Following the exceptionally cool spring of 1997, June rebounded with temperatures well above normal in all regions of the state. The thermometer topped 90° in many locations, and no frosts were reported. Rainfall for the month was near normal for almost all of the state (including the northwest, thank goodness!). July turned the tables just a bit, with average temperatures dropping slightly below normal throughout the state. Precipitation was much more extensive in certain areas — the central, east central, south central and southeast regions received roughly twice the normal rainfall for the month.

Seasonal Highlights

A total of 266 species was observed for the season, very near the previous ten-year average of 265. Seasonal reports and/or breeding information were submitted by 132 individuals, possibly the most ever for a summer season — observer numbers have gradually increased in recent years. Contributors sent in 959 nest or brood cards, and breeding data were collected for 141 species (slightly below average in both cases). Top contributors of breeding information once again included Jean Segerstrom & Mark Newstrom (207 nest/brood cards), Russell Hofstead (78), Forest Strnad (72), and Jack Sprenger (62). Thanks to all contributors for your outstanding field work!

The summer began well with the discovery of an adult Arctic Tern on 2 June in Duluth. This bird was carefully identified and determined to not be the same Arctic Tern seen nearby just a few days earlier! These two tern records represent the first for the state in over ten years. The only other accidental species recorded this summer, Prairie Warbler, has recently been much more common than its status would imply — two separate reports were documented this summer in southeastern Minnesota, following one report in the spring season and the presence of territorial birds in Anoka County last summer.

Four casual species were reported for the season, a typical number in any given summer. Not too surprising was the discovery of a Clark's Grebe among the many Western Grebes that nest at Lake Osakis in Todd County. As most of us now realize, this species appears to be rare but regular in the state. Its breeding status is a bit more problematic — although a single adult Clark's has been observed with eggs or young amidst breeding Westerns on three occasions (The Loon 63:220–225, 66:208, 69:225–226), two Clark's breeding together has never been documented. Another, less common waterbird observed this summer was the adult California Gull in northeastern Minnesota. There are only 17 or so state records, mostly spring or fall, for this species. Most unusual was the presence of a female Scissor-tailed Flycatcher near Elk River in Sherburne County for over a month (certainly the longest an individual has ever spent at one location in the state). This bird formed a pair bond with a male Western Kingbird, and proceeded to build several nests! Finally, there was the discovery of a singing Baird's Sparrow in the suitable prairie habitat found near Felton in Clay County.

Other species of note reported this summer included several Red-throated Loons lingering into early June on Lake Superior; no fewer than three separate reports of Tundra Swans, also in early June, in western Minnesota; summer records of Snow Geese (now a regular occurrence) plus a late Ross's Goose; and a Harlequin Duck found dead along the north shore of Lake Superior.

Also of interest were the Red Knots remaining at Duluth until 1 June; the very late Parasitic Jaeger along the shores of Lake Superior on 2 June; the Little Gull found in central Minnesota in late May and observed into early June; plus the Northern Hawk Owl and the very late Snowy Owl in the northwest, also seen in early June.

A Carolina Wren made a brief appearance in the Twin Cities near the end of July; a male Mountain Bluebird paired with a female Eastern; a Spotted Towhee was found in early July (the first summer record since this species was split from Eastern); and a most unusual mid-summer record for White-crowned Sparrow was documented in Roseau County.

Several species of concern in Minnesota deserve additional attention. Reports of Upland Sandpipers and Loggerhead Shrikes have decreased in recent years (data for sandpipers contradict recent recommendations by the state DNR to remove the species from special concern status). Other species for which summer reports have been few or nonexistent include Horned Grebe, American Avocet (see The Loon 70:11–20), and Louisiana Waterthrush. Presumably the hard winters of late have had an impact on many species such as Gray Partridge, Greater Prairie-Chicken, Sharp-tailed Grouse, and Northern Bobwhite (which was not reported). There is some good news, however. Trumpeter Swans and Peregrine Falcons are responding well to reintroduction. Reports of Acadian Flycatcher, Hooded Warbler, and Hen-slow's Sparrow were up this season, although it is certainly possible this was the result of increased observer effort.

As always, there were a few species notable because of their absence from the summer reports. In addition to Horned Grebe and American Avocet already mentioned, the following species have been recorded in seven or more of the past ten years, but not this summer: Rough-legged Hawk, Spruce Grouse, Hudsonian Godwit, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Kentucky Warbler, and Lark Bunting.

Format and Acknowledgments

The format for the species accounts is similar to that of recent years, with one notable exception — the addition of breeding record maps (more about those shortly). 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 County Nesting Records of Minnesota Birds (Hertzel and Janssen, M.O.U. Occasional Papers: Number 2, 1998). Divisions of the state into regions (e.g. west central, southeast) are based on those delineated in Birds in Minnesota, p. 25 (Janssen 1987).

New for this season is the inclusion of breeding record maps. Each species for which at least one positive nesting record was documented in 1997 (using the criteria mentioned above) has an accompanying map indicating the counties in which the records occurred. Note that the presence of the maps eliminates the need to include such information in the text — however, counties for which new breeding records occur will continue to be mentioned.

A final thanks to all of the summer season reporters who make it possible to document both avian distribution and migration. Thanks also to Anthony Hertzel for compiling the Minnesota Birding Report and for preparing the breeding maps, and to Peder Svingen and Kim Eckert for their assistance in preparing this report.