Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon - Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys Occurrence
This is the 1930 to present seasonal report archive for
The Loon, journal of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union.
The last 2 years are available to MOU members.
Seasons
Families
Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks
New World Quail
Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys
Grebes
Pigeons, Doves
Cuckoos
Nightjars
Swifts
Hummingbirds
Rails, Gallinules, Coots
Limpkin
Cranes
Stilts, Avocets
Plovers
Sandpipers
Jaegers
Alcids
Gulls, Terns
Loons
Shearwaters and Petrels
Storks
Frigatebirds
Boobies and Gannets
Cormorants
Pelicans
Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons
Ibises
New World Vultures
Osprey
Kites, Accipiters, Hawks, Eagles
Barn Owls
Screech-Owls, Owls
Kingfishers
Woodpeckers
Caracaras, Falcons
Flycatchers
Vireos
Shrikes
Jays, Nutcrackers, Magpies, Crows
Chickadees, Titmice
Larks
Martins, Swallows
Kinglets
Waxwings
Silky-flycatchers
Nuthatches
Creepers
Gnatcatchers
Wrens
Thrashers, Mockingbirds
Starlings
Dippers
Thrushes
Old World Flycatchers
Old World Sparrows
Pipits
Finches
Longspurs and Snow Buntings
Towhees, Sparrows
Yellow-breasted Chat
Blackbirds, Orioles
Warblers
Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks

Seasons
Species: Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys
Wild Turkey
Ruffed Grouse
Spruce Grouse
Willow Ptarmigan
Rock Ptarmigan
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Greater Prairie-Chicken
[Sharp-tailed Grouse X Greater Prairie-Chicken]
Gray Partridge
Ring-necked Pheasant
[Chukar]

Greater Prairie-Chicken(Tympanuchus cupido)
YearSeasonNS
1932SummerNo occupied nest was found, but Evans and Risser noticed a nest full of recently deserted broken egg shells and 2 unhatched eggs on June 19 in Polk Ccvnty.
1933Summer Two nests reported. Breckenridge roports the first, from Anoka County, where it hold 9 eggs on May ?U1. Grimes lists the other, which was found in Pennington County on Juno 4th and contained 15 eggs.
1945WinterPresent throughout the year.
1961SummerAvifauna} Club members saw several near Syre, Norman County, on 17 June. Three seen between Ulen and Felton, Clay County on 4 August, by R. Huber.
1961WinterBob Janssen, Brother Theodore and Richard Oehlenschlager saw 41 near Nimrod, on Feb· ruary 17.
1962SpringMay 30 booming just south of Waubun, but in Becker Co., also many were flushed from a field between Felton and Ulen, Clay Co., on the same day, Avifaunal Club.
1962SummerJune 9, near Felton, Clay Co., four were flushed, Avilfaunal Club.
1962FallNov. 13, Nim rod area, Wadena Co., R. Oehlensch lager.
1962WinterDec. 16, Dec. 23, Feb. 2, Nimrod, Wadena Co., R. Oehlenschlager; Dec. 26, Cass Co., E. of Nimrod, R. Oehlenschalager.
1963SpringMarch 23, Nimrod, Wadena County, Avifaunal Club; May 24, south of Waubun, on the Becker-Mahnomen County line, displaying, R Grant.
1963SummerMahnomen Co., Waubun, May 24, 4 males with inflated neck sacs, dancing and displaying. R. Grant.
1964Spring4-17 Stevens Co, RPR; 4-25 Felton, Clay Co, booming, 7 birds, RG, RLH; 4-29 Cass Co, near Nimrod, LJ, RO; 5-6 Ada, Clay Co, booming, EGA.
1964Summer6-13, Mahno men Co, RAG.
1964WinterVery scarce in Wadena and Cass Co's this winter (RO); Flock of 20 seen 1-23 near Pine River, Cass Co, RO, RG, RLH_
1966Summer6-11 Clay Co, 7, RG, DB; 7-6 Clay Co, 1, RG; 7-27 Ogema, Mahnomen Co, ad-5y, EHH.
1967Spring4-9 Wilkin Co., 9, EHH; 5-20 Becker Co., 1, DB.
1968Spring 3-30 Rothsay, Wilkin Co., 25, DB, EHH; 4-18, 4-21 Clay Co., fide EGA; 5-29 Clay Co., 1, KE; 5-30 4 mi W. Waubun, Mahnomen Co., 1, AB, RLH.
1969Spring3-2 Clay Co., EGA; 3-16 Clay Co., EGA; 5-24 (2) Clay Co., DMF; 5-24 (3) Watonwan Co. DB, KP. 7 Mo.-r '
1969SummerCLAY Co. (1 ad, 8 imm.) 7-19 DB. Also reported from Becker and Mahnomen Co's.
1970Spring3-15 Clay (9} EA; 5-23 Becker (20} KE, PE; Wilkin Co. 4-3 (37} RG, 4-18 and 25 (31} EA, 5-5 (22} LM; only reports.
1971Summer2 reports (1) JBMH; 6-11 Clay (15) RBJ.
1971Fall10-9 Rothsay, Wilkin Co., KE; only report.
1971Winter12-18 (1) Ottertail KRE.
1972Summer6-25 Clay RBJ.
1973Summer 6-16 Clay RBJ & KE.
1974Spring 5 reports with all but one from Wilkin Co.: 3-20 Clay (7) E. Anderson; 4-13 (12-15) DCF; 4-20 (60+) CH; 4-20, 21 (100) PF; 4-28 (50) JS.
1974Summer 6-26 Felton, Clay Co. (PH); only report.
1974Fall 9-12 Becker (12) EW; 10-3 Wilkin (2) RBJ; 11-6 Polk (60) KBZ.
1974Winter 17 seen on the Crookston Christmas Count; also a reliable report of 6 near Lake Benton, Lincoln Co. on 2-20 (G. Scott); this species migrates in small numbers to southwest Minnesota.
1975Spring 2 reports: 4-19 Clay (4) PF and 4-20 (40) ABNGP.
1975Fallonly report 9-14 Wilken (3) SM.
1975Winterreported only during the Crookston Christmas Count period.
1976Spring 5 reports from 5-10 to 5-30 from Wilkin (83) and Polk (26).
1976Fall 10-9 Wilkin (27) and 11-1 Wilkin (60) SM, GO.
1976Winter Reported on the Crookston and Detroit Lakes Christmas Counts; also several reports from Rothsay W.M.A., Wilkin Co. with a peak of 25 on 12-19 (SM, GO).
1977Spring 14 reports from 3-2 to 5-30 in Wilkin (peak 71), Clay (peak 30), Polk (1) and Red Lake (11).
1977Summer T. Wolfe surveyed 67 booming grounds and found a total of 875 birds in Polk, Red Lake, Norman, Mahnomen, Becker, Cass, Clay, Wilkin and Otter Tail; this species is often missing in the summer report.
1977Fall Reported by 4 observers with peak 11-25 Wilkin (110) (RJ).
1977Winter Reported during the Fargo-Moorhead CBC period, on the Crookston CBC (46 seen), all winter at Rothsay W.M.A., Wilkin Co. (peak of 44 on 1-21, SM), and at Tamarack N.W.R., Becker Co. (12-1 only; probably a migrant).
1978Spring Reported from Polk, Wilkin, Otter Tail, Cass (5-28 BSH); Wadena (4-15, 8 new booming grounds, DNR).
1978Summer Seen in Clay and Wilkin.
1978Fall 8-1 Wilkin GO, 10-11 Cass RJ, 10-27 Wilkin (90) SM, 10-28 Wilkin GW, 11/0 Otter Tail SM.
1978Winter Reported from Polk, Wilkin and Otter Tail.
1979Spring Reported from Clay, Otter Tail, Polk, Wadena and Wilkin counties; high count 4-2 Wilkin DGW (27).
1979Summer Seen in Polk, Wilkin, Otter Tail.
1979Fall 9-5 Clay SM, 9-29 Wilkin RJ, only reports.
1979Winter Two reports from Wilkin and also present on the Crookston CBC.
1980Spring 4-13 Polk KSS, 4-21 Pennington KSS, 4-25 Wadena DJ; also reported as permanent resident Otter Tail SM, GMO.
1980Summer Breeding reported from Clay; also seen in Polk, Mahnomen, Becker, Wilkin, Otter Tail, Wad~na, Hubbard, Cass.
1980Winter Reported only from Pennington (KSS).
1981Spring Permanent resident; reported from Cass, Clay, Hubbard, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington and Wilkin counties.
1981Summer Seen throughout range in Northwest and adjacent counties plus Chippewa. Sharp-tailed Grouse, Seen in Aitkin, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Marshall.
1981Fall Permanent resident; 11-29 Wilkin SMD, only report.
1981Winter Two reports: Marshall 12-30 (SKS) and Clay 12-13 (GO) (SDM).
1982Spring Permanent resident; reported 3-14 Otter Tail SDM, 4-14 Marshall ANWR 4-25 Cass WN, 4-27 Pennington Kss: 5-8 Polk MH.
1982Summer Seen in Marshall, Polk, Norman, Clay, Wilkin, Hubbard, Cass.
1982Winter Reported from Otter Tail and Wilkin where they were booming on the very early date of 1/30 (RBJ).
1983Spring Permanent resident, reported 4/4 Clay TI, 4/6 Marshall ANWR, 4/17 Pennington KSS, Wilkin (52) SC.
1983Summer Breeding data from Clay, CHIPPEWA (Chippewa Prairie). Also seen in Marshall (Agassiz NWR), Pennington, Mahnomen, Becker.
1983Fall 9/8 Wilkin (I) RJ, 10/16 Clay (2) KC, 11/23 Wilkin SDM.
1983Winter Reported from Wilkin, Clay and Polk.
1984Spring Permanent resident, reported 4/15 Cass JB, 4/17 Red lake KSS, 4/23 Marshall ANWR, 4/29 Wilkin SDM, 5/27 Clay, LCF, 5/30 Pennington KSS.
1984Summerseen in Mahnomen, Becker and Clay.
1984Fall 8/17 Otter Tail KSS, 9/29 Polk (I) KC, 11/21 Wilkin SDM.
1984Winter Two reports; Felton Prairie, Clay Co. on 12-23 (LCF) and a total of 55 on the Crookston CBC.
1985Spring Permanent resident, reported 4/1 Mahnomen MHa, 4/6 Polk RJ, 4/7 Clay (13) LCF, 4/16 Clay TT, 5/16 Polk TT.
1985Summer Seen in Polk and Clay.
1985Fall Permanent resident, reported 10/27 Felton Prairie, Clay Co. (52) LCF.
1985Winter Reported only in Wilkin (SDM).
1986Spring Permanent resident, reported 4/2 Wilkin GAM, 4/21 Polk RJ, 5/3 Polk RGJ, 5/6 and 5/11 Clay LCF, 5/18 Polk AB, 5/24 Polk K. Overman.
1986Summer Seen only at Felton Prairie, Clay Co.
1986Fall Reported from Cass, Clay and Wilkin counties .
1986Winter Reported on the Crookston CBC and several reports of up to 50 individuals booming at Rothsay WMA in Wilkin in late February (m.ob.).
1987Spring Reported from Cass, Clay, Clearwater, Hubbard and Wilkin counties.
1987Summer Seen only in Cass (617, two, BBS).
1987Fall Wilkin KE; only report.
1987Winter Reported in Wilkin (SDM), and 14 on the Crookston CBC.
1988Spring Reported from Clay, Hubbard, Norman and Polk Counties.
1988Summer Seen only in Clay.
1988Fall All reports: 9/21-11/23 Wilkin (max. 71) SDM, 11/20 Otter Tail SDM, 11/26 Norman (30) RJ, AP.
1988Winter More reports than usual. Twenty-five on the Crookston CBC and reports from Norman, Clay, Wilkin, Otter Tail and Wadena.
1989Spring Reported from Clay and Wilkin Counties.
1989Summer A few more records than in recent years. Several nesting records from Rothsay area and Anna Gronseth Prairie in Wilkin JH, KB; also seen in Clay.
1989Fall All reports : 10/22-11126 Wilkin (max. 72) KE, DB, SDM, 11/25 Norman RJ.
1989Winter Reported only from the Rothsay WMA, Wilkin with 1/0 on 1/7 SDM and the Crookston CBC (49).
1990Spring All reports: 4/1-5/19 Clay mob, 5/19 Polk PS.
1990Summer Only reports from Wilkin, Clay.
1990Fall All reports: 10/6-10/ 13 Wilkin (max 30) MO, SDM, 10/20 Clay MO, 10/27 Polk (10) DC.
1990Winter Reported from Wilkin 2/3 (45) KB; Skree Township, Clay 1/27 (53) LCF; and Polk.
1991Spring All reports: 3/10-4/21 Clay (max 28) LCF, 3/31 Polk AB, 4/6 Norman MO, 4/6-28 Wilkin (max 90) mob, 4/25-514 Hubbard RG, RJ.
1991Summer Observed in Norman, Clay, Hubbard.
1991Fall All reports: 9/29 Norman MO and Wilkin (40) PB, 11/14 Clay MM.
1991Winter Reported from Wilkin 2/15 KB (60), mob, Norman 1/1 (Syre) & 2/2 (Gary) MO, Clay 2/22 (Bluestem Prairie) MO & 2/23 (Felton Prairie) LCF, and Crookston CBC (42).
1992Spring All reports: 3/8–4/26 Wilkin mob, 3/20–5/17 Clay mob, 3/28 Norman (44) MO, 4/11–12 Polk KE et al and Red Lake MCBS.
1992Summer Observed in Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake, Polk, Clay.
1992Fall All reports: 9/23 Otter Tail SDM (first record in over 10 years!) and 10/24–11/28 Wilkin mob.
1992Winter Only reports 12/4 Wilkin (150) RJ, Clay LCF, and on the Crookston (4) CBC.
1993Spring Reported 3/7?5/31 Wilkin (max 76) mob Polk AB, 4/22 Clay JD, 4/14 Cass DJ, Hubbard (max 11) DJ.
1993Summer Nested in Clay; probable breeding (booming observed) in Wilkin.
1993Fall All reports: 10/15 Polk, 10/17 Wilkin (40) KB, 10/24 Wilkin (54) WM, 11/28 Wilkin, Clay SDM.
1993Winter Up to 150 reported 1/15 Wilkin SDM. Also reported 12/2 Otter Tail SDM, and 12/11 Red Lake RG.
1994Spring All reports: 3/31 Pennington KSS, 4/7 Wilkin KKW, 4/9 Polk (3) KSS, 4/23 Clay LCF, 5/1 Clay DJ, 5/4 Wilkin SDM, 5/27 Clay PBu.
1994Summer Only report from Wilkin.
1994Fall All reports: 10/5 Felton Prairie, Clay Co. (30+) CF, 10/26 (27) Wilkin, mob (50+ booming at Rothsay WMA on 10/23 KE).
1994Winter Only reports in Wilkin SDM, on the Crookston CBC, and 2/25 Clay CF.
1995Spring All reports: 3/19–5/28 Wilkin SDM, mob, 3/21–5/28 Polk MCBS, AB, 4/21–22 Clay MN, SKS.
1995Summer More reports than usual. Nested in Mahnomen (Downing WPA) MCBS, Wilkin (Western Prairie); probable nesting in Clay (Bicentennial Prairie). Also observed in Polk, Pennington, Norman, Becker.
1995Fall All reports: 8/11 Clay (10) CF, 8/12 Clay DBM, 11/7 Clay (12) MN, 11/26 Wilkin (150–155) SDM.
1995Winter Reported from Polk, Wilkin and 1/21 Becker BBe.
1996Spring Reports and numbers up: 4/13 Wilkin (95) mob, 4/18 Otter Tail SDM, 4/20 Polk (22) SKS. Also seen at Felton Prairie, Clay Co. throughout season, mob.
1996Summer Reported in Polk, Pennington, Clay and Wilkin.
1996Fall All Reports: 9/29–10/18 Wilkin (20) mob, 10/16 Otter Tail SDM.
1996Winter Reported from Wilkin, Clay, Norman and on the Crookston CBC.
1997Spring Numbers up again: 3/2 Wilkin (205) SDM, 3/6 Norman (41) RJ, 3/8 Wadena (14) PBi, also Clay (13) mob.
1997Summer Only report from Clay.
1997Fall All reports: 10/11 Clay RO, 11/16 Wilkin SDM.
1997Winter Only reports from Wilkin and the Crookston (22) CBC.
1998Spring All reports: 3/14 Clay RK, 4/19 Norman RJ and Wilkin SDM, and 5/24 Wadena (2) PBi.
1998Summer All reports: Polk (Pembina Prairie), Clay (Felton Prairie), Wilkin.
1998Fall All reports: Clay, Wilkin (80+) mob.
1998Winter Only reported from Otter Tail and Wilkin.
1999Spring Reported in range from Polk, Norman, Clay, Otter Tail, Wilkin (84) mob. More unexpected were April reports from Aitkin (WN) and Kandiyohi (USFWS fide RJF). The Aitkin Co. bird was seen on a Sharp-tailed Grouse lek, which suggest the possibility of hybridization.
1999Summer Seen in Clay, Becker, Wilkin; reintroduction is occurring at Big Stone NWR in Lac qui Parle Co.
1999Fall Reported from usual locations in Wilkin, plus probable released birds farther south: 10/11 Lac qui Parle (BSNWR) AH, 10/23 Chippewa ABo.
1999Winter Reported from Clay and Wilkin, plus the Fergus Falls (20) and Warren (74) CBCs. Peak 1/5 Wilkin (200+) SDM.
2000Spring Reported within usual range from Otter Tail, Wilkin (max. 24), Clay, and Polk (Pembina Trail Prairie, EF).
2000Summer Only seen in Clay, Wilkin.
2000Fall Twenty were found 10/16 Norman (near Borup) fide BAB, and SDM tallied 217 in Wilkin (Rothsay WMA) on 11/29.
2000Winter Reported from Polk (50) and Wilkin (192).
2001Spring Reported within usual range from Wilkin (max. 50), Clay (22), and Polk (3), plus 4/13 Wadena (male) MRN.
2001Summer Reported in Clay; plus new nesting record in Polk CRM. Note that the MDNR recently released over 200 birds in Lac Qui Parle and Big Stone counties.
2001Fall Reported from usual locations in Polk, Wilkin. No significant counts.
2001Winter Reported from Polk, Clay, Wilkin, and Otter Tail. Also reported 2/18 Lac qui Parle (5 at Plover Prairie) WCM.
2002Spring Reported within usual range from Clay, Norman, Otter Tail, Polk, Wilkin. High counts 4/20 Wilkin (150 west of Rothsay) DPS, 4/21 Polk (75 near Fertile) RP.
2002Summer Seen in Norman, Polk. Red Lake, Clay, Wilkin, Otter Tail; peak count 4/21 Polk (75 at a lek near Fertile) RP.
2002Fall All reports within usual range: Clay (max. 50, RGj), Polk, Red Lake, Wilkin (max. 136, SPM).
2002Winter Reported from Clay, Polk, Wilkin and Otter Tail counties.
2003Spring Released birds sighted in Big Stone (2) and Lac qui Parle (14) BJU. All north reports: Becker (18 on new lek at Hamden Slough N.W.R., MTM), Clay (max. 59 at Felton Prairie, RHO), Otter Tail (14), Wadena (11 at Burgen Lake Prairie in Orton Twp., PJB), 4/18 Wilkin (high count 139 in Manston and Tanberg townships, PCC).
2003Summer Many more reports than usual; seen in Marshall, Polk, Pennington, Red Lake, Clay, Wilkin, Swift, Lac qui Parle, Pipestone (2 males at Altona W.M.A., †SSP). Birds observed in the latter three counties are probably from the recent Minnesota D.N.R. release in the West-central region.
2003Fall Numbers up in Pennington, Polk (max. 50, HH), and Red Lake (multiple flocks of 20+) JMJ, PHS. Additional north reports from Clay, Marshall, Otter Tail (100+ at Otter Tail Prairie S.N.A., KRE et al.), and Wilkin (max. 70, ChM). South reports from Lac qui Parle (2 near Plover Prairie and female in Augusta Twp., BJU) were presumably related to D.N.R. releases at Plover Prairie; this species has also been released at Chippewa Prairie in western Chippewa County (fide SPS).
2003Winter Reported from Clay, Norman, Polk, and Wilkin counties with maxima 200 on 1/8 Polk (Glacial Ridge Project) JEc and 2/5 Polk (SE of Crookston) PHS. Also reported 12/14, 1/17 & 2/28 Lac qui Parle (three locations) BJU and 2/4 Marshall (near Agassiz N.W.R.) fide JMJ.
2004Spring Released birds observed in Lac qui Parle (max. 25), Chippewa (1), and Stevens (1). All north reports: Becker (2), Clay (max. 61 at Felton Prairie), Grant (first modern day record 4/16 SPM), Norman (75 near Gary), Otter Tail (1), Pennington (4), Polk (max. 8), Red Lake (1), Wadena (15), 3/4 Wilkin (high count, 156) SPM.
2004Summer Seen in Red Lake, Polk, Norman, Clay. Recently released birds 6/24 Yellow Medicine (near Clarkfield) BJU, and three Lac qui Parle locations: 7/4 (hen with chicks, near Marsh Lake) BJU, 7/15 (Walter Twp.) BJU, 7/24 (2, Plover Prairie) PHS.
2004Fall North reports from Clay (72) RBJ, Norman, Otter Tail (40) fide JMJ, and Wilkin (max. 30) DPJ. Only south report: 8/22 Lac qui Parle ChH, presumably related to D.N.R. releases at Plover Prairie.
2004Winter All reports: 12/8 Clay fide JMJ, 1/19 Norman JEB, 1/29 Polk JMJ, 2/05 Wilkin JPE, 2/13 Norman (6) PHS, plus the Crookston (6) and Fergus Falls (1) CBCs.
2005Spring Released birds seen in Lac qui Parle (max. 20), Big Stone; origin of birds in Traverse unclear. All north reports: Becker (max. 14), Clay (max. 19 at 2 locations), Norman, Otter Tail, Polk (max. 10), Red Lake, Traverse (2) SPM, Wadena (18), 3/4 Wilkin (68) JPE.
2005Summer Reported from Red Lake, Polk, Clay, Wilkin. Recent releases seen 6/2 (9, Plover Prairie), 6/15 (Mehurin Twp.), 7/6 (Manfred Twp., and hen with four young, Freeland Twp.,), 7/8 (Perry W.M.A. and Walter Twp.), 7/25 (Augusta Twp.) Lac qui Parle and 6/26 Chippewa BJU.
2005Fall North reports from Clay (35) and Polk JEB, RBJ. South reports 8/7–11/22 Lac qui Parle m.ob., 8/23 Lincoln BJU, 10/16 Stevens BJU, presumably related to D.N.R. releases in Chippewa and Lac qui Parle.
2005Winter Reported from eight north and west counties in usual range, plus the following reports of released birds in Lac qui Parle: 12/26 Agassiz Twp., 1/1 Hantho Twp., 2/2 Camp Release Twp., 2/14 (4) Plover Prairie BJU.
2006Spring Released birds seen in Big Stone, Lac qui Parle (max. 19 at Plover Prairie), Swift BJU. All north reports: Becker, Clay (max. 35 at Bluestem Prairie), Norman (max. 65 near Gary), Otter Tail (2), Pennington (max. 6 near Carpenter's Corner), Polk (max. 4), Red Lake (max. 10 near Oklee), Wadena (11 at Burgen Lake Prairie W.M.A.), Wilkin (high count of 150 on 3/4) BWF.
2006Summer Found with-in usual range in Red Lake, Polk, Clay. Probable DNR released birds in three south counties: Big Stone, Lac qui Parle, Chippewa.
2006Fall North reports from Polk (Glacial Ridge N.W.R.) DDo, Traverse (Walls Twp.) BJU, and Wilkin (max. 41) JPE, HHD, m.ob. South reports 8/12 Big Stone JMJ, 9/14 Chippewa PBB, 9/14–11/29 Lac qui Parle m.ob., 8/13 Yellow Medicine BJU, presumably related to reintroduction of this species in West-central Minnesota (total of 570 birds released 1999–2006 according to SV).
2006Winter32 High count 12/13 Wilkin (60) DTT. Presumed releases 12/26 Lac qui Parle (17, section 16, Hantho Twp.), 1/17 Lac qui Parle (Plover Prairie East Unit), 2/5 Chippewa (4, two miles southeast of Milan) BJU. A total of 570 prairie-chickens was released in west-central Minnesota between 1999 and 2006, the last year of the reintroduction program (fide SV). Observers are asked to report all sightings in these areas to the Minnesota DNR.
2007Spring103 Released birds seen in three south counties, including Lac qui Parle (max. 11, Plover Prairie) m.ob. All north reports: Becker, Clay (high count of 167, Felton Prairie on 4/6) RHO, Douglas (3), Mahnomen (8, Rush W.M.A.), Marshall, Norman (6), Otter Tail, Polk (max. 65, Glacial Ridge N.W.R.), Red Lake (max. 8, Marcoux Corner), Wilkin (max. 69, Rothsay W.M.A.).
2007Summer32 Reported from Polk, Clay, Wilkin, Lac qui Parle, Pope. High counts: 6/9 Wilkin (22, 4 birds on lek on east side of Manston Marsh, 3 birds at the south end of Rothsay Prairie, and 15 birds still on lek southwest of Lawndale) BJU, 6/23 Polk (18, Glacial Ridge) JCC, LS.
2007Fall41 All north reports: 11/10 Clay (18 at Felton Prairie) JWH, 10/12 Norman LBF, 8/31 Polk (2 at Glacial Ridge N.W.R.) BJU, 10/14 Wilkin (43 at Rothsay W.M.A.) JCC. Only south report 11/18 Lac qui Parle (near Louisburg.) BJU, presumably related to D.N.R. releases at Plover Prairie.
2007Winter41 High counts 2/4 Polk (250) NGE, 1/28 Wilkin (50) RGj. All other north reports: 12/29 Norman PBB, DWR, 1/5 Wilkin (15) CMN, 1/27 Clay (18) PBB. All south reports: 12/21 Lac qui Parle (9) PBB, 12/18 Lac qui Parle (2, Plover Prairie) BJU.
2008Spring72 Presumed releases seen in Lac qui Parle (max. 29, Plover Prairie) BJU, Swift CRM. All north reports: Clay (high count of 56 at Felton Prairie on 5/16) RHO, Marshall, Norman (max. 20, Twin Valley Prairie S.N.A.) KRE, Otter Tail, Polk (max. 50, Glacial Ridge N.W.R), Wilkin (max. 30, Rothsay W.M.A.).
2008Summer31 Seen 6/1 Becker fide JMJ, Clay fide JMJ, 6/3 Lac qui Parle (presumably released birds) BJU, 6/6 Clay (9) CMB, (15) KRE, 6/23 Polk fide JMJ.
2008Fall22 All north reports: 11/1 Norman (4 in Flom Twp.) BJU, 9/25 Wilkin fide JMJ. All south reports: 9/6 Swift (near Benson) PHS, 11/26 Lac qui Parle (2 at Plover Prairie) BJU, presumably related to D.N.R. releases at Plover Prairie.
2008Winter11 Minnesota's prairie-chicken population has increased substantially in recent years, now standing at more than 1,600 adult males. The D.N.R. expects more than four times that number of birds in the fall population. High count 2/18 Wilkin (75) RGj. All south 2/3 Lac qui Parle (4, Plover Prairie) BJU.
2009Spring81 Presumed releases seen in Lac qui Parle (Flinks W.M.A. and Plover Prairie). All north reports: Becker (max. 16, Hamden Slough N.W.R.) fide JMJ, Clay (max. 16, Felton Prairie S.N.A) PLJ, Grant, Otter Tail, Polk (max. 32) JMJ, Red Lake, Traverse, Wilkin.
2009Summer5 Reported from Polk, Pennington, Norman, Mahnomen, Clay.
2009Fall21 All north reports: 10/9–10 Otter Tail, Wilkin CRM, m.ob. Only south report: 9/6 Yellow Medicine (3, Tyro and Omro Twp.) DPG, presumably related to D.N.R. releases at Plover Prairie.
2009Winter31 Reported from Clay, Lac qui Parle (Plover Prarie), Polk, and Roseau (Greenbush). CBC high counts 12/19 Crookston CBC (49), Bluestem Prairie/Buffalo River S.P. CBC (43).
2010Spring81 Presumed releases seen in Lac qui Parle (Plover Prairie) BJU. All north reports: Becker ARo, Clay (max. 20, Felton Prairie S.N.A) DPW, RHO, Norman JMJ, Pennington PHS, Polk, Roseau, Wadena, Wilkin (max. 22, Rothsay W.M.A.) AMe.
2010Summer21 All north reports: 6/23, 6/24 Clay LMS, 7/24 Mahnomen HHD. Probable DNR releases 6/10, 6/17 Lac qui Parle BJU, RMD.
2010Fall31 All north reports: 8/2 Clay RHO, 9/11 Wilkin DBM, 10/23 Polk (40) KRE. Only south reports: 9/4 Lac qui Parle (3, Agassiz Twp.) BJU, 11/20 Lac qui Parle (7, Plover Prairie) HHD, presumably related to D.N.R. releases at Plover Prairie.
2010Winter31 All reports with details: 12/28 Lac qui Parle (1, section 33, Perry Twp.) BJU, 1/25 Wilkin (2, Rothsay W.M.A.) YK, 2/15 Lac qui Parle (1, Plover Prairie) BJU. Also reported on two CBCs: 12/18 Fargo-Moorhead, 12/28 Bluestem Prairie/Buffalo River S.P.
2011Spring44 Presumed releases seen in Big Stone, Chippewa (Chippewa Prairie), Lac qui Parle (Plover Prairie), Swift (Chippewa Prairie North) BJU. All north reports: Becker ALo, SPe, Clay (max. 20, Felton Prairie) NAa, m.ob., Red Lake DBz, Traverse BJU.
2011Summer11Found 6/25, 7/11, 7/19 Clay VNi, DoJ, ARW, 6/12 Lac qui Parle (released birds at Plover Prairie) BJU.
2011Fall41 All north reports 9/3–23 Clay (max. 14, Felton Prairie) m.ob., 9/4 Polk (Angus Twp.) KRE, m.ob., 10/22 Wilkin (max. 5) m.ob., 11/18 Becker (20, Hamden Slough N.W.R.) MO. Only south reports 8/1–11/17 Lac qui Parle (max. 7) ACr, BJU, presumably related to D.N.R. releases at Plover Prairie.
2011Winter42All south reports: 1/10 Lac qui Parle (3, Plover Prairie), 2/14 (1) and 2/23 (2) Chippewa (Chippewa Prairie), 2/23 Lac qui Parle (2, Plover Prairie) BJU. North reports from Marshall, Mahnomen, Pennington, Polk. No counts greater than 3 were reported.
2012Spring71 Presumed releases seen in Lac qui Parle (Plover Prairie, Hegland W.P.A.) BJU, FGo. All north reports: Becker (max. 45) BDS, Clay (max. 35, Bluestem Prairie) SHe, Mahnomen JCC, Marshall (4) CSt, Norman (max. 18) JCC, Polk (max. 50, Glacial Ridge N.W.R.) AFo, Wilkin MJM.
2012Summer51 Seen in Clay, Lac qui Parle (released birds), Norman, Polk, Red Lake, Wilkin.
2012Fall31 All north reports: 9/25–27 Polk (Tympanuchus W.M.A.) VLa, 10/11 Norman CRM, ALo, 11/17 Red Lake HHD, RAE. Only south reports: 8/1, 11/14 Lac qui Parle (Plover Prairie S.N.A.) BJU.
2012Winter41 North reports from Clay, Marshall, Polk, Wilkin. High count 12/17 Clay (26) RHO. CBC high counts 12/15 Crookston (144), 12/22 Bluestem Prairie/Buffalo River S.P. (45). One south report: 1/6 Lac qui Parle (5, Plover Prairie) DLP.
2013Spring112 Presumed releases seen in Chippewa (Chippewa Prairie) DBM, Lac qui Parle (Plover Prairie) DLP. All north reports: Becker (max. 46, Hamden Slough N.W.R.) PEB, Clay (max. 19, Moorhead) JPr, Clearwater HHD, Mahnomen CAB, Marshall JGr, Norman (max. 23) DWK, PEB, Otter Tail ALo, RZi, Pennington PEB, Polk (max. 27, Tympanuchus W.M.A.) VLa, Red Lake RAE, SAS, Wilkin ALo, RZi.
2013Summer5 Found in Becker, Clay, Norman, Polk, Red Lake.
2013Fall41 Found north in Marshall, Polk, Becker, and Clay, including a high count of 12 on 9/14 in Clay at Felton Prairie DPa. Only south report 8/13 Lac qui Parle (2, Big Stone N.W.R.) DLP.
2013Winter4 All reports from Northwest, from Becker, Clay, Norman, Polk, with high counts 12/21 Clay (71, Bluestem Prairie S.N.A.) PBB, 2/27 Norman (28, north of Neal W.M.A.) DBM, 12/21 Clay (26, Magnusson W.M.A.) KCo,
2014Spring10All reports were from counties the Northwest and West-central regions: Becker, Mahnomen, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Roseau, Wilkin, including high counts 3/29 Clay (35, Spring Prairie S.N.A.) PBB, 3/30 Polk (30, Pankratz Natural Area) CrM, m.ob., and a new county record 5/25 Kittson (C.R. 8 west of Hwy 59) KRE, m.ob.
2014Summer3Reported in Clay, Polk, Wilkin.
2014Fall5 Found in the northwestern counties of Becker, Clay, Polk, Norman, and Red Lake. High counts 10/23 Polk (39) ANy, 8/29 Norman (15) JWH, 10/25 Clay (14) PBB.
2014Winter3 All reports from Clay, Marshall, Polk, with high counts 1/4 Clay (56, Spring Prairie S.N.A.) PBB, 2/21 Clay (47, Ulen) PBB, 1/22 Clay (40) fide JMJ. CBC high counts 12/21 Bluestem Prairie/Buffalo River S.P. (44), 12/20 Crookston (23).
2015Spring51 One south report: 3/6 Lac qui Parle DLP (2, Plover Prairie). All other reports from Becker, Norman, Polk, and Wilkin. High count: 4/12 Clay (55, Hotsie Lake) RHO.
2015Summer4 Observed in Becker, Clay, Polk, Wilkin.
2015Fall4 Found in the northwestern counties of Becker, Clay (10/16 high count of 29, Felton Prairie KRE, m.ob.), Marshall, and Wilkin.
2015Winter3 Only a few reports, all from Clay, Marshall, Polk. All non-CBC reports: 12/18 Marshall JMP, 1/24 Clay (42, in farm fields across from Spring Prairie Preserve) ShG, HeH, 1/29 Marshall ODa. CBC high counts 12/19 Crookston (89), 12/17 Glacial Ridge (55), 1/2 Bluestem Prairie/Buffalo River S.P. (13).
2016Spring72 Two south reports: 4/9 Pipestone (one bird seen in flight east of Winter W.M.A., Altona Twp., The Loon 88:186) JSc, 4/17 Chippewa (2, Chippewa Prairie) RAE. All other reports from Becker, Clay, Mahnomen, Norman, Polk, Red Lake, Wilkin. High counts 5/20 Clay (40, Felton Prairie) LSm, 4/1 Clay (38, Bluestem Prairie) AKu.
2016Summer71 Observed in Becker, Clay, Hubbard, Lac qui Parle, Mahnomen, Norman, Polk, Wilkin. High count 6/22 Clay (21, Bluestem Prairie S.N.A.) CSa.
2016Fall7 Found north in Clay, Grant, Polk, Marshall, Norman, Red Lake, Wilkin. High count 10/7 Clay (13, Bluestem Prairie S.N.A.) MO.
2016Winter41 North reports all from Clay, Polk, Red Lake, Wilkin, with high counts 12/17 Polk (139) LnT, 1/1 Clay (93, Bluestem Prairie S.N.A.) PBB, 12/24 Wilkin (80, Rothsay W.M.A.) MJB. One south report and first county record 2/25 Pope (Ordway Prairie) †JoS. CBC high counts 12/31 Bluestem Prairie/Buffalo River S.P. (148), 12/17 Crookston (139).
2017Spring91 One south report: 4/6 Pipestone (1, near C.R 10 and C.R. 15) JSc. All other reports from Becker, Clay, Grant, Kittson, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Wilkin. High counts 5/12 Clay (40, Felton Prairie) SKu, NKu, 4/15 Polk (36, Kertsonville Twp., total from 2 leks) SAu.
2017Summer31 Reported from Clay, Grant (multiple July reports from North Ottawa Impoundment), Polk, 7/29 Stevens (Muddy Creek W.M.A.) KnM.
2017Fall52 Found north in Becker, Clay, Grant, Polk, Wilkin, including a high count of 24 on 11/11 in Wilkin at Rothsay W.M.A. KnM, LiH. Two south reports 8/5 Big Stone (8, Ortonville) DnS, MiS, 11/19 Pope (2, Glacial Lakes S.P.) LKo.
2017Winter6 Most reports from Clay and Polk; others from Becker, Mahnomen, Otter Tail, Wilkin. High count 12/18 Clay (117) KCo. CBC high counts 12/18 Bluestem Prairie/Buffalo River S.P. (153), 12/16 Crookston (67).
2018Spring7 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.
2018Summer4 Reported from Clay, Marshall, Polk, Wilkin.
2018Fall7 Found north in Becker, Clay (including the high count of 29 on 10/5 at Felton Prairie TCL), Grant, Marshall, Polk, Red Lake, Wilkin.
2018Winter5 All reports from Northwest (Clay, Norman, Otter Tail, Polk, Wilkin), with high counts 12/6 Wilkin (52, Rothsay W.M.A.) LiH, ASu, 12/22 Clay (32, Bluestem Prairie S.N.A.) PBB, 2/18 Clay (25, C.R. 9 near Bluestem Prairie S.N.A.) FFa, MKr, 2/16 Clay (24, Spring Prairie S.N.A.) PBB. CBC high counts 12/15 Crookston (113), 12/22 Bluestem Prairie/Buffalo River SP (32), 12/20 Glacial Ridge (27).
2019Spring9 All reports were from counties in the Northwest and West-central regions: Becker, Clay, Grant, Mahnomen, Norman, Pennington, Otter Tail, Polk, Wilkin. High count 4/30 Clay (50, The Nature Conservancy, Glyndon) ebd.
2019Summer2 Observed in Clay (primarily Bluestem Prairie S.N.A. and Felton Prairie), plus 7/5 Red Lake (Lake Pleasant Twp.) AaL, CLu.
2019Fall41 Found north in Clay, Norman, Polk, Wilkin. One south report 9/2 Lac qui Parle (Plover Prairie) DLP. High counts 10/9 Wilkin (18, Rothsay) AFo, 9/4 Clay (13, Hawley) TCL.
2019Winter5 Most reports from Clay and Polk; also reported from Mahnomen, Norman, Wilkin. High counts 2/2 Clay (81, Bluestem Prairie S.N.A. and vicinity) TCL, 2/19 Polk (46, Pankratz Memorial Prairie–North Unit) ebd. CBC high counts 12/14 Crookston (84), 12/19 Glacial Ridge (26).
2020Spring6 All reports were from counties in the Northwest and West-central regions: Becker, Clay, Norman, Polk, Red Lake, and Wilkin. High count 5/7 Wilkin (25) SHo.
2020Summer5 Seen in Becker, Clay, Kittson, Mahnomen, Wilkin.
2020Fall7 Found north in Clay, Grant, Norman, Otter Tail, Polk, Red Lake, Wilkin. High count 11/30 Clay (52, Spring Prairie Preserve) PBB.
2020Winter6 Most records from Clay and Polk; also reported from Becker, Mahnomen, Otter Tail, Wilkin. High counts 12/5 Wilkin (75, Rothsay W.M.A.) GWe, 1/2 Polk (60, Mentor Prairie) ebd, 12/30 Clay (57) JWZ. CBC high count 12/28 Bluestem Prairie/Buffalo River SP (122).
2021Spring10 All reports were from counties in the Northwest and West-central regions: Becker, Clay, Kittson, Mahnomen, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Wilkin. High count 4/17 Clay (128, Spring Prairie S.N.A.; males and females on multiple booming grounds) PBB.
2021Summer7 Found in Becker, Clay, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Red Lake, Wilkin.
2021Fall6 Found north in Becker, Clay, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake. High counts 9/14 Clay (20, Buffalo River S.P.) ebd, 9/22 Red Lake (15, Moran W.M.A.) DvP.
2021Winter7 Most reports from Clay, Polk, Becker; also reported from Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake, Wilkin. High counts 2/26 Clay (56, Bluestem Prairie S.N.A.) TCL, 12/11 Polk (25, Pankratz Memorial Prairie) TJJ. CBC high counts 12/18 Crookston (61), 12/17 Glacial Ridge (44), 12/20 Bluestem Prairie/Buffalo River SP (43).
2022Spring9 All reports were from counties in the Northwest and West-central regions: Becker, Clay, Grant, Mahnomen, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau, Wilkin, with high count 3/13 Norman (43, near Twin Valley) HeH.
2022Summer61 Seen in Becker, Clay, Lac qui Parle, Otter Tail, Polk, Red Lake, Wilkin.
2022Fall3 Found north in Clay (including a high count on 10/20 of 50 at Bluestem Prairie S.N.A. TkL), Norman, Polk.
2022Winter5 Most reports from Clay and Polk; also reported from Becker, Marshall, Wilkin. High counts were from Clay, with highest 12/19 (83, near Buffalo River S.P.) CMk. Elsewhere, high count 12/27 Becker (38, Audubon) TCL. CBC high counts 12/19 Bluestem Prairie / Buffalo River SP (234), 1/4 Glacial Ridge (33), 12/28 Detroit Lakes (12).
 
 Breeds locally. Permanent resident west-central. State designation: Special Concern.

Notes:

Click on the bird name to see a photographic image of the bird.
Column N  Number of counties where the bird was seen in the North.
Column S  Number of counties where the bird was seen in the South.