Spring 1994 in Minnesota was characterized by good migration of shorebirds, slightly delayed arrival of neotropical migrants, and an excellent array of rarities. After the bitter cold of the past winter, mild conditions in March were most welcome and there were only two significant snowfalls during the month. A few migrants arrived on time or early in late March as temperatures gradually crept into the 50s and 60s by mid-April and into the 80s by late April across most of the state. Four to five inches of snow on 28 April in northern Minnesota briefly interrupted this pattern but the entire first half of May was relatively dry and mild, with temperatures mostly in the 50s and 60s north, 60s and 70s south.

Sparse numbers of neotropical migrants arrived during the first ten days of May, but good numbers of flycatchers, thrushes, vireos, and warblers moved through southeastern Minnesota between the 11th and 17th of the month. Rain fell across most of the state on 13 and 14 May, contributing to these good conditions but dampening the enthusiasm (and results) for some observers during the North American Spring Migration Count on the 14th. Migration through the Twin Cities peaked at about this time, as Steve Carlson reported six species of vireos and 22 species of warblers in Hennepin County on 14 May with others reporting an additional 6 species of warblers and 15 species of shorebirds in the county that same day (fide SC). Mr. Carlson cited “the compressed nature of the year's warbler migration” as he reported ten or more species of warblers each day from the 5th to the 25th of May, 15 or more species from the 10th to the 17th, and 20 or more only on the 13th, 14th and 15th. The second half of May was again mild with few frontal systems. On 21 May, while most of the state was warm with southerly winds, a weak front stalled over northwestern Minnesota produced 160 species on a Roseau County Big Day in less than 14 hours of birding, a new record for county Big Days in Minnesota.

The 5 May flock of Red-throated Loons on Lake Superior was one of the largest ever reported in Minnesota waters (The Loon 66:104–105). High numbers are routinely recorded on eastern Lake Superior, especially at Whitefish Point. Roberts cites one Red-throated Loon purportedly shot from a flock of close to a hundred individuals in Lake County on 21 September 1924 (The Birds of Minnesota, 1932, pp 144–145).

The Clark's Grebe in Traverse County was likely one of the individuals seen in three of the past four years (not reported here in 1992) on or near the outlet from Lake Traverse, where two adults and two young were found in 1991 (The Loon 63:220–225). They were also found in two nearby counties this spring; there are now approximately fourteen acceptable records for the state with only four of these prior to 1991!

Another species with dramatic change in status over the past ten years is Ross's Goose. The eight birds with Snow Geese in Roseau County comprised 4.7% of the total flock, consistent with other recent reports; larger groups of Ross' have been reported only from Traverse County (11) in 1991 (The Loon 63:157–158) and Nobles County (13) in 1992 (The Loon 64:121–122). Single Ross' Geese in Duluth and in LeSueur County were the only other reports this spring but both were unusual locations. The migration of waterfowl was also remarkable for the four Cinnamon Teal records, the drake Eurasian Wigeon reported by two observers near the mouth of the Devil Track River in Cook County, and two species of scoters from the same sewage pond (Lewiston) in one season!

Observers reported good spring migration of shorebirds, both numbers and variety, for the first time since 1990. Most exciting was the long-anticipated first record of Curlew Sandpiper, conveniently present all day on a Saturday and Sunday, which allowed many observers an opportunity to see it in Goodhue County. Approximately seven migrating Piping Plovers were found, mostly in Duluth where the species no longer breeds, but singles were also in Olmsted and Yellow Medicine counties; this was the highest number of spring migrants reported since 1984 (nesting reports from Lake of the Woods not included). The 19+ American Avocets in Rice County was an exceptional number for this location and the 32 Willets was one of the largest flocks ever reported in the state. Hudsonian Godwits were widely reported (17 counties) but only two Red Knots were found. The only other unusual shorebird was a Ruff in Lac Qui Parle County.

The Little Gull in Hennepin County was unexpected but so was the lack of reports in Duluth. Casual larids were the Great Black-backed Gull recorded briefly in Goodhue County, and Iceland and Lesser Black-backed Gulls (again!) in Anoka counties. Reports of Short-eared Owls were up from the previous spring but the owl story of the season was Steve Wilson's survey in the Superior National Forest on 4 and 5 May. He found 46 different individuals (six species) including eight Long­-eareds, 12 Great Grays, and 14 Boreals!

The Lewis's Woodpecker in Cass County was found by an experienced observer while fishing from a boat! This was only the third state record. Seven Mountain Bluebirds was an excellent showing, plus a hybrid was reported in Todd County; how many observers routinely consider the possibility of hybrids among these and certain other species pairs? An excellent review of this subject, “A Guide to Finding and Identifying Hybrid Birds” by David Sibley was recently published (Birding 26:162–177). Loggerhead Shrike reports apparently remained steady this spring although a lack of specific locations for many reports prevents accurate comparisons. Observers are reminded that specific location data are requested for species marked with an asterisk on the seasonal report form.

This season produced unusual records of passerines, especially among the warblers. Two White-eyed Vireos were seen in the Minnesota River Valley; all but 4 of the approximately 24 records have been within the past 15 years! Blue­–winged Warbler is increasingly found in northern Minnesota, recapitulating its range expansion (at the expense of Golden-wingeds) in the northeastern United States. Incredibly, two different Townsend's Warblers were found on the same day, on opposite ends of Lac Qui Parle County during the annual M.O.U. Salt Lake Weekend. The first bird found (a male) was in the same clump of spruce and white cedar that produced a Hermit Warbler on 14 May 1983! Could a Red-faced Warbler be next? The singing Yellow-throated Warbler at Sibley State Park was a second Kandiyohi County record and remained on territory well into the summer. Unfortunately, the Prairie Warbler in Anoka County departed soon after its discovery; this was a seventh state record. Undoubtedly the same individual returning for its third consecutive year, a Kentucky Warbler re-established territory in Seven Mile Creek County Park. Yellow-breasted Chat continues its precarious hold on Regular status in the state.

Only one Summer Tanager was reported but the male Western Tanager photographed in Willmar was featured in a local newspaper. The male Painted Bunting frequenting a feeder near the mouth of the Devil Track River in Cook County was only the fourth record in Minnesota. Although Henslow's Sparrow was reported from O. L. Kipp State Park for the first time since 1991, there was little to cheer about, as only a few individuals of this severely declining species were found.

Thanks to Parker Backstrom and Kim Eckert who continue to summarize reports called in to the statewide and Duluth hotlines, respectively. Their efforts preserve otherwise ephemeral data for the permanent record of Minnesota birdlife. As always, kudos to the many dedicated observers and compilers who make The Season possible. The value of consistent effort, season-to-season by the same observer(s) within a defined area, cannot be overestimated. Without the knowledge and contributions of these “local experts,” the editors are forced to summarize a composite list of rarities. It becomes a bouillabaisse of spices alone, including neither meat nor vegetables. We encourage you to read on and “taste the soup.”