For the second consecutive spring, record high concentrations of Red-throated Loons were observed off Park Point in Duluth. Providing not only a first Hennepin County record, but also tying the earliest Minnesota date and then lingering for more than two weeks, the Clark's Grebe at Coon Rapids Dam must have been the most-watched of its kind ever to occur in the state. Three others were documented but curiously, none could be found at Thielke Lake in Big Stone County, where recently reliable.

Although far fewer than last spring's unprecedented influx (The Loon 73:3–7), six Snowy Egrets in five counties was still a good showing. One of Minnesota's three Little Blue Herons was reported on both sides of the state line in Fargo-Moorhead and contributed to a pattern of “spring overshoots” in the mid-continent. But most remarkable of all among the Ardeidae was the Tricolored Heron at Two Harbors in Lake County — the first ever found in northeastern Minnesota. A statewide total of 90 Cattle Egrets was this species' best showing since the 105+ in Spring 1993. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron is barely hanging on as a Regular species in Minnesota, but a White-faced Ibis in Scott County inched this currently Casual species closer to Regular status.

Except for a record high count of 3415 White-fronted Geese, goose migration was uneventful. Only when compared to recent spring migrations could a total of 30 Ross's Geese be considered unusually low! Possibly overlooked there in the past, exceptional numbers of Greater Scaup were found in the Northwest. No scoters were discovered away from Lake Superior but a female Barrow's Goldeneye was carefully documented in Fergus Falls, nicely complementing the drake at Canal Park in Duluth.

Frank Nicoletti's fifth annual spring census at the West Skyline Hawkwatch in Duluth provided valuable data, incredible views of migrating hawks, eagles, and falcons, and infallible treatment for spring fever. Unforgettable on 14 April were 19 dark-morph or rufous-morph Red-tailed Hawks! For the first time, these migration data were supplemented by a census at the confluence of the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers in Dakota County, dubbed the Hastings-Prescott Bird Count (HPBC). This census focused on waterbirds, but all bird species were counted. During 176 hours of coverage at HPBC over a period of 30 days between 11 March and 25 April 2001, Karl Bardon tallied more than 100,000 migrants! Like the West Skyline Hawkwatch in Duluth, HPBC provided insights and surprises from its inception. Though some HPBC totals included birds seen only on the Wisconsin side of the river, they were mentioned in The Season as a representation of that species' peak migration through the area.

The seasonal total of 22,554 raptors at West Skyline Hawkwatch declined almost 16% (26,550 last spring) but this reflected about 20% less coverage (355 hours over 68 days, compared to 454.5 hours over 85 days last year). Among the highlights were a record high 113 Ospreys on 24 April and a total of 66 Golden Eagles for the season (63 last spring). Table 1 in the species accounts showcases these data.

Unlike Spring 2000 when shorebirds seemed to be everywhere, low numbers and spotty distribution kept observers off balance. Several species including the American Golden-Plover, Whimbrel, Baird's Sandpiper, and Long-billed Dowitcher were extremely scarce. A pair of Piping Plovers was certainly noteworthy in Dakota County; in recent years, this endangered species has been rarely detected as a spring migrant except at Duluth. Average or better numbers of American Avocets and Willets were found but Hudsonian Godwits were down 75% from last spring. A flock of 17 Red Knots provided Minnesota's second highest count, exceeded only by 20 in the same county 18 years ago. The only unexpected shorebird species was the Ruff in Dakota County, unfortunately not relocated by other birders. Encouraging was the statewide total of 950+ Wilson's Phalaropes which included a count of 320 at the Crookston sewage ponds. Most observers submitted counts and specific locations as requested, which made it possible to calculate this total.

An unidentified jaeger was observed off Park Point in Duluth. Though annual as a fall migrant, at least one jaeger has occurred there during six out of the past seven spring migrations. A Black-headed Gull was seen in Jackson County. Recent records in that area may refer to the same individuals, so this species can be looked for near Spirit Lake during late March or early April — it may be as reliable then as in October or November. At least one adult Little Gull transited Duluth for the third consecutive May. California Gulls were photographed in Lyon and Wilkin counties, providing irrefutable evidence of what may be an annual occurrence in western Minnesota. This species has been reported between April and October at the Grand Forks, North Dakota sewage lagoons, but apparently cannot be found just across the border at either the East Grand Forks or Crookston lagoons in Polk County! A first-year Iceland and three Lesser Black-backed Gulls were reported, but more interesting was Wilkin County's and western Minnesota's first Great Black-backed Gull.

Considering the total of ten acceptable records within just three years, Eurasian Collared-Dove may be losing some of its appeal, but its identification remains challenging and this species deserves careful documentation of its continuing spread in North America (Journal of Field Ornithology 64:477–489). Less than four miles from the Canadian border, one at Springsteel Island north of Warroad was Minnesota's first documented occurrence north of the Minnesota River Valley. As expected, a few Northern Hawk Owls lingered after their record high irruption (The Loon 73:135–143) but the number of nesting locations was unprecedented! Please see the last issue of The Loon for additional information on the 2000–2001 influx of northern owls. An irruption of Short–eared Owls that began sometime before Spring 2000 reached a crescendo when an extraordinary concentration of 51 owls was found in an ordinary-looking stubble field in Kittson County.

Reported from westernmost counties less frequently than might be expected, a Say's Phoebe briefly strayed to Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge. Two Scissor-tailed Flycatchers in spring were almost expected (The Loon 73:39–43), but the locations were not. Reversing a downhill trend since 1995, the number of Loggerhead Shrikes increased from 15 birds in Spring 2000 to 23 birds this spring, and the number of counties increased from 11 to 17, but most reports were of singles and this species' prognosis remains very guarded. Among an unprecedented number of White-eyed Vireos was a nesting pair at Rice Lake State Park in Steele County. Scores of birders were able to obtain stunning views of the adults with four young, while totally respecting park guidelines and minding the birds' welfare above all. Kudos to Al Batt for finding these vireos and effectively liaising with park personnel.

A cooperative male Mountain Bluebird stayed put for a week at Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge and another was seen briefly in Cottonwood County. Four additional Townsend's Solitaires and two Varied Thrushes were discovered, bringing Fall 2000 – Spring 2001 totals to 18 and 14 respectively. Compared to 14 Northern Mockingbirds last spring, this spring's total of 9 was closer to average.

Warbler migration was disappointing and peaked earlier than usual in southern Minnesota. A remarkably early wave of 18 species of warblers and vireos reached Anoka County on 30 April (KJB). Other examples of warbler diversity included 17 species in Kandiyohi County (RJF) and 20 species in Rice County (TFB) on 6 May, 22 species at Litchfield Nature Center in Meeker County on the 9^th (DMF), and 22 species in Goodhue County on the 10^th (KJB). In northern regions, peak diversity included territorial birds when 19 species were found in Aitkin County 19–20 May (WEN), and 23 species were in Roseau County on 19 May (AXH, PHS) and Lake County on 21 May (KRE et al.). Most of the 20 species at Park Point in Duluth on 26 May (BKY, KRS) were still migrating.
For only the second time since 1993, Yellow-throated Warbler could not be found at Sibley State Park. Discovered 30 April in Rice County, a Prairie Warbler was Minnesota's earliest ever. Cerulean Warblers were reported in low numbers from seven counties, down from nine counties last spring. Craig Mandel has been finding unusual and out-of-range species for years, but the Prothonotary Warbler at Morris Point on Lake of the Woods must have surprised him! Two Worm-eating Warblers were seen by only a handful of people; most observers had to be content with five Kentucky and multiple Hooded Warblers. Another rare but Regular warbler species, Yellow-breasted Chat, was reported from three locations, including a first for Pipestone.

Unlike the three chats, both Summer Tanagers were well-documented. Rarities briefly seen near feeders included a male Black-headed Grosbeak in rural Becker County and a male Lazuli Bunting at Climax in Polk County, but Hennepin County's famous male Painted Bunting failed to return for an encore after two consecutive years. Great-tailed Grackles were reported from four locations but unfortunately, only two of these were documented.

Coverage this season was significantly more comprehensive than usual, as more data were submitted electronically than ever before. Though not an indication of peak migration, an 18 year-old record for the highest number of species within a 24 hour period (The Loon 56:15–17) fell when 200 species were found on 19 May in northwestern Minnesota along a route from Roseau to Fergus Falls (AXH, PHS).

Unconfirmed and/or Undocumented Reports: White-faced Ibis 4/30 Marshall (Thief L.); Mississippi Kite 5/16 Duluth; Eurasian Collared-Doves in Renville and Pipestone/Rock; Say's Phoebe 5/9 Lac Qui Parle; White-eyed Vireos 4/29 Hennepin (Bass Ponds), 5/17+ Brown (Flandrau S.P.), and 5/30 Hennepin (Wood L.); Lark Bunting 5/12 Stearns; Lazuli Bunting 5/22 Pope; Great-tailed Grackles 4/15+ Jackson, 5/12+ Nicollet.

Exotics: Mandarin Ducks 5/3 Clay (Moorhead) RHO, 5/23 Aitkin (west of Aitkin) JPR; Chukar 4/9 Crow Wing.

Weather Summary: All nine regions, but especially the Southwest and South-central, were colder than usual in March while precipitation was below average statewide. April was exactly the opposite, with temperatures one to two degrees above normal, except in the South-central and Southeast where it was even warmer. Rain defined the month of April — four to five inches above normal in a wide swath from Southwest to Northeast, while the statewide average was 3.41 inches above normal for the month.

May was also warmer than normal statewide, with slightly above average rainfall in most regions. Warmest were the Northwest (3.0°F above normal), North-central (2.2°F above), West-central and Southeast (both 2.0°F above). Warm temperatures during late April and early May encouraged early leaf development which made it difficult to spot warblers and other passerines, but the relative lack of significant weather fronts undoubtedly contributed to their lackluster migration.

Acknowledgments: Data from the West Skyline Hawkwatch and Hastings-Prescott Bird Count were provided by Frank Nicoletti and Karl Bardon, respectively. Steve Stucker compiled interesting records from the MCBS. Betsy Beneke, Kim Eckert, and Anthony Hertzel summarized sightings called in to the M.O.U. “hotlines” in Detroit Lakes, Duluth, and the Twin Cities, respectively. Robert Janssen and Paul Budde compiled record early, record late, and median dates. Paul also compiled the species accounts for flycatchers through finches. I thank Karl Bardon, Paul Budde, and Anthony Hertzel for reviewing this report, which improved its accuracy and content.