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Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon | |
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The 1984-Winter Season 1 December 1984 through 28 February 1985 Kenneth J. La Fond |
Fifty-eight seasonal reports and 42 Christmas Bird Counts (CBC) provide the basis for this year's report. A total of 142 species were recorded throughout the period, down slightly from last year but about average. The Duluth Christmas Count had a record high of 57 species while Rochester at 60 was high for the state.
There were no new additions to the state list this year but a number of interesting and unusual observations were recorded.
Gryfalcons again overwintered in the Duluth Harbor and Spruce Grouse were commonly seen in Lake County. California (first winter record) and Bonaparte's Gulls lingered into December. Both crossbills were common and widespread for the first time in many years while Hoary Redpoll reports were the most ever.
December weather was mixed, cold on the 5th and 6th (lows of -20 in the north) warm around the I I th and then fluctuating either above or below normal. Snow cover was very lmited in December and may be related to the low numbers of northern owl reports. In mid-January extreme cold returned with a low of -38 at International Falls, and snow cover remained well below normal. February was about average to above average near the end of the period and some light snow occurred.
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Species |
Information |
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| Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks | |||||
| Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) | Five CBC reports: Fergus Falls (2), Lac qui Parle (I), Hutchinson (20), Bloomington (1), and Rochester (2). The Rochester individuals also overwintered (mob). | ||||
| Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) | Reported in Rochester 12-2 (JEB). | ||||
| Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) | Reported from three north region, 12 central region and I I south region counties . A peak of 60,500 on the Lac qui Parle CBC makes this the most abundant species in the state during count week. Other high counts include Rochester (22,000), Fergus Falls (3,000) and Afton (I,050). The three north region reports were the Duluth and Grand Marais CBCs and Becker 12-13 (DZ). Returning migrants were again reported in the south and central regions in mid and late February. | ||||
| Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) | Reported in Ramsey 12-6 (EC), Wabasha, 12-3 (150) (WDM) and Winona, 12-1 (PP). The 12-3 MRBA reported 6500 at the Weaver Marshes. | ||||
| Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) | A south central region report from Nicollet on 12-7 (JCF). Twin Cities area Fall 1985 123 reports include the Excelsior and St. Paul CBCs; Hennepin, a male at a feeder on 216 (OJ); and Dakota, 12-29 (22), 1-5 (I) and 2-19 (I) (TT). | ||||
| Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) | Reported at the Blue Lake Sewage Ponds on 12-2 (AB) and 12-4 (RBJ). Also reported at Black Dog L. on 12-22 (TT). | ||||
| Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) | Reported in Hennepin, Scott and Dakota until 12-9 (mob). No additional information was received on a 1-18 MRBA report from Dakota Co. | ||||
| Gadwall (Mareca strepera) | The Excelsior CBC recorded 91 individuals at their usual location at the Mill Pond in Shakopee. A 2-9 Dakota report (TT) suggests two of them may have wandered to Black Dog. | ||||
| American Wigeon (Mareca americana) | Reported in Hennepin until 12-5 (mob). | ||||
| Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) | Down slightly from last year. Reported from 29 counties in all except the NW Region. Late inland north individuals in International Falls on 12-2 (5) (KL). A statewide CBC count of 12,258 with the high count (2322) on the Mpls CBC. Most abundant in the Twin Cities area and the SE region. | ||||
| American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) | Again reported on the Grand Marais CBC. Also reported on the Fergus Falls CBC and from nine Twin Cities and SE region counties. A statewide CBC total of I 00 with a high count of 40 on the Wabasha CBC. | ||||
| Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) | Reported in Dakota and Hennepin Counties until 12-8 (mob), and on the St. Paul and Albert Lea CBCs. | ||||
| Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) | Reported only in Olmsted, 12-1 (PP). | ||||
| Redhead (Aythya americana) | Reported on the Fargo-Moorhead CBC and at Blue Lake, Scott Co. from 1-30 on (mob). Also reported in Rice Co. on 1-11 (FS). | ||||
| Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) | Late December migrants in Hennepin (12-4), Dakota (12-1), Nicollet (12-7), Mower (12-1) and Houston (12-15). | ||||
| Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) | Reported in Minneapolis on Lake Harriet 12-1 (OJ) and 12-2 (SC), on the Blue Lake Sewage Ponds 12-2 (AB), and the Excelsior CBC. | ||||
| Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) | Late north migrants at International Falls, 12-1 (12) (KL) and December reports from seven Twin Cities and SE Region counties. Four individuals overwintered in Scott County at the Blue Lake Sewage Ponds. | ||||
| White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi) | Late migrants at Park Point, Duluth on 12-1 (3) (D. Johnson). | ||||
| Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) | Reported on the Grand Marais CBC and again in Cook County in late December, 300+ (KMH). | ||||
| Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) | About 100 overwintered at Fergus Falls (SDM) and several hundred again overwintered in the Twin Cities area (mob). Reported from 21 counties in all but the southeast and south central regions. Buffiehead Reported on the Duluth (2), Excelsior (2), and La Crosse (I) CBCs. Also reported in Cook 1-5 (KMH), Scott, until 113 (mob) and Dakota 12-3 (TT). | ||||
| Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) | One at Black Dog L., Dakota Co. on 12-7; (The Loon 57:61-62). | ||||
| Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) | Reported from five Twin Cities and SE Region counties. All were in December except Scott 1-26 (AB), Dakota 2-9 (TT) and Winona 2-15 (PP). | ||||
| Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) | Numbers and reports down substantially this year. Reported only from the three Lake Superior counties and along the Mississippi River south of the Twin Cities. | ||||
| Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) | Reported in St. Louis 12-9 (KL), the Duluth CBC, the Bloomington CBC and Wabasha 2-15 (PP). | ||||
| Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) | Reported in Hennepin until 12-5 (mob) and Ramsey, Lake Como, until 1-9 (KL). | ||||
| New World Quail | |||||
| Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) | Reported in Houston on 12-15 (7), near Caledonia (EMF). | ||||
| Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys | |||||
| Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) | Reported from Houston Co., Millstone Landing on 2-5 (8) (FL) and on 1-15 (52) (RRK). The individuals reported in the Carlos A very and Cedar Creek areas of Anoka County are from Whitewater birds live-trapped and first released in 1978. Within a few years they may become a viable (and thus countable) wild population. | ||||
| Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) | The reports from 27 counties with a CBC total of 74 are up slightly from last year's data. | ||||
| Spruce Grouse (Canachites canadensis) | Reported from four far north counties; Lake of the Woods 1-3 (2) (M. Kehoe), Koochiching, eight miles south of Birchdale, 12-8, one male, (KL), Cook, North Brule River (KMH) and Lake, up to 18 in January and February along Lake Co. Rd 2 from one to five miles south of Trunk Highway #I (mob). KE describes this species as "a virtual certainty" in early A.M. in this area the past two years. | ||||
| Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) | Reported from Marshall, Lake of the Woods, Koochiching, St. Louis and Aitkin 12-18 (40) (SC). | ||||
| Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido) | Two reports; Felton Prairie, Clay Co. on 12-23 (LCF) and a total of 55 on the Crookston CBC. | ||||
| Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix) | This year's statewide CBC count of 129 was down sharply from last year's count of 1105. Reported from only 20 counties (40 last year) in its normal range in the west, central and south regions. No significant peaks noted. | ||||
| Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) | Also down sharply with a total CBC count of 208 compared with last year's 1472. Over half of this year's total (Ill) came from the Rochester CBC. Numerous observer comments of "scarce," "very few, " etc. | ||||
| Grebes | |||||
| Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) | Hennepin County until 12-5 (mob) and Sibley Park, Nicollet Co., 12-7 (JCF). | ||||
| Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) | Reported from St. Louis County's portion of Lake Superior on 1-5, (R & J Newman) and a very early migrant (?) in Rice Co. on 2-27 (FS). | ||||
| Pigeons, Doves | |||||
| Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) | On 12-27 nearly full grown young were in a nest at a grain elevator in Alberta, Stevens Co. (FE). Also reported from 72 counties throughout the state with a total CBC count of 17,360, of which 7,412 were in Duluth. Common to abundant everywhere except in Cook and northern Lake and St. Louis Counties. | ||||
| Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) | Reported from 25 counties throughout the state. Most common in EC and SE regions. Total statewide CBC count of 220. | ||||
| Rails, Gallinules, Coots | |||||
| American Coot (Fulica americana) | Five to six overwintered in Fergus Falls (SDM) and late migrants lingered in Hennepin, Scott and Dakota until I-I (mob). | ||||
| Sandpipers | |||||
| Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) | December reports from Anoka 12-16 (SC) and Le Sueur 12-2 (HS). A January report from Sartell (1), Stearns Co. 1-13 (R. Cohbert) and an overwintering report from Purgatory Creek, Hennepin Co. Also reported on the St. Paul, St. Paul NE and La Crosse-La Crescent CBCs. | ||||
| Gulls, Terns | |||||
| Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) | Black Dog L., Dakota Co. on 12-3 (TT). | ||||
| Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) | December migrants remained in Hennepin, Scott and Dakota until 12-22 (mob). | ||||
| CALIFORNIA GULL (Larus californicus) | One remained in the Duluth area through the CBC for the state's first winter record. | ||||
| Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) | Late inland north in Koochiching 12-2 (KL). Along Lake Superior they were absent from late January and February in Cook (KMH) and present in Lake until 1-8 (SWMS) and in St. Louis until early Jan. (KE). Two in Duluth on 2-9 (KE) may have been early migrants. Late December migrants remained in the Twin Cities until 12-4 (500) (SC) and in Houston until 1215 (33) (FL). | ||||
| Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) | Duluth reports until 1-5 (mob); Cook on 12-7 (KMH) and at Black Dog L., Dakota Co. 12-4untiii2-IO(TT). | ||||
| Loons | |||||
| Common Loon (Gavia immer) | Three St. Louis County reports: 12-8, Virginia Power Plant (KL); Duluth CBC and Stoney Point, 1/23-24 (mob). | ||||
| Cormorants | |||||
| Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) | Reported on the Mankato CBC, Rochester 12-2 (JPAM) and in Austin, Mower Co. until 1-6 (RRK). | ||||
| Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons | |||||
| Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) | Four CBC reports: Grand Marais (I), Excelsior (4), Bloomington (I) and Cedar Lake (1). Also reported at Black Dog, Dakota Co. until 1-13 (mob), Goodhue 1-5 (JPAM), Olmsted 1-13 (SC) and Fillmore 12-19 (J. Gislason). | ||||
| Kites, Accipiters, Hawks, Eagles | |||||
| Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) | Reported in Marshall 12-1 (ANWR), Wadena 2-18 (DZ), Winona 2-18 (OJ) and Houston 1-7 until 2-21 (EMF). | ||||
| Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) | Reported in Hubbard, 12-20 (HJF), Aitkin , 12-6 (WN) and on the St. Paul, Cottonwood and Mountain Lake CBCs. | ||||
| Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) | North reports from Aitkin, I-I and 2-22 (WN) and the Duluth CBC. Repot1ed in Otter Tail on 12-29 (SDM). Additional reports from I 0 Twin Cities, SC and SE counties suggest about 22 individual were present during the period. | ||||
| Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) | Reported in Hennepin, 12-25 (OJ) and from five CBCs south and east of the Twin Cities area. | ||||
| American Goshawk (Accipiter atricapillus) | The 31 individuals reported from 24 counties in all but the SC region are down somewhat from last year's total of 53. Two SW reports; Cottonwood on 2-12 (E. Duerkson), and Jackson 12-22 (G. Hodnefield). | ||||
| Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) | Reported from 25 counties throughout the state. North reports include the Aurora (2) and Duluth (4) CBC's and December and February observations from Becker, Beltrami, Hubbard, Crow Wing, Lake and Cook. Fourteen were recorded on the Lac qui Parle CBC and a 1-18 report on the MBRA indicated 16 were in the Minnesota River Valley. Overwintered in Mankato (JCF) and along the Mississippi River in the SE (mob). Total individuals number about the same as last year. | ||||
| Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) | Reported on the St. Paul NE CBC and in Sherburne 2-15 (SS), Ramsey 2-24 (EC), Wabasha 2-23 (WDM) and Winona 1-5 and 2-17 (JPAM). | ||||
| Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) | About 160 individuals ( 190 last year) reported, primarily from the EC, SC and SE regions. Three overwintered in the Duluth Harbor for the only north record. Peak count of 20 on the Rochester CBC. | ||||
| Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) | The peak of 39 in Aitkin on 12-29 (WN) brought the season total to about 98 individuals; otherwise the numbers and distribution were similar to last year. Reports from 25 counties, principally in the north and east regions. | ||||
| Screech-Owls, Owls | |||||
| Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) | Reported from Clay in the northwest and ten additional south and central region counties. About 14 individuals reported this year. | ||||
| Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) | About 140 individuals reported from 46 counties throughout the state. Peak CBC counts of 12 at Fargo-Moorhead and ten at Austin. | ||||
| Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) | The 21 individuals reported (virtually the same as last year's 20) were widely dispersed throughout the state. Reported from 15 counties in all but the SW region and again no significant concentrations in the Duluth Harbor. | ||||
| Barred Owl (Strix varia) | Forty-three individuals reported from 26 counties throughout the state. West region reports from Moorhead, Clay Co. 2-3 (LCF); Lac qui Parle 12-29 (FE) and the Fergus Falls, Cottonwood and Mountain Lake-Windom CBCs. | ||||
| Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa) | No invasion this year. Reported from the Baudette CBC (5), Fourtown, Beltrami Co. on 12-5 (4) (KSS) and the County Road 18 area of Aitkin (mob). | ||||
| Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) | Reported on the St. Paul NE and Hutchinson CBCs. | ||||
| Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) | Reported in the Rothsay WMA, Wilkin Co. 1-16 (7) and 1-22 (8) (SDM). | ||||
| Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus) | Reported calling on the Gunflint Trail, Cook Co. on 12-5, 12-13, 12-23, 1-28, 129 and 2-25 (KMH). Also reported in Mahnomen 2-14 (MH), (The Loon 57: 110). | ||||
| Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) | Three north February reports: Marshall, 2-12 (ANWR), Lake 2-17 (SWMS) and Cook 2-23 (KMH). | ||||
| Kingfishers | |||||
| Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) | Reported from Pennington, 12-10 (KSS), Otter Tail, overwintered (SDM); and 13 additional Twin Cities and south region counties. | ||||
| Woodpeckers | |||||
| Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) | Reported from a Duluth feeder until late Jan., (fideL. Erickson), Aitkin 12-16 until 2-22 (2) (WN) and the Crosby and Northwoods CBCs. Also reported from 13 Twin Cities, south central and southeast counties . A statewide CBC count of 32. | ||||
| Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) | Reported from 36 counties throughout the state. North region reports from the Warren and Crosby CBCs, Pennington, all winter (KSS), Aitkin 2-16 (WN), Lake, 1-12 (1. King) and St. Louis, two at a Hermantown feeder until mid Dec., (fide L. Erickson). Highest CBC counts in the EC and SE regions (peak of 72 at Rochester) and a statewide total of 31 I. | ||||
| Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) | One at a Roseville feeder on the 1-14 MRBA and two on the Rochester CBC. | ||||
| American Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis) | Two reports: Gustafson Trail, Lake of the Woods Co. 12-27 and 12-30 (2) (M. Kehoe) and the Gunflint Trail Cook Co. 12-31 (MS). Black-backed VVoodpecker Reports of about 18 individuals in the north and central regions. The central reports were Stearns Co. near St. Stephens 1-5 (R BJ) and Todd Co. near Staples, 2-2 (KL). In the NE, seven individuals were found at five locations in St. Louis, two in Lake and three in Cook. NC region reports from Itasca Co., Big Fork 12-1 S (AB). Clearwater Co., 2-17 Copley Township | ||||
| Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) | Reported from 56 counties throughout the state. Numbers and distribution very similar to last year. Peak count of 193 on the Rochester CBC. | ||||
| Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus) | Reported from 54 counties throughout the state. Peak CBC count of II I at Rochester. Numbers and distribution virtually identical with last year's data. | ||||
| Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) | Overwintered in Pennington (KSS) and reported on the Fargo-Moorhead, Fergus Falls and Grand Marais CBCs. In Duluth one fell into a chimney and was rescued from a fireplace on 1-26, (fide KE). Also reported from IS additional Twin Cities and south region counties and/or CBCs with a statewide CBC total of 32. Pileated VVoodpecker Reported from 42 counties in all regions of the state. A total CBC count of 96 with a peak of I 0 at Rochester. | ||||
| Caracaras, Falcons | |||||
| American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) | Reports of about 95 individuals from 39 counties throughout the state. This species is normally not reported in the NC and NE regions so the Crow Wing 12-9 (KSS) and Duluth, overwintered (mob) records are unusual. | ||||
| Merlin (Falco columbarius) | Three reports: Wilkin 2-27 (SDM), Duluth from mid-Dec. into March at three locations (mob) and Brown, 2-9 (RBJ). | ||||
| GYRFALCON (Falco rusticolus) | This marks the sixth year in a row that at least one has wintered in the Duluth Harbor. This year an adult was present which had been banded the preceeding winter. Immatures were also present through most of January and from February into March for a possible season total of three individuals, (KE) (mob). | ||||
| Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) | A banded immature, possibly from the Tofte Release Site, overwintered in Duluth (mob). | ||||
| Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) | An individual again overwintered at the | ||||
| Shrikes | |||||
| Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis) | Down from last year. About 60 individuals reported from 17 north, 17 central and six south region counties. | ||||
| Jays, Nutcrackers, Magpies, Crows | |||||
| Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) | Reported from eight north region counties. A total CBC count of 129 with the peak count 46 at Isabella. | ||||
| Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) | Reported from 65 counties throughout the state. Numbers virtually identical with last year. | ||||
| Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) | Reported from Kittson, Pennington, St. Louis and the Warren, Crookston and Baudette CBCs. | ||||
| American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) | Reported from 64 counties throughout the state. Distribution and numbers about the same as last year. | ||||
| Common Raven (Corvus corax) | Reported from 18 counties in its normal range. Total CBC count of 739 with a peak count of 306 at Aurora. | ||||
| Chickadees, Titmice | |||||
| Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) | Reported from 66 counties throughout the state. Distribution very similar to last year with a statewide CBC total of 9268 and a peak of 1254 at Duluth. | ||||
| Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) | Reported from seven counties in the NC and NE regions. A statewide CBC total of 23 (30 last year). | ||||
| Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) | Reported on the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Rochester CBCs. Also reported in Rice 1-7 (FS) and Houston, from 12-22 on (EMF). | ||||
| Larks | |||||
| Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) | Reported from 42 counties in all but the NE region. Peak count of 488 on the Mountain Lake-Windom CBC. This species overwinters in the south regions of the state but the 24 flocks averaging over SO each found in Rock on 1-17 (KL) probably represent returning migrants. | ||||
| Kinglets | |||||
| Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) | More reports than last year; 13 counties throughout the state except for the NE region. Total CBC count of IS (one last year). The Loon VoL 57 | ||||
| Waxwings | |||||
| Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) | Reported from 15 north, 1 1 central and three SW region counties. The SW reports were Cottonwood, Jan-Feb (LF); Lincoln 1-25 (RBJ) and the Cottonwood (Lyon Co.) CBC (12-22). Peak of 1083 on the Duluth CBC and an amazing total of 5000 ± in Duluth on 2-8, (The Loon 57:59-60). | ||||
| Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) | Reported from 14 south, I I central and seven north region counties. The total CBC count of 607 is well below last year's 1710. | ||||
| Nuthatches | |||||
| Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) | Reported from 40 counties throughout the state. The total CBC count was 441 and 133 at Grand Marais. The CBC data suggests this species was most common in the NE and NC regions and relatively scarce in the balance of the state. VVhite-breasted Nuthatch Reported from 62 counties throughout the state. Distribution similar to last year and a few again overwintered in Grand Marais in the NE region. | ||||
| Creepers | |||||
| Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) | Reported from 32 counties throughout the state. A CBC total of 86. VVinter VVren Reported in Houston, 12-25 (FL). | ||||
| Thrashers, Mockingbirds | |||||
| Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) | Crookston CBC (12-15) and Houston, 12-1 (EMF). | ||||
| Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) | Reported at a St. Louis Co. feeder Townsend's Solitaire, January 1985, Duluth -Photo by Mark Stensaas. | ||||
| Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) | The individual reported on the Rochester CBC remained until 1-16 (mob). | ||||
| Starlings | |||||
| European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) | Reported from 68 counties throughout the state. A peak of 1723 on the Owatonna CBC and a total count statewide of 12,757. | ||||
| Thrushes | |||||
| Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) | Reported on the Cottonwood CBC (2) and in Nicollet 12-7 (2) (JCF). | ||||
| MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD (Sialia currucoides) | One in Duluth stayed until 12-15 (mob). | ||||
| Townsend's Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi) | Reported in Koochiching, 12-8 (KL), Duluth from 1-14 until March (mob), Big Stone 2-2 (RBJ), Washington 1-12 (JB) and Hennepin, throughout the period (The Loon 57:109). from Hennepin until 1-20 (mob). St. Louis, Lake Eshquagama, 2-12 (AE) and Cook, one found dead on 12-1 1, (S. Bryan). | ||||
| Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) | One reported from Roberts Sanctuary, Minneapolis from 1-1 until 1-12 (mob). | ||||
| American Robin (Turdus migratorius) | Reported from 20 counties throughout the state. A total CBC count of 73 with high counts of 20 at Rochester and 15 at Grand Marais. | ||||
| Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius) | Reported on the Bemidji (count week) and Bloomington CBCs. Also reported on 12-9, (fide SWMS); Washington 12-30 and 12-31 (WHL); Henn. 1-18 (SC) and the Faribault and Rochester CBCs. | ||||
| Old World Sparrows | |||||
| House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) | Twenty-five overwintered in Grand Marais. Also reported from 77 counties throughout the state with a total CBC count of 34,188. | ||||
| Finches | |||||
| Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) | Below average numbers this year. Reported from 13 north, five central and two south region counties. Unusual reports include the Rochester and Marshall CBCs, and at Ortonville, Big Stone Co. on 2-2 (RBJ). A statewide CBC total of 781 with a peak of 146 at Duluth. | ||||
| Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) | The statewide CBC total of 462 and peak of I 18 at Aurora were virtually identical with last year. About average numbers in the NE and above average in the NC and NW regions. And this year a few more wandered into the central and south regions. Reported from 17 north, five central and three south region counties. The south reports were Cottonwood 1-12 (LF), Mower 1-13 and 2-2 (RRK) and the Rochester CBC ( 12-15). | ||||
| Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) | Somewhat scarcer this year with a statewide CBC total of 367 (635 last year) and reports from 25 counties in all but the NW and SW regions. | ||||
| Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) | Down slightly from last year. Reported from 43 counties throughout the state with a total CBC count of 1460 and a peak of 367 at Isabella. | ||||
| Hoary Redpoll (Acanthis hornemanni) | Probably the most reports ever. Most common in the north regions ( 13 counties) with several reports of pure flocks of I 0-15 individuals. Also reported from four central region counties and in the SW from Lincoln 1-25 ( I) (RBJ). | ||||
| Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) | A major invasion year with reports from 33 counties throughout the state. A statewide CBC total of 314 with a peak of 152 at Duluth. | ||||
| White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera) | Also a major invasion year. More abundant but not quite as widespread as the preceding species. Reported from 26 counties in all but the NW region. Most abundant in the NE and NC regions. A statewide CBC count of 1003 ( 16 last year) and a peak of 516 at Duluth. | ||||
| Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) | Widespread and common. Reported from 58 counties throughout the state. High counts of 387 on the Grand Marais CBC and 265 at Fargo. A statewide CBC total of 1846. | ||||
| American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) | Also common. Reported from 50 counties throughout the state. A peak of 60 I at Rochester and a statewide CBC count of 3346. | ||||
| Longspurs and Snow Buntings | |||||
| Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) | Reported from 12 south and west region counties. | ||||
| Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) | Reported from 4 7 counties throughout the state. Most common in the central and west regions. A statewide total CBC count of 2482 with a peak of 858 at Mountain Lake. | ||||
| Towhees, Sparrows | |||||
| Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) | Lakewood Cemetery, Mpls from 12-1 until 1-1 (SC). | ||||
| Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) | One at J. Newman's feeder in Duluth until 1-18 for the state's first winter record. (The Loon 57: I 04). | ||||
| Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) | One in Grand Marais until 1-14 (The Loon 57:61) and a Houston County report on 12-1 (EMF). | ||||
| Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) | North reports from Cook, I-ll and 112, (fide SWMS) and the Fargo-Moorhead CBC. In the central region one overwintered at a Stearns County feeder, T. Wenz. In the south regions one in Jackson, 12-22, G. Hodnefield and the Rochester CBC. | ||||
| American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea) | North reports from the Warren and Crosby CBC's, Aitkin, 1-13 and 2-22 (WN), Duluth 1-1, (A. Schimpe) and Cook 12-11 (KMH). Also reported from 39 central and south region counties with a total CBC count of 2791. | ||||
| Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) | Reported from 53 counties throughout the state. A statewide CBC count of 4381 with a peak of 899 at Rochester. | ||||
| White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) | Reported on the Grand Marais CBC ( 12-15). | ||||
| Harris's Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula) | Reported in Jackson 12-22 (G. Hodnefield). | ||||
| White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) | Reported from five north, four central and six south region counties. Overwintered in Koochiching (GM), Houston (EMF) and at the NSP Plaza in downtown Minneapolis (14th year in a row) (CH). | ||||
| Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) | One in Worthington, Nobles County on 12-29 (RBJ). | ||||
| Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) | Overwintered in Blue Earth (JCF) and reported on the Albert Lea, Austin, Rochester, St. Paul, Afton and Baudette CBC's. | ||||
| Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) | Reported on the Cottonwood CBC and at Art Hawkin's feeder, Anoka County on the 1-10 MRBA. | ||||
| Blackbirds, Orioles | |||||
| Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) | One remained all fall and until the Aurora CBC (12-15). | ||||
| Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) | Reported from six north, six central and 13 south region counties. A statewide CBC total of 70 16 of which 6829 were on the La Crosse-La Crescent count. Meadowlark (sp?) Reported in Cook 12-9 (SL), Pennington 12-10 (KSS), Clay 12-8 (LCF) and on the Cedar Lake, Austin and Duluth CBCs. The Duluth individual was identified as a Western and remained until 1-5 (KE). | ||||
| Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) | Overwintered in Dakota (2) (TT) and Nicollet (20) (JCF). Also reported on the St. Paul NE, Owatonna, Albert Lea, Rochester, Austin and La Crosse-La Crescent CBCs. | ||||
| Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) | Reported on the Grand Marais and Fargo CBCs and from nine additional CBCs/ counties in the south and central regions. | ||||
| Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) | Reported without details on the Excelsior CBC. | ||||
| Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) | Reported from five north, nine central and 15 south region counties. A statewide CBC count of 215 with a peak of 96 at La Crosse-La Crescent. | ||||
| Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks | |||||
| Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) | Reported from 28 south and central region counties and Pennington until 12-12 (KSS) and Cook, a pair throughout February (SL) in the north. Also on the Fargo and Duluth CBC's. Peak count of 237 at Rochester and a statewide total of II 00. | ||||
| Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) | One of the Rochester CBC remained in the area until 2-24 (mob). | ||||