25 (FL), (KL). Also reported from 18 additional counties in the central and eastern regions northward to Koochiching, 1-28 (2) (KL). | ||||
| Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) | Reports of two males at Black Dog, Dakota County from 1-7 till the end of the period (mob). Also reported from Lake Calhoun, Hennepin on 12-1 (SC) and on the Mississippi near Elk River, Sherburne Co. on 2-4, Gary Swanson. Bujjtehead Reported on the Grand Marais and Willmar CBC's. A January report from Two Harbors, Lake Co. on l-1 (SWMS). Spring migrants in the southeast in Houston 2-25, (FL) and Olmsted, 2-25 (KL). | ||||
| Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) | Reported on the Rochester CBC and apparently remained throughout the period (mob). In the Twin Cities area reported from Scott, 12-10 (RBJ); Hennepin until 17 (ETS) and again on 2-11 (BL) and Dakota, 2-25 (MRBA). | ||||
| Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) | Reported from six north and 16 south counties in all regions except the northwest and southwest. Numerous reports of returning migrants in mid and late February including 1000 + on the Mississippi in Houston on 2-25 (FL), (KL). | ||||
| Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) | Reported only on the Duluth CBC. | ||||
| Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) | Three reports: GRAND MARAIS CBC, Hennepin, until 12-6 (mob) and the Rochester CBC | ||||
| New World Quail | |||||
| Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) | Reported only from Houston (EMF). | ||||
| Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys | |||||
| Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) | Ten on the LaCrosse-LaCrescent CBC and a report from Wabasha, 2-9 (4) (MS). | ||||
| Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) | Reported from 20 counties in the three eastern and the north central regions. A statewide CBC total of 49 with a peak of 16 on the St. Paul N.E. count. One south central report from the Owatonna CBC. | ||||
| Spruce Grouse (Canachites canadensis) | Reported from Cook on the Gunflint Trail (KMH); Lake County, Road #2, 42 1/2 miles north of Two Harbors, 1-26 thru 2-11 (mob) and Lake-of-the-Woods, M. Kehoe, no date. | ||||
| Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) | Reported on the Crookston and Baudette CBC's and from Marshall, Koochiching and Aitkin. | ||||
| Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido) | Reported from Wilkin, Clay and Polk. | ||||
| Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix) | Reported from eight north and 32 south counties in all regions except the north central, northeast and most of the east cen- tral. A statewide CBC total of I I 05 with peaks of 230 on the Windom-Mountain Lake count. Also in Winona, 12-8, Paul Pedersen. | ||||
| Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) | Reported from seven north and 39 south counties south of a line from Fargo to Duluth. A statewide CBC total of 1472 with a peak of 160 on the Mpls. North CBC. The CBC data suggests the species is most common in the Twin Cities area and the south central region. A bad winter kill reported in Lac qui Parle (FE). | ||||
| Grebes | |||||
| Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) | Reported on the Willmar and Bloomington CBC's. Also reported from Black Dog, Dakota Co. from 2-12 through the end of the period (mob). | ||||
| Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) | Three NE reports from Lake Superior; Duluth CBC (2); Cook, 12-26 (2) (SS) and Lake, 1-1 (2) (SWMS). An east central report from Hennepin, Lake Calhoun 12-2 (mob). | ||||
| Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) | Reported only from Five Mile Rock, Cook Co. on 2-1, B. J. Rose. | ||||
| Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) | The second and third winter records for the state: Hennepin, Lake Calhoun on I 2-2 (mob) and Two Harbors, Lake Co. on 12-9 (KE) and 12-10 (SWMS) (KL). | ||||
| Pigeons, Doves | |||||
| Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) | A statewide CBC total of 13,984 with 5,288 in Duluth. None on the Grand Marais CBC and also apparently scarce in most of north central region. Also recorded in 78 counties throughout the state. | ||||
| Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) | Reported from six north and 26 south counties. The statewide CBC total was 301 with a peak of 81 in the St. Paul count. In the north, 15 were recorded on the Duluth CBC and one on the Warren count. Early December migrants were in the northwest in Marshall, Pennington and Polk (KSS) and one may have overwintered in Bemidji. South reports were widespread but most common in the east central and south east regions. COMMON BARN-OWL One found dead near Solway and Arrowhead Roads in Hermantown, St. Louis County in early Jan. See details elsewhere in this issue. | ||||
| Rails, Gallinules, Coots | |||||
| American Coot (Fulica americana) | Reported on the Fergus Falls and Willmar CBC's. December reports from Hennepin, Scott and Dakota and a January report from Ramsey 1-2 (REH). A February report from Dakota, 2-26 (DZ). | ||||
| Plovers | |||||
| Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) | Early migrants in Houston, 2-18 (EMF) and Lyon 2-25 (HK). | ||||
| Sandpipers | |||||
| Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) | Reported on the Afton, Bloomington, Excelsior and St. Paul CBC's. | ||||
| Gulls, Terns | |||||
| Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) | Early December reports from Anoka and Hennepin. Four February reports; DULUTH 2-12, one adult, R. Johnson and B. Penning; Dakota, 2-4 (JPAM) and 2-21 (JD); Wabasha 2-21 (2) (DWM) and Olmsted 2-16 (JBK). | ||||
| Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) | Overwintered in Cook and absent in Duluth from late December until 2-12. One in Lake on 1-1 (SWMS). In the south, December migrants lingered until the St. Paul CBC and spring migrants returned to Dakota on 2-21 (RG) and Wabasha 2-25 (KL). | ||||
| Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) | Six on the Duluth CBC and two on the St. Paul CBC. | ||||
| Loons | |||||
| Common Loon (Gavia immer) | One report: Rush Lake, Otter Tai I, 1-7, (SDM). An early March MRBA report suggested that this individual overwintered. | ||||
| Cormorants | |||||
| Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) | Late migrants in the SE; Dakota till 1212, Goodhue till 12-5, Wabasha till 12-3 and Olmsted from 12-3 until 1-5 (PP). | ||||
| Pelicans | |||||
| American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) | Again overwintered at Albert Lea, Freeborn Co. (mob). | ||||
| Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons | |||||
| Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) | Southeast reports from Houston 12-2 (FL) and Wabasha 1-8 (DWM). A west central report from the Orwell Dam, Otter Tail on 1-5 (GMO) and a northwest report of very early migrants, 2-22, (2) Mahnomem, (MH). | ||||
| Osprey | |||||
| Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) | Earliest date on record, Black Dog, Dakota Co. 2-25 (BDC). | ||||
| Kites, Accipiters, Hawks, Eagles | |||||
| Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) | Reported from Marshall, 12-19 (JM) (KSS), Clay, 2-19 (SDM) and Otter Tail 2-17 (SDM) in the west and a first county record from Kanabec, 12-31 (SS) in the east central. Also reported from Wabasha, Winona and Houston in the southeast. | ||||
| Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) | Three December and eight February reports of 12 individuals. Two on the Rochester CBC; Otter Tail 12-4 and 2-28 (SDM); Sherburne 12-26 (SSEH); Mahnomen 2-10 (MH); Wadena 2-19 (AB); Aitkin 2-21 to 2-26 (2) (mob); Dakota 2-23 (RG); Goodhue 2-26 (JD); Clay 2-26 (LCF) and Blue Earth 2-29 (JCT). | ||||
| Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) | Reports of 17 individuals from St. Louis, 1-21 (BE) in the north and Washington, Hennepin, Dakota, Scott, LeSueur, Rice, Goodhue, Wabasha, Olmsted and Houston in the south. | ||||
| Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) | Fourteen individuals were reported from Brown in the south central and eight counties south and east of the Twin Cities. | ||||
| American Goshawk (Accipiter atricapillus) | Widespread, with reports from 15 north and 13 south counties throughout the state of about 53 individuals. The majority were reported from the southeast, east central, north central and northwest regions. | ||||
| Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) | This species continues to increase in winter with reports of about 230 individuals in the state at some time during the period. Reports were received from eight north and 18 south counties in all regions except the southwest. In addition to the usual reports along the river in the southeast, overwintering birds were reported from Nicollet (JCF) and Renville (MF). An overwintering report from Kittson in the far northwest fide (KSS) needs details. Spring migrants in the central and north regions were noted in Otter Tail 2-14 (GMO), Duluth 2-15, C. Copeland, Kanabec 2-18 (KL) and Clearwater, 2-19 (AB). | ||||
| Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) | Reported on the Mpls. North and Hast ings CBC (also overwintered) and m Fillmore and Houston in the southeast. | ||||
| Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) | About 190 individuals were reported. Two overwintered in Duluth; two were on the Walker CBC; one in Otter Tail 2-26 (GMO); one in Murray, 2-25 (RBJ); one in Sherburne on 12-5 (SSEH) and the remainder in the east central, southeast and south central regions with a peak count of 17 on the Wabash a CBC. | ||||
| Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) | Fifty-eight individuals were reported with all but three from the east one-half of the state. The west reports were Marshall, all winter (KSS), Wilkin 12-7, 2-12 (SDM) and Wilkin 2-23 (MRBA). Why is this species scarce on Minnesota prairies while it seems common in the Dakota's? | ||||
| Screech-Owls, Owls | |||||
| Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) | About 121 individuals were reported from 47 counties throughout the state. Peak numbers were 16 on the St. Paul N.E. CBC and II on the Marshall CBC. Arctic race individuals reported from Lake, St. Louis and Lyon. | ||||
| Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) | No concentrations in the Duluth Harbor area this year and the 20 individuals reported were widely spaced throughout the north and west regions of the state. Reported from ten north counties and Anoka, Renville, Lyon and Pipestone in the south. Only three on the Duluth CBC. | ||||
| Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) | Reports of about eight individuals from six north counties. A first refuge record from Aggassiz NWR, 12-9 until 12-23 (JM) (KSS); one on the Baudette CBC; Beltrami Co. near Waskish on 12-9 (AJ); Staples, Todd Co. on 1-9, R. Hoffman; three Aitkin Co. locations, Co. Rd 18 and two at different locations on Highway 200 (mob) and one near Duluth on the 2-23 DRBA. | ||||
| Barred Owl (Strix varia) | Probably the most reports ever; about 63 individuals in 16 north and 18 south counties. Peak of 10 on the St. Paul NE CBC. Most common in the east central, north central and northeast regions. Western reports from Clay, 12-17 (LCF), Stevens, 12 (RBJ) and Lyon, December and mid January (HK). | ||||
| Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa) | Probably the largest North American invasion on record -see details elsewhere in this issue. | ||||
| Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) | Two reports; St. Paul NE CBC and Clay, 12-25 (LCF). | ||||
| Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus) | Heard calling and/or seen at feeder on the Gunflint Trail in Cook, 1-25 thru 2-17 (KMH). Three Duluth area reports; one found dead in late Dec. 0. Evans, one at Stoney Point 2-10 (KE) and one heard 2276, L&F Weber. A south report of one found dead in western Hennepin Co., 1-24 (MRBA) but no details were ever received. | ||||
| Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) | Two December reports; Crow Wing, 1213 (JB) and the St. Paul CBC. An early January report of one found dead in Duluth 1-6 (DRBA). Six additional reports from 1-21 till the end of the period from Dakota, Chisago, Kanabec, Otter Tail, St. Louis and Cook. | ||||
| Kingfishers | |||||
| Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) | Overwintered in Otter Tail (SDM) and found on the Crosby CBC. Reports of about 17 additional individuals from eight counties south and east of the Twin Cities area. | ||||
| Woodpeckers | |||||
| Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) | Reported from Morrison, Crow Wing, (Crosby CBC), Aitkin 12-21 (WN) and Kanabec in the north and 16 south counties. Statewide CBC count of 29, of which I I were on the Owatonna CBC. | ||||
| Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) | In the north, reported from Pennington, 2-4 until 2-14 (KSS), Crow Wing (Crosby CBC) and Aitkin 2-4 (WN). Well distributed in the south with reports from 29 counties. Statewide CBC total of 292 with peak numbers of 42 (Rochester) and 40 (St. Paul NE). In the south and west central regions CBC counts ranged from one to eleven. | ||||
| Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) | Reported on the Exclesior and Winona CBC's and a Hennepin Co. report of a juvenile on 1-2 (RBJ). | ||||
| American Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis) | Reported only from Staples, Todd Co., 1-9, R. Hoffman. (Needs details). | ||||
| Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) | Reports of about 14 individuals from Cook, Lake, St. Louis, Itasca, Aitkin and northern Pine and Kanabec. Only CBC reports from Isabella and Grand Rapids. | ||||
| Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) | Reported from 62 counties throughout the state. A statewide CBC total of 1526 with a peak of 158 on the St. Paul NE count. The CBC totals typically varied from 25 to I00 in the east regions, 15 to 40 in the central and I 0 to 25 in the west regions. | ||||
| Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus) | Reported from 60 counties throughout the state. Total CBC count of 961 with a peak of 87 on the St. Paul NE count. Distribution almost identical with the preceeding species. | ||||
| Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) | Reported from Beltrami, 12-10 until 212 (AS); Clearwater, 2-20 (AB) and Otter Tail, 2-1 (GMO) in the north. Also reported from 16 south counties with a peak of six on the Mankato CBC. | ||||
| Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) | Reported from IS north and 25 south counties throughout the state. Statewide CBC count of 112 with a peak of 14 on the Excelsior count. Reported in the west regions only from Lyon, Pope, Otter Tail, Polk and Pennington. | ||||
| Caracaras, Falcons | |||||
| American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) | About I 00 individuals were reported from five north and 31 south counties in all regions of the state except the north central and northeast. Overwintered in Pennington (KSS) in the northwest. | ||||
| Merlin (Falco columbarius) | South reports from Blue Earth, 12-10 (RBJ) and the Winona CBC. Three northwest reports; Crookston CBC; Pennington 12-29 until 2-8 (KSS) and Kittson, 2-8 (KSS). | ||||
| GYRFALCON (Falco rusticolus) | Once again overwintered in the Duluth Harbor area (mob). | ||||
| Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) | Reported from Dakota County, 1-19 (JPAM). | ||||
| Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) | Overwintered near Lawndale, Wilkin County (SDM). | ||||
| Shrikes | |||||
| Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis) | Reports of about 110 individuals from 21 north and 24 south counties throughout the state. Peak of eight on the Duluth CBC. | ||||
| Jays, Nutcrackers, Magpies, Crows | |||||
| Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) | Statewide CBC total of 114 with a peak of 56 on the Isabella count. Reported from ten counties throughout its normal range in the north. | ||||
| Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) | Reported from 69 counties throughout the state. Statewide CBC total of 3352 with a peak of 336 on the St. Paul NE count. Most common in the east and central regions with typical CBC counts ranging from 50-200. In the west regions CBC counts ranged from seven to 30. | ||||
| Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) | Eighteen on the Warren CBC and nine on the Baudette CBC. Also reported from Kittson, Roseau, Polk, Beltrami, Otter Tail 1-4 (SDM) and St. Louis. | ||||
| American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) | Reported from 74 counties throughout the state. Peak of 596 on the Excelsior CBC and a statewide count of 5608. Overwintered m Cook (KMH) and early migrants returned to the far north central and northwest regions in early February. | ||||
| Common Raven (Corvus corax) | Reported from 20 counties north and east of a line from Polk to Morrison to Pine. First ever CBC record from Crookston and a peak count of 164 at Aurora. Total CBC count of 462. | ||||
| Chickadees, Titmice | |||||
| Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) | Reported from 73 counties throughout the state with a total CBC count of 9836. Peak counts of I ISO at Duluth and 1621 on the St. Paul NE count. Least abundant in the SW region with CBC counts ranging from 39 to 93. | ||||
| Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) | The Duluth CBC recorded 12 and Grand Marais had II. Also reported from Lake, northern St. Louis, Koochiching, Beltrami, Itasca, Aitkin and NE Kanabec counties. | ||||
| Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) | Reported on the Hastings, Rochester and Austin CBC's. Also reported from Sibley, 12-20 (RJB) and Houston, "Resident, (EMF)." | ||||
| Larks | |||||
| Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) | Reported from 68 counties throughout the state except the northeast and most of the west central region. Numerous reports of returning migrants in late January and early February. | ||||
| Kinglets | |||||
| Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) | Reported on the St. Paul NE CBC and from Hennepin, 12-19 MRBA, Brown, 1211 (JS) and Houston, till 12-12 (EMF). | ||||
| Waxwings | |||||
| Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) | The 19 December, 16 January and six February reports indicate this species was widespread and common from north east of a line from the Twin Cities area to Fargo. Scattered south reports from the Willmar, Cottonwood, Mankato, Owatonna and Rochester CBC's. A statewide CBC total of 1452 with a peak of 459 at Duluth. | ||||
| Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) | Reported from 27 south counties and eight north counties including the Fergus Falls, Grand Forks, Grand Rapids and Crosby CBC's. Statewide total of 1710 with a peak CBC count of 479 on the St. Paul count. | ||||
| Nuthatches | |||||
| Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) | Reported from 17 north and 22 south counties throughout the state with the exception of the west central region. Most common in the north central and northeast regions. Peak CBC count of 43 at Bemidji and a statewide count total of 350. | ||||
| White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) | A peak of 338 on the St. Paul NE CBC; a statewide total count of 2178 and reports from 62 counties throughout the state. More common than usual in the northeast with overwintering individuals in Cook (SL) (KMH). | ||||
| Creepers | |||||
| Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) | North reports from Otter Tail, 12-28 (SDM); Lake 12-21 (SWMS) and the Fargo, Walker, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Aurora and Grand Marais CBC's. Also reported from 20 south counties. A statewide CBC total of 90. | ||||
| Wrens | |||||
| Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) | Reported at a Lutsen feeder, Cook County on the 12-21 MRBA. | ||||
| Thrashers, Mockingbirds | |||||
| Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) | One at M. B. Nevens feeder, Duluth until 12-10, fide (KE). | ||||
| Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) | Reports of about NINE individuals. The Duluth and Aurora CBC's and Marshall, 12-25, A. Forrester, in the north and the Rochester, Bloomington and Marshall (2) CBC's in the south. Additional south reports from Hennepin, 1-30 (MRBA), Murray, overwintered (ADK), Lyon, two until mid-January (HK) and Lac qui Parle where one seen in a pail of cracked com on a car hood was subsequently found dead in late Dec. (FE). | ||||
| Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) | One found dead in Washington, 12-27 (JD). | ||||
| Starlings | |||||
| European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) | The CBC data suggests this species was common to abundant in all except the north central and north east regions. Reported from 76 counties with a statewide CBC total of 7386 and a peak of 1391 on the St. Paul count. | ||||
| Thrushes | |||||
| Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) | Seven recorded on the Mankato CBC and at least four of them remained in the area throughout most of the period according to the 2-23 MRBA. An early migrant in Wabasha, 2-27 (JBK). | ||||
| Townsend's Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi) | Three reports; Bloomington CBC, Cook, 12-2 (KMH) and Big Stone, 2-8 (GMO). | ||||
| Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) | Reported on the St. Paul CBC and in Nicollet, 12-10 (RBJ) and Houston, until 12-19 (EMF). | ||||
| American Robin (Turdus migratorius) | North reports from Pennington, Becker, Aitkin and the Duluth, Hibbing and Grand Rapids CBC's. Also reported from 19 south counties. Statewide CBC total of 164 with a peak of 45 on the St. Paul count. | ||||
| Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius) | Reported on the Hastings, St. Paul NE, Cedar Creek, Crosby, Duluth and Fargo CBC's. The Hasting's individual remained all winter (JPAM). January and February feeder reports from Beltrami, Hubbard, Cass and Aitkin. One not at a feeder in Koochiching, 1-28 (KL). | ||||
| Old World Sparrows | |||||
| House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) | After overcoming the urge to totally ignore this pest species, it must be reported that it was the most widely reported (85 counties) and most abundant species in the state (CBC total of 33,447). It was absent only on the Northwoods and Grand Marais counts (last seen in Cook on 12-8). Does this species leave Cook and Lake counties and wander down the lakeshore to winter in Duluth? | ||||
| Finches | |||||
| Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) | Reported from 36 counties, mostly in the wooded regions of the state. Most abundant in the north central region with a peak of 440 on the Bemidji CBC. A statewide total of 1981 during the count period. | ||||
| Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) | More numerous than last year but still limited almost exclusively to the northeast, north central and northwest regions. The only south reports were the St. Paul NE CBC and Hennepin, 1-23, (OJ). Statewide CBC total of 479 with a peak of 116 at Aurora. | ||||
| House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) | One photographed at Dr. Breckenridge's feeder in Dec. See The Loon 56:64. | ||||
| Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) | Reported from 31 central and south region counties with the largest CBC numbers in the east, 157 at Afton. In the north regions the species was widespread with reports form 10 counties, including the Bemidji (3), Walker (2), Aurora (3) and Grand Marais (I) CBC's. Statewide CBC total of 635. | ||||
| Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) | The CBC data and reports from 43 north and central region counties indicate this species was fairly common in these areas. Scattered south region reports of a few individuals from Lyon, Cottonwood, Steele, Mower and Olmsted. A statewide CBC total of 1631 with peaks at Duluth (286), Fergus Falls (266) and Perham (260). | ||||
| Hoary Redpoll (Acanthis hornemanni) | Reported on the Fergus Falls, Bemidji, Crosby and Duluth CBC's. Additional north reports from Clay, 1-21 (LCF), Roseau, no date (AJ), Pennington, overwintered (SS), Carlton, 1-26 (KL), Lake 115 (KE), Cook, 1-16 (SS) and Duluth 2-16 (KE). The only south report from Hennepin 2-24 (DB). | ||||
| Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) | Reported only from Lake, St. Louis, Aitkin, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Beltrami and Lake-of-the-Woods counties. A statewide CBC total of 152 with 100 of them at Baudette. | ||||
| White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera) | Reported only from Crow Wing, Aitkin, Carlton and St. Louis counties. The only CBC report was of 16 at Hibbing. | ||||
| Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) | Reported from 46 counties throughout the state. Apparently most numerous in the central regions. Peak CBC count of 363 on the St. Paul NE count and a statewide total of 1373. | ||||
| American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) | Reports from 43 counties south and east of a line from Pine to Itasca to Marshall. Overwintered in the northwest in Marshall, Pennington and Polk. Most abundant in the east central and south east regions. Peak of 350 on the St. Paul NE count and a statewide total of 2360. | ||||
| Longspurs and Snow Buntings | |||||
| Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) | Reported from 17 counties in the south central, central and three western regions. All were December reports except Clay, 115 (LCF), Otter Tail, 1-17 (GMO) and Blue Earth, 2-12 (KL). In Wilkin, "a few overwintered," (GMO). | ||||
| Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) | Widespread and common throughout most of the state. The CBC data suggests that the species was most abundant in the northwest and least abundant in the northeast. Reported from 58 counties with a statewide CBC total of 2119. Peak numbers on the Fargo, Crookston and Warren counts. | ||||
| Towhees, Sparrows | |||||
| Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) | One photographed in Two Harbors, Lake Co. on 12-18 (AB). | ||||
| Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) | North reports from the Walker and Duluth CBC's and Lutsen, Cook Co., 2 on 12-8 (KMH). The Duluth individual apparently remained until 1-27 (DRBA). South reports from LeSueur, 12-4 (HFC); Brown, 12-1 until 1-20 (JS); Washington 12-16 (MRBA) and the Mankato, Owatonna and Excelsior CBC's. | ||||
| American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea) | Reported on the Warren and Crookston CBC's (also all winter, KSS) in the northwest; north central reports from Beltrami, 12-6 (AS), Hubbard, 1-27 (KL), Crow Wing 1-7 (RBJ) and the Crosby CBC. Additional reports from 34 central and south region counties. Statewide CBC count of 1659 with a peak of 383 at Rochester. | ||||
| Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) | Widespread and common throughout the central and southern regions and more reports than normal from the north regions. Overwintered in Polk and Pennington (KSS) in the northwest and Hovland (SL) and Poplar Lake (KMH) in the northeast. A statewide CBC total of 4860 with a peak of 797 on the Rochester count. A Grayheaded race overwintered at the Richardson Nature Center in the Twin Cities; The Loon 56:70. | ||||
| White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) | Found on the Duluth and Bloomington CBC and in Hennepin Co. on 2-26 (DZ). One remained at the Gresser's feeder in Dakota Co. until 1-8 (MRBA), (AB). | ||||
| Harris's Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula) | Reported on the Marshall (4), Faribault and Austin CBC's. Also reported from the Gresser's feeder, 12-21 (MRBA); LeSueur, 12-19 and 2-5 (HFC) and Cottonwood, "usual numbers" (LAF). | ||||
| White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) | Reported from five north and nine south counties. Statewide CBC count of 31 with a peak of eight at Duluth. Found in Roseau until 12-21 (AJ) and on the Grand Marais CBC. In St. Paul, one was in full song near a downtown bus stop on 1-30 (MRBA). | ||||
| Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) | One seen in Wabasha, 12-3, (BL), (RG). | ||||
| Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) | Overwintered in Blue Earth (JCF). Also reported on the Excelsior, St. Paul, Hastings, Austin, Rochester and Owatonna CBC's. A January report from Hennepin 127 (MRBA) and a February report from Steele, 2-11 (BL). A December report from Houston, 12-54 (EMF). | ||||
| Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) | Two reports: Hennepin 12-12 (SC) and LeSueur 1-24 (HFC). | ||||
| Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) | December reports from Hovland, Cook Co., 12-13 (KMH) and Olmsted 12-27 (JBK). A Jan. report from Dassel, Meeker Co. 1-1 and 1-2, Paul Johnson. | ||||
| Blackbirds, Orioles | |||||
| Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) | Reported from six north and 16 south counties including the Fergus Falls, Warren and Hibbing CBC's. Overwintered in Aitkin (at a feeder-WN), Lyon and Nicollet. Returning migrants in several south locations in late February and a Marshall report on 2-18 (KSS) may be a very early migrant in the northwest. A statewide CBC total of 566 with a peak of 190 at Mankato. Meadowlark ( sp.?) Three reports: Polk 12-8 (KSS) is undoubtedly a western while Sherburne 12-31 (RJB) and Hennepin 12-31 (VL) may be easterns. | ||||
| Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) | Reported on the Faribault, Owatonna, Albert Lea, Rochester and Winona CBC's. Also reported from Blue Earth until 1-2 (MJF) (RJB) and Mower, 2-23 (RS). BRAMBUNG First state record. Details in The Loon 56:79-80. | ||||
| Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) | Reported on the Grand Marias, Cedar Creek, Bloomington, Afton, Wabasha and Albert Lea CBC's. In Duluth one overwintered along an open creek (KE). Also re ported from Mower, 12-1 (RRK); Anoka, 12-18 (EC); Renville, 1-14 (RJB) and Houston 2-25 (30) (KL). | ||||
| Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) | Reported on the Mankato CBC (51), and Otter Tail, 12-7 (SDM) and Olmsted, 2-26 (JBK). | ||||
| Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) | Reported from nine north and 23 south counties throughout the state. A statewide CBC total of 133 with a peak of 28 at Excelsior. | ||||
| Warblers | |||||
| Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) | Remained at a Washington County feeder until 12-2, see The Loon: 56:65 | ||||
| Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks | |||||
| Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) | North reports from the Fergus Falls, Walker, Crosby, Hibbing and Duluth CBC's. Overwintered in Aitkin County (JB) and one in Grand Protage, Cook County on 1-22 (BDC). Also in Duluth from 2-23 on, (DRBA). Reported from 25 south counties, being most abundant in the east central and south east regions. A peak CBC count of 288 at Rochester and a statewide total of 1430. | ||||
| Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) | Reported on the Faribault CBC. | ||||