December and January were miserable, especially for those living in southern and western Minnesota. Storm after storm hit these areas, often once each week, and often completely shutting down large areas of the state. Many in the west were ice storms, while record or near-record amounts of snow fell in other areas, including Duluth and Fargo-Moorhead. After each blizzard, the winds blew, often creating -50 to -70°F windchills, and blowing snow into drifts as high as ten feet or more. By mid-January, Minnesota had received at least nine major storms; almost half (40) of all 87 counties were declared disaster areas and eligible to receive federal assistance for snow removal, the first time in state history that this has been necessary. The entire state except far southeastern Minnesota had over two feet of snow on the ground in mid-January.

Temperatures in December were overall 3.7°F below normal, with western regions reporting temperatures 4.6–6.7°F below normal. January temps were also several degrees below normal, with the western regions still 2.9–4.2°F below normal. February by comparison was quite enjoyable, and overall temperatures were 2.1°F above normal. Interestingly, while most of the state was exasperated with all the severe weather, observers in Houston Co. were enjoying a relatively mild season, and the first overwintering Killdeer in over 16 years was reported!

Numbers of Snowy, Northern Hawk, Great Gray, and Boreal Owls were all at or near record levels, with numerous reports of Snowy Owls from throughout the state, and many reports of the latter three species from at least as far south as the Twin Cities region. Perhaps for the first time ever, it was possible for birders in the Twin Cities area to rather easily see all four species of “northern owls” throughout most of the winter. Unfortunately, very large numbers of dead and dying Boreal Owls were found for the second year in a row.

Most of the significant increases and decreases in overall numbers of individual species can probably be attributed to the weather. For example, for the first time in over 25 years, Northern Harriers were not reported this winter. No doubt the continuous onslaught of blizzards in the southern and western regions held many ground feeding raptors such as harriers much farther south. Interestingly, although the number of American Kestrels was the lowest in 14 years, the number of Red-tailed Hawks was about average. Conversely, the record number of Ring-necked Pheasants and the sharp increase in numbers of Gray Partridge can also be attributed to the heavy snowfall and extensive drifting, since these birds were probably forced out near roadsides where they were more visible. It is unclear whether these increased numbers represent any population increase.

Many northern species were down in numbers, including Northern Shrike, Gray Jay and Boreal Chickadee. Also noteworthy were continued low numbers of Three-toed and Black-backed Woodpeckers, and particularly low numbers of Bohemian Waxwings, which had one of their worst seasons on record. The reasons for these declines are unknown. Such declines are all the more noteworthy when one considers that about 50% fewer observers were reporting birds 15 years ago.

Passerines which showed a noticeable increase in numbers were those more dependent on berries or feeders, such as the near record number of American Robins and the Mountain Bluebirds discovered in Olmsted and Scott counties. Both Varied Thrushes and Townsend's Solitaires had their second best seasons ever, and there were more Brown Thrashers reported than ever before.

Gulls left the state early this year, and with only one notable exception, there were no reports of unusual species. Many observers may remember the report of a possible adult Slaty-backed Gull seen and photographed at the Superior, Wisconsin landfill and also seen briefly on the Minnesota side of the Superior entry. Consultation with a number of gull identification experts indicates that this individual was most likely a hybrid HerringXLesser Black-backed Gull or a HerringXGreat Black-backed Gull. The bird was clearly not a Slaty-backed Gull, but showed many characteristics consistent with and suggestive of this species, including the oft-mentioned subapical tongue tips on several of the outer primaries. This points out the difficulty in confirming and documenting the presence of unusual dark-mantled gull species, even those in adult plumage.

This season was dubbed “the winter of the summer finch” by Doug Johnson of Bemidji. As in other recent winters when Common Redpolls were on the low side of their roughly two-year cycle (1992–93 and 1994–95), reports of American Goldfinches and Pine Siskins were up noticeably in northern regions. More remarkable, however, was the unprecedented number of Purple Finches in the north. Although some observers have suggested a decrease in Purple Finch numbers at the expense of the ever-increasing House Finch, analysis of over 13 years of data from winter seasons shows no corresponding decrease in overall numbers of Purple Finches. Pine and Evening Grosbeaks were entirely confined to the northern regions, and numbers were generally below average. Both Red and White-winged Crossbills showed up in excellent numbers within the coniferous forested regions, and White-winged Crossbills were particularly abundant wherever there was spruce-tamarack forest. The numbers of White-winged Crossbills present appeared to be at record levels, but because there are fewer observers in the north, and few observers take the time to count common species, the full extent of this invasion cannot be quantified. These birds did not reach the southern part of the state.

Many species which are relatively common in December and early January are often rarely reported in later January and February. For example, although there were 10 Fox Sparrows, 35 Song Sparrows, 40 White-throated Sparrows, and 19 Harris's Sparrows reported during the first half of the season, very few of these individuals overwintered. It is often difficult to know if such skewed temporal differences are due to actual reductions in the population as the season progresses, or whether it only represents the greater observer coverage through early January, mostly due to the large number of Christmas Bird Counts. Observers are encouraged to do the field work necessary to determine if a particular half-hardy bird found in December or on a CBC has attempted wintering, and to note this information in their reports.

A total of 140 species was seen by 101 seasonal report observers, plus many additional observers participating in 51 Christmas Bird Counts. Although the number of observers is similar to last year, the total number of species is the lowest total in five years. There were still many counties from which there were virtually no reports, including Traverse, Douglas, Stevens, Pope, Swift, Mille Lacs, Le Sueur, Nobles, Rock, Pipestone, Murray, Lincoln and Meeker. Assuming these counties are not inundated by blizzards once again, perhaps someone can adopt them for observations next winter.

As always, I would like to thank Peder Svingen for continued professional editorship of this report. I would also like to thank Anthony Hertzel who provided a transcript of all species reported to the statewide rare bird hot line. And finally, a thanks to all observers who braved the winter weather and reported their sightings!