Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon
The 2018-Spring Season
1 March through 31 May 2018
Paul E. Budde, Ezra M. Hosch, Doug W. Kieser, William C. Marengo, and Brian T. Smith

This was an excellent season for shorebirds. Black-necked Stilts were discovered in seven counties and produced first records for four of them. Three Casual Calidris sandpipers — Ruff, Curlew, and Western — were found. At least two Barn Owls along the southern edge of the state hint that perhaps this Accidental species could become more common in future years. And probably the best bird of the season was the state's second Cassin's Finch, an unexpected surprise in the Twin Cities.

Snow and Cackling geese, along with Tundra Swans, arrived in the state at the end of the winter season, while the first Ross's and Greater White-fronted geese were reported 2 March. Four Cinnamon Teal were the most in one season since four were spotted during Spring 2002. Eurasian Wigeon provided first records for Otter Tail and Waseca counties, and a third individual was spotted in Beltrami. The only Harlequin Duck was seen in Two Harbors for a week in early March. Surf and Black scoters were only detected in St. Louis County, with all reports coming in May. White-winged Scoters, however, began showing up in late March in several counties near the Twin Cities. They were also reported from Lake Superior in Duluth, Two Harbors, and Grand Marais, and from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The only Barrow's Goldeneye found was a female seen in late March in Fergus Falls.

Yellow-billed Cuckoos were well-represented with sightings from 35 counties, the most ever for a spring season; only in Summer 2007 were they more widespread. Yellow Rails provided first records for Redwood and Yellow Medicine counties; they were also detected on migration in Rice and Wilkin counties.

Reports of Black-necked Stilts from seven counties represented 14 individuals. This Casual species has now been recorded in 15 spring seasons since 2000. A Ruddy Turnstone was a first record for Koochiching County. Twelve Red Knots at Park Point in Duluth was the highest tally for this species since 2002. An adult male Ruff photographed in Big Stone was the first since 2015, while a Curlew Sandpiper in Lyon County was the fourth state record of this species. Though Buff-breasted Sandpipers are Regular on an annual basis, most of them are found during their southbound migration. During the spring they are only Casual, so one in Lyon County at the very end of the season was a nice surprise. A Western Sandpiper made a brief stop at Lake Byllesby in early May, but only stayed a day. Washington County saw its first Red-necked Phalarope this season.

The season's lone jaeger, a light-morph Parasitic, was spotted in Duluth over the St. Louis River. An impressive 2,600 Bonaparte's Gulls were tallied in mid-May at Park Point. Little Gulls were reported sporadically over a two-week period in mid-May, also in Duluth. Mid-April saw a Lesser Black-backed Gull at the North Ottawa Impoundment, a first record for Grant County. Watonwan also had a new county record when its first Common Tern was reported in Madelia.

It was a good season for Red-throated Loons, with high counts of 29 on 7 May and 22 on 28 May. All reports were from Duluth, except for two sightings from Stoney Point. The state's only Pacific Loon was spotted from Park Point, also on 7 May.

Snowy Egrets showed well, with reports from a dozen counties mostly in the Central and West-central regions. A flock of 14 near Ortonville was a record high spring count for the state. The only Little Blue Heron to be found was an immature in Rock County. Cattle Egrets, seen in 18 counties, were more widespread than in any season since spring 2006.

Golden Eagles drifted north through the state later than in most spring migrations. There were late May reports of this species from the West Skyline Hawk Count and a record late bird in Becker County. A Mississippi Kite spotted at the West Skyline Hawk Count was only the fifth spring report of this species since 2000. Rough-legged Hawks were found in every county except Koochiching, which means we simply need more observers in Koochiching County.

A security monitoring system recorded one or more Barn Owls visiting a calling, captive Barn Owl in Houston County in March and May, while another one was identified by more traditional means (eyesight) in Faribault County in April. As winter 2017–2018 had been an invasion year for Snowy Owls, it was anticipated that they would linger in good numbers during the spring season. Still, having Snowys in the state as late as 27 May in St. Louis and 31 May+ in Stearns counties was a pleasant surprise. In contrast, the prior winter's irruption of Boreal Owls ended early, as there were only three reports of this species, all from St. Louis County in March.

Both of the state's Picoides woodpeckers showed up within their traditional ranges, except that an American Three-toed Woodpecker also provided the first record for Roseau County since 2011. A Prairie Falcon was seen in Lyon County in late March. At the very end of the season a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher provided a first record for Blue Earth County. A Say's Phoebe discovered near Ortonville marked the 11th consecutive spring this formerly Casual species has been found in the state.

Two different White-eyed Vireos were well-documented in Rice and Carver counties.This season's southward range expansion by Common Ravens was noted by first records for Grant and Pope counties. Carolina Wrens were reported from six counties, as far north as Hennepin and as far west as Blue Earth; this was the highest tally ever for the spring season.

The only Mountain Bluebird was a beautiful adult male in Houston, a first record for that county. Townsend's Solitaires were found in twice as many counties as usual for spring, though that was still one fewer than the 11 counties where they were seen in spring 2017. For the first spring since 2014 there were no reports of Varied Thrush.

A Sage Thrasher discovered in Duluth in late May was the first for St. Louis County and a first for the state since 2009. Northern Mockingbirds were seen in ten counties, about an average number for spring. Their sighting in each of the three North Shore counties — Cook, Lake and St. Louis — was not unique as it has happened before, most recently in spring 2004. Eurasian Tree Sparrows were found in Minnesota for the sixth consecutive spring; this season's two visitors were discovered in Maple Grove and in Duluth.

A few winter finches that initiated southward incursions during the winter persisted into the spring, including an Evening Grosbeak in Chippewa and Pine Grosbeak in Chisago County. The second state record Cassin's Finch was carefully picked out from among a group of House Finches in Edina. It had been an excellent winter for both species of redpolls and so it was not unexpected that spring records of these species would be fairly abundant. Both Red and White-winged crossbills were found in above average numbers for the spring season.

The only reports of Chestnut-sided Longspurs were from Felton Prairie; disappointingly, all were of a lone individual. It may not be too many years before this species is extirpated as a breeding species from the state. There were several reports of Smith's Longspurs, all from Lyon County.

An overwintering Spotted Towhee was seen through early April in Ramsey County, while migrants were spotted in Steele and Polk counties. Field Sparrows continued their northward expansion and were found in several extreme north counties, including a first record for Lake of the Woods. Henslow's Sparrows showed very well, with reports from 30 counties — the most ever in the spring season. The state's 15th record of Golden-crowned Sparrow was a first for Itasca County.

Three Yellow-breasted Chats, including a first record for Wright County, were the most reports in spring since four were found in 2007. An early Eastern Meadowlark was identified in Scott County by its call, while the number of reports from the Southwest continued to rise. An Orchard Oriole was a first record for Lake of the Woods County, while a record spring high count was tallied in Rock County. Only the second Great-tailed Grackle for the northern half of the state was also a first record for Grant County; Grant's neighbor, Douglas, is the only other north county with a record of this slowly expanding species, which has been reported annually in the state since 1998.

Worm-eating Warblers found in Hennepin and Rock counties marked the fourth consecutive spring this Casual species has been recorded. A Louisiana Waterthrush in Wright County and a Blue-winged Warbler in St. Louis County were both unexpected, even if neither were first county records.

Nashville Warblers were first found in the state on the last day of April, which is five days later that the recent median south arrival for this species. Notably, however, on this date they were found in 11 different counties, at a minimum of 23 different locations! Making the story even more interesting, this date was a Monday, not a weekend. The weather of the prior two days had been quite pleasant in the Twin Cities (sunny, highs in the 50s and 60s), but strong southerly winds began in the afternoon of the 29th and continued throughout the 30th, apparently bringing in this wave of warblers.

A Kentucky Warbler was also first found on 30 April, in Rice County, where it lingered for a week; another provided a first record for Brown County at the end of the season. Hooded Warblers were more widely reported (11 counties) than in any other season. Cerulean Warblers were found in 1 north and 15 south counties. Tallies of this species have been remarkably stable over the past ten years. One can hope that these numbers reflect a somewhat stable population of these beautiful — and threatened — warblers in our state. Another Casual species, the Yellow-throated Warbler, was in Anoka County for two days in early May, while a second bird returned to the Whitewater State Park Visitor Center for the sixth consecutive season.

A total of 24 Summer Tanagers was the highest count for this species in the state since 2011; all were southwest of a line from Polk to Chisago to Houston counties, except for one in Duluth. Three Western Tanagers, in Beltrami, Carver and Washington counties, was about half the usual spring tally of this Rare Regular species in the state. Two adult male Lazuli Buntings were beautiful surprises at residences in Bloomington and Embarrass, while an immature and an adult male Painted Bunting graced homes in Steele and Olmsted counties, respectively.

Weather: A warm beginning to March with some temperatures in the mid 50s came to a cold conclusion as below-average temperatures descended on the state. This persistent cold spell continued into the first three weeks of April, but then warm air returned during the last week of April and produced the warmest May on record for Duluth, the second-warmest for the Twin Cities, and the fourth warmest for the state. In fact, several locations in the state experienced a 100º+ (F) Memorial Day.

Major storms dropped significant amounts of snow in a large area of the state 4–6 March and 23–24 March. A thunder blizzard moved through the southern half of the state in several waves in mid April; by the time it had passed the storm had dropped more than a foot of snow over 20% of the state, with some areas receiving over two feet. (This storm had a significant impact on the earliest migrants that had already returned to the state.) Precipitation levels in May were near normal in most of the state, with the extreme Southeast and South-central only receiving above average amounts.

Documented reports still under review: Dark-eyed Junco (Pink-sided) 4/20 Lyon (Cottonwood) ph. †GWe.

Insufficiently documented records of Regular species: Short-billed Dowitcher 4/30 Le Sueur (early; see The Loon 89:160–161); Eastern Wood-Pewee 4/24 Meeker (very early); Swainson's Thrush 4/16 Hennepin, 4/20 Morrison (early; see The Loon 67:44–45); Bohemian Waxwing 5/3 Goodhue (out of range and late); Savannah Sparrow 3/4 Cottonwood (early); Blue-winged Warbler 5/24 Koochiching (out of range); Black-and-white Warbler 4/20 Morrison (very early).

Acknowledgements: We thank Jeanie Joppru and Jim Lind for compiling and providing transcripts of Minnesota's two weekly birding reports. Special thanks to Dave Cahlander for building and maintaining the seasonal reports submission and production web pages (http://moumn.org/moureports/season.php) through which most of this data is collected and organized. We are also grateful for the data provided for the creation of this report by eBird (http://www.ebird.org, accessed June 2018). Medians of recent arrivals and departures are based on published and unpublished seasonal report data from the 25-year period 1993 through 2017. Finally and most importantly, our appreciation goes out to all those who contribute their sightings data to the MOU. We are especially grateful to those who respond to our requests for details and who submit observations online.

Key to the Seasonal Report
1.Upper case (LEAST TERN) indicates a Casual or Accidental species in the state.
2.Species are listed in brackets [Whooping Crane] when there is a reasonable doubt as to its origin or wildness.
3.Bracketed text following a species’ name indicates the total number of north and south counties.
4.Dates listed in bold (10/9) indicate an occurrence either earlier, later, or within the three earliest or latest dates on file.
5.Counties listed in bold (Aitkin) indicate an unusual occurrence for that county.
6.Counties listed in bold and with an underline (Becker) indicate a first county record.
7.Counties listed in italics (Crow Wing) indicate a first county breeding record.
8.Counts listed in bold (150) indicate a total within or exceeding the top three high counts for that species.
9.Dagger “†” preceding observer’s initials denotes documentation was submitted.
10.“ph.” denotes a species documented with a photograph.
11.“v.t.” denotes a species documented by video tape.
The Seasonal Report  is a compilation of seasonal bird sightings from throughout Minnesota. We particularly invite reports from parts of the state that have been neglected or covered lightly in past reports. To become a contributor, contact the Editor of The Loon (editor AT moumn.org).

Species

N S

Information

Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks
Snow Goose
(Anser caerulescens)
1748 See winter report for earliest migrants south (median 3/5), followed by 3/2 Scott JEB and reports in 12 additional counties on 3/3. Early north (median 3/20) 3/20–27 St. Louis (max. 15) JLK, m.ob. High count 3/28 Grant (20,000, North Ottawa Impoundment) EGa. Late south 5/27 Wright DWK, m.ob., 5/30–31 Big Stone (2) DLP, 5/31 Lac qui Parle StK (median 6/4). Late north 5/25 Red Lake GLa, m.ob., 5/26 Kittson (17) WCM, m.ob., 5/29 Marshall HHu (median 5/30).
Ross's Goose
(Anser rossii)
630 Early south (median 3/11) 3/2 Scott JEB, 3/3 Brown (4) BTS, Freeborn (5) BDo, Olmsted (3) SHo, m.ob., Pipestone (13) VKl, Rice (3) DAB, Watonwan (2) BTS. All north 4/6 Beltrami REn, 4/19 Traverse (44) DLP, 4/22 Morrison (5) SEm, 5/16 Marshall ANy, DBz, 5/21 Red Lake JWH, RBJ, REn, 5/23–25 Roseau JPr, JJS, CAs. High counts 5/4 Freeborn (155) PEJ, 4/29 Lyon (72, Lone Tree Lake) GWe. Late south 5/14 Big Stone (4) DLP, 5/15–22 Lyon (max. 2) NMe, RJS (median 5/14).
Greater White-fronted Goose
(Anser albifrons)
1048 Early south (median 2/28) 3/2 Blue Earth ChH, Cottonwood (2) LHl, Freeborn (20) ASu, Scott JEB, Steele (35) LiH, ASu. Early north (median 3/21) 3/25–28 Traverse DLP, ANy, 3/28 Douglas BEc, Grant (max. 200) WPl, EGa. High count 3/16 Jackson (11, 000) PEJ. Late south 5/28–31 Watonwan KEm, m.ob., 5/30 Big Stone DLP, 5/31 Le Sueur RBW. Late north 5/15 Red Lake DBz, ANy, 5/16 Polk ANy, 5/17 Grant (26) ebd (median 5/16).
Cackling Goose
(Branta hutchinsii)
1146 See winter report for early south migrants. Early north (median 3/17) 3/18–22 Otter Tail (2) WPl, JsS, 3/23 Morrison (8) ebd, 3/27 Traverse ANy. Descriptions provided in varying detail from 19 counties. High count 3/16 Jackson (1,007) PEJ, 3/17 Chippewa (600, Lac qui Parle S.P.) KnM, ASu, LiH, Nobles (600, Okabena Lake) KnM, ASu. Late south 5/16 Anoka (2) LBi, Cottonwood LHl, 5/19 Nobles (3) ebd, Rice (2, Lyman Lakes) ebd (median 5/13). Late north 4/30–5/2 Beltrami (5) DPJ, 5/21 Crow Wing JPr, 5/22 Clay TCL (median 5/21).
Canada Goose
(Branta canadensis)
3453 Reported from all 87 counties.
Mute Swan
(Cygnus olor)
16 One north report 4/23–5/29 St. Louis (Duluth) FJN, JPR, JLK. All south (also see winter report) 3/3–5/5 Goodhue (max. 2, Lock and Dam #3) MwT, m.ob., 3/25–4/29 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) MwT, m.ob., 3/27–4/17 Scott (Blue Lake W.T.P.) BAb, m.ob., 4/28 Winona (Whitewater W.M.A.) IWe, KHg, 3/4–5/31 Wright (near St. Michael) ToL, m.ob., 3/22 Yellow Medicine (Lyon/Yellow Medicine Conservation Easement) GWe.
Trumpeter Swan
(Cygnus buccinator)
3351 Found statewide, including 4/11 Rock KEm. There were several high counts of 200+ birds reported in March, but none explicitly identified why the swans were this species.
Tundra Swan
(Cygnus columbianus)
3047 Early south (but also see winter report for early spring migrants) 3/4 Chippewa (3) DLP, 3/6 Houston (50) SHo, 3/7 Washington JLe. Early north (median 3/18) 3/17 St. Louis (Duluth) RCl, 3/18 Otter Tail (2) WPl, 3/27 Traverse ANy. High count 4/7 Dakota (1800, Lake Byllesby, counted by fives) SHF, BAF. Late south 5/5 Hennepin (4) ebd, 5/5–6 Wright (max. 14) ebd, 5/10 Anoka ebd, Meeker (15) BNn (median 5/4). Late north 5/26–28 Koochiching JMJ, 5/27 Cook (8) ANy, BWF, 5/28 Lake of the Woods ABL (median 5/28).
Wood Duck
(Aix sponsa)
3453 Reported from all 87 counties. See winter report for overwintering individuals and early south migrants. Early north migrants beginning 3/23 Morrison (8, 2 locations) ebd, then 3/25 Traverse DLP, 3/26 Otter Tail (2) WPl. High counts 4/8 Hennepin (170, Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) BBr, 4/5 Dakota (150, Spring Lake P.R.) BAF.
Blue-winged Teal
(Spatula discors)
3453 Reported from all 87 counties. Early south (median 3/12) 3/17 Chippewa BDo, m.ob., Hennepin ebd, 3/21 Washington (2) GaJ. Early north (median 3/29) 3/28 Douglas BEc, 3/30 Crow Wing (2) JhH, LnH. High count 4/30 Olmsted (150, Olmsted County East Landfill) JPr.
Cinnamon Teal
(Spatula cyanoptera)
24 All reports: 4/21 Dakota/Goodhue (drake, Lake Byllesby) ph. JuW, m.ob., 4/29 Waseca(drake) ph. †JWZ, 5/13–30 Big Stone (drake, near Ortonville) RJu, ph. GWe, ph. DLP, m.ob., 5/27–30 Marshall/Polk (drake, Agassiz Valley Impoundment) ph. HoC, ph. HHu, m.ob.
Northern Shoveler
(Spatula clypeata)
3353 Reported in 86 counties. See winter report for overwintering and early south migrants. Early north (median 3/25) 3/19 Traverse DLP, 3/27 Otter Tail WPl, 3/28 Douglas BEc, EGa. High count 4/22 Goodhue (1,000, Lake Byllesby) EzH, m.ob.
Gadwall
(Mareca strepera)
3253 Reported statewide. See winter report for overwintering and early south migrants. Early north (median 3/16) 3/4 Douglas (4) BEc, Otter Tail (3,Fergus Falls) WPl, 3/5 Beltrami DPJ, REn. High count 3/17 Chippewa (300, Lac qui Parle S.P.) KnM, ASu, LiH.
EURASIAN WIGEON
(Mareca penelope)
21 All reports: 4/15 Otter Tail (drake on Otter Tail River, Fergus Falls) ph. †WPl, 4/27–28 Beltrami (drake, Sunnyside Pond, five miles ESE of Bemidji) ph. †REn, m.ob., 4/28 Waseca (drake near Waseca) ph. †IsH, †EzH, ph. †PRH, †REn, m.ob.
American Wigeon
(Mareca americana)
3152 Early south (median 3/1) 3/3 Le Sueur RBW, BHe, 3/3–4 Nobles JWH, KEm, m.ob., 3/3–5 Scott (2) DGu, m.ob., 3/4 Renville KEm, 3/5 Rice TFB. Early north (median 3/26) 3/29 Douglas RBJ, RBW, 4/12–13 St. Louis (2) JLK, m.ob. High count 4/11 Lyon (65, Lone Tree Lake) GWe.
Mallard
(Anas platyrhynchos)
3453 Reported from all 87 counties. High counts 4/15 Lyon (5,400, along the Redwood River and surrounding fields) GWe, 4/7 Dakota (5,000, in Vermillion, conservative estimate) BAF, SHF.
American Black Duck
(Anas rubripes)
821 High count 4/3 St. Louis (23, Park Point) JLK. Late south 5/7 Meeker (2) PKF, 5/9 Freeborn ebd, 5/10 Hennepin (2) ebd, Lyon KRE (median 5/21).
Mallard X American Black Duck
(Anas platyrhynchos X A. rubripes)
11 Two reports: 3/15 Hennepin CMB, 5/28 Pennington BAb.
Northern Pintail
(Anas acuta)
2449 See winter report for early south migrants. Early north (median 3/16) 3/4 Otter Tail WPl, 3/5–6 St. Louis BEA, JLK, JPR, 3/25 Traverse DLP. High count 4/23 St. Louis (336, Enger Tower) JPR, FJN.
Green-winged Teal
(Anas crecca)
3253 See winter report for overwintering and early south migrants. Early north (median 3/25) 3/25 Clay PBB, 3/28 Traverse DLP, 4/2 Otter Tail (2) WPl. High counts 4/30 Yellow Medicine (85, Cottonwood) GWe, 4/10 Dakota (80, Lake Byllesby) KDS.
Canvasback
(Aythya valisineria)
2652 See winter report for early south migrants and an overwintering north individual. Early north (median 3/28) 3/27 St. Louis (3 on Silver Lake where 1 overwintered) NPo, 4/11–12 Douglas (max. 4) ToR, RAE, Grant (max. 20) RAE, CRM, m.ob. High count 3/25 Wabasha (1,200) SHo.
Redhead
(Aythya americana)
3251 See winter report for early spring migrants. Continuing south from winter were 3/2 Goodhue (3, Red Wing) SHF, BAF. Early north (median 3/20) 3/4–18 Otter Tail (3) WPl, 3/19 Traverse DLP, 3/23 Douglas (max. 36) KyP, BEc. High count 3/27 Washington (500, Hazen P. Mooers Park) EzH, JHh, PNi.
Ring-necked Duck
(Aythya collaris)
3353 Reported from 86 counties. See winter report for overwintering and early south migrants. Early north (median 3/16) 3/8–22 Douglas BEc, 3/18 Otter Tail (6) WPl, 3/19 Traverse DLP. High count 3/27 Washington (2,000, Hazen P. Mooers Park) EzH, JHh.
Greater Scaup
(Aythya marila)
2646 See winter report for overwintering and early south migrants. Early north (median 3/30) 3/25 Crow Wing LnH, JhH, PSP, 4/1 St. Louis BEA, 4/5 Otter Tail (2) JTa. High counts 4/23 Lake (100, Gooseberry Falls S.P.) DEd, 5/7 St. Louis (100, Leif Erikson Park) JDx, ClN. Late south 5/15 Stearns (3) ebd, 5/17 Sibley HCT, m.ob., 5/17–21 Rice (Dennison W.T.P.) GHo (median 5/18). Late north 5/26 Beltrami RAE, 5/28 St. Louis (3) JLK, 5/30 Douglas (5) ASu (median 6/2).
Lesser Scaup
(Aythya affinis)
3353 See winter report for overwintering and early south migrants. Early north (median 3/13) 3/4 Otter Tail (6) WPl, 3/13 Douglas (3) AaL, 3/17 St. Louis ebd. High count 4/29 St. Louis (2,200, Park Point) NWn.
Ring-necked Duck X Lesser Scaup
(Aythya collaris X A. affinis)
11 Two reports: 4/10 Goodhue (male, Lake Pepin) †PEJ, 5/15 Mille Lacs (male, Lake Onamia)†PEJ.
Harlequin Duck
(Histrionicus histrionicus)
1 Only reported 3/3–10 Lake (Two Harbors, Agate Bay) SBE, ASu, LiH, DEl.
Surf Scoter
(Melanitta perspicillata)
1 All reports 5/1–19 St. Louis (max. 2, Park Point) BEA, m.ob.
White-winged Scoter
(Melanitta deglandi)
35 All south 3/24 Anoka (Mississippi River) DEl, 3/24 Anoka/Hennepin (Coon Rapids Dam R.P.) DEl, 3/24–25 Sherburne/Wright (male, Babcock Park) ph. ToL, m.ob., 4/22 Dakota (female, Lake Byllesby) EzH, m.ob. All north 3/11–4/11 Lake (Two Harbors) DWK, m.ob., 4/15–5/24 St. Louis PHS, m.ob., 5/8 Cook (6, Grand Marais) DOr. 5/28 Lake (Kawasachong Lake) MGi. High count 5/14 St. Louis (20, Park Point, total of three groups) ClN.
Black Scoter
(Melanitta americana)
1 All reports 5/13–28 St. Louis (max. 2, Duluth) JPR, GJa, JLK.
Long-tailed Duck
(Clangula hyemalis)
31 One south report 3/15 Anoka BLc. All north reports 3/3–5/22 St. Louis (max. 80 on 3/16, Duluth, EEO), 3/3–5/26 Lake (max. 55 on 3/30 Two Harbors JCa), 3/11–5/28 Cook (max. 174 on 4/29 Grand Marais LGr).
Bufflehead
(Bucephala albeola)
3453 Reported from all 87 counties. See winter report for overwintering and early south migrants. Early north (median 3/22) 3/5–19 Beltrami DPJ, REn, 3/18 Otter Tail WPl. High count 4/21 Goodhue (600, Lake Byllesby) AJF. Late south 5/26 Anoka (2) ebd, 5/27 Rock (2) KEm, Stearns MtS (median 5/31).
Common Goldeneye
(Bucephala clangula)
3152 High counts 3/10 Wabasha (2,800) PEJ, 4/17 Stearns (1,800, estimated by 10s, River Bluffs R.P. ) MJB. Late south 5/12–13 Anoka ebd, 5/18–20 Wright ToL (median 5/12).
Bufflehead X Common Goldeneye
(Bucephala albeola X B. clangula)
1 One report 3/25 Goodhue (drake, Sturgeon Lake) †PEJ.
Barrow's Goldeneye
(Bucephala islandica)
1 One north report 3/27 Otter Tail (female, Riverside Park, Fergus Falls) ph. WPl.
Common Goldeneye X Barrow's Goldeneye
(Bucephala clangula X B. islandica)
1 One south report 3/25 Goodhue (drake, Sturgeon Lake) †PEJ.
Hooded Merganser
(Lophodytes cucullatus)
3353 See winter report for overwintering and early south migrants. Early north (median 3/11) 3/4 Otter Tail (2) WPl, 3/14 Crow Wing (2) DMz, 3/17 St. Louis (max. 3) FJN, RCl, JLK. High count 3/27 Washington (200, Hazen P. Mooers Park) EzH, JHh.
Common Goldeneye X Hooded Merganser
(Bucephala clangula X Lophodytes cucullatus)
2 Two south reports 4/16 Hennepin GBu, 4/24 Blue Earth ChH.
Common Merganser
(Mergus merganser)
2653 High count 3/28 Goodhue (362, Lake Byllesby) DnS, MWS. Late south 5/20 Anoka ebd, Faribault BAb, 5/30 Sherburne ebd (median 5/21).
Red-breasted Merganser
(Mergus serrator)
2348 Early south (median 3/4) 3/3 Wabasha ebd, 3/4 Chippewa DWK, 3/10–12 Hennepin (Lake Rebecca P.R.) ebd, JBs. Overwintered widely Lake Superior; probable first north migrants (median 3/31) 3/29 Douglas BEc, 3/31 Itasca (8) TCL. High counts 4/30 St. Louis (127, W.S.H.C.) FJN, JPR. Late south 5/15 Washington ebd, 5/19 Sherburne (2) ebd, 5/25 Hennepin (2) ebd (median 5/24).
Ruddy Duck
(Oxyura jamaicensis)
2152 Early south (median 3/8) 3/4 Nobles BAb, 3/10 Blue Earth JWg, Wabasha PEJ, 3/11 Lac qui Parle HHD, RAE. Early north (median 3/29) 4/8 Morrison BWF, 4/12 Grant RAE, m.ob., 4/14 Otter Tail NaH. High count 4/23 Goodhue (900, Lake Byllesby) PEJ.
Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys
Wild Turkey
(Meleagris gallopavo)
3051 Reported as far north as Kittson, Koochiching, St. Louis. High count 3/27 Nicollet (82) JWg.
Ruffed Grouse
(Bonasa umbellus)
2912 Found throughout normal range, essentially northeast of a line from Polk to Fillmore. Spring drumming counts were down 29% in 2018 (MN DNR).
Spruce Grouse
(Canachites canadensis)
3 All reports: 3/2–17 Lake (max.7) ASu, m.ob., 4/25–5/14 St. Louis BHo, LSh, 5/18 Itasca SC.
Sharp-tailed Grouse
(Tympanuchus phasianellus)
132 Two south reports: 3/26–4/28 Lac qui Parle (max. 5, Big Stone N.W.R.) DLP, m.ob., 4/1–5/28 Yellow Medicine (max. 7, Mound Spring Prairie S.N.A.) WCM, KeL, ASu, LiH, m.ob. High counts 4/1 Polk (50, Euclid) ebd, 3/10 Polk (48, Glacial Ridge N.W.R.) MSS. Additional north reports from Aitkin, Grant (3/24, 12 individuals at the North Ottawa Impoundment, ph. WPl), Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake, Roseau, St. Louis, Wilkin.
Greater Prairie-Chicken
(Tympanuchus cupido)
7 All reports were from counties in the Northwest and West-central regions: Becker, Clay, Mahnomen, Norman, Polk, Red Lake, Wilkin, including high counts 4/21 Clay (50, Bluestem Prairie S.N.A.) ebd, 4/8 Wilkin (45, Rothsay W.M.A.) JOs.
Sharp-tailed Grouse X Greater Prairie-Chicken
(Tympanuchus phasianellus X T. cupido)
1 One north report 5/7 Wilkin ph. SKS.
Gray Partridge
(Perdix perdix)
415 Most reports south of the Minnesota river or in the western third of the state. High counts 3/2 Rice (10) TFB, 3/23 Marshall (6) JHs.
Ring-necked Pheasant
(Phasianus colchicus)
2253 Reported south of a line from Beltrami to Pine, plus St. Louis. High count 4/12 Lyon (38, Lone Tree Lake) GWe.
Grebes
Pied-billed Grebe
(Podilymbus podiceps)
3453 Reported statewide. Early south (median 3/7) 3/1–20 Hennepin DWK, m.ob., 3/19 Scott RCo. Early north (median 3/24) 3/21 Otter Tail WPl, 3/22 Itasca SC, 3/25 Crow Wing JnP. High count 4/21 Hennepin (89, Mississippi River Lock and Dam #1) DSh.
Horned Grebe
(Podiceps auritus)
3244 Early south (median 3/24) 3/18 Sherburne PLJ, 3/26 Kandiyohi RAE, 3/28 Anoka/Hennepin (Coon Rapids Dam) DEl, Winona DBz. Early north (median 4/5) 4/16–21 St. Louis JLK, 4/21 Morrison (8) SEm, FGo, Otter Tail (3) WyR, and from six additional counties on 4/22. High count 5/2 St. Louis (1,642, counted from 3 locations along Park Point and St Louis Bay) JLK. Late south 5/17–29 Hennepin CMB, m.ob. (median 5/23). Late north 5/27–29 Pennington Gla, LS, m.ob. (median 6/8).
Red-necked Grebe
(Podiceps grisegena)
2737 Early south (median 4/2) 4/8–10 Washington (Point Douglas Park) ebd, DWK, 4/10 Goodhue PEJ, 4/10–11 Hennepin (max. 5) DEl, WFe. Early north (median 4/7) 4/12–13 St. Louis JPR, BEA, JLK, 4/15–16 Otter Tail DFe. High count 5/13 St. Louis (219, Park Point) NWn.
Eared Grebe
(Podiceps nigricollis)
1825 Early south (median 4/11) 4/10–12 Hennepin (max. 6, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) DWK, m.ob., 4/12 Scott MSw. Early north (median 4/20) 4/12 Grant RAE, m.ob., 4/15 Clay PBB, 4/21 Morrison FGo. High counts 5/6 Lac qui Parle (25, Salt Lake) ASu, LiH, 5/20 Polk (22, East Grand Forks W.T.P.) SAu.
Western Grebe
(Aechmophorus occidentalis)
1529 Early south (median 4/10) 4/24 Blue Earth ChH, m.ob., Rice TFB, 4/25 Faribault (Wells W.T.P.) 4/25–26 Anoka MAJ, RMD, m.ob., and from Brown, Carver, Hennepin on 4/26. Early north (median 4/20) 4/24 Polk SAu, 4/25 Otter Tail JsS, 4/27 Grant (2) MO. High count 5/22 Grant (40, North Ottawa Impoundment) ASu.
Clark's Grebe
(Aechmophorus clarkii)
No reports.
Pigeons, Doves
Rock Pigeon
(Columba livia)
3453 Reported from every county. High count 3/1 Ramsey (800, Fish Hatchery Lake) LiH.
Eurasian Collared-Dove
(Streptopelia decaocto)
1751 Found in most counties southwest of a line from Roseau to Chisago. High counts 4/16 Stevens (11) AaL, 3/31 Lyon (10) GWe.
Mourning Dove
(Zenaida macroura)
3353 Found statewide. High counts 4/1 Chisago (23) JSa, 5/3 Crow Wing (22) JLA, 5/21 Nobles (22, Lake Bella) DAk,
Cuckoos
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
(Coccyzus americanus)
629 Early south (median 5/15) 5/8–15 Ramsey DSh, LiH. 5/13 Washington DSh. All north 5/22 Grant ASu, LiH, 5/24 Morrison SEm, 5/25 Red Lake CRM, m.ob., 5/27 Douglas JPE, 5/28 Becker WPl, 5/31 Itasca RyS. High counts 5/26 Steele (4, Somerset Twp.) PSu, 5/27 Rock (4, Blue Mounds S.P.) LiH.
Black-billed Cuckoo
(Coccyzus erythropthalmus)
2224 Early south (median 5/9) 5/7 Washington JLe, 5/9 Meeker PKF, 5/10 Anoka RCl. Early north (median 5/16) 5/17 Douglas RAE, 5/18 Becker PBk, Clearwater DMz, m.ob., and from Clay, Crow Wing, Kanabec, Otter Tail on 5/20. High counts 5/26 Cass (5, Deep Portage Learning Center) JSt.
Nightjars
Common Nighthawk
(Chordeiles minor)
2643 Early south (median 5/3) 4/24 Anoka DPG, 4/28–5/1 Hennepin CRM, JmM, 5/2 Dakota DEv, Olmsted JPr. Early north (median 5/11) 5/10–11 Morrison (max. 2) KEm, SEm, Otter Tail (2) JsS, 5/14 Aitkin PEJ. High counts 5/22 Anoka (50, Old Game Farm Rd.) ebd, 5/16 Hennepin (35, Normandale Lake Park) DGu.
Eastern Whip-poor-will
(Antrostomus vociferus)
1014 Early south (median 4/29) 4/30 Kandiyohi DOr, JoS, 4/30–5/2 Washington (3) LMS, m.ob., 5/2 Hennepin ebd, Wright ToL. Early north 5/2–8 Crow Wing PSP, m.ob., 5/9 St. Louis (2) SLF. High count 5/4 Washington (5, Grey Cloud Dunes S.N.A.) ASu, LiH.
Swifts
Chimney Swift
(Chaetura pelagica)
3151 Early south (median 4/21) 4/22–23 Hennepin KvB, RTu, 4/26 Rice JhB, 4/27 Washington BDo. Early north (median 5/2) 4/25 Otter Tail (2) ebd, 5/1 Carlton ebd, St. Louis (8, W.S.H.C.) FJN, m.ob., 5/3 Crow Wing (2) JhH. High count 5/22 Dakota (1,000, Rosemount Middle School) MwT.
Hummingbirds
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
(Archilochus colubris)
3248 Early south (median 5/1) 4/25 Stearns FGo, 5/1 Dakota ebd, 5/1 Goodhue PEJ, Mower RJW, Olmsted JPr, Rice TFB. Early north (median 5/5) 5/5 Becker ebd, Todd SDi, 5/6 Clay KaS, Grant PPe, 5/6 Morrison SEm, Otter Tail WPl. High count 5/29 Lake (20, Wolf Ridge E.L.C.) ebd.
Rails, Gallinules, Coots
Virginia Rail
(Rallus limicola)
2344 Early south (median 4/14) 4/22 Hennepin ASa, EzH, IsH, Washington ebd, Wright ToL. Early north (median 5/1) 5/2 St. Louis JLK, 5/3–5 Crow Wing (2) EGa, ABi, 5/5 Morrison SEm, Traverse CRM, m.ob. High count 5/6 Dakota (5, 140th St. Marsh) MwT.
Sora
(Porzana carolina)
3150 Early south (median 4/12) 4/7 Scott BBr, 4/22 Blue Earth ASu, LiH, Fillmore JWH, KEm, SHo, Jackson ASu, LiH. Early north (median 4/23) 4/29 Crow Wing ebd, 5/1 Crow Wing (different location) EGa, 5/1 Wadena RAE, 5/2 Douglas GLa, CRM, Morrison FGo. High count 5/6 Dakota (16, 140th St. Marsh, heard and seen) MwT.
Common Gallinule
(Gallinula galeata)
7 All south 4/30–5/6 Cottonwood (C.R. 16, Mountain Lake) JuJ, m.ob., 5/5–12 Wabasha (2, Whitewater W.M.A.) JWH, m.ob., 5/6 Hennepin (Bass Ponds) KRo, 5/8 Wright (Albion W.M.A.) HHD, ToL, 5/12–21 Chippewa KRE, m.ob., 5/13–15 Freeborn (Arrowhead Point C.P.) RAE, HHD, 5/22 Cottonwood (Bat Lake) DAk, 5/26–28 Sherburne (Big Bluestem Pool) JCC, RCl.
American Coot
(Fulica americana)
3153 Overwinted in Goodhue and Scott. Early south migrants (median 3/1) 3/1 Hennepin DWK, 3/3 Nobles BAb, 3/4 Chippewa DWK. Early north (median 3/23) 3/4 Douglas (Goose Park) BEc, Otter Tail (Fergus Falls) WPl, 3/25 Clay (Lake Fifteen) PBB, Traverse DLP. High counts 4/28 Lac qui Parle (3,000, Big Stone N.W.R.) MwT, 4/26 Dakota (2,000, Big Rivers Overlook) BBr.
Yellow Rail
(Coturnicops noveboracensis)
33 All south 4/26 Rice TFB, 5/2 Redwood (flushed during a prescribed burn) BRB, 5/28 Yellow Medicine (Fortier Twp.) ASu. All north 5/7 Wilken (Rothsay) SKS, 5/24–28 Aitkin (high count 3, McGregor Marsh) ASu, KiH, JmP, 5/25 Roseau (Roseau River W.M.A.) CAs.
Cranes
Sandhill Crane
(Antigone canadensis)
3448 First south migrants appeared in February in 5 counties. Early north (median 3/17) 3/3Morrison (2, Pondarosa) SEm, 3/4 Wadena FGo, MJB, 3/5 Douglas (5) BEc. High counts 4/25 Becker (153, Fig Lake) ShG, HeH, 3/19 Olmsted (120, Silver Creek Reservoir) JoP.
Stilts, Avocets
BLACK-NECKED STILT
(Himantopus mexicanus)
16 One north report 5/4–12 Grant (1, North Ottawa Impoundment) BMu, ph. †WPl, m.ob. All south reports 5/4–5 Olmsted (max. 4, South Landfill Reservoir) ph. LHv, m.ob., 5/5 Swift (5, Murdock W.T.P.) †HCT, 5/18 Nicollet (2, 701st St./C.R. 21) †RBW, RAE, MiO, 5/18 Watonwan (320th St., Madelia) ph. †DFe, 5/18 Lyon ph. NMe, ph. GWe, 5/27 Wright (Pelican Lake) ph. ToL, m.ob.
American Avocet
(Recurvirostra americana)
1118 Early south (median 4/15) 4/11–13 Lyon NMe, RJS, 4/20 Big Stone (max. 3) DOr, m.ob. Early north (median 4/29) 4/18 Clay TCL, 4/19 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) WPl, REn. High counts 5/1 Lyon (72, 160th St., near Balaton) ph. GWe. First county record 4/23 Beltrami DPJ, ph. REn.
Plovers
Black-bellied Plover
(Pluvialis squatarola)
1113 Early south (median 4/30) 4/30–5/4 Yellow Medicine (Cottonwood) GWe, 5/3–4 Cottonwood (max.3) RAE, HHD, LHl, 5/4 Lyon (Lone Tree Lake) GWe. Early north (median 5/16) 5/8–16 St. Louis (2, Park Point) NWn, JLK, KCo, 5/14 Norman (2) DBz, ANy, 5/16 Becker NaH, Grant (2, North Ottawa Impoundment) RJS. High counts 5/22 Grant (12, North Ottawa Impoundment) WPl, ASu, 5/21 St. Louis (11, Park Point) JPR. Late south 5/28 Steele JCC, m.ob., 5/30 Yellow Medicine GWe (median 6/7). Late north 5/29 St. Louis GJa, 5/30 Traverse (2) ASu (median 6/5). See summer report for latest migrants statewide.
American Golden-Plover
(Pluvialis dominica)
628 Early south (median 4/5) 4/7 Rock ASu, LiH, 4/22 Cottonwood ASu, LiH, Dakota (4) KDS. Early north (median 5/5) 4/28–5/16 Grant (max. 5, North Ottawa Impoundment) ToR, RJS, m.ob., 5/19 St. Louis NWn. JWz. High counts 5/1 Redwood (280, north of Sanborn.) WCM, 5/18 Big Stone (86, west of Graceville) HCT. Late south 5/28–31 Redwood DWK, RBW, 5/28 Steele JWH, m.ob., Wright MJB, m.ob., 5/29 Dodge RBW (median 6/8). Late north 5/27–28 St. Louis (max.2) JPR, JWd, 5/31 Marshall (3) ebd.
Killdeer
(Charadrius vociferus)
3453 Reported from all 87 counties. Early migrants in 7 south counties in the last week of February (median 3/1). Early north (median 3/15) 3/22 Douglas BEc, 3/23 Todd TLu, 3/23–24 Morrison KnM, m.ob., 3/24 Cass DoH. High counts 4/17 Nicollet (100) ChH, 3/28 Redwood (38) NMe.
Semipalmated Plover
(Charadrius semipalmatus)
2137 Early south (median 4/20) 4/22–24 Dakota/Goodhue (max. 2) m.ob., 4/25 Kandiyohi RBW, and in Brown, Fillmore, Lac qui Parle on 4/28. Early north (median 5/8) 4/28 Becker NRa, 4/29 Grant (2) ASu, LiH, 4/30 Crow Wing HHD. High count 5/10 Lyon (48, Lone Tree Lake) PCC. See summer report for late migrants statewide.
Piping Plover
(Charadrius melodus)
No reports.
Sandpipers
Upland Sandpiper
(Bartramia longicauda)
918 Early south (median 4/26) 5/2 Yellow Medicine (6) WCM, 5/3 Big Stone DLP, Cottonwood (2) RAE. Early north (median 5/3) 5/5 Clay BCo, Traverse CRM, m.ob., 5/6 Grant CRM, m.ob., Polk SAS, St. Louis ebd. High count 5/20 Clay (9, Felton Prairie) LiH. Notable report: 5/28 Steele DAB, KEm.
Whimbrel
(Numenius phaeopus)
4 No south reports. Reported north in St. Louis from 5/13 (3) FJN through 5/31 DyL, but also see summer report. Also found north 5/19 Lake (6, Two Harbors) JCa, 5/22 Grant (11, North Ottawa Impoundment) DBz, ANy, m.ob., 5/26 Red Lake (4, gravel pit in extreme southwest corner of county) fide JMJ, m.ob. High count 5/20 St. Louis (28, Park Point R.A.) HHD, RAE.
Hudsonian Godwit
(Limosa haemastica)
718 Early south (median 4/19) 4/12 Rock HHD, 4/20–22 Big Stone DOr, m.ob., 4/22 Nicollet BAb. Early north (median 5/13) 4/21–22 Grant WPl, REn, 5/14 Clay DBz, ANy, Norman DBz, ANy. High counts 5/3 Big Stone (8, Hwy 75 & C.R. 4) CRM, 5/10 Lyon (7, Lone Tree Lake.) PCC, 5/19 Big Stone (6, C.R. 28) PEB. Late south 5/22 Stevens RAE, ASu, 5/25 Lyon (2) GWe, 5/29 Kandiyohi (2) JWd (median 5/31). Late north 5/21–25 Red Lake (near Plummer) REn, m.ob., 5/25 Roseau CAs, 5/28 Grant JmP (median 5/31).
Marbled Godwit
(Limosa fedoa)
1518 Early south (median 4/12) 4/20 Big Stone (6) DOr, ASu, LiH, Jackson KEm, Lac qui Parle DLP. Early north (median 4/12) 4/19 Grant (14) REn, 4/20 Polk REn, Wilkin BAn. High counts 5/28 Clay (24, Felton Prairie) ebd, 5/16 Wright (18) ToL.
Ruddy Turnstone
(Arenaria interpres)
1516 Exceptional season for this species. Early south (median 5/11) 5/4 Faribault PEJ, 5/5–7 Lyon (southwest of Marshall) NMe, m.ob. 5/9–15 Lyon (Lone Tree Lake) RJS, m.ob. Early north (median 5/14) 5/12 St. Louis JfD, ClN, 5/14 St. Louis JDx, KCo. High counts 5/21 Nobles (31, Worthington; one of the highest counts away from Lake Superior) DAk, 5/25 Crow Wing (18, Garrison) RPR. Notable record 5/18–27 Koochiching (rice paddies, Shooks Twp.) DBz, ANy, m.ob. Late south 5/29 Washington PNi, 5/30 Stearns HHD, PCC (median 6/1). Late north 5/31 Hubbard REn, Marshall ebd (median 6/4). Also see summer report for late migrants north and south.
RED KNOT
(Calidris canutus)
2 All north 5/18 St. Louis (12, Park Point R.A.) StK, 5/21 St. Louis (1, Park Point, Dune Bridge) JPR, 5/26–27 Cook (Naniboujou Lodge) ph. †DFN, ANy, BWF, 5/30 St. Louis (location?) FGo, BAb, 5/31 St. Louis (1, mouth of Miller Creek) ArL, m.ob., (2, Minnesota Point) ebd. Also see summer report.
RUFF
(Calidris pugnax)
1 An adult male was the first record in three years 4/25 Big Stone (Artichoke Twp.) ph. †DLP.
Stilt Sandpiper
(Calidris himantopus)
826 Early south (median 5/3) 5/1 Carver ANy, 5/1–5 Kandiyohi SGa, m.ob., 5/2–3 Meeker MJB, BNn. Early north (median 5/14) 5/12 Grant (2, North Ottawa Impoundment) WPl, 5/14 Todd (3) JLK, 5/17 Grant (2, North Ottawa Impoundment) WCM. High counts 5/21 Nobles (11, Worthington) DAk, 5/22 Otter Tail (11, C.R. 15 and 150th St.) ANy, 5/19 Kanabec (10, Grass Lake Twp.) SPS. Late south 5/30 Lyon GWe, 5/31 Blue Earth (3) RAE, RBW; also see summer report (median 6/4). Late north 5/26–28 Koochiching EzH, JMJ, m.ob., 5/28 Grant JmP, 5/30 Traverse ASu (median 6/1).
CURLEW SANDPIPER
(Calidris ferruginea)
1 An adult male in alternate plumage was the fourth state record 5/8–9 Lyon (Lone Tree Lake) ph. †GWe, ph. †NMe, †RMD, †EzH, ph. IsH, †REn.
Sanderling
(Calidris alba)
1015 Early south (median 5/4) 5/5 Wabasha REn, m.ob., 5/5–9 Lyon (max. 24) VKl, m.ob., 5/6 Watonwan (20, Madelia) ASu, LiH. Early north (median 5/11) 5/5–14 Grant GJa, KRE, m.ob., 5/14 Morrison FGo, St. Louis KCo, JDx, Todd JLK. High count 5/19 St. Louis (48, Park Point R.A.) JuW. See summer report for late migrants both north and south.
Dunlin
(Calidris alpina)
2438 Early south (median 4/16) 4/22 Watonwan ANy, DBz, 4/23 Dakota PEJ, 4/24 Dodge RBW, BAb. Early north (median 5/10) 4/19–29 Grant (max. 15, North Ottawa Impoundment) REn, m.ob. High counts 5/18 Wright (196, Pelican Lake) RCl, 5/21 Lyon (approx. 150, Marshall) GWe. See summer report for late migrants statewide.
Baird's Sandpiper
(Calidris bairdii)
1124 Early south (median 4/5) 3/29 Yellow Medicine (13) GWe, 4/12 Rock HHD, 4/21 Dakota AJF. Early north (median 4/27) 4/20 Grant RAE. First north reports away from Grant: 4/30 Todd (4) TLu, 5/1 Morrison FGo. High count 5/7 Lyon (140, Lone Tree Lake) GWe. Late south 5/30 Big Stone ASu, Dakota JPr, Lyon GWe, Yellow Medicine GWe (median 6/3). Late north 5/26–28 Koochiching (2, near Northome) EzH, IsH, DOr, MJB, 5/28 Grant JmP, 5/30 Traverse ASu (median 6/2). Also see summer report for late migrants north and south.
Least Sandpiper
(Calidris minutilla)
3048 Early south (median 4/10) 4/21 Scott BHe, 4/22 Lyon (2) GWe, 4/23 Kandiyohi (2) RAE. Early north (median 5/4) began with numerous reports from Grant starting 4/20 LiH, ASu; other north reports starting 4/29 Douglas JPE, 5/2 Morrison FGo. High count 5/10 Lyon (735, Lone Tree Lake.) PCC. See summer report for late migrants statewide.
White-rumped Sandpiper
(Calidris fuscicollis)
1534 Early south (median 4/30) 4/25 Renville RBJ, ASu, LiH, 5/1 Dakota PEJ, 5/2 Redwood HHD. Early north (median 5/14) 5/1 Morrison FGo, 5/4–5 Grant BMu, GJa, 5/9 Crow Wing JLK. High count 5/30 Lyon (122, Lone Tree Lake) GWe. See summer report for late migrants statewide.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
(Calidris subruficollis)
1 Single bird observed 5/30 Lyon (Lone Tree Lake) ph. GWe.
Pectoral Sandpiper
(Calidris melanotos)
1948 Early south (median 4/1) 3/24 Yellow Medicine GWe, 3/30 Ramsey ASu, LiH, 4/11 Houston ASu. Earliest north reports (median 4/14) were from North Ottawa Impoundment in Grant 4/20 ASu, LiH; subsequent north reports 4/23 Crow Wing (6) JhH, LnH, 4/24 Pine KrM. High count 5/7 Lyon (265, Lone Tree Lake) GWe. See summer report for late south migrants. Late north 5/27 Koochiching (2) EzH, REn, m.ob., Marshall NWi, 5/28 Polk SAu, 5/30 Traverse (2) ASu (median 6/6), but also see summer report.
Semipalmated Sandpiper
(Calidris pusilla)
2241 Early south (median 4/16) 4/11 Big Stone DLP, 4/21 Scott (7) BHe, 4/24 Dakota BAb. Early north (median 5/4) reports from North Ottawa Impoundment in Grant starting 4/20 ASu, LiH, m.ob.; first report away from this location 5/5 Traverse KRE, CRM, m.ob. High counts 5/24 Stearns (111, total from Getchell Lake and Albany W.T.P.) PCC, 5/9 Lyon (100, Lone Tree Lake) IsH, EzH. See summer report for late migrants north and south.
WESTERN SANDPIPER
(Calidris mauri)
1 A single bird was discovered 5/1 Dakota (Lake Byllesby) †PEJ.
Short-billed Dowitcher
(Limnodromus griseus)
1626 Early south (median 4/29) 5/1 Meeker TNe, 5/2 Faribault WAF. Early north (median 5/12) reports starting 5/1 Morrison (2) DOr, FGo, 5/4 Grant BMu. High count 5/8 Lyon (45, Lone Tree Lake) NMe. Late south 5/28 Redwood DWK, Sibley DWK, Wright MJB, EzH, m.ob. (median 5/31). Late north 5/26–27 Koochiching (2) EzH, MJB, m.ob., 5/28 Grant (2) JmP (median 5/27). Note: Reports of Short-billed Dowitchers prior to 1 May without details are not published in these Seasonal Reports. (See The Loon 89:160–161.)
Long-billed Dowitcher
(Limnodromus scolopaceus)
625 Early south (median 4/18) 4/22 Lyon (2, southwest of Cottonwood) GWe, 4/24 Lyon (2, Black Rush Lake W.P.A.) RJS, 4/30 Lyon (24, Lone Tree Lake) GWe, Waseca RAE. Early north (median 5/6) 4/30 Wadena ANy, 5/1–5 Morrison (max. 4) FGo, m.ob., 5/2 Todd TLu. High counts 5/1 Carver (68, total from two locations along S.R. 25) ANy, JWZ, 5/3 Cottonwood (55, Talcot Lake State W.M.A.) LHl. Late south 5/16 McLeod BHa, 5/19 Kandiyohi (2) JWd, 5/22 Stevens RAE (median 5/19). Late north 5/14–15 Morrison FGo, 5/17 Grant (3) ebd, m.ob.
American Woodcock
(Scolopax minor)
2442 Early south (median 3/13) 3/19 Rice TFB, 3/23 Hennepin JMn, Houston (2) KnM, ASu, LiH. Early north (median 3/26) 3/23 Becker ebd, 3/26 Cass BEc, 3/31 Morrison KEm. High counts 5/5 St. Louis (13, Birch Lake Road) NLM, 5/3 Washington (10, William O'Brien S.P.) BDo, 5/13 Anoka (10, Carlos Avery W.M.A.) ELC, RMD.
Wilson's Snipe
(Gallinago delicata)
3351 Probably overwintering were individuals 3/3–5 Hennepin ASu, LiH, m.ob., 3/4 Scott KvM, CAs. Early south migrants (median 3/22) 3/23 Olmsted (7) LiH, KnM, ASu. Early north (median 3/31) 4/21 Morrison SEm, St. Louis (2) ebd, 4/22 Clay TCL. High count 4/11 Houston (53, Reno Twp.) ASu.
Spotted Sandpiper
(Actitis macularius)
3353 Early south (median 4/19) 4/22 Yellow Medicine GWe, 4/23 Dakota JLA, Meeker ebd, Mower SWm. Early north (median 4/29) 4/30 Crow Wing HHD, Morrison ANy. High counts 5/25 St. Louis (24, Park Point R.A.) JLK, 5/12 Wright (21, Pelican Lake) RCl.
Solitary Sandpiper
(Tringa solitaria)
2148 Early south (median 4/18) 4/22 Dakota LEC, SOa, Houston KEm, SHo, JWH, 4/23 Brown ARW, Scott BHe. Early north (median 4/29) 4/23 St. Louis StK. First north reports away from St. Louis 4/30 Morrison FGo, 5/1 Carlton (2) ebd, Douglas ToR. High counts 5/6 Dakota (10, Rosemount) MwT, 5/9 St. Louis (10, Western Waterfront Trail) JfD. Late south 5/22 Goodhue DAT, Stevens ASu, 5/29 Stearns REn (median 6/1). Late north 5/30 Traverse (3) ASu, 5/31 Crow Wing ebd (median 6/2), but also see summer report for later north migrants.
Lesser Yellowlegs
(Tringa flavipes)
3353 Early south (median 3/29) 3/22 Lac qui Parle DOr, 4/4–11 Houston SHo, m.ob., 4/11 Lyon (4) GWe, NMe, Winona ASu. Earliest north reports (median 4/6) were from Grant 4/19–24 (North Ottawa Impoundment, max. 20) REn, m.ob.; subsequent north reports 4/21 Hubbard REn, 4/22 Mille Lacs ABL. High count 5/7 Lyon (415, Lone Tree Lake) GWe. Late south 5/30 Lyon GWe, Yellow Medicine (2) GWe (median 6/8). Also see summer report for another late south and many late north migrants.
Willet
(Tringa semipalmata)
1329 Early south (median 4/23) 4/22 Cottonwood ASu, LiH, Lyon NMe, 4/24 Big Stone DLP. Early north (median 4/30) 4/20–22 Grant ASu, LiH, m.ob., 4/24 Otter Tail NaH, 4/30 St. Louis (3) ClN, m.ob. High counts 5/1 Blue Earth (104, total from two separate flocks) ChH. Late south 5/23 Ramsey DnS, 5/25 Lyon (2) GWe, 5/28 Stearns PCC (median 5/28). Late north 5/25 Grant MO, Red Lake CRM, m.ob., Roseau CAs (median 6/1).
Greater Yellowlegs
(Tringa melanoleuca)
2951 Early south (median 3/24) 3/23–26 (C.R. 21) Houston KnM, m.ob. 4/6–7 Houston (max. 9, Reno Twp.) ASu, LiH, m.ob., 4/10 Cottonwood LHl, Lyon GWe, Scott (2) RiC. Early north (median 4/7) 4/12–21 Grant (max. 32) RAE, m.ob. 4/21 Crow Wing (2) LnH, Hubbard (2) REn, St. Louis (3) StK, Wadena (3) PJB. High count 5/6 Watonwan (70, Madelia) ASu, LiH. Late south 5/28 Lac qui Parle (2) DLP, Rock GWe, ASu, Stearns PCC (median 6/3). Late north 5/28 Grant ebd, Pennington NaH, GLa, Polk GLa, 5/30 Traverse (5) ASu (median 6/2).
Wilson's Phalarope
(Phalaropus tricolor)
2837 Early south (median 4/22) 4/22–25 Lyon (max. 2) GWe, m.ob., 4/23 Lac qui Parle DLP, 4/25 Big Stone DLP. Early north (median 4/29) 4/20 Polk REn, 4/29 Clay (2) ToL, 5/1 Cass REn, Morrison (3) DOr, Polk SAu, Todd (2) RAE. High counts 5/2 Lac qui Parle (71, Pegg Lake/Yellow Bank S.N.A.) WCM, 5/6 Lac qui Parle (60, Salt Lake) ASu, LiH.
Red-necked Phalarope
(Phalaropus lobatus)
1214 Early south (median 5/12) 5/5 Stearns (3) SEm, 5/6 Lac qui Parle ASu, LiH, 5/9 Lyon MJB, m.ob. Early north (median 5/17) 5/14 Otter Tail fide JMJ, 5/16 Grant (max. 12) RJS, WPl, Kittson DBz, ANy. High counts 5/28 Lyon (42, Russell) GWe, 5/14 Lac qui Parle (25, Salt Lake) JH. Notable record 5/24–25 Washington (Pioneer Drive Reservoir) SPS, m.ob. Late south 5/31 Lac qui Parle StK, but also see summer report (median 6/3). Late north 5/27 Marshall WCM, m.ob., Pennington (max. 19) KRE, m.ob., 5/29 Pennington LS, 5/30 Traverse (2) ASu (median 6/2).
Jaegers
Parasitic Jaeger
(Stercorarius parasiticus)
1 A light-morph adult was seen 5/23–25 St. Louis (mouth of Miller Creek) JLK, m.ob.
Gulls, Terns
Bonaparte's Gull
(Chroicocephalus philadelphia)
2952 Early south (median 4/1) 4/9–10 Dakota DVe, MiT, 4/11 Faribault (3) BAy, Lyon NMe, GWe, Rice (3) DAB. Early north (median 4/12) 4/20–22 Grant (max. 14) LiH, ASu, m.ob., 4/21 Morrison FGo, 4/22 Clay TCL, Kanabec ABL. High counts 5/16 St. Louis (2,600, counted by 10s, Park Point R.A.) KRE, JLK, 5/7 St. Louis (2,005, Park Point R.A.) JLK. Late south 5/18 Washington (3) ebd, 5/19–22 Pope (max. 3) VKl, m.ob., 5/20 Hennepin ebd (median 6/1). Late north 5/29 Pennington LS, St. Louis (13) JLK, 5/30 Traverse ASu, 5/31 Crow Wing (4) JnP (median 6/14). Also see summer report for more late migrants statewide.
Little Gull
(Hydrocoloeus minutus)
1 All reports were of adults from Duluth in St. Louis County: 5/4 (Park Point R.A.) TRd, 5/7 (Leif Erikson Park) ClN, JDx, 5/12 (2, Park Point R.A.) LiH, ClN, ASu, 5/13 (W.S.H.C.) JPR, m.ob., 5/16 (Western Waterfront Trail) JLK.
Franklin's Gull
(Leucophaeus pipixcan)
2233 Early south (median 3/25) 3/24 Ramsey (2) BBr, 3/28 Hennepin JBs, 3/29 Rice TFB. Early north (median 4/9) 3/28 Grant EGa, 4/18 Clay TCL, 4/21 Grant (10) EGa, 4/22 Otter Tail GO, Polk (17, East Grand Forks) SAu, (2, Brandt-Angus Impoundment) JCJ. High counts 5/26 Lyon (108, Sham Lake) GWe, 5/19 Polk (94, Tilden Twp.) ebd.
Ring-billed Gull
(Larus delawarensis)
3353 See winter report for early south migrants. Early north migrants (median 3/9) 3/2 Lake (2) JlB, ABm, 3/3 St. Louis ASu, LiH, 3/4 Lake (14) ASu, LiH, St. Louis (2) BEA. High count 4/10 Dakota (10,000, Spring Lake) DnS, m.ob.
Herring Gull
(Larus argentatus)
2642 Overwintered north; early south migrants appeared in February. High counts all from the Knife River Marina in Lake County: 5/1 (590) SLL, JWL, 3/10 (580) JLK.
Iceland Gull
(Larus glaucoides)
11 All south 4/11 Winona ASu. Overwintered in St. Louis and Lake. High counts 3/27 St. Louis (2, adult and third-cycle at W.S.H.C.) ClN, JDx. Latest north 4/21 St. Louis (adult, W.S.H.C.) JPR, FJN. No explicit reports to the subspecies level.
Lesser Black-backed Gull
(Larus fuscus)
24 All south 3/27–31 Winona (presumed third-cycle, Lake Winona) ph. DBz, ph. JPr, m.ob., 4/11 Rice (King Mill Dam) DAB, m.ob., 4/12–15 Winona (third-cycle, Lake Winona) EzH, ph. IsH, m.ob., 4/13–15 Winona (first-cycle, Lake Winona) ph. DBz, 4/29 Isanti (adult, C.R. 8) ANy, 5/4–5 Stearns (third-cycle, Millwood Twp.) MJB, †PCC, m.ob. All north 4/17 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) HHD, RAE, 5/12 St. Louis (Interstate Island W.M.A.) ASu, LiH, 5/19 St. Louis (adult, Superior Entry) NWn, 5/27–28 St. Louis (adult, Duluth) ClN, JPR.
Glaucous Gull
(Larus hyperboreus)
12 Overwintered north along the North Shore, with high count 3/27 St. Louis (5, W.S.H.C.) FJN, m.ob. Late north 4/21 St. Louis (2, W.S.H.C.) FJN, JPR, 4/23 St. Louis (W.S.H.C.) JPR, FJN, 5/16 St. Louis (imm., W.S.H.C.) FJN (median 4/27). All south 3/3 Dakota (Lake Rebecca P.R.) DVe, 4/15 Ramsey (flying over Chatham Open Space) LiH.
Great Black-backed Gull
(Larus marinus)
1 All reports were of singles in Duluth, St. Louis County, beginning 3/3 (mouth of Lester River) ASu, LiH, except for 3/21–22 (2 adults, Duluth Port Terminal) KnM, ASu, FJN. Late north 4/10 (adult, W.S.H.C.) FJN, and then over a month later an adult was found 5/27 (W.S.H.C.) ph. EBr.
Caspian Tern
(Hydroprogne caspia)
2129 Early south (median 4/24) 4/23–26 Hennepin (max. 4) WFe, m.ob., 4/26 Dakota MwT, Ramsey (3) DnS, MWS. Early north (median 5/1) 4/24 St. Louis BMu, StK, 4/29 Hubbard REn, Morrison ANy. High counts 5/17 Scott (90, Prior Lake) BHe, 5/5 Cass (81, Longville W.T.P.) ebd.
Black Tern
(Chlidonias niger)
2440 Early south (median 4/30) 5/1 Blue Earth ChH, Scott (3) RiC, 5/2 Lac qui Parle WCM, Olmsted JWH, m.ob. Early north (median 5/8) 5/5 Grant (3) GUn, 5/11 Otter Tail (2) WPl, Polk (3) SAu. High counts 5/13 Lac qui Parle (1, 100, Big Stone N.W.R.) KRE, 5/14 Lyon (350, Sham Lake) StK, 5/21 Yellow Medicine (116, Miedd Lake) GWe.
Common Tern
(Sterna hirundo)
1923 Early south (median 4/27) 4/28–5/1 Hennepin (max. 12) ADi, m.ob., 5/2 Olmsted (max. 6) JmP, JoP. Early north (median 5/2) 5/4 St. Louis TRd, 5/5 Otter Tail RTo. High counts 5/22 St. Louis (580, Superior Entry) KRE, 5/19 St. Louis (300, Park Point R.A.) StK. Notable record 5/9 Watonwan (3, Madelia) ANy. Late south 5/28 Olmsted (4) MiD, Scott BHe, Sibley (5) RBW, m.ob., 5/30 Sherburne (2) ebd (median 6/1).
Forster's Tern
(Sterna forsteri)
2547 Early south (median 4/10) 4/18 Hennepin JMn, 4/20 Benton HHD, BEA, Lac qui Parle (4) DOr, (5) ASu, LiH, Lyon GWe, Stearns HHD. Early north (median 4/19) 4/20–23 Grant RAE, m.ob., 4/23 Beltrami DPJ, m.ob. High counts 5/8 Redwood (34, Westline W.M.A.) WCM, 5/7 Carver (29, Lake Waconia) WCM.
Loons
Red-throated Loon
(Gavia stellata)
1 All reports were from St. Louis County where first found (median 5/8) 4/17 (Stoney Point) JWL, 4/29–5/2 (2, Park Point Nature Trail) NWn, 5/2 St. Louis (1, Park Point) JLK. High counts 5/7 (29, Park Point, Beach House) JPR, JDx, ClN, 5/22 (22, Park Point R.A.) JLK, Last reports 5/26 (2) RBW, KSz, 5/27 (3) JWd, 5/28 (22) JLK (median 6/12). Reports continued into the summer season.
Pacific Loon
(Gavia pacifica)
1 Only report 5/7 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) JDx, JLK, ClN, JPR.
Common Loon
(Gavia immer)
3349 Early south (median 3/26) 3/18 Wabasha LiH, KnM, ASu, 3/20 Anoka ebd, Hennepin DEl. Early north (median 3/28) 4/4, 4/11 St. Louis (Canal Park) ebd, m.ob., 4/12 St. Louis (Brighton Beach) JPR, 4/13 Becker ShG, HeH, Pine (2) KrM. High counts 4/22 Washington (298, Afton Marina) DnS, m.ob., 4/23 Washington (200, Wolf Marina) JEc.
Cormorants
Double-crested Cormorant
(Nannopterum auritum)
3353 Early south (median 3/14) 3/9–10 (max. 2) Ramsey BAF, 3/16 Kandiyohi RAE, 3/17 Dakota (3) ebd, Goodhue KDS, Pope AaL, Stearns (2) AaL. Early north (median 3/30) 3/26–4/12 Otter Tail (max. 70) WPl, m.ob., 4/12 Grant (max. 14) CRM, m.ob., St. Louis (max. 10) JLK, m.ob. High counts 5/26 Meeker (870, Pigeon Lake) PLJ, 4/23 Washington (600, Wolf Marina) JEc.
Pelicans
American White Pelican
(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
3153 Early south (median 3/16) 3/13 Hennepin (7) GVa, 3/14 Freeborn RBW, 3/17 Big Stone DLP, Swift (4) KnM, ASu, LiH, Wabasha (24) CBv. Early north (median 4/4) 4/11–12 Douglas (100) CRM, m.ob., 4/12 Clay (28) NKu, Grant RAE, (10) CRM, Morrison (35) NMe, Polk (2) NKu. High counts 4/6 Houston (1,200, Lawrence Lake) SHo, 4/30 Pope (1,000, Brooten) DOr.
Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons
American Bittern
(Botaurus lentiginosus)
2644 Early south (median 4/13) 4/10 Rice TFB, 4/12 Hennepin ebd, Ramsey ebd. Early north (median 4/17) 4/25 Aitkin EGa, 4/28 Pine JCC, 4/30 Lake of the Woods ebd. High count 5/13 Anoka (14, Carlos Avery W.M.A.) RMD, ELC.
Least Bittern
(Ixobrychus exilis)
915 Early south (median 5/11) 5/5 Olmsted (Kalmar Reservoir) ASu, LiH, Wabasha (4, season high count, Whitewater W.M.A.) ASu, LiH, 5/6 Jackson DAk, m.ob. All north 5/11–13 Otter Tail JsS, 5/12–13 Clearwater (Itasca S.P.) ebd, 5/16 Polk ebd, 5/22–28 Grant (max. 2, North Ottawa Impoundment) LiH, 5/26 Beltrami RAE, HHD, 5/28 Cook (Grand Portage W.T.P.) ANy, BWF, Marshall NWi, JCJ, 5/30 Traverse ASu, 5/31 Cass HHD.
Great Blue Heron
(Ardea herodias)
3153 Reported from all counties except Lake of the Woods, Norman, and Wilkin. Overwintered south in several counties. Early north (median 3/18) 3/20 Clearwater CoC, 3/22 Crow Wing (2) DMz, 3/23 Morrison ebd. High counts 5/9 Washington (90, Stillwater) JLe, 4/19 Hennepin (70, Marshall Terrace Park) GrS.
Great Egret
(Ardea alba)
2349 Early south (median 3/22) 3/10 Blue Earth JWg, 3/23–24 Hennepin MwT, m.ob., 3/25 Anoka ebd. Early north (median 4/1) 3/27 Crow Wing JhH, m.ob., 4/11–12 Otter Tail (max. 16) JsS, 4/12 Clay HeH, ShG, Douglas CRM, m.ob., Grant (max. 12) CRM, m.ob. High count 5/5–7 Otter Tail (150, Grotto Lake) ebd.
Snowy Egret
(Egretta thula)
210 All south 4/28–29 Lac qui Parle (Louisburg) BrT, m.ob., 5/1 Big Stone (3, Otrey Twp.) DLP, Hennepin (2, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) DGu, Watonwan, (Fieldon Twp.) ph. BTS, 5/3–23 Big Stone (south of Ortonville; max. 14, season high count, on 5/9–10 FGo, DLP) CRM, m.ob., 5/8 Meeker (2, Grove City) JWd, m.ob., Redwood (2, Westline W.M.A.) WCM, 5/10–11 Lac qui Parle (Dawson) PRH, m.ob., 5/19 Nicollet (C.R. 21) RBW, m.ob., 5/25 Lyon (Lone Tree Lake) GWe, 5/26 Big Stone (Hillman North W.P.A.) ASu, DLP, 5/28 Stearns (Albany W.T.P.) PCC, m.ob., 5/30 Pope (Blue Mounds W.P.A.) ASu. All north 4/22 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) WPl, m.ob., 4/25 Otter Tail (2) LYg, 5/25 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) MO.
Little Blue Heron
(Egretta caerulea)
1 Only reports: 5/26–29 Rock (immature, Luverne) ph. LKt, ph. †KEm.
Cattle Egret
(Bubulcus ibis)
315 All south 5/1 Lyon (375th St.) GWe, Redwood (2) BRB, 5/2 Lac qui Parle (U.S. 212 and 231st Ave.) WCM, Steele (Owatonna) PSu, m.ob., 5/3 Chippewa (Gneiss Outcrop S.N.A.) RZi, 5/3–4 Rice (max. 4, Faribault) DAB, m.ob., 5/5–6 Dakota (140th St. Marsh) GHo, m.ob., Jackson (Christiania W.P.A.) DAk, m.ob., Olmsted (Rochester) JmP, m.ob., 5/6 Lac qui Parle (Salt Lake) ASu, LiH, 5/6–8 Freeborn (C.R. 10) ANy, m.ob., 5/7 Brown (Milford Twp.) MiO, 5/9 Washington (165th St.) BRL, m.ob., 5/10 Yellow Medicine (Granite Falls) GWe, 5/11–12 Lac qui Parle (3, Rosen) KRE, m.ob., 5/12 Lyon (2, Cottonwood) GWe, m.ob., 5/18–19 Big Stone (C.R. 7) DLP, m.ob., 5/19 Nicollet (C.R. 23) ChH, APi, 5/26 Big Stone (12, season high, Hillman North W.P.A.) ASu. All north 5/4 Otter Tail (Grotto Lake) PSP, 5/9 Wilkin (Campbell) SDi, 5/25 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) MO.
Green Heron
(Butorides virescens)
2447 Early south (median 4/20) 4/22 Goodhue DnS, MWS, Hennepin ebd, 4/23 Chisago HHD, RAE. Early north (median 5/2) 4/30 Pine KrM, 5/2 Morrison FGo, 5/3 Carlton FKB, Crow Wing (max. 2) PSP, EGa. High counts 5/16 Hennepin (7) CMB, 5/19 Washington (6, Grey Cloud Dunes S.N.A.) GJa.
Black-crowned Night-Heron
(Nycticorax nycticorax)
626 Early south (median 4/1) 4/17 Big Stone DLP, 4/17–22 Hennepin (max. 4) CMB, m.ob., 4/22 Nicollet BAb. Earliest north reports (median 4/17) all from Fergus Falls in Otter Tail County starting 3/28 WPl. High counts 5/9 Otter Tail (12, Grotto Lake) JsS, 4/30 Hennepin (10, Veterans Memorial Park) SBM.
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
(Nyctanassa violacea)
No reports.
Ibises
White-faced Ibis
(Plegadis chihi)
39 Early south (median 4/24) 4/20 Big Stone (11) DOr, 4/22–25 Lac qui Parle (max. 11) ebd, DLP, RAE, 4/28 Jackson JJu, Lac qui Parle (2, Bellingham) JST, KeL, KSz. Late south 5/21 Lyon (2) NMe, GWe, Watonwan (max. 9) BTS, m.ob., 5/23 Jackson †KEm. All north 4/26 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) fide JMJ, 4/29 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) ASu, LiH, 5/3 Clay (Ulen Twp.) HeH, ShG. High count 5/9 Big Stone (19) FGo.
Plegadis ibis
(Plegadis sp.)
3 Three records: 5/5 Stearns †PCC, 5/6 Yellow Medicine TAT, 5/16 Faribault WAF.
New World Vultures
Turkey Vulture
(Cathartes aura)
3453 Early south (median 3/7) 3/3 Fillmore SPS, Mower SPS, 3/4 Freeborn DBz. Early north (median 3/24) 3/26 Pine KrM, 3/27 St. Louis FJN. Peak movement north in late April, as documented by high counts 4/23 St. Louis (343, W.S.H.C.) FJN, JPR, 4/20 St. Louis (300, W.S.H.C.) FJN, JPR, 4/21 St. Louis (272, W.S.H.C.) FJN, JPR.
Osprey
Osprey
(Pandion haliaetus)
2942 Early south (median 3/26) 3/25–4/2 Winona ebd, DBz, 4/3 Anoka DFe, 4/4 Stearns MtS. Early north (median 4/1) 4/13 Douglas CRM, SBE, Morrison (2) SEm, Pine KrM. High counts 5/2 St. Louis (38, W.S.H.C.) FJN, JPR, 4/30 St. Louis (37, W.S.H.C.) FJN, JPR.
Kites, Accipiters, Hawks, Eagles
Golden Eagle
(Aquila chrysaetos)
621 South reports in March and early April from 19 counties; last reports 4/19 Kandiyohi (2) SGa, 4/24 Meeker PKF, 5/13 Winona ABL (median 4/20). Frequent north reports throughout March with peak northbound movement in mid March and last reports 5/14 St. Louis (W.S.H.C.) FJN, JPR, 5/22 St. Louis (W.S.H.C.) FJN, 5/26 Becker ABL (median 5/4). Numerous tallies of multiple birds including a record high northbound count 3/16 St. Louis (25, W.S.H.C.) FJN.
Northern Harrier
(Circus hudsonius)
3453 Reported from every county. Overwintered south in multiple locations. Early north (median 3/10) 3/1 Pine KrM, 3/3 Becker ebd, 3/9 Clay MO, Otter Tail fide JMJ. High count 4/24 Polk (18, total from Rydell N.W.R., Glacial Ridge N.W.R., Red Lake Falls, and Lost Forty S.N.A.) REn.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
(Accipiter striatus)
2444 Reported south and north from the beginning of the season. High counts 5/2 St. Louis (353, W.S.H.C.) FJN, JPR, 5/3 St. Louis (317, W.S.H.C.) FJN.
Cooper's Hawk
(Accipiter cooperii)
2753 Early north (median 3/13) 3/3 Otter Tail JsS, 3/4 Morrison MJB, Todd FGo. High counts 4/20 Swift (7, Appleton) DOr, 4/19 St. Louis (5, W.S.H.C.) JPR, FJN.
American Goshawk
(Accipiter atricapillus)
103 All south 3/1–4/1 Hennepin (Brooklyn Park) RCo, m.ob., 3/11–4/19 Hennepin (Bloomington) DEl, 4/5 Blue Earth (Bethany Hawkwatch) BHW, 5/1 Meeker PKF. Unusual north report 3/9 Clay (Elkton Twp.) MO); also found north in Roseau, Clearwater, Beltrami, Itasca, Aitkin, Morrison, Pine, St. Louis, Lake.
Bald Eagle
(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
3453 Reported from every county. High counts 4/11 St. Louis (375, W.S.H.C.) FJN, 4/19 St. Louis (306, W.S.H.C.) JPR, FJN.
MISSISSIPPI KITE
(Ictinia mississippiensis)
1 Only report: 5/26 St. Louis (W.S.H.C.) †FJN.
Red-shouldered Hawk
(Buteo lineatus)
1232 Most reports from the Southeast, East-central, and Central regions. Probable earliest north migrants appeared in February. Notable records 3/23 Yellow Medicine (Miedd Lake) GWe, 4/2 Brown (Eden Twp.) BTS, 4/11 Pipestone(Pipestone N.M.) KDS.
Broad-winged Hawk
(Buteo platypterus)
2844 Early south (median 4/7) 4/11 Carver ebd, Faribault WAF, 4/12 Blue Earth BHW. Early north (median 4/11) 4/21 Crow Wing LnH, 4/22 Polk SAu, 4/23 Hubbard (3) REn, Pine KrM, St. Louis (61) JPR, FJN. Peak north movement in the first week of May, as documented by high counts at the W.S.H.C. in St. Louis County: 5/3 (4,169) FJN; 5/2 (3,253) FJN, JPR; 5/1 (2,433) FJN, JPR; 5/5 (2,248) FJN.
Swainson's Hawk
(Buteo swainsoni)
525 Early south (median 4/3) 4/10 Renville RJS, 4/16 Blue Earth (3) BHW, 4/23 Rock DBz, ANy. Early north (median 4/19) 4/20 Grant FGo, SEm, 4/21 St. Louis (2) JPR, FJN, 4/23 St. Louis FJN, JPR. High counts 4/16 Blue Earth (3) BHW, 5/2 Clay (3, near Felton) TCL.
Red-tailed Hawk
(Buteo jamaicensis)
3453 Found in all 87 counties. High counts 4/11 St. Louis (440, W.S.H.C.) FJN, 4/20 St. Louis (337, W.S.H.C.) JPR, FJN, 4/23 St. Louis (337, W.S.H.C.) FJN, JPR.
Rough-legged Hawk
(Buteo lagopus)
3353 High counts 4/7 Polk (123, Glacial Ridge N.W.R.) JCJ, SAu, 4/23 St. Louis (62, W.S.H.C.) FJN, JPR. Late south 5/7 Pipestone MKo, LKo, 5/12 Sherburne JGb, 5/14 Lac qui Parle JH (median 5/9). Late north 5/25 St. Louis (2) FJN, 5/26 Kittson KRE, m.ob., 5/27 Cook ebd (median 5/25).
Barn Owls
BARN OWL
(Tyto alba)
2 Documented 3/18+ Houston (Perkins Valley) a.t. †KAB and 4/11–16 Faribault †WAF.
Screech-Owls, Owls
Eastern Screech-Owl
(Megascops asio)
16 No north reports. Scattered reports all south of a line from Lac qui Parle to Washington. Two individuals noted as gray morphs, four as red morphs.
Great Horned Owl
(Bubo virginianus)
2248 Reported throughout the season and state. Adults on nests or with newly fledged young in 2 north and 11 south counties.
Snowy Owl
(Bubo scandiacus)
1515 High count 3/15–22 Hennepin (4, Cargo Road) ebd, DWK. Late south 4/25–26 Kandiyohi JWd, 5/18 Sherburne RCz, 5/29–31 Stearns PCC, m.ob. (median 4/4). Late north 4/20 Polk LnT, 5/10–12 Red Lake fide JMJ, 5/27 St. Louis (Port Terminal) MFu (median 4/20).
Northern Hawk Owl
(Surnia ulula)
3 Reported north in St. Louis from Sax-Zim Bog through 3/21 m.ob. Additional north reports 3/8 Itasca SC, 3/9 Clearwater TCL.
Barred Owl
(Strix varia)
2339 Found in almost every county northeast of a line from Faribault to Marshall, and also 3/3 Nobles BAb, 5/10 Jackson (Kilen Woods S.P.) BDo.
Great Gray Owl
(Strix nebulosa)
8 Found in Lake of the Woods, Hubbard, Cass, Itasca, Aitkin, Koochiching, St. Louis, Lake.
Long-eared Owl
(Asio otus)
69 Late south 4/12 Hennepin BAF, m.ob., 4/17 Ramsey VBC, 4/22 Yellow Medicine GWe. Also found south in Blue Earth, Carver, Dakota, Goodhue, Sibley, Wright. All north 3/11 St. Louis (Sax Zim Bog) ClN, 3/26 Cass BEc, 4/6 Crow Wing JLA, 4/13 Todd TLu, 4/22 St. Louis (Duluth) FJN, 4/30 Otter Tail ANy, 5/25 Roseau CAs.
Short-eared Owl
(Asio flammeus)
913 Found south in Brown, Hennepin, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Pipestone, Pope, Rice, Steele, Swift, Wright, Yellow Medicine; only report after April was 5/6 Lac qui Parle ASu, LiH. All north 4/4 Lake JPR, 4/12 Aitkin SC, 4/17 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) RAE, 4/19–20 Wilkin BAn, 4/21 Grant NaH, 4/23 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) StK, 4/26 Pennington fide JMJ, 4/27 Becker (Hamden Slough N.W.R.) NRa, 4/28 Clay ebd, 5/17 Becker (Hellicksen Prairie W.P.A.) SCh, 5/25 Roseau CAs, 5/31 St. Louis (Duluth) PHS.
Boreal Owl
(Aegolius funereus)
1 Irruption from the winter season lasted into the spring with all reports from St. Louis: 3/4 (Sax Zim Bog) ph. JDB, ACr, 3/11 (Chester Creek) JGz, 3/17 (Sax-Zim Bog) LNl.
Northern Saw-whet Owl
(Aegolius acadicus)
714 Regularly reported south early in the season, with last reports 4/21 Hennepin JBu, BBd, 4/21–22 Benton HHD, m.ob. North reports from Morrison, Crow Wing, Kanabec, Itasca, St. Louis, Lake, Cook.
Kingfishers
Belted Kingfisher
(Megaceryle alcyon)
3253 Early north (median 3/24) 3/25–29 Morrison MJB, m.ob., 3/28 St. Louis ebd, 3/30 Crow Wing PSP. High count 4/23 St. Louis (6, W.S.H.C.) JPR, FJN.
Woodpeckers
Red-headed Woodpecker
(Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
2245 Earliest south reports (median 4/12) had been overwintering: 3/1 Houston (4) SHo, 3/1–3 Anoka LKt, ASl, DNS, though 3/6 Meeker BNn is more difficult to classify. Early north (median 4/25) 4/4 Cass (east of Pillsbury) BEc, 4/17 Pine KrM, 4/26 Morrison SEm. High count 5/21 Anoka (11, Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve) ebd.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
(Melanerpes carolinus)
2751 Found statewide, though fewest reports from the Northwest. High counts 3/14 Ramsey (12, Crosby Farm R.P.) ebd, 5/10 Carver (12, Rapids Lake Education & Visitor Center) DgM.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
(Sphyrapicus varius)
3452 Early south (median 3/27) 3/25 Faribault WAF, 4/1 Carver WCM, Hennepin (2) ClB. Early north (median 4/2) 4/12 Grant CRM, m.ob., 4/14 Douglas BEc, 4/15 Cook JaJ, Lake SLL, JWL. High count 4/25 Beltrami (18, Lake Bemidji S.P.) KCo.
American Three-toed Woodpecker
(Picoides dorsalis)
3 All reports included (max. 3) birds from winter still feeding in St. Louis at the Warren Nelson Memorial Bog) through 4/23; also 3/19 St. Louis (Morse Twp., north of Mitchell Lake) MPi, 3/25 Roseau fide JMJ, 5/5 St. Louis (5, Owens Twp.) DMK, JuG, (3, Field Twp.) JuG, 5/27 Koochiching RAE, HHD.
Black-backed Woodpecker
(Picoides arcticus)
8 Reported from Clearwater, Hubbard, Cass, Itasca, Koochiching, Aitkin, St. Louis, Lake. Many reports of up to three individuals.
Downy Woodpecker
(Dryobates pubescens)
3353 Reported from every county but Roseau. High count 4/26 Ramsey (20, St. Paul) ebd.
Hairy Woodpecker
(Dryobates villosus)
3352 Found statewide. High count 4/23 Hennepin (10, Lake Harriet) CWB.
Northern Flicker
(Colaptes auratus)
3453 Early north (median 3/26) 4/19 Otter Tail REn, 4/21 Grant REn, Todd (7) TLu. High count 4/26 St. Louis (586, Park Point R.A.) StK.
Pileated Woodpecker
(Dryocopus pileatus)
3247 Reported statewide. High count 5/15 Douglas (6, Lake Carlos S.P.) MLk.
Caracaras, Falcons
American Kestrel
(Falco sparverius)
3453 Early north (median 3/8) 3/8 Mille Lacs HHD, 3/9 Morrison JnP, Otter Tail JsS, 3/11 Morrison FGo, Otter Tail JsS. High counts 4/24 Polk (8) REn, 4/29 St. Louis (8, W.S.H.C.) FJN.
Merlin
(Falco columbarius)
2740 Early north (median 3/13) 3/6 Polk SAu, 3/8 St. Louis (W.S.H.C.) FJN. High counts 4/20 St. Louis (15, W.S.H.C.) FJN, JPR, 4/21 St. Louis (7, W.S.H.C.) FJN, JPR, 4/29 St. Louis (7, W.S.H.C.) FJN, JPR. Probable late south migrants 5/13 Cottonwood JSc, BTS, MiO, 5/20 Faribault WAF (median 5/18).
Peregrine Falcon
(Falco peregrinus)
1737 Overwintered south, and Duluth in the north. Early south migrants (median 3/12) 3/2 Winona HHD, RAE, 3/3 Goodhue PEJ, 3/4 Nicollet ChH. Early north away from Duluth (median 3/23) 3/5 Itasca MKo, LKo, 3/25 Crow Wing PSP, 3/29 Lake JLK. High counts 3/27 St. Louis (5, W.S.H.C.) FJN, 5/14, 5/16 Sherburne (5) PLJ.
Prairie Falcon
(Falco mexicanus)
1 Only report 3/23 Lyon †GWe.
Flycatchers
Great Crested Flycatcher
(Myiarchus crinitus)
3250 Early south (median 4/30) 4/24 Meeker PKF, 4/28 Olmsted SHk, 4/29 Fillmore DSh. Early north (median 5/7) 5/8–9 Pine SBE, 5/11 Clearwater HHD, RAE. High count 5/10 Carver (12, Rapids Lake Education & Visitor Center) DgM.
Western Kingbird
(Tyrannus verticalis)
1113 Early south (median 5/7) 5/7 Benton HHD, Lyon GWe, 5/8 Benton FGo, Lincoln GWe, 5/9 Yellow Medicine ASu, LiH. All north 5/8 Clay KaS, 5/11 Crow Wing JLA, Traverse DFN, 5/16 Becker JCJ, SAu, 5/17 Roseau DBz, ANy. High count 5/25 Lake of the Woods (11) AXH.
Eastern Kingbird
(Tyrannus tyrannus)
3253 Early south (median 4/26) 5/1 Faribault KEm, Hennepin ebd, 5/2 Blue Earth STa, Dakota GHo, Houston DBz, Olmsted MiD, Scott RiC, Washington ebd. Early north (median 5/7) 5/8 Clay CMk, Hubbard REn, Itasca SC, Otter Tail JsS, St. Louis JuG, ClN, JLK. High counts 5/9 Otter Tail (18, Grotto Lake) JsS, 5/10 Carver (18, Rapids Lake Education & Visitor Center) DgM.
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER
(Tyrannus forficatus)
1 Only report, a new county record: 5/31 Blue Earth (570th Ave. north of 280th St.)TPu, †DAB, m.ob.
Olive-sided Flycatcher
(Contopus cooperi)
2536 Early south (median 5/9) 5/5 Hennepin ebd, 5/8 Washington GaJ, and then also in Carver, Freeborn, Pipestone, Rice, Sherburne on 5/9. Early north (median 5/13) 5/10 Clay CMk, 5/12 Otter Tail WPl, 5/13 Morrison BDo. See summer report for late south migrants (median 6/11).
Eastern Wood-Pewee
(Contopus virens)
3250 Early south (median 5/6) 5/1 Meeker PKF, 5/6 Cottonwood ASu, LiH, Ramsey MK, Wright ebd. Early north (median 5/12) 5/11 Clay ebd, 5/12 Hubbard ebd, 5/13 Clay (different location from 5/12) ebd, 5/16 Beltrami SBE, Grant CNn. High counts 5/22 Anoka (12, Carlos Avery W.M.A.) JH.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
(Empidonax flaviventris)
1829 Reported with identification notes from 10 south and 2 north counties. Early south (median 5/13) 5/8 Steele PSu, 5/9 Ramsey TAn, 5/10 Hennepin CMB, MZa. Early north (median 5/21) 5/17 Pine KrM, 5/20 St. Louis BHo. High counts 5/19 Steele (4, Somerset Twp.) PSu, 5/20 St. Louis (4) BHo. Late south 5/26 Sherburne JCC, 5/26–27 Steele PSu, but see summer report (median 6/6). Note: During spring and fall migration, undocumented records of silent Empidonax flycatchers are not included in this report. Observers are encouraged to include identification details in their reports.
Acadian Flycatcher
(Empidonax virescens)
13 Reported with identification notes from 4 south counties. Rare reports 5/19 Stearns (Stumpf Lake) RPR, 5/29 Anoka (Rice Creek Chain of Lakes R.P.) RMD. Early south (median 5/16) 5/14 Rice TFB, 5/16 Rice NiR, 5/19 Stearns RPR. High count 5/16 Rice (5, Cannon River Wilderness Area) NiR.
Alder Flycatcher
(Empidonax alnorum)
2837 Reported with identification details from 15 south and 6 north counties. Early south (median 5/16) 5/9 Scott RiC, 5/11 Carver JCy, 5/16 Rice NiR, Washington GJa. Early north (median 5/21) 5/18 Pine JCC, 5/22 Grant ANy, DBz, 5/24 Lake DFN. High count 5/26 Steele (7) PSu.
Willow Flycatcher
(Empidonax traillii)
736 Reported with details from 18 south counties, but none in the north. Early south (median 5/10) 5/8 Washington DFN, 5/9 Lyon NMe, Rice JiP, Washington DFN, 5/10 Dakota SWe, Ramsey DTr. High counts 5/21 Sherburne (4, Sherburne N.W.R.) ebd, 5/27 Waseca (Blowers C.P.) PSu.
Least Flycatcher
(Empidonax minimus)
3253 Reported with details from 20 south and 6 north counties. Early south (median 5/1) 5/1 Hennepin CMB, Steele PSu, 5/2 Rice JCa. Early north (median 5/9) 5/1 Crow Wing EGa, Grant ANy, Lake JWL, 5/4 Clay MO. High count 5/11 Carver (36) JCy.
Empidonax flycatcher
(Empidonax sp.)
828 The earliest Empidonax found this season was left unidentified: 4/29 Swift (Marsh Lake Dam) BBr, ebd.
Eastern Phoebe
(Sayornis phoebe)
3351 Early south (median 3/21) 3/31 Dakota CMB, Hennepin ebd, Le Sueur DWK, Rice TFB, Washington GJa. Early north (median 3/30) 4/13 Morrison SEm, 4/17 Todd TLu, 4/21 Crow Wing JLA, Morrison FGo, Otter Tail NaH, St. Louis LAt. High counts 4/29 Fillmore (14, Choice W.M.A.) DSh, 5/11 Lyon (11, Independence Park, Marshall) IVa.
Say's Phoebe
(Sayornis saya)
1 One report 5/21 Big Stone (Ortonville Ravine) ph. DLP.
Vireos
WHITE-EYED VIREO
(Vireo griseus)
2 All south 5/7 Rice (Carleton College Cowling Arboretum, Upper Arboretum) ph. †NiR, 5/23–24 Carver (Carver P.R., Grimm Farm) †JCy, †EzH, a.t. †IsH, m.ob.
Bell's Vireo
(Vireo bellii)
6 Reports from Dakota, Hennepin, Olmsted, Rice, Wabasha and Washington. Early south (median 5/15) 5/16 Dakota LiH, Olmsted LAV, Rice TFB, 5/18 Olmsted JmP, Wabasha DBz.
Yellow-throated Vireo
(Vireo flavifrons)
3249 Early south (median 5/2) 5/2 Houston DBz, Jackson KEm, Washington DSh, 5/3 Hennepin CMB, BKa, SBM. Early north (median 5/9) 5/7 Pine KrM, 5/8 Itasca SC, Pine SBE, 5/9 Kanabec AyC, St. Louis JPR. High counts 5/13 Goodhue (10, Frontenac S.P.) ASu, LiH, 5/20 Clay (9, Buffalo River S.P.) LSl.
Blue-headed Vireo
(Vireo solitarius)
2641 Early south (median 4/28) 4/29 Dakota STo, Rice JiP, Wright RCl, and also in Carver, Hennepin, Olmsted, Ramsey LiH on 4/30. Early north (median 5/4) 5/1 Itasca SC, Pine KrM, 5/2 Cass BEc, Clay ShG, HeH. High counts 5/8 Rice (8, Carleton College Cowling Arboretum, Upper Arboretum) JhB, 5/9 Carver (7, Rapids Lake, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) JCy. Late south 5/27 Carver LAl, 5/30 Goodhue GJM, Washington ebd (median 6/2).
Philadelphia Vireo
(Vireo philadelphicus)
2237 Early south (median 5/7) 5/6 RockVKl, 5/7 Rice ShG, HeH, Stevens JFl, and also in Dakota, Hennepin, Olmsted, Washington on 5/8. Early north (median 5/14) 5/16 Becker NaH, Polk ebd, 5/17 Douglas RAE, St. Louis ArL. High counts 5/18 Yellow Medicine (11, Miedd Lake) GWe.
Warbling Vireo
(Vireo gilvus)
2951 Early south (median 5/1) 4/26 Waseca JSP, 4/30 Hennepin ebd, 5/1 Hennepin CMB. Early north (median 5/8) 5/1 Crow Wing FGo, 5/7 Traverse HCT, 5/11 Todd JLK. High counts 5/8 Hennepin (18, Westwood Hills N.C.) ASu, 5/20 Clay (15, Felton Prairie) ASu.
Red-eyed Vireo
(Vireo olivaceus)
3352 Early south (median 5/6) 5/2 Rice JBu, 5/3 Mower SWm, 5/4 Wright RCl. Early north (median 5/10) 5/3 Lake (Silver Bay) JlB, 5/9 Douglas BEc, 5/11 Itasca SC, Morrison FGo. High count 5/27 Koochiching (30, county-wide) IsH, EzH, REn.
Shrikes
Loggerhead Shrike
(Lanius ludovicianus)
713 Early south (median 3/24) 4/10 McLeod RJS, 4/11 Kandiyohi TLu, 4/17 Sibley MGi. Early north (median 4/13) 4/19 Grant REn, 4/23 St. Louis StK, 4/25 Otter Tail ebd, 5/12 Todd AaL; rare north report 5/18 Lake (Two Harbors) REn. No counts of more than two individuals.
Northern Shrike
(Lanius borealis)
2337 High count 3/4 St. Louis (6, Sax-Zim Bog) REn. Late south 4/18 Hennepin TAT, JcM, Stearns PCC, 4/19 Washington BDo (median 4/9). Late north 4/19 Douglas JsS, ToR, Polk SAu, St. Louis JLK, 4/20 Otter Tail JsS, Polk REn, 4/23 Lake ebd (median 4/19).
Jays, Nutcrackers, Magpies, Crows
Canada Jay
(Perisoreus canadensis)
9 All reports from traditional range northeast of a line from Roseau to Aitkin. High counts 3/3 St. Louis (11, Sax-Zim Bog) JOs, 3/4 Lake (11, Tomahawk Road) ASu, LiH, 5/27 Koochiching (11, county total) REn, EzH, IsH.
Blue Jay
(Cyanocitta cristata)
3453 Reported statewide. High counts all from Park Point, St. Louis County: 5/8 (3,578) JLK, 5/7 (2,088) JDx, ClN, JPR, 5/5 (1,937) StK.
Black-billed Magpie
(Pica hudsonia)
16 All reports from traditional range. High count 5/1 Beltrami (7) REn.
American Crow
(Corvus brachyrhynchos)
3453 Reported statewide. High counts 3/18 Hennepin (800) IVa, 4/1 Isanti (400) RCl, 5/21 Hennepin (322) SKe.
Common Raven
(Corvus corax)
3211 Reported throughout traditional range. Several out-of-range reports as this species continues to expand south, including new county records 5/22 Grant (Niemackl Lake Park) ASu, 5/18 Pope (Gjerdingen W.P.A.) ASu, a new spring record 3/18 Ramsey (Vadnais Lake) EzH, IsH, and multiple records from Hennepin (Lake Rebecca P.R.; east of Crow-Hassan P.R.) and Wright (Buffalo; Montisippi C.P.). High counts 3/16 St. Louis (23, W.S.H.C.) FJN, JLK, 3/14 St. Louis (22, W.S.H.C.) FJN.
Chickadees, Titmice
Black-capped Chickadee
(Poecile atricapillus)
3453 Reported statewide. High counts 4/12 Hennepin (73, 5.25 mile traveling count) ebd, 4/11 Dakota (60, 8.1 mile traveling count) MLk, 4/22 Dakota (55, Carleton College Cowling Arboretum) NiR.
Boreal Chickadee
(Poecile hudsonicus)
4 Reported from Cook, Lake, Koochiching, and St. Louis. High count 4/13 Lake (4, Kawishiwi River/Tomahawk bridge) NLM.
Tufted Titmouse
(Baeolophus bicolor)
12 Reported from normal southeast range north to Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington. Out of range reports 4/22 Brown (Flandrau S.P.) BDo, 5/23 Pope (Moen W.P.A.) ASu. High count 3/23 Houston KnM, ASu, LiH.
Larks
Horned Lark
(Eremophila alpestris)
2953 First Northeast arrival in late April. High counts 3/24 Lyon (350, Lone Tree Lake) GWe, 4/26 Lac qui Parle (200) KeL.
Martins, Swallows
Bank Swallow
(Riparia riparia)
3049 Early south (median 4/17) 4/16 Ramsey CHi, 4/22 Hennepin BrD, 4/23 Anoka MCA, Mower SWm, Rice NiR. Early north (median 4/30) 4/29 Grant ASu, LiH, 5/1 Otter Tail ANy, St. Louis BMu, JPR, FJN. High count 5/17 Rice (75, River Bend N.C.) GHo.
Tree Swallow
(Tachycineta bicolor)
3353 Early south (median 3/19) 3/22 Pipestone VKl, 3/23 Hennepin CMB, IVa, DGu, 3/24 Dakota IVa. Early north (median 4/2) 4/12 Grant CRM, m.ob., 4/13 Becker HeH, ShG, Morrison NMe, 4/14 Otter Tail NaH. High Count 4/28 Stearns (700, Beaver Island Trail) MKo, LKo.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
(Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
2750 Early south (median 4/11) 4/11 Wright LiH, 4/13 Hennepin ASu, LiH, Washington KIs. Early north (median 4/21) 4/27 Grant ABL, 4/28 Grant ToR, Morrison TLu, AaL, Pine SBE. High count 5/17 Hennepin (60, Westwood Hills N.C.) BBr.
Purple Martin
(Progne subis)
2945 Early south (median 4/6) 4/11 Wright (Ellison Park) LiH, 4/13 Freeborn AEB, 4/20 Dakota KDS. Early north (median 4/13) 4/22 Morrison DLP, 4/22–24 Pine KrM, 4/23 Morrison SEm, 4/24 Grant NaH, Mille Lacs JLA. High count 5/23 Wright (180, Otsego) ToL.
Barn Swallow
(Hirundo rustica)
3453 Early south (median 4/8) 4/11 Houston ASu, 4/12 Anoka DGu, Hennepin DWK, CSl, BeH. Early north (median 4/17) 4/22 Clay TCL, Douglas HHD, Mille Lacs ABL, and also in Beltrami, Morrison, Pine, St. Louis on 4/23. High count 5/14 Washington (125, Marsh Creek Park) ERH.
Cliff Swallow
(Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
2952 Early south (median 4/17) 4/12 Isanti KrM, 4/21 Sherburne LKo, 4/22 Jackson ASu, LiH. Early north (median 4/25) 4/26 Otter Tail ABL, 4/29 Grant ASu, LiH, Itasca SC, Otter Tail MO. High count 5/27 Marshall (400) NWi.
Kinglets
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
(Corthylio calendula)
3253 Early south (median 3/26) 3/31 Rice TFB, 4/2 Scott BHe, 4/7 Wabasha JHn. Early north (median 4/4) 3/27 Douglas JPE, 3/28 Otter Tail WPl, 4/17 Grant HHD. High count 4/29 Rice (65, Carleton College Cowling Arboretum) GHo. Late south 5/21 Scott RiC, 5/22 Kandiyohi ebd, and 5/24 Hennepin ASu (median 5/27).
Golden-crowned Kinglet
(Regulus satrapa)
2146 Early south (median 3/22) 3/2 Houston DJa, 3/9 Benton LKo, 3/16 Hennepin ebd. Early north migrants (median 3/27) 3/28 Otter Tail WPl, 4/10 St. Louis JLK, 4/14 Crow Wing JhH, LnH, Otter Tail NaH. High counts 4/11 Carver (29, Rapids Lake, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) JCy, 4/1 Olmsted (25, Izaak Walton Wetlands) MiD. Late south 5/9 Hennepin WFe, 5/14 Dakota DTr, 5/18 Olmsted LAV (median 5/8).
Waxwings
Bohemian Waxwing
(Bombycilla garrulus)
7 Scattered reports from the north. High count 4/2 St. Louis (75) JfD. Late north 4/12 Polk (15) HHu, 4/20 Roseau (30) BSi, St. Louis (15) DBF, 4/21 St. Louis (30) JfD (median 4/19).
Cedar Waxwing
(Bombycilla cedrorum)
3050 Early north 3/23, 3/27 Polk SAu, 3/29 Morrison FGo, 4/14 Crow Wing (15) JhH, LnH. High counts 3/27 Scott (150) BHe, 3/11 Houston (130) ASu, LiH.
Nuthatches
Red-breasted Nuthatch
(Sitta canadensis)
2743 High counts 3/2 Lake (25, C.R. 2 south from C.R. 1 to C.R. 15., a 20-mile traveling count) ebd, 3/17 Benton (18, Bend in the River R.P.) DOr, 4/25 Beltrami (17, Lake Bemidji S.P.) KCo. Probable late south migrants 5/21 Carver WCM, 5/31 Dakota BAF.
White-breasted Nuthatch
(Sitta carolinensis)
3453 Reported statewide. High count 5/7 Douglas (30, Lake Carlos S.P.) MLk.
Creepers
Brown Creeper
(Certhia americana)
2349 High counts 4/26 St. Louis (25, Park Point R.A.) StK, 4/18 Hennepin (12, Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) ASu, LiH. Late south 5/19 Hennepin (2, Crow-Hassan P.R.) ASu, 5/26 Ramsey (2, Crosby Farm R.P.) RMD (median 5/19).
Gnatcatchers
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
(Polioptila caerulea)
1348 Two reports farther north than usual: 5/29 Clearwater (Itasca S.P.) AJF, 5/27 Koochiching (Warner Trail F.R.) MJB, FGo. Early south (median 4/21) 4/28 Ramsey AGu, Stearns MKo, LKo, Yellow Medicine GWe, also in Goodhue, Hennepin, Washington by 4/30. Early north (median 5/5) 5/5 Morrison MJB, m.ob., 5/8–10 Douglas BEc, ToR, 5/10 Clay HHD, RAE. High counts 5/12 Kandiyohi (25, Sibley S.P.) DOr, 5/6 Scott (24, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) ebd.
Wrens
Carolina Wren
(Thryothorus ludovicianus)
6 Reported from six counties, a new high for the spring season. Rare spring reports: 4/7 Blue Earth(Rasmussen Woods Park) KRo, 5/2 Wabasha (Dhome) JHn, 5/31 Rice TFB. Also reported from Dakota, Hennepin, and Houston.
House Wren
(Troglodytes aedon)
3453 Early south (median 4/17) 4/18 Hennepin ASu, LiH, 4/22 Rice NiR, Yellow Medicine GWe. Early north (median 4/30) 4/30 Morrison FGo, 5/1 Carlton HGe, Clay CMk, Crow Wing PSP, Douglas ToR, St. Louis JLK. High counts 5/12 Rice (28, Cannon River Wilderness Area, West Unit) JiP, 5/22 Steele (28, Somerset Twp.) PSu, 5/10 Rice (25, Carleton College Arboretum, Lower Arboretum) NiR.
Winter Wren
(Troglodytes hiemalis)
1530 Likely overwintering birds 3/5 Hennepin IVa, 3/10 Houston SHo, 3/19 Rice TFB. Early south (median 3/24) 3/25 Washington GJa, 3/28 Carver JCy, Wright IsH. Early north (median 4/9) 4/15 Todd TLu, 4/24 Lake JlB, ABm, 4/25 Beltrami KCo, Cook ebd, St. Louis KSz. High count 5/16 St. Louis (6, Sax-Zim Bog, Welcome Center Bog) JPR. Late south 5/13 Cottonwood BTS, Hennepin (Bass Ponds) GUn, 5/16 Hennepin (Normandale Lake) DGu (median 5/15)
Sedge Wren
(Cistothorus stellaris)
3450 Early south (median 4/27) 4/30 Carver (Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Rapids Lake) JCy, 5/1 Carver (Minnesota Landscape Arboretum) JCy, Lyon GWe, Rice TFB. Early north (median 5/1) 4/30 Clay CMk, 5/1 Morrison SEm, 5/4 Pine KrM, St. Louis NLM. Record-high count 5/30 Lincoln (104, Dead Coon W.P.A) GWe.
Marsh Wren
(Cistothorus palustris)
2751 Early south (median 4/24) 4/22 Olmsted BLa, 4/23 Hennepin TAT, 4/24 Dakota PNi, EzH. Early north (median 5/4) 5/5 Grant GUn, Traverse CRM, m.ob., 5/6 Clay BCo, Grant DFe. High count 5/12 Dakota (40, 180th St. Marsh) SWe.
Thrashers, Mockingbirds
Gray Catbird
(Dumetella carolinensis)
3252 Early south (median 4/25) 4/22 Goodhue EzH, REn, 4/28 Scott RiC, 4/29 Anoka ebd, Hennepin GRe. Early north (median 5/4) 5/1 Crow Wing FGo, Pine KrM, 5/3 Becker ebd, Crow Wing EGa. High counts 5/13 Houston (25, Beaver Creek Valley S.P.) DSq, 5/16 Washington (25, Grey Cloud Dunes S.N.A.) GJa.
Brown Thrasher
(Toxostoma rufum)
3052 Early south (median 4/9) 4/12 Brown MiO, 4/16 Hennepin ebd, 4/19 Dakota KDS. Early north (median 4/23) 4/20 Polk LnT, 4/24, 4/25 Crow Wing DMz, 4/27 Morrison FGo. High count 5/2 Washington (21, Grey Cloud Dunes S.N.A.) LiH.
SAGE THRASHER
(Oreoscoptes montanus)
1 New county record and first record since 2009: 5/29 St. Louis, discovered by ClN near Sky Harbor Airport, Duluth, ph. †PHS, †EzH, ph. †KRE, ph. †REn, m.ob.
Northern Mockingbird
(Mimus polyglottos)
55 All south reports (median 4/23) 5/1–16 Washington (Grey Cloud Dunes S.N.A.) GJa, m.ob., 5/10 Freeborn (Hayward W.T.P.) PEB, 5/17–31+ Anoka (2, Fridley) CF, ph. RMD, m.ob., 5/21–22 Stevens (Perkins Lake) ANy, DBz, ASu, 5/28 Yellow Medicine (Mound Spring Prairie S.N.A.) GJa, ASu. All north (median 5/3) 5/8 St. Louis (Meadowlands) JuG, ClN, 5/11 Cook (Sugarloaf Point S.N.A.) ebd, 5/13 Aitkin (Rice Lake N.W.R.) LGr, 5/20 Clay LiH, 5/22 St. Louis (Park Point) JPR, 5/26 Cook (Hollow Rock Resort) WPe, Lake (C.R. 2 and C.R. 15) ANy, BWF, 5/28 Cook (Naniboujou Lodge) ANy.
Starlings
European Starling
(Sturnus vulgaris)
3453 Reported statewide. High counts 3/22 Dakota (1,000) CDg, 4/5 Dakota (1,000) CDg, 4/10 Clay (1,000) ShG.
Thrushes
Eastern Bluebird
(Sialia sialis)
3352 Present south as the season commenced. Early north (median 3/15) 3/17 Otter Tail MO, Polk LNl, 3/18 Morrison DLP, 3/19 Morrison HHD. High counts 4/9 Carver (20) ebd, 3/29 Freeborn (16) GHo, KDS.
MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD
(Sialia currucoides)
1 Only report was a new county record, an adult male 3/10 Houston (Yucatan Twp.) DBz.
Townsend's Solitaire
(Myadestes townsendi)
46 All south 3/2 Blue Earth (Red-Jacket Valley Park) ChH, 3/3–23 Houston (max. 2, Yucatan Twp.) HHD, RAE, KnM, ASu, LiH, 3/3 Watonwan (Ewy Lake W.M.A.) JWH, 3/4 Renville (C.R. 15) JWH, KEm, 3/15 Watonwan (Eagle's Nest C.P.) RAE, 3/30 Dakota (Randolph Twp.) SEm, 4/5 Dakota (Nininger Twp.) PPe, followed by 5/26 Rock (Blue Mounds S.P., record-late by three weeks) ph. DiM (median 3/30). All north 3/6 Lake (Two Harbors) ebd, 3/9 St. Louis (Lakeside/Lester Park neighborhood, Duluth) EBr, LME, 3/22 St. Louis (W.S.H.C.) FJN, 3/24 Morrison (Rice Area Sportsmen's Club W.M.A.) KnM, LiH, 4/1 St. Louis (Central Hillside neighborhood, Duluth) FJN, 4/16 Cook (Grand Marais) ebd (median 4/14).
Veery
(Catharus fuscescens)
3140 Early south (median 5/2) 5/2 Anoka LBi, Olmsted JHD, Scott RiC, 5/3 Goodhue FKB, Hennepin ebd, Rice FGo. Early north (median 5/7) 5/6 Beltrami DPJ, Pine LEv, 5/7 St. Louis JfD, JDx. High count 5/21 Anoka (17, Carlos Avery W.M.A.) DGu.
Gray-cheeked Thrush
(Catharus minimus)
2448 Early south (median 5/3) 4/23 Lac qui Parle FAE, 4/30 Dakota ADS, Hennepin ASu, Olmsted JmP, Rice NiR. Early north (median 5/8) 5/5 Cass JS1, 5/6 Clay LSl, 5/7 Pine KrM. High count 5/17 Anoka (9, Lake George R.P.) RCl. Late south 5/23 Hennepin GrS, Martin (Cedar Lake C.P.) DAk, 5/27 Martin (East Chain Cemetery) LiH, 5/28 Pope ebd (median 5/27). Late north 5/28 Cook TLu, AaL, 5/29 St. Louis JAM (median 5/28).
Swainson's Thrush
(Catharus ustulatus)
3452 Early south (median 4/28) 4/25 Hennepin ebd, 4/26 Ramsey JDv, 4/28 Ramsey (different location) BNW, Scott RiC, Washington JDS. Early north (median 5/2) 4/26 Clay ABL, 4/30 Clay CMk, Morrison ANy. High counts 5/20 Rock (44, Blue Mounds S.P.) DAk, 5/11 Rock (40, Blue Mounds S.P.) BDo. Late south 5/30 Ramsey LiH, 5/31 Anoka ebd, but also see summer report (median 6/2).
Hermit Thrush
(Catharus guttatus)
2750 Early south (median 3/27) 3/30 Faribault WAF, 3/31 Hennepin CAs, Lac qui Parle KeL, Olmsted MiD, Rice TFB, Washington GJa. Early north (median 4/4) 4/13 Morrison SEm, 4/16 Crow Wing DMz, Douglas BEc, 4/17 Cass PSP, Grant HHD. High count 4/23 Hennepin (30, Lake Harriet) CWB. Late south 5/20 Hennepin PPe, 5/21 Sherburne ebd (median 5/21).
Wood Thrush
(Hylocichla mustelina)
2444 Early south (median 5/1) 5/1 Hennepin ebd, 5/2 Anoka LiH, Hennepin GrS, RMu, Rice TFB. Early north (median 5/8) 5/3 St. Louis ebd, 5/5 Kanabec SPS, Otter Tail ebd, 5/8 Pine KrM. High counts 5/14 Washington (8, Afton S.P.) ebd, 5/16 Dakota (8, Hampton Woods W.M.A.) AJF. Out of range records: 5/9 Pipestone (Pipestone N.M.) ANy, 5/25 Red Lake (Red Lake Falls) KRE, m.ob.
American Robin
(Turdus migratorius)
3453 Reported statewide. High counts 4/23 St. Louis (2,191, W.S.H.C.) JPR, FJN, 4/26 St. Louis (1,301, W.S.H.C.) JPR, FJN.
Varied Thrush
(Ixoreus naevius)
No reports
Old World Sparrows
House Sparrow
(Passer domesticus)
3053 Reported from all regions. High counts 3/2, 3/5 Hennepin (100, Minneapolis) GrS.
EURASIAN TREE SPARROW
(Passer montanus)
11 One south report 5/9 Hennepin at a feeder in Maple Grove ph. †NVe represents the second county record. Two north reports, possibly of the same individual, 5/3–4 St. Louis (Park Point, 37th Street) ph. †BEA, JLK, JPR, 5/8–31+ St. Louis (Essentia Health campus and vicinity) JWL, †KRE, ph. a.t. †PHS, m.ob.; these were the second and third records for St. Louis County.
Pipits
American Pipit
(Anthus rubescens)
1030 Early south (median 3/29) 3/29 Olmsted LAV, 4/5 Washington JHh, EzH, IsH, 4/12 Rock HHD. Early north (median 4/24) 4/30 Morrison ANy, 5/4 St. Louis TRd, JLK, 5/6 Grant m.ob., St. Louis ebd. High counts 5/8 St. Louis (82, Park Point) NWn, 5/12 Washington (50, Afton S.P.) m.ob. Late south 5/21 Cottonwood DAk, Rice TFB, 5/23 Watonwan, 5/21–25 Washington IsH, GUn (median 5/20). Late north 5/22 Lake JWL, St. Louis ClN, JLK, 5/24 Cook TLu, AaL, 5/28 St. Louis JLK (median 5/25).
Finches
Evening Grosbeak
(Coccothraustes vespertinus)
41 One from winter continued in Chippewa (Lac qui Parle S.P.) through 3/10 JCC. Otherwise, reported from North-central and Northeast regions throughout the season as normal. High count 3/5 St. Louis (75, Sax-Zim Bog) NMt.
Pine Grosbeak
(Pinicola enucleator)
131 One south report 3/14 Chisago (Harris) ELC. Only out-of-range north report 3/4 Todd(northeastern part of county) FGo, MJB; otherwise reported throughout the north, departing by late March with the exception of 4/7 Cook TBu (median 3/31).
House Finch
(Haemorhous mexicanus)
2953 Reported statewide.
Purple Finch
(Haemorhous purpureus)
3044 Reported from all regions. As is typical, there were fewer reports from the South-central, Southwest and West-central regions. Late south 5/24 Isanti ebd, 5/26 Anoka DPG, 5/28 Stearns STW (median 5/20).
CASSIN'S FINCH
(Haemorhous cassinii)
1 Second state record appeared in Edina 4/8–9 Hennepin ph. †MZa, †EzH, †IsH, m.ob.
Common Redpoll
(Acanthis flammea)
3047 Reported in all regions. Notable high counts 3/19 Morrison (400) SEm, 3/31 Clay (350) PBB, 4/5 Crow Wing (300) PSP. This species lingered well past its typical departure date. Late south 4/25 Anoka LBi, Chisago ebd, Lyon RJS, Stearns HHD, 4/28 Chisago JSa, 4/29 Hennepin ebd, 5/7 Sherburne ebd (median 4/7). Late north 5/9 Lake JWL, 5/12 Cass KdB, 5/17 Cook ebd, 5/21–29 Todd (Long Prairie) SDi (median 5/2).
Hoary Redpoll
(Acanthis hornemanni)
2118 Reported from a record number of counties for spring. Noteworthy south reports 3/2 Lac qui Parle MJB, 3/5–21 Cottonwood (Amo Twp.) LHI, 3/9 Lyon (Marshall) RJS, 3/21 Brown (New Ulm Cemetery) MIO, 4/7 Rock (Schoeman Park) ph. LiH, 4/12 Lyon (Cottonwood W.T.P.) GWe. As with Common Redpoll, this species remained well beyond typical late departure dates. Record late south 4/15 Dakota ADS, Hennepin DEl, Scott BAb, 4/17 Ramsey AXH (median 3/18). Late north 4/18 Becker HeH, ShG, 4/20 Morrison FGo, Polk SAu (median 4/6).
Red Crossbill
(Loxia curvirostra)
1412 Reported throughout the season south from mainly West-central and East-central counties. Reported from North-central and Northeast regions throughout the season. See summer report for continuing individuals. High counts 3/4 Lake (25) LiH, ASu, 5/14 Washington (21) JLe, 5/30 St. Louis (21, Sax-Zim Bog) ALo.
White-winged Crossbill
(Loxia leucoptera)
26 High counts 3/18 Watonwan (8, Mt. Hope Cemetery) DWK, 4/11 Kandiyohi (7, Willmar) TLu, 3/14 St. Louis (6, Warren Nelson Memorial Bog) MyH, DnB. All south 3/6 Ramsey LiH, 3/7–27 Stearns (Calvary Cemetery) LKo, IVa, 3/9–13 Benton (Englund Ecotone S.N.A.) LKo, 3/17 Sibley (Indian Lake W.M.A.) BAb, JWZ, 3/18 Watonwan (Mt. Hope Cemetery) DWK, BTS, 3/17–5/10 Kandiyohi (Minnwest Campus) JWd, m.ob., 3/30 Ramsey AHn (median 3/20). Only reported north from Lake and St. Louis with late date 4/23 St. Louis StK.
Pine Siskin
(Spinus pinus)
3144 Found in all regions mostly northeast from a line from Faribault to Big Stone counties. High counts 5/19 St. Louis (235, Stoney Point) StK, 5/1 St. Louis (135, W.S.H.C.) JPR, FJN. Late south 5/28 Rock GWe, ASu, 5/30 Olmsted LAV, 5/31 Rice TFB (median 5/22).
American Goldfinch
(Spinus tristis)
3453 Reported from every county.
Longspurs and Snow Buntings
Lapland Longspur
(Calcarius lapponicus)
943 Present south from the winter season in many counties but only a few north. Presumed early migrants north (median 2/29) 3/23 Douglas BEc, 3/25 Clay PBB, 3/28 Grant EGa. High counts 3/20 Blue Earth (1,000) ChH, 3/27 Goodhue (700, Lake Byllesby) JiP, GHo. Late south 5/7 Sherburne REn, 5/9 Yellow Medicine REn, 5/13 Chisago JJS, JPr (median 5/7). Late north 5/19 St. Louis JuG, 5/20 Cook BMu, PAl, JZj, St. Louis StK (median 5/20).
Chestnut-collared Longspur
(Calcarius ornatus)
1 Reflecting this species' demise in the state, these were the only reports for the season, all from the Felton Prairie area in Clay County, all of a single individual: 5/19 PBk, NKu, SKu, 5/20 LiH, ASu, 5/26 MO, 5/31 ASu.
Smith's Longspur
(Calcarius pictus)
2 All reports 4/22 Yellow Medicine (6, Miedd Lake) GWe, 5/7 Yellow Medicine (Lyon/Yellow Medicine Conservation Easement) GWe, 5/10–12 Yellow Medicine (Echo W.T.P.) ph. GWe, m.ob.
Snow Bunting
(Plectrophenax nivalis)
1824 High counts 3/2 Polk (225, East Grand Forks) JCJ, SAu, 3/10 Dodge (100) EzH, IsH. Late south 4/3 Meeker BNn, 4/16 Chisago JSa, Dodge ANy, DBz (median 4/9). Late north 4/29 St. Louis NWn, 5/2 Lake EFC, RyS, St. Louis NWn (median 5/5).
Towhees, Sparrows
Grasshopper Sparrow
(Ammodramus savannarum)
1641 Early south (median 4/23) 4/22 Hennepin ebd, 4/24 Dakota BHe, 4/27 Meeker GLr, 4/28 Lac qui Parle. Early north (median 5/3) 5/7 Morrison FGo, 5/10 Morrison KEm, SEm, Pine LEv, 5/13 Kanabec MWS. High counts 5/27 Sherburne (20, Sherburne N.W.R.) MSb, 5/19 Hennepin (16, Crow-Hassan P.R.) ASu.
Lark Sparrow
(Chondestes grammacus)
1834 Early south (median 4/21) 4/12 Chippewa SC, 4/23 Ramsey AGu, Steele PSu, 4/28 Brown MiO, Lac qui Parle KeL. Early north (median 5/2) 5/2 Polk ebd, 5/3 Clay TCL, 5/5 Clay (different location) PBB, Grant GUn, Traverse GLa, CRM, AaL. Two out-of-range reports 5/8 St. Louis (Bayfront Park) KSz, 5/10 Lake (near Isabella) NLM. High counts 5/19 Washington (7, Grey Cloud Dunes S.N.A.) LAi.
Chipping Sparrow
(Spizella passerina)
3453 Early south (median 3/23) 3/23 Olmsted KnM, ASu, LiH, 3/25 Winona ebd, 3/29 Hennepin RaF, IVa, 3/30 Stearns MtS. Early north (median 4/10) 4/8 Kittson ebd, 4/18 St. Louis ebd, 4/19 Otter Tail REn, 4/21 Otter Tail NaH, Todd TLu. High counts 5/10 Clay (180, Gooseberry Park) ebd, 5/6 Rock (60, Blue Mounds S.P.) VKl.
Clay-colored Sparrow
(Spizella pallida)
3352 Early south (median 4/21) 4/28 Benton DOr, Dakota/Rice MrB, GHo, JiP, 4/29 Carver JCy, Faribault WAF, Pipestone KEm, JWH then numerous reports beginning the 30th. Early north (median 4/27) 4/29 Douglas JPE, 4/30 Clay CMk, Crow Wing HHD, Morrison ANy then numerous reports beginning 5/2. High counts 5/30 Lincoln (41, Dead Coon W.P.A.) GWe, 5/10 Clay (40, Kurtz Twp.) CMk, 5/12 Carver (40, Carver P.R.) DGu.
Field Sparrow
(Spizella pusilla)
1649 Early south (median 4/2) 4/5 Dakota MwT, 4/6 Fillmore ASu, LiH, 4/7 Wabasha JHn, 4/8 Washington ebd, 4/12 Mower SWm, then no reports until 4/21. Early north (median 4/17) 4/25 Otter Tail ebd, 4/27 Todd TLu, 4/28 Otter Tail (different location) JsS. Extreme north reports 5/21 Red Lake (Oklee) REn, 5/23 Beltrami JJS, JPr, 5/24 Lake of the Woods (southwest of Norris Camp) JPr, 5/27 Koochiching FGo, 5/28 Lake (northeast of Illgen) ABm. High counts 5/3 Washington (30, Grey Cloud Dunes S.N.A.) DGu, 5/19 Hennepin (24, Crow-Hassan P.R.) ASu, 5/6 Washington (22, Afton S.P.) DTr, JEd.
Fox Sparrow
(Passerella iliaca)
2551 Presumed first migrants south (median 3/13) 3/3 Mower SWm, Rice DAB, 3/4 Carver JCy, Rice DAB, Winona JmP, JPr, 3/5 Lyon NMe. Early north (median 3/28) 3/29 Douglas BEc, 4/8 Otter Tail TJa, 4/14 Douglas BEc. High counts 4/6 Fillmore (80) ASu, LiH, 4/23 St. Louis (40, Sax-Zim Bog) ClN. Late south 5/8 Dakota DEv, 5/9 Goodhue DAs, 5/13 Chisago JSa (median 5/4). Late north 5/6 Carlton AVa, Itasca EEO, Lake DEv, Todd TLu, 5/9 St. Louis ebd, 5/16 Marshall JHs (median 5/13).
American Tree Sparrow
(Spizelloides arborea)
2553 High counts 4/6 Fillmore (69) ASu, LiH, 3/8 Scott (50) BHe, 3/23 Cottonwood (45) LHl, 4/26 St. Louis (42) JLK. Numerous reports throughout the season into the first week of May both south and north. Late south 5/6 Sherburne ebd, 5/8 Le Sueur ACh, 5/10 Goodhue FKB (median 5/5). Late north 5/6 Lake DEv, 5/8 Kanabec ebd, 5/11–12 Cook ebd (median 5/15).
Dark-eyed Junco
(Junco hyemalis)
10 Reported from March through April with late reports 4/19 Ramsey LiH, 4/22 Blue Earth LiH, Nicollet LiH, 4/27 Steele LiH.
White-crowned Sparrow
(Zonotrichia leucophrys)
12 Three reports of the western subspecies 5/9 Renville LiH, 5/10 Ramsey LiH, and 5/12 Cook LiH.
GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW
(Zonotrichia atricapilla)
1 Minnesota's 15th record (11 of which have occurred in the past 10 years) 5/13 Itasca (White Oak Lake Access) †TCL.
Harris's Sparrow
(Zonotrichia querula)
3045 Likely overwintering birds reported in Jackson 3/4 BAb, 3/5 Freeborn AEB, Cottonwood LHl. Presumed early south arrivals (median 4/4) 4/3 Kandiyohi BbS, Lac qui Parle FAE, 4/8 Watonwan ANy, DBz, 4/11 Hennepin SKS. Presumed early north arrivals (median 4/27) 4/16 Otter Tail DFe, 4/30 Polk HHu, Marshall JHs, then numerous reports beginning 5/1. High count 5/10 Clay (40, Kurtz Twp.) CMk, m.ob. Late south 5/21 Pipestone VKl, 5/23 Hennepin ebd, 5/27 Goodhue AXH (median 5/23). Late north 5/20 Clay PBB, LiH, Polk SAu, 5/23 Cook TLu, AaL, 5/28 Clay ebd (median 5/23).
White-throated Sparrow
(Zonotrichia albicollis)
3450 Overwintered north and widely south. Possible early south migrants (median 3/18) 3/1 Wright ebd, 3/3 Ramsey REH. Presumed early north arrivals (median 4/12) 4/21 Morrison FGo, 4/22 Aitkin ebd, St. Louis ebd then multiple reports beginning 4/23. High counts 5/1 Cass (200, Fritz Loven Park) ABi, with reports of 100 from Hennepin (2 locations), Douglas, and St. Louis. Late south 5/24 Dakota BBr, Hennepin ASu, 5/26 Hennepin ebd, Washington ebd (median 5/27).
Vesper Sparrow
(Pooecetes gramineus)
2752 Early south (median 3/27) 4/1 Jackson ASu, LiH, 4/5–6 Nicollet HHD, RAE, 4/10 Dakota DWK then numerous reports beginning 4/12. Early north (median 4/12) 4/20 Grant FGo, SEm, 4/23 Pine KrM, Polk EFC, RyS. High counts 4/22 Watonwan (18, south of Madelia) ASu, LiH, 5/5 Watonwan (16, Sulem Lake) DAk.
LeConte's Sparrow
(Ammospiza leconteii)
2319 Early south (median 4/21) 4/15 Lyon GWe, 4/23 Stearns MtS, 4/30 Carver MSc, Hennepin ebd. Early north (median 5/1) 4/28 Polk JCJ, SAu, 5/2 Otter Tail JsS, St. Louis JPR, FJN, 5/5 Clay BCo, Grant BMu, GUn, Traverse m.ob. High counts 5/6 St. Louis (9, Sax-Zim Bog) ebd, 5/19 Hennepin (6, Crow-Hassan P.R.) ASu, 5/25 Pine (6) ASu, LiH. Late south 5/26 Big Stone ASu, Hennepin IVa, 5/28 Anoka BDA, 5/30 Stearns LiH.
Nelson's Sparrow
(Ammospiza nelsoni)
24 All south 5/7 Yellow Medicine (Miedd Lake) GWe, 5/10 Yellow Medicine (Stony Run Twp.) GWe, 5/16 Dakota (Cliff Fen, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) LiH, Stevens (Struck W.P.A.) ASu, 5/19–26 Hennepin (Crow-Hassan P.R.) ASu, IVa. All north 5/25 Roseau (Roseau River W.M.A.) CAs, 5/27 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) KRE, m.ob., (Middle River) SAu.
Henslow's Sparrow
(Centronyx henslowii)
327 Early south (median 5/1) 4/21 Rice NiR, 4/23 Rice TFB, 4/30 Carver JCy, 5/1 Washington GJa. All north 5/19–20 Kanabec SPS, 5/30 Traverse ASu, 5/31 Clay ASu. High counts 5/19 Hennepin (18, Crow-Hassan P.R.) ASu, 5/26 Washington (12, Afton S.P.) BDo.
Savannah Sparrow
(Passerculus sandwichensis)
3251 Early south (median 3/31) 3/31 Washington GJa, 4/1 Jackson ASu, LiH, 4/5 Ramsey JZj, 4/7 Houston SHo, RAE. Early north (median 4/14) 4/20–22 Grant m.ob., Traverse HHD, 4/23 Cass REn, Crow Wing PSP, Polk SAu. High counts 5/12 Grant (50, North Ottawa Impoindment) WPl, 5/16 Stearns (40, Albany W.T.P.) MtS, 5/27 St. Louis (40, Hoyt Lakes) NLM.
Song Sparrow
(Melospiza melodia)
3453 Reported throughout the state. Abundant winter reports make determining arrival of south migrants difficult. Early north (median 3/23) 4/7 Otter Tail JsS, 4/8 Otter Tail (2, different location) JOs, 4/10 St. Louis ebd, 4/15 Todd TLu. High count 4/24 St. Louis (52) JLK.
Lincoln's Sparrow
(Melospiza lincolnii)
3250 Early south (median 4/11) 4/6 Washington CNC, 4/12 Winona JmP, 4/15 Fillmore DOK, Le Sueur DOr. Early north (median 4/21) 4/21 Todd, 4/23 Morrison TLu, 4/29 Douglas JPE, Grant PPe, Hubbard REn. High counts 5/11 Rock (36, Blue Mounds S.P.) BDo, 5/6 Cottonwood (20, Expandere W.M.A.) BRB, 5/1 Hennepin (17) TAT, 5/5 Cottonwood (17, Mountain C.P.) DAk. Late south 5/24 Hennepin ASu, 5/25 Winona AJF, 5/28 Sherburne RCl (median 5/26).
Swamp Sparrow
(Melospiza georgiana)
3453 Early south (median 3/24) 3/8 Dakota (Miesville Ravine P.R.) KDS, 3/10 Cottonwood KEm, Rice DAB, 3/14 Ramsey REH. Early north (median 4/14) 4/21 Morrison FGo, Todd TLu, 4/23 Crow Wing LnH, JhH, Douglas LGl, Pine KrM. High counts 5/2 Olmsted (25, Eastside W.M.A.) JmP, 5/6 Olmsted (25, Cascade Meadow Wetlands) BLa, 5/2 Washington (20, Grey Cloud Dunes S.N.A.) LiH, 5/5 Washington (20, William O'Brien S.P.) JCC, 5/22 Pine (20, Chengwatana S.F.) KrM.
Spotted Towhee
(Pipilo maculatus)
12 One from winter continued south through 4/3 in Ramsey (Lauderdale) ph. LiH, ASu. One more south report 5/2–4 Steele (Somerset Twp.) ph. PSu. Only north report 5/8–10 Polk (East Grand Forks) ph. SAu, m.ob.
Eastern Towhee
(Pipilo erythrophthalmus)
1536 Early south (median 4/13) 4/17 Dakota (Inver Grove Heights) ebd, 4/22 Dakota (Lake Byllesby) EzH, REn, IsH, Houston JWH, KEm, Rice NiR. Early north (median 5/4) 4/29 Douglas JPE, 5/2 Pine KrM, 5/3 St. Louis BeA. High counts 5/13 Winona (20, Great River Bluffs S.P.) DSt, 5/16 Washington (20, Grey Cloud Dunes S.N.A.) GJa, 5/5 Houston (17) ASu, LiH.
Yellow-breasted Chat
Yellow-breasted Chat
(Icteria virens)
3 Three reports: 5/11–18 Wright (Buffalo) ebd, ph. MyM, 5/13–30+ Washington (Afton S.P.) ph. GHo, m.ob., 5/28 Mower (Honey Tree Farm) ph. SWm.
Blackbirds, Orioles
Yellow-headed Blackbird
(Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)
3152 Early south (median 3/27) 3/22 Lyon GWe, 4/1 Freeborn ebd, Jackson ASu, LiH, 4/3 Cottonwood LHl. Early north (median 4/9) 4/19 Grant REn, Otter Tail REn then many obseervations beginning 4/20. High counts 5/27 Lac qui Parle (200, Big Stone N.W.R.) StK, 4/23 Grant (120, North Ottawa Impoundment) ebd.
Bobolink
(Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
3248 Early south (median 5/3) 4/28 Yellow Medicine GWe, 5/2 Houston DBz, 5/4 Olmsted BAb, MiD, then many reports beginning 5/5. Early north (median 5/6) 4/28 Grant ToR, 5/5 Kanabec SPS, 5/6 Otter Tail JLA, Wilkin SKS. High counts 5/12 Rice (110, Prairie Creek W.M.A.) JiP, GHo, 5/30 Lincoln (53, Dead Coon W.P.A.) GWe.
Eastern Meadowlark
(Sturnella magna)
1547 Early south (median 3/16) 3/4 Scott (Marsh W.M.A., calling “zeet”) CAs, 3/7 Dakota (180th St. Marsh) LiH, 3/9 Steele NFT, 3/10 Faribault KvM, Rice DAB. Similar to spring 2017, many reports came from the Southwest region where this species is typically uncommon. Early north (median 3/23) 4/7 Morrison SEm, 4/21 St. Louis StK, 4/22 Aitkin DMz. High counts 4/10 Olmsted (13, Rochester) JPr, 5/6 Washington (11, Afton S.P.) DTr, JEd.
Western Meadowlark
(Sturnella neglecta)
2349 Early south (median 3/13) 3/2 Jackson KEm, 3/3 Yellow Medicine BAb, 3/4 Chippewa DWK, Lac qui Parle DLP. Early north (median 3/17) 3/18 Grant WPl, 3/23 Clay ShG, HeH, Douglas BEc, 3/25 Wilkin ACr. High counts 4/19 Pipestone (45, Pipestone Indian State W.M.A.) VKl, 4/4 Lyon (33, Vallers Twp.) GWe, 4/18 Lyon (31, Green Valley W.M.A.) GWe, 5/20 Clay (30, Felton Prairie) LiH.
Orchard Oriole
(Icterus spurius)
1449 Early south (median 5/5) 5/2 Olmsted JHD, 5/3 Dakota GUn, 5/5 Winona ebd, 5/6 Rice TFB. Early north (median 5/13) 5/11 Grant PPe, 5/13 Grant (different location) CNn, 5/14 Douglas BEc, Otter Tail GMO. New county record 5/24 Lake of theWoods (Norris-Roosevelt Rd. SW) JJS, JPr. High counts 5/20 Rock (21, Blue Mounds S.P.) DAk, 5/29 Yellow Medicine (14, Mound Spring Prairie S.N.A.) GWe, 5/20 Clay (10, Felton Prairie) LiH.
Baltimore Oriole
(Icterus galbula)
3353 Early south (median 4/28) 4/30 Freeborn AEB, Goodhue ebd, Hennepin ebd, Stearns ebd, then many reports beginning 5/1. Early north (median 5/4) 5/1 Beltrami REn, St. Louis FJN, m.ob., 5/2 Morrison SEm, 5/4 Douglas BEc, ToR, Otter Tail JsS. High counts 5/8 Hennepin (24, Westwood Hills N.C.) ASu, 5/12 Wright (23, Pelican Lake) RCl, 5/13 Goodhue (22, Frontenac S.P.) ASu, LiH, 5/14 Carver (22, Carver P.R.) DgM.
Red-winged Blackbird
(Agelaius phoeniceus)
3353 Reported from all but one county. Overwintered both north and south. Presumed first north migrants (median 3/14) 3/3 Douglas BEc, 3/13 Douglas AaL, 3/17 Traverse DLP, 3/18 Otter Tail WPl, Pine KrM, Todd DLP. High counts 4/1 Jackson (10,000) LiH, 4/12 Yellow Medicine (8,100, Big Rock W.M.A.) GWe.
Brown-headed Cowbird
(Molothrus ater)
3453 Found in all counties. See winter report for overwintering south birds. Presumed first migrants south (median 3/12) 3/3 Olmsted SHo, 3/7 Chisago MTe, 3/9 Winona DBz, 3/11 Houston LiH, ASu. Early north (median 4/4) 3/29 Douglas RBJ, RBW, 4/15 Todd TLu, 4/19 Douglas JsS, Otter Tail REn, Polk ebd. High counts 5/5 Watonwan (280, Sulem Lake) DAk, 5/1 Washington (150, 100th Street Marsh) KIs, 5/1 Lake (105, Two Harbors) JWL.
Rusty Blackbird
(Euphagus carolinus)
1648 Earliest south migrants arrived in February (median 3/5) followed by 3/1 Hennepin IsH, EzH, 3/3 Wabasha ebd, 3/4 Freeborn DBz. Early north (median 3/22) 3/23 Becker HeH, ShG, 4/21 Morrison FGo, Polk HHu, 4/22 Clay TCL, PBB, Morrison DLP. High counts 4/16 Houston (300, Reno Ponds) SHo, 4/26 St. Louis (300, Park Point R.A.) StK, 4/12 Houston (250, Crooked Creek Twp.) EzH, IsH. Late south 5/3 Wright ToL, 5/4 Ramsey ebd, 5/5 Redwood MiO (median 5/4). Late north 5/5 Beltrami FGo, Clay PBB, Morrison FGo, HHD, St. Louis NLM, 5/15 Morrison FGo, 5/27 Cook ANy (median 5/9).
Brewer's Blackbird
(Euphagus cyanocephalus)
3141 Early south (median 3/19) 3/18 Jackson KEm, 3/25 Rice KnM, ASu, LiH, 3/29 Cottonwood ebd, 3/30 Carver JCy. Early north (median 4/4) 3/28 Douglas BEc, 4/3 Pine KrM, 4/12 Todd TLu, 4/22 Douglas LGl, Marshall JHs. High counts 4/12 Houston (200, Crooked Creek Twp.) IsH, EzH, 4/27 Wilkin (90, Tanberg Twp.) MO.
Common Grackle
(Quiscalus quiscula)
3353 Reported in all counties except Roseau. See winter report for overwintering birds and potential early south migrants. Early north (median 3/11) 3/3 Lake ABL, 3/23 Becker ShG, HeH, 3/24 Morrison KnM, LiH, 3/26 Pine KrM, 3/27 Morrison SEm. High counts 4/13 Lyon (1,400, Black Rush Lake W.P.A.) RJS, 4/26 St. Louis (1,000, Park Point R.A.) StK.
Great-tailed Grackle
(Quiscalus mexicanus)
13 All south (median 4/8) 4/22 Cottonwood LiH, ASu, 5/2–14 Olmsted (East Landfill Reservoir) DMA, ph. †JPr, ph. GHo, m.ob., 5/13 Cottonwood JSc, MiO, BTS, 5/28 Lyon GWe. Only north report 4/20–22 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) ph. LiH, ASu, m.ob.
Warblers
Ovenbird
(Seiurus aurocapilla)
3249 Early south (median 4/27) 4/30 Carver WCM, Meeker JAn, Olmsted JmP, Ramsey LiH, BNW, Rice TFB, then many reports beginning 5/1. Early north (median 5/3) 5/1 Clay CMk, 5/2 Cass BEc, JhH, 5/3 Itasca SC, Pine KrM. High counts 5/20 St. Louis (50, Superior Hiking Trail) AAr, 5/15 St. Louis (25, Sax-Zim Bog) ClN, 5/14 Pine (22, Banning S.P.) BDo.
WORM-EATING WARBLER
(Helmitheros vermivorum)
2 Two reports: 5/4 Hennepin (Wood Rill S.N.A.) ph. SuH, 5/13 Rock (Blue Mounds S.P.) †VKl.
Louisiana Waterthrush
(Parkesia motacilla)
12 Reported from its usual range from East-central and Southeast counties. Early south (median 4/17) 4/16 Dakota (Miesville Ravine P.R.) KDS, 4/21 Hennepin (Ninemile Creek) ph. MZa, 4/26 Winona JmP, JPr, 4/28 Washington ebd. Reported outside usual range 5/11 Wright (Monticello Twp.) Ish, EzH, CbH.
Northern Waterthrush
(Parkesia noveboracensis)
3148 Early south (median 4/24) 4/28 Houston DSt, 4/29 Murray KEm, JWH, Stearns PCC then numerous reports beginning 4/30. Early north (median 5/3) 4/30 Pine KrM, 5/1 Crow Wing JLA, Wadena RAE, 5/2 Cass JhH, Crow Wing PSP, St. Louis JLK, Todd TLu. High counts 5/13 Goodhue (19, Frontenac S.P.) ASu, LiH, 5/9 Carver (16, Rapids Lake, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) JCy, 5/6 Hennepin (14, T. S. Roberts Bird Sanctuary) BAF, CMB, SHF. Late south 5/25 Hennepin SBM, 5/31 Anoka TSI, SKo (median 5/29).
Golden-winged Warbler
(Vermivora chrysoptera)
2737 Early south (median 5/4) 5/2 Carver JCy, 5/3 Dakota CJE, Hennepin ebd, 5/5 Winona BDo, then numerous reports beginning 5/6. Early north (median 5/10) 5/7 Cass (2) JhH, 5/8 Cass (different location) BEc, 5/9 Morrison FGo, Pine KrM, St. Louis JPR, ArL. High counts 5/26 Aitkin (14, Rice Lake N.W.R.) ebd, 5/18 Clearwater (12, Itasca S.P.) PBk, NKu, 5/22 Wadena (12) REn. Presumed late south migrants away from breeding areas (median 5/28) 5/26 Scott ebd, 5/28 Olmsted BLa, Wright RCl (median 5/28).
Blue-winged Warbler
(Vermivora cyanoptera)
227 Early south (median 5/2) 5/2 Olmsted JHD, 5/4 Washington BDo, 5/5 Anoka MGi, Carver JCy, Le Sueur BHe, Olmsted MPe, Scott BAb, MAK, Winona BDo. An interesting out-of-range report for the fourth consecutive year 5/21 Kandiyohi (Sibley S.P.) ANy, DBz. All north 5/13 Pine JJS, JPr, 5/20 Pine (Banning S.P.) JBu, 5/21 Pine KrM, 5/26 St. Louis (H.R.N.R.) EBr, JPR. High count 5/13 Carver (14, Carver P.R.) JCy.
Golden-winged Warbler X Blue-winged Warbler
(Vermivora chrysoptera X V. cyanoptera)
11 All reports of this hybrid pertained to the “Brewster's” form: 5/10 Scott (Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) BrT, TSk, 5/26 Pine KrM.
Black-and-white Warbler
(Mniotilta varia)
3352 Early south (median 4/22) 4/26 Stearns LKo, 4/28 Lac qui Parle, 4/29 Brown ebd, Watonwan JuJ, then numerous reports beginning 4/30. Early north (median 5/1) 4/23 Beltrami DPJ, 4/25 St. Louis JLK, 4/30 Aitkin HHD, Beltrami DPJ, Pine KrM. High counts 5/9 Washington (20, Riverside Park) GJa, MWS.
Prothonotary Warbler
(Protonotaria citrea)
17 Early south (median 5/4) 4/30 Hennepin ebd, Rice JiP, Washington LMS. Unusual reports away from normal range: 5/1–2 Olmsted (County 9 Marsh) JmP, MiD, JPr, 5/3 Freeborn AEB, 5/9 Olmsted (Izaak Walton Wetlands) JoP, LAV, Freeborn HCT, 5/11 Benton (Bend in the River R.P.) JOs, 5/31 Redwood (Honner Twsp.) BTS. High counts 5/14 Carver (6, Rapids Lake, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) JCy, 5/14 Goodhue (6, Vermillion Bottoms) GJM, 5/24 Washington (5) AXH.
Tennessee Warbler
(Leiothlypis peregrina)
2952 Early south (median 4/29) 4/27 Hennepin CMB, 4/30 Carver JCy, Ramsey ebd, Rice GHo. Early north (median 5/7) 5/3 Roseau BSi, 5/6 Becker NaH, 5/7 Cass JhH. High counts 5/9 Carver (60, Rapids Lake, Minnesota River Valley N.W.R.) JCy, 5/22 Hennepin (40, Wood Lake N.C.) BeH, 5/12 Freeborn (35, Myre-Big Island S.P.) SBM. Late south 5/28 Ramsey DnS, 5/30 Stearns LiH (median 6/7) but see summer report for latest migrants.
Orange-crowned Warbler
(Leiothlypis celata)
3051 Early south (median 4/19) 4/21 Wright ebd, 4/22 Hennepin ebd, Rice NiR, Winona DSt. Early north (median 4/24) 4/20 Becker HeH, ShG, 4/23 Beltrami DPJ, 4/28 Clay NRa, then multiple reports beginning 4/30. High counts 5/2 Rice (18, Carleton College Cowling Arboretum) NiR, 5/10 Clay (18, River Oaks Park) CMk. Numerous reports late south on 5/21 then 5/23 Martin DAk (median 5/25). Late north 5/27 Koochiching m.ob., 5/28 Becker ebd, Cook TLu, AaL (median 5/28).
Nashville Warbler
(Leiothlypis ruficapilla)
3252 Early south (median 4/25) reports began en masse on 4/30 from Brown, Carver, Dakota (2 locations), Faribault, Goodhue, Hennepin (5 locs.), Olmsted (2 locs.), Ramsey (4 locs.), Rice, Sherburne, Washington (4 locs.)! Early north (median 5/3) 5/1 Douglas ToR, St. Louis FJN, JPR, Todd ALu, 5/2 Otter Tail WPl, St. Louis JfD. High counts 5/9 Carver (35, Rapids Lake, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) JCy, 5/15 St. Louis (30, Sax-Zim Bog) ClN, 5/18 St. Louis (30, Twig) ArL, 5/12 Chisago (25, Carlos Avery W.M.A.) ELC, RMD. Late south 5/28 Washington MWS, 5/29 Hennepin BAF (median 6/1).
Connecticut Warbler
(Oporornis agilis)
816 Early south (median 5/11) 5/7 Hennepin (Veterans Memorial Park) SBM, SBE, 5/10 Chisago JSa, Hennepin (2, Staring Lake Park) ebd, Meeker PKF, Washington CDe, TAr. Early north 5/18 Clay DvM, CMk, 5/19 Cass BEc, Todd TLu. High counts 5/25 Roseau (4, Beltrami Island S.F.) CAs, 5/10 Chisago (3, Wild River S.P.) JSa, 5/19 Cass (3, near Walker) BEc. Late south 5/23 Carver JCy, Faribault BAy, 5/24 Hennepin RBW, ASu (median 5/30).
Mourning Warbler
(Geothlypis philadelphia)
2237 Early south (median 5/8) 5/8 Dakota DEv, Hennepin CTh, Lac qui Parle ANy, Olmsted MiD, Ramsey DSh, Steele PSu, Washington GJa. Early north (median 5/14) 5/16 Clay CMk, Pine ebd, 5/17 Otter Tail WPl. High counts 5/26, 5/27 St. Louis (8, H.R.N.R.) EBr, JLK, 5/28 St. Louis (6, Cook, MN) JuG. Late south 5/28 Kandiyohi DWK, 5/30 Sherburne DgM (median 6/8). See summer report for latest south migrants.
KENTUCKY WARBLER
(Geothlypis formosa)
2 All south 4/30–5/6 Rice (Carleton College Cowling Arboretum) ph. GHo, ph. ASu, ph. JPr, m.ob., 5/31+ Brown (Milford Twp.) a.t. †BTS, m.ob.
Common Yellowthroat
(Geothlypis trichas)
3353 Early south (median 5/1) 4/27–29 Rice NiR, 4/30 Hennepin ebd, Isanti ebd, Olmsted KHo, Ramsey TAN, Washington BDo, then numerous reports beginning 5/1. Early north (median 5/7) 5/2 Cass JhH, Crow Wing JLA, 5/5 Cass DoH, Morrison MJB, HHD. High counts 5/30 Lincoln (67, Dead Coon W.P.A.) GWe, 5/28 Sherburne (53, Sherburne N.W.R.) RCl, 5/12 Hennepin (35, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) JCa.
Hooded Warbler
(Setophaga citrina)
11 Nearly double the number of counties where this species is typically recorded in the spring, starting with (median 5/8) 5/6 Sherburne (Blue Hill Trail, Sherburne N.W.R.) FGo, JhH, SOa, m.ob., 5/8 Scott (Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) DCZ, 5/9 Hennepin (Powderhorn Park) IVa. Other noteworthy reports: 5/13 Goodhue (Frontenac S.P.) ASu, LiH, 5/16 Goodhue (Hok-Si-La Park) ebd, 5/17 Steele (Rice Lake S.P.) RBW, 5/20 Waseca (Maplewood Park) PSu, 5/22 Steele (Somerset Twp.) PSu, 5/30–31 Watonwan (Eagles Nest C.P.) HCT, m.ob.
American Redstart
(Setophaga ruticilla)
3252 Early south (median 5/3) 5/1 Dakota GVa, 5/2 Faribault WAF, Goodhue ChS, Houston DBz, Stearns LKo. Early north (median 5/7) 5/6 Pine KrM, 5/7 St. Louis BHo, then numerous reports beginning 5/8. High counts 5/11 Hennepin (100, Lake Harriet) CWB, 5/10 Hennepin (60, Veterans Memorial Park) DGu, 5/19 St. Louis (55, Stoney Point) StK, 5/9 Ramsey (50, Crosby Farm R.P.) BBr, 5/11 Hennepin (50, Fort Snelling S.P.) ebd.
Cape May Warbler
(Setophaga tigrina)
2935 Early south (median 5/5) 5/6 Freeborn ANy, DAB, Hennepin CWB, BeH, 5/7 Carver JCy, Dakota DVe, Meeker BNn, Olmsted MiD, Ramsey KSi. Early north (median 5/8) 5/8 St. Louis JuG, ClN, 5/9 Crow Wing JLK, Polk JCJ, SAu, 5/10 Kanabec ebd, Morrison KEm, SEm, Otter Tail JsS, Pine LEv, St. Louis ebd. High counts 5/19 St. Louis (38, Stoney Point) StK, 5/12 St. Louis (10) ebd. Late south 5/22 Freeborn ebd, Stearns MtS, 5/24 Hennepin ASu (median 5/24).
Cerulean Warbler
(Setophaga cerulea)
115 Reported from a similar number of counties as in past years. Early south (median 5/6) 5/2 Goodhue ChS, 5/5 Houston BDo, ASu, LiH, 5/6 Nicollet ASu, LiH, 5/7 Olmsted LAV. Only north report a nicely described female 5/21 Otter Tail TFu. High counts 5/9 Houston (5, Eagle's Bluff) TFo, 5/16 Nicollet (4, Seven Mile Creek C.P.) STa.
Northern Parula
(Setophaga americana)
2137 Early south (median 5/1) 5/1 Washington ERH, 5/2 Faribault WAF, Houston DBz, 5/3 Rice SHo, PNi, HlB. Early north (median 5/6) 5/7 St. Louis ebd, 5/8 Itasca SC, SBE, 5/9 Pine KrM. Notable record 5/10 Norman HHD, RAE. High counts 5/13 Goodhue (15, Frontenac S.P.) ASu, LiH, 5/17 Cook (13, Judge C.R. Magney S.P.) BDo. Late south 5/24 Hennepin ASu, 5/27 Wright ToL, 5/30 Stearns LiH (median 5/27).
Magnolia Warbler
(Setophaga magnolia)
3048 Early south (median 5/5) 5/1 Washington JDS, 5/2 Stearns MKo, LKo, 5/4 Hennepin CDg, Ramsey CMu. Early north (median 5/8) 5/7 Traverse HCT, 5/8 Pine SBE, and also from Cass, Douglas, Morrison, St. Louis on 5/9. High counts 5/10 Hennepin (26, Veterans Memorial Park) DGu, 5/19 St. Louis (23, Stoney Point) StK, 5/9 Washington (20, Riverside Park) DnS, GJa. Late south 5/24 Hennepin JmM, GrS, ASu, 5/25 Winona AJF, 5/27 Hennepin ebd (median 6/2).
Bay-breasted Warbler
(Setophaga castanea)
2029 Early south (median 5/8) 5/5 Sherburne PLJ, 5/8 Anoka ebd, Dakota ADS, Goodhue PEJ, Hennepin LSe, Steele PSu, then numerous reports beginning 5/9. Early north (median 5/12) 5/8 Pine KrM, 5/9 Pine (2, different location) SBE, 5/11 Morrison FGo. High counts 5/19 Cook (6, Kadunce River Trail) JZj, 5/19 St. Louis (5, Stoney Point) StK. Late south ended with numerous reports through 5/22 and then finally 5/24 Hennepin ASu (median 5/26).
Blackburnian Warbler
(Setophaga fusca)
2743 Early south (median 5/3) 5/1 Stearns LKo, MKo, Wright RBd, 5/2 Dakota ADS, 5/3 Hennepin EGB. Early north (median 5/7) 5/4 Douglas ToR, 5/5 Lake NLM, 5/10 Itasca EEO. High counts 5/19 Otter Tail (8, Fergus Falls) WPl, 5/25 Lake (8, Superior Hiking Trail) ebd, 5/26 St. Louis (7) BHo. Late south numerous reports through 5/22 and finally ending with 5/24 Hennepin ASu, 5/25 Meeker BNn (median 6/2).
Yellow Warbler
(Setophaga petechia)
3453 Early south (median 4/26) 4/24 Dakota STo, 4/27 Hennepin ebd, CWB, 4/28 Hennepin ebd, 4/29 Ramsey AVa, followed by numerous reports from 4/30. Early north (median 5/4) 4/23 Beltrami DPJ, 4/29 Todd TLu, 5/1 Grant PPe, Morrison SEm, Otter Tail WPl. High counts 5/9 Carver (80, Rapids Lake, Minnesota River Valley N.W.R.) JCy, 5/9 Hennepin (75, Normandale Lake Park) AFo, 5/11 Hennepin (75, Lake Harriet) CWB.
Chestnut-sided Warbler
(Setophaga pensylvanica)
3247 Early south (median 5/4) 5/2 Chisago DPi, 5/3 Hennepin ebd, 5/5 Sherburne ebd. Early north (median 5/7) 5/8 Pine KrM, SBE, 5/9 Crow Wing JhH, JLK, 5/10 Pine LEv, 5/11 Crow Wing LoM, Morrison FGo. High counts 5/27 St. Louis (24, H.R.N.R.) JLK, 5/9 Washington (20, Riverside Park) GJa, DnS.
Blackpoll Warbler
(Setophaga striata)
3251 Early south (median 5/4) 5/1 Hennepin RBW, Lac qui Parle FAE, 5/2 Hennepin RBW, ebd, Rice LMS, NiR. Early north (median 5/8) 5/5 Clay CMk, Traverse m.ob., 5/7 Cass JhH. High counts 5/18 Cass (40, Ten Mile Lake) DoH, 5/19 Hennepin (30, T. S. Roberts Bird Sanctuary) SRG, 5/19 Stearns (28, St John's Abbey Arboretum) ebd, 5/9 Carver (21, Rapids Lake, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) JCy. Late south 5/26 Kandiyohi JoS, Rice TFB, Wright ToL, 5/27 Sherburne MSb (median 5/31). Late north 5/30 Becker WPl, 5/31 Lake JDS (median 6/3). Also see summer report for latest migrants statewide.
Black-throated Blue Warbler
(Setophaga caerulescens)
65 All south 5/5 Hennepin (Mt. Normandale Lake Park) ebd, 5/9 Dakota (Fort Snelling S.P.) IVa, Hennepin (Purgatory Creek) ebd, 5/10 Hennepin (Staring Lake Park) ebd, 5/11 Rice (Carleton College Cowling Arboretum) NiR, 5/12 Hennepin (Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) NRa, 5/13 Chisago (Interstate S.P.) ebd, 5/16 Dakota (Spring Lake P.R.) LiH, 5/19 Hennepin (Crow-Hassan P.R.) ASu, 5/20 Scott (Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) EGB. Early north (median 5/17) 5/14 Cook (Oberg Mountain) JBs, 5/15 Cook ebd, 5/17 Clearwater (Itasca S.P.) ToR, St. Louis (Hartley Park) JLK, 5/18 Carlton (Jay Cooke S.P.) BDo, JPR, 5/19 Pine TJo. High counts 5/20 Lake (4) NLM, 5/25 Cook (4, Oberg Mountain) DFN.
Palm Warbler
(Setophaga palmarum)
3350 Early south (median 4/20) 4/22 Hennepin (Coon Rapids Dam R.P.) WFe, 4/23 Hennepin (Lake Hiawatha) IVa, BeH, WPe, ClB, Wabasha CBv, 4/25 Anoka IWe, Dakota WPo. Early north (median 4/25) 4/23 Beltrami DPJ, 4/25 St. Louis JLK, 4/28 Clay CMk. High counts 5/10 Washington (100, Lake Elmo R.P.) ebd, 5/7 Goodhue (81, Frontenac S.P.) KMa, 5/10 Hennepin (70) TAT. Late south 5/22 Goodhue DAT, Hennepin IVa, Sherburne ebd (median 5/23).
Pine Warbler
(Setophaga pinus)
2222 Repeating last year's pattern, there were more reports than usual from the Southeast region for this uncommon migrant. Early south (median 4/19) 4/25 Hennepin (Uptown area of Minneapolis) NHa, 4/28 Washington ebd, 4/29 Carver JCy, RHe, Fillmore DSh, Hennepin (Lake Hiawatha) ebd, Wright ToL. Early north (median 4/21) 4/23 St. Louis JDx, 4/25 Cass JhH, 4/27 Crow Wing GVa. High counts 5/18 Clearwater (8, Itasca S.P.) NKu, PBk, 5/17 Crow Wing (6) SDi. Out-of-range reports 5/1–17 Brown (Flandrau S.P.) MiO, STa, 5/1–2 Le Sueur (Ney N.C.) JS1, BHe, 5/6 Grant CRM, m.ob., 5/9 Stevens (Morris) JFl.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
(Setophaga coronata)
3453 Found in every county. Numerous overwintering reports make determining the earliest migrants difficult. Presumed first migrants south (median 3/30) 3/25 Houston DBz, 3/27 Hennepin DCZ, 3/30 Nicollet ebd. Early north (median 4/2) 3/30 Beltrami DPJ, 4/7 Pine LEv, 4/14 Crow Wing JhH, LnH, Otter Tail NaH. High counts 4/26 St. Louis (612, W.S.H.C.) FJN, JPR, 5/12 Goodhue (400, Frontenac S.P.) BBr, 5/6 Steele (300, Rice Lake S.P.) ebd. Late south 5/26 Hennepin JWl, Ramsey CHi, 5/27 Sherburne ebd (median 5/30), but also see summer report.
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER
(Setophaga dominica)
2 All reports 5/1–2 Anoka (Riverfront R.P.) ph. ABw, ph. ASu, 5/8–17 Winona (Whitewater S.P. Visitors Center for the sixth consecutive season) †JmP, †MHn.
Black-throated Green Warbler
(Setophaga virens)
2130 Few reports in the western third of the state. Early south (median 4/30) 5/1 Hennepin ebd, 5/2 Carver NaH, Hennepin CMB, ASD, BAF, Rice DAB, LEC, JBu. Early north (median 5/4) 5/2 Douglas ToR, 5/6 St. Louis ebd, MTh, 5/8 Lake ABm, Otter Tail JsS. High counts 5/10 Ramsey (15, Crosby Farm R.P.) ebd, 5/19 Cook (14, near Tofte) PAl, 5/17 Cook (13, Judge C.R. Magney S.P.) BDo. Late south 5/22 Faribault BAy, Stearns HHD, Washington JDS, 5/23 Ramsey ebd, 5/25 Winona AJF (median 5/29).
Canada Warbler
(Cardellina canadensis)
2436 Early south (median 5/9) 5/8 Chisago ebd, 5/9 Carver JCy, WCM, Dakota ADS, AJF, Hennepin ebd, Mower SWm, with many more reports beginning 5/10. Early north (median 5/14) 5/10 Douglas ToR, 5/11 Morrison FGo, 5/14 Carlton BDo, then many reports beginning 5/17. High counts 5/19 Sherburne (9, George Friedrich Park) JOs, 5/19 Stearns (8, St John's Abbey Arboretum) ebd, 5/20 Sherburne (7, Sherburne N.W.R.) RCl. Late south 5/26 Chisago ebd, 5/29 Hennepin MZa (median 6/1), but also see summer report.
Wilson's Warbler
(Cardellina pusilla)
2846 Early south (median 5/4) 5/1 Chisago ebd, 5/2 Hennepin TAT, CMB, Stearns MKo. Early north (median 5/10) 5/7 Traverse HCT, 5/9 Crow Wing JLK, JhH, Douglas ToR, St. Louis JfD. High counts 5/12 Carver (27, Carver P.R.) DGu, 5/19 St. Louis (16, Stoney Point) StK. Numerous south reports through 5/22 then only 5/23 Carver JCy, Hennepin CWB, Martin DAk, 5/25 Sherburne JOs (median 5/30). Many late north reports through 5/27 then only 5/28 St. Louis BEA (median 6/8), but also see summer report.
Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks
Summer Tanager
(Piranga rubra)
416 Twenty south and four north individuals, for the highest spring total since 2011. Early south (median 5/3) 4/29 Brown (Lake Hanska C.P.) ph. STa, 5/2, 5/20 Faribault WAF, 5/3 Rice (Carleton College Cowling Arboretum) LEC, FGo, 5/7 Hennepin (Veterans Memorial Park) WPe, Houston (Spring Grove) ph. ToM, 5/7–10 Kandiyohi ph. JWd, 5/8–13 Wright (Buffalo) ph. MrS, ph. ToL, m.ob., 5/9 Hennepin (Purgatory Creek Wetlands) ph. HiK, Washington (Oakdale Nature Preserve) ph. EBy. Other south reports were from Carver, Cottonwood (2 locations), Dakota, Fillmore, Hennepin (a third location), Le Sueur, Lyon, Nicollet, and Olmsted. All north 5/8–10 Becker ph. DFr, 5/8–11 Polk (East Grand Forks) ph. SAu, JCJ, JMJ, 5/10–11 Otter Tail (Fergus Falls) ph. WPl, JsS, 5/13 St. Louis (Congdon Park neighborhood) ph. JPR, LME.
Scarlet Tanager
(Piranga olivacea)
3147 Early south (median 5/5) 5/2 Stearns FGo, 5/5 Hennepin MPi, Rice DAT. Early north (median 5/10) 5/7 Pine KrM, 5/8 St. Louis JLK, 5/10 Douglas ebd, Kanabec ebd. High counts 5/17 Dakota (7, Spring Lake P.R.) DVe, 5/20 Hennepin (7) TAT, 5/21 Goodhue (7, Frontenac S.P.) ebd.
Western Tanager
(Piranga ludoviciana)
12 All reports 5/5 Beltrami (near North Twin Lake) ph. SMe, 5/10 Washington (Denmark Twp.) ph. CBu and 5/12 Carver (Chanhassen) ph. BTh.
Northern Cardinal
(Cardinalis cardinalis)
2452 Reported in all regions with fewest observations from the Northwest.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
(Pheucticus ludovicianus)
3252 Reported from eight south counties west to Blue Earth and north to Isanti on 4/30 (median 4/28). Numerous reports continued on subsequent days. Early north (median 5/3) 5/1 Crow Wing ebd, 5/2 St. Louis ebd, 5/4 Crow Wing DMz, JnP, PSP. High counts 5/19 Carver (25, Rapids Lake, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) JCy, 5/13 Dakota (22, Miesville Ravine P.R.) MwT.
Blue Grosbeak
(Passerina caerulea)
6 All south 5/19 Washington (Lake Elmo R.P.) †KIs, 5/27–31+ Hennepin (Flying Cloud Fields) TAT, CMB, 5/27–29 Rock (2, Blue Mounds S.P.) LiH, JmP, 5/30 Kandiyohi (Gennessee Twp.) ph. JWd, Lincoln ph. GWe, 5/31 Blue Earth (Lime Twp.) LiH, m.ob.
LAZULI BUNTING
(Passerina amoena)
11 Two reports 5/6 Hennepin (adult male, Bloomington) ph. †CDg and 5/14–20 St. Louis(adult male, Embarrass) ph. †HMh, ph. †REn.
Indigo Bunting
(Passerina cyanea)
2350 Early south (median 5/3) 5/1 Blue Earth ChH, 5/2 Chisago JSa, 5/3 Winona ebd. Early north (median 5/9) 5/11 Pine KrM, 5/13 Morrison KEm, 5/14 Cass DoH, Crow Wing JnP. High counts 5/21 Hennepin (14, Coldwater Spring) EGB, 5/17 Ramsey (12, Hidden Falls Park) EGB, 5/19 Carver (12, Rapids Lake, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) JCy, 5/19 Ramsey (12, Como Park) CyA.
PAINTED BUNTING
(Passerina ciris)
2 A single immature male 4/26–5/2 Steele (Somerset Twp.) ph. †PSu, ph. †PRH, †DAB, ph. IsH, †EzH, m.ob. and a single adult male 5/9–10 Olmsted (Rochester) ph. †KEM, ph. †JJS, m.ob.
Dickcissel
(Spiza americana)
835 Early south (median 5/9) 5/6 Dakota DnS, MWS, Waseca DAB, ANy, 5/7 Cottonwood DAk, 5/8 Blue Earth STa. As usual, most of the south reports came late in the month beginning 5/24. All north 5/11 Wilkin ebd, 5/14 Grant CNn, 5/25 Pine KrM, 5/28 Otter Tail JsS, 5/29 Kanabec ANy, 5/30 Traverse ASu, 5/31 Cass HHD, Clay CMk, ASu. High counts 5/28 Olmsted (25, Rock Dell W.M.A.) BLa, 5/29 Yellow Medicine (17, Mound Spring Prairie) GWe, 5/28 Steele (15) JCC, 5/29 Rock (15) JmP.