No flooding, no droughts, no heat waves or frigid cold spells... weather for the summer of 1996 was about as “normal” as it can get. Although water levels were very high in the spring (apparently limiting nesting success for loons and grebes in some areas), rainfall statewide was near average in June. Temperatures for the month were also near normal with no notable extremes; the cold frosts that can often hit northern Minnesota in early June did not occur (hopefully resulting in increased nesting success), and although the temperatures did hit the high 90s late in the month, this turned out to be the warmest it would get all summer. In July, precipitation was slightly above average in the north and slightly below average in the south. July temperatures were slightly below normal in all regions of the state, with no significant periods of either extreme heat or unusual cold.

Despite weather that would seem conducive to both birds and birders, an unusually low total of 254 species was observed for the season, well below the previous ten-year average of 266. Seasonal reports and/or breeding information was submitted by 128 observers. Contributors sent in 1,057 nest or brood cards, far short of last year's record but still a respectable number. Breeding data were collected for 134 species, the fewest in many years. Top contributors of breeding information included Jean Segerstrom & Mark Newstrom (256 nest/brood cards), Jacob Langeslag (106), the Natural Resources Research Institute (72), Jack Sprenger (68), and Forest Strnad (60). Thanks to all contributors for your outstanding efforts!

Perhaps the most unusual event of the summer was the surprising appearance of no fewer than three Prairie Warblers at the Cedar Creek Natural History area in Anoka County. This accidental species had previously been recorded only seven times in the state with three birds appearing at one location was quite remarkable. Two of the birds established territories for roughly two weeks, providing numerous birders with the opportunity to see and hear this species. It will be interesting to see if any of these birds return in 1997!

Another noteworthy discovery was the Pacific Loon found in early July on Lake Harriet in Hennepin County. Although this Casual species occurs more often than an Accidental such as the Prairie Warbler, the circumstances of this record were very unusual; the bird was in breeding plumage, it was well away from Lake Superior, and it appeared in midsummer (remaining for two weeks). It is noteworthy that 20 years ago a Pacific Loon spent most of the summer on Lake Harriet (The Loon 48:184).

There were a few other waterbirds of interest reported this year, including two separate records each for Little Blue Heron and Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (species that have been very scarce or absent in recent summers). Harlequin Ducks were found lingering 'til mid-June at two different sites along the north shore of Lake Superior; this species has been recorded in only two of the previous ten summers. Shorebirds were generally found in modest numbers, and several species were not reported at all; Piping Plover, American Avocet, Ruddy Turnstone, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, and Red-necked Phalarope were all missed despite being recorded in seven or more of the past ten summers.

A healthy number of raptor observations were reported this summer. Some, such as Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Osprey, and Peregrine Falcon continue a well-documented expansion of range and/or numbers; others, such as Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, and Red-shouldered Hawk were well represented for reasons unknown. Of the diurnal raptors, only Swainson's Hawk seemed a bit more scarce than usual. Also noteworthy were the reports of Ferruginous Hawk and Rough-legged Hawk (two species becoming much more commonly reported in recent summers), plus the unusual sightings of two Prairie Falcons. Owls were a slightly different story; although most regular species were reported in the usual numbers, both Long-eared Owl and Boreal Owl were not recorded at all (Long-eared Owls had been reported every summer for ten previous years, and Boreal Owls in seven of the last ten).

Other interesting observations included a pair of Northern Mockingbirds that nested, of all places, in Minneapolis; a late migrant Orange-crowned Warbler and Blackpoll Warbler; the familiar Yellow-throated Warbler on territory (again) at Sibley State Park, and the even more familiar Kentucky Warbler at Seven Mile Creek County Park; scattered Henslow's Sparrow sightings; and the very unusual influx of Red Crossbills into southern Minnesota during July.

Over the past year or so, efforts have been made to recruit seasonal observers, especially for counties that normally get limited coverage. As a result, the number of contributors did go up somewhat in 1996. One would expect an overall increase in the number of counties reported for each species, and, to some extent, this did occur. For roughly 35 species, the number of counties reported was significantly above average; only nine species had a significant decline. Many of the former were “conspicuous” species (e.g. Canada Goose, American Robin, etc.) that one would expect to be reported more commonly as the number of observers increases. Most surprising, however, was the relatively large number of “regular” species that were not observed at all. No fewer than five shorebird and two owl species, as mentioned previously, were missed; in addition, Bufflehead, Spruce Grouse (!), and Lark Bunting were not reported this summer despite being recorded in seven or more of the ten previous summers.

The format for the species accounts is the same as the past several years. The key to the seasonal reports is located below. Breeding records are classified based on the criteria found in The Loon 58:22 or in Minnesota Birds, p.7 (Green and Janssen 1975). Counties for which positive breeding is documented for the first time since 1970 are in italics and identified as such according to updated versions of Janssen and Simonson's breeding maps (The Loon 56:167–186, 219–239 and 57:15–34). Divisions of the state into regions (e.g. west central, southeast) are based on those delineated in Birds in Minnesota, p. 25 (Janssen 1987).

A final thanks to all of the summer season reporters who make it possible to document avian distribution and migration. Thanks also to Anthony Hertzel for compiling the Minnesota Rare Bird Hotline reports, and to Peder Svingen for his assistance in preparing this report.