A total of 273 species was observed during the season, just above the previous ten-year average of 269. Seasonal reports and/or breeding data were submitted by 154 individuals, a significant drop from the 177 observers last summer. Contributors sent in 689 nest or brood cards, the fewest since 1991. (Although there has been a steady decline in the number of nest/brood cards since peaking in the mid-1990s, this has been partially offset by an increase in alternate, electronic forms of reporting nesting data.) Breeding data were collected for 170 species (above average). The top contributors of breeding information included Jean Segerstrom & Mark Newstrom (170 nest/brood cards), Michael R. North (75), and Paul L. Johnson (50). Thanks to every contributor for your outstanding efforts!

An exceptional number of Snow Goose reports was received this summer, primarily near the western edge of the state. The presence of Mute Swans at three different southern Minnesota locations begs the question — what is the status of these individuals? How often do wild birds disperse from the nearest established population (Great Lakes?), and how often do escapees pop up? The situation is much clearer for Trumpeter Swans, which have been well established as a breeding population for roughly ten years, and now can be found in any region of the state, with new county nesting records produced each summer. Not to be outdone, two Tundra Swans lingered into the summer (one of which was apparently injured). Late Tundra Swans are found, on average, every other summer.

Unusual was an American Black Duck in Lac Qui Parle County on 1 July. American Wigeon and Northern Pintail were scarce, Lesser Scaup were unusually abundant, but other regular waterfowl were found in typical numbers. For the first time ever, more than one Cinnamon Teal was found during the season; this species has now been recorded in three of the past four summers. Greater Scaup lingered into early June on Lake Superior for only the second time in nine years; also found along the North Shore was a late Harlequin Duck. Most unexpected was the well-documented Surf Scoter found in Southwestern Minnesota on 1 June. This species is accidental away from Lake Superior during spring migration, and never before has one been found “inland” during the summer season!

The decline of Gray Partridge continues to be troubling (unless, of course, you are not a fan of introduced species). The number of reports this season was only one-sixth the number reported as recently as 2000. In contrast, other gallinaceous birds seemed to fare better. Ruffed Grouse drumming counts suggested the population is already starting to recover from the traditional ten-year low point in their cycle. Encouraging was an increase in reports of Sharp-tailed Grouse (the most since 1983); the fact that D.N.R. surveys also indicated an upswing was good news after so many years of steady decline! Reports for Greater Prairie-Chickens were numerous, and Wild Turkeys continued their march northward. Perhaps the most controversial game bird observed this summer was the Northern Bobwhite, reported at its “traditional” locations in extreme southeastern Minnesota. The identity of the birds is not in question, but a healthy debate exists… are they wild? See The Loon 75:3–7 for a recent review of this subject.

Reports of lingering Red-throated Loons on Lake Superior were certainly to be expected, but the single bird observed on 7 June in Murray County was one of the very few records so far away from northeastern Minnesota. In keeping with recent trends, there were only a couple of Horned Grebe reports. Two reports of Snowy Egrets were typical of one to three observations each summer, as were the half-dozen sightings of Cattle Egrets, but Little Blue Herons at three locations represented the most reports since 1999. Like last year, there were no reports of Yellow-crowned Night-Heron — the first time in recent memory that this species has been absent for two consecutive summers. Multiple observations of White-faced Ibis occurred for the second year in a row. Plegadis ibis (White-faced or unidentified) have been found in each of the past four summers.

The majority of raptors were reported in typical numbers, but for unknown reasons, Swainson's Hawk observations were close to double the previous ten-year average. Bald Eagles, which have gradually increased for over two decades, were observed statewide during the summer (although less common in the west and south), and nesting has now been documented in every region. Reports of Merlins continue to increase — in addition to the small group nesting in the Twin Cities area, the past few years have yielded regular reports from the northern boreal forest counties, plus scattered reports from the central portion of the state. The success of Peregrine Falcon reintroduction extends beyond Minnesota; in the midwestern U.S., an amazing 163 territorial pairs fledged a record-high 352 young (Midwest Peregrine Falcon Restoration Project). The family of Common Moorhens in Becker County this summer was certainly farther north than typical for this uncommon breeder. Cranes were well represented this year, with Sandhill Cranes being reported in every region except the Southwest. Not “wild” but exciting nevertheless was a Whooping Crane from the Wisconsin reintroduction program that showed up with three Sandhills near Rice Lake State Park, Steele County on 29 June, and wandered around Steele and Dodge counties into August. No written or photographic documentation was ever received for this globally endangered species, but it apparently was identified by band numbers as one released at Necedah, Wisconsin in 2002.

Shorebird observations were fairly good this summer, following the typical pattern of reaching large peak numbers near the very end of July. Much of the shorebird data resulted from extensive surveys conducted at several western locations, while coverage in the rest of the state was spotty at best — as a result, most of the noteworthy records came from western regions. Peak shorebird concentrations included 3,117 (17 species) on 27 July at Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge, 3,056 (18 species) on 30 July at the same location, and 3,069 (19 species) at several locations combined in Swift, Lac Qui Parle, and Big Stone counties. An impressive mid-summer total of 1,946 (17 species) was recorded on 6 July at Agassiz. Shorebird highlights included nesting American Avocets in two counties, the most Hudsonian Godwit sightings since 1992, and a late Red Knot at Duluth. The latter species should be monitored carefully — predictions of massive declines have circulated recently. And speaking of declines, apparently there were no nesting pairs of Piping Plovers along Pine/Curry Island and Morris Point in Lake of the Woods County (their traditional, primary nesting site). One pair was found at nearby Stony Point.

The status of Eurasian Collared-Dove is rapidly changing, but as of Summer 2003 it was still considered Accidental, so only documented reports could be cited in the species accounts. Owl reports included the usual scattered observations of Long-eared Owls and Short-eared Owls, the first Boreal Owl in eight years (surely present in Minnesota during June and July, but rarely found!), and an unusual record of a Northern Saw-whet Owl singing in a Minnetonka (Hennepin County) back yard on 29 July. For the first summer since 1992, there were no reports of American Three-toed Woodpecker.

Several flycatchers, including Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Alder Flycatcher, and Western Kingbird were unusually abundant this year. Acadian Flycatchers were well represented at Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve, a well-known breeding site. Loggerhead Shrikes were found in ten counties this summer, identical to the previous ten-year average. Observers are reminded once again to report number of birds and specific locations for all shrike observations, as this species is one of Special Concern in Minnesota. A Carolina Wren found in Washington County extends the streak to seven consecutive summers with one or more record. The summer range of Blue-gray Gnatcatcher continues to expand, with a new record in Kittson County and no fewer than six reports in western Minnesota. Three reports of the Northern Mockingbird were average for the summer season.

Overall, there were no exceptional late or early warbler migrations this year. Somewhat intriguing was the early June Orange-crowned Warbler found singing in Cook County — probably a migrant, but who knows? Territorial male Chestnut-sided Warblers (and a new nesting record) were found in Scott and Dakota counties. These observations, along with a previous nesting record in Rice County, delineate the known southern edge of the breeding range. A singing male Prairie Warbler found in Scott County represented the first summer report since 1997. Three late Blackpoll Warblers were found at the beginning of June in southern Minnesota — more often than not, this species is gone from the state by then. Cerulean, Kentucky, and Hooded warblers were all well represented at Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve. This same location also featured one of the most exceptional and exciting ornithological events of the summer, when an adult male Summer Tanager paired with a female Scarlet Tanager, built a nest, and fledged a Brown-headed Cowbird (one nesting attempt involving three different species — surely that doesn't happen very often!). Even more amazing, only 18 kilometers away at Lebanon Hills Regional Park, a second male Summer Tanager paired with a female Scarlet Tanager and also attempted nesting! Both of these hybrid pairings were very well documented over the course of the summer (see The Loon 75:221–230). Also unusual was the late Western Tanager in Otter Tail County, representing one of the very few summer records for this species.

Henslow's Sparrows were well represented with reports from eight different locations extending as far northwest as Red Lake County. Like Loggerhead Shrike, this is a species of Special Concern and observers are asked to submit exact locations, number of birds, and documentation whenever possible. An exceptional number of Le Conte's Sparrows was reported from the northern half of the state. Chestnut-collared Longspurs were reported at Felton Prairie as usual, but most unusual was a well-documented observation of a pair in southwestern Minnesota. It can be assumed that White-winged Crossbills nest with at least some regularity in northern Minnesota, but evidence has been scant. Field research in northeastern Minnesota resulted in the documentation of nesting in both Lake and Cook counties (the only other documented nesting record occurred in, of all places, southeastern Minnesota!).

Unconfirmed and/or Undocumented Reports: Clark's Grebe 6/15 Yellow Medicine (Timm L.), Eurasian Collared-Dove nesting in Houston (Caledonia); Harris's Sparrow, early June, Renville; Great-tailed Grackle 6/1 Cottonwood (Bat L.).

Weather Summary: June temperatures were slightly cooler than normal for most of Minnesota, ranging from one to two degrees below the thirty year average. Frosts occurred at the beginning of the month in the northeast. Rainfall was highly variable in June. Parts of northwestern and central Minnesota received abundant rainfall, over ten inches in some cases. Conversely, the northeast, southwest and southern counties were generally drier than normal. An onslaught of thunderstorm complexes brought severe weather to central and southern Minnesota in late June, with numerous reports of damaging flooding and a tornado that devastated the city of Buffalo Lake.

For the most part, temperatures in July averaged near normal. Extreme temperatures were not really that extreme at all, ranging from 34º F in the northeast to 96º F in the west-central. Total rainfall during the month for most counties was below normal. A few areas did receive above normal rainfall. Another set of storms brought hail and tornadoes into the state, especially on the 14^th and 19^th. Many observers noted shorebird habitat drying up as July came to an end.
Format, Maps, and Acknowledgments: The format for the species accounts is similar to that of recent years. The key to the Seasonal Reports is located on page 18. Breeding records are classified based on the criteria adopted in April 2001 by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union Records Committee. Each species having at least one nesting record in 2003 has an accompanying map indicating counties in which these records occurred; confirmed nesting records are indicated by dark shading, possible nesting records are indicated by lighter shading. Counties for which confirmed 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); see also The Loon 73:14.

A final thanks to all of the summer season reporters who make it possible to document avian distribution and migration. Dave Benson, Anthony Hertzel, and Jeanie Joppru summarized hotline reports in Duluth, the Twin Cities, and Northwest Minnesota, respectively. Robert Janssen and Paul Budde compiled record early and late dates. Thanks also to Anthony Hertzel for preparing the 168 breeding maps, Paul Budde for compiling the electronic reports, and Peder Svingen, Kim Eckert, and Karl Bardon for their assistance in preparing this report.