The Loon, journal of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union.
The last 2 years are available to MOU members.
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Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon - Towhees, Sparrows | 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 |
| Species: Towhees, Sparrows |
| Nelson's Sparrow(Ammospiza nelsoni) | ||||
| Year | Season | N | S | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1932 | Summer | |||
| 1961 | Spring | Seen 15 May at Carlos Avery Refuge by Brother Theodore. | ||
| 1961 | Summer | Seen all summer long in Becker County, just south of Waubun. First seen on 17 June, last seen on 5 August. | ||
| 1961 | Fall | On 1 Oct., Avifaunal Club members saw one at Heron Lake. The bird fed leisurely on the ground at the nearly-dry delta of Okabena Creek. | ||
| 1962 | Spring | Several seen and heard by Avifaunal Club on May 30 in Becker and Mahnomen Counties | ||
| 1962 | Summer | June 9, 23, July 30, Becker-Mahnomen Co.'s, singing males present, behaved as if nesting, Avifaunal Club. | ||
| 1963 | Spring | May 24, Becker Co., S of Waubun, 4 seen, R. Grant. | ||
| 1963 | Summer | Same as for Le Conte's Sparrow, except in fewer numbers, Avifaunal Club. | ||
| 1964 | Spring | 5-23 Becker Co, BL, RLH. | ||
| 1964 | Summer | all summer at usual spot in Becker Co, S. of Waubun, RAG, RLH, DP, RO. | ||
| 1966 | Summer | reported from Becker, Mahnomen and Clay Co's. | ||
| 1966 | Fall | 8-13 Mahnomen Co., EHH. | ||
| 1967 | Spring | 5-27 Becker and Mahnomen Co's., 3, JAH. | ||
| 1967 | Summer | 7-29 Becker-Mahnomen Co. line, 2, DB. | ||
| 1968 | Spring | 5-30 Mahnomen Co., 4 mi. S. Waubun, 1 singing male at usual spot, AB, RLH. | ||
| 1968 | Summer | 6- 15 Mahnomen Co, 4 mi S Waubun, 2, FN/MAS. | ||
| 1969 | Spring | 5-24 Mahnomen Co., DB. | ||
| 1969 | Summer | 6-11 Felton, Clay Co's. EA; 6-12 Waubun, Mahnomev Co. 2 JJG, RBJ; 7-19 Becker Co. DB. | ||
| 1969 | Fall | 10-2 Clay ETS. | ||
| 1970 | Summer | 6-21 Waubun Becker Co {3 ) DB. ' • | ||
| 1971 | Spring | 5-15 Lyon RBJ, JG; only report. | ||
| 1971 | Summer | 6-12 usual spot near Waubun, DB, RBJ; " present" Agassiz Refuge, Marshall Co., JBMH. | ||
| 1971 | Fall | 2 reports marsh (3) FL; 9-28 Hennepin CH. | ||
| 1973 | Summer | 8-1 Wilkin (Dr. Harrison B. Tordoff), 6-11 Becker (Mrs. E. W. Joul), 6-15 Mahnomen (RBJ & KE). | ||
| 1974 | Summer | Summered in two marshes in Aitkin Co. (3-5 birds, TS); also seen 7-28 Waubun marsh, Mahnomen Co. (KE). | ||
| 1975 | Spring | 3 reports: 5-4 and 5-30 Rock (Blue Mounds State Park) HCK; 5-3 Swift (2), HH ; | ||
| 1975 | Summer | Found for the second year in a row in Aitkin Co. (6-7 and 6-22; ES, OJ); also "seen and heard regularly at 2 locations, heard occasionally elsewhere" in Marshall Co. (SV); no reports from Waubun. | ||
| 1976 | Spring | 5 reports: 5-27 to 5-30 Marshall SV, JCG, LH, DB; 5-28 Polk RL. | ||
| 1976 | Summer | nested in Marshall (7-21, Agassiz N. W. R., adult carrying food, SV; she also reported this species to be "numerous" here); also reported from Waubun, Mahno- men Co. (J. Fitzpatrick) and. in late July in Aitkin Co. for ~he third summer in a row (T. SavaloJa). | ||
| 1976 | Fall | 3 reports: 9-19 Duluth JG, EC, 10-9 Wilkin GO, GW, 10-26 Otter Tail GO. | ||
| 1977 | Spring | 7 reports: 4-23 Lac qui Parle (2); 5-21 Aitkin; 5-20 Marshall (1) SVA; 5-22 Morrison (3 singing) TS; 5-23 Cook (1) LH; 5-28 Marshall (2) DGW; 5-30 Aitkin BB. | ||
| 1977 | Summer | 2 reports: 2 until 7-15 at Agassiz N.W.R., Marshall Co. (SV); "present" all summer at McGregor, Aitkin Co. (JB), plus 2 on 7-15 at Grayling W.M.A. (KE). | ||
| 1977 | Fall | 9-14 Hennepin (3) (BE), 9-17 Wilkin (1) (GW, GO, all reports). | ||
| 1978 | Spring | 5-28 Marshall SV. | ||
| 1978 | Summer | 10-1 Lyon Paul Egeland. | ||
| 1978 | Fall | 10-1 Lyon Paul Egeland. | ||
| 1979 | Spring | One report: 5-19 Clay KE. Vesper Spanow Early south 4-8 Carver RJ, 4-10 Freeborn DG; early north 5-18 Marshall ANWR, 5-10 Otter Tail GMO, 5-20 Wilkin GS, 5-21 Clay LCF. | ||
| 1979 | Summer | Seen in Kittson, Marshall, Polk, Mahnomen, Aitkin (McGregor). Vesper Sparrow nest, June 20, 1980, Gilman, Benton County. | ||
| 1980 | Summer | Seen in Roseau, Marshall, Pennington, Wilkin (Tl35R46), Aitkin (McGregor). | ||
| 1981 | Spring | Two reports: 5-23 Mahnomen KE, SM, 5-30 Aitkin KE. | ||
| 1981 | Summer | Seen in Aitkin (McGregor, KRE), Marshall (Agassiz NWR, S&KS). | ||
| 1981 | Fall | Two reports: 8-8 Pennington KSS, 10-3 Lyon Paul Egeland. | ||
| 1982 | Spring | One report: 5-30 Aitkin WN. | ||
| 1982 | Summer | Seen in Roseau, Marshall (two locations), Polk (nine locations), Cass (I mile e. of Leader; KL), Aitkin. | ||
| 1983 | Spring | One report 5/29 Aitkin TS. | ||
| 1983 | Summer | Seen in Aitkin (McGregor), Marshall (Agassiz NWR). | ||
| 1983 | Fall | One report 10/6 Roseau AJ. | ||
| 1984 | Spring | Three reports: 4/10 Carver, (The Loon 56:274), 5/21 Marshall ANWR, 5/26 Aitkin KL. | ||
| 1984 | Summer | seen in Marshall and Aitkin. | ||
| 1984 | Fall | Two reports 9/2 Clearwater AB, 9/9 Roseau AJ. | ||
| 1985 | Spring | One report 5/24 Polk KE. | ||
| 1985 | Summer | Seen in Aitkin, Mahnomen. | ||
| 1986 | Spring | Two reports 5/18 Polk AB, 5/27 Marshall KE. | ||
| 1986 | Summer | Seen in Marshall, Mahnomen, Aitkin. | ||
| 1987 | Summer | Seen in Agassiz NWR, Mahnomen, Aitkin (McGregor). | ||
| 1988 | Spring | Two reports : 5/27-28 Marshall m.ob., 5/28 Aitkin WN. | ||
| 1988 | Summer | Only reports: Marshall (Agassiz NWR), Aitkin (McGregor marsh). | ||
| 1988 | Fall | Three reports: Duluth MH et al., 9/24 Duluth PB, KE et al.; 9/5-6 Hennepin GP, m.ob. | ||
| 1989 | Spring | One report 5/29 Wilkin KB. | ||
| 1989 | Summer | Few reports ; only seen in Aitkin. | ||
| 1989 | Fall | Three reports 8/20 CB, 9/3 Clearwater AB, 9/30 Hennepin RC (The Loon 61 :204). | ||
| 1990 | Spring | Two reports 5/27 Aitkin MSt, 5/29 Aitkin WN. | ||
| 1990 | Summer | Reports from Marshall, Polk, Aitkin. | ||
| 1990 | Fall | All reports: 8/12 Clay LCF, 9/29 Hennepin OJ. | ||
| 1991 | Spring | Only reports: 5/19 Kittson KB, Polk PS, 5/23 Roseau KB, 5/25 Marshall PB. | ||
| 1991 | Summer | Twice the usual number of reports; seen in Kittson, Roseau, Marshall, Polk, Clearwater AB, Wilkin, Aitkin. | ||
| 1992 | Spring | Early north 5/16 Pennington KSS, 5/20 Morrison MCBS. | ||
| 1992 | Summer | Reported in Roseau, Polk, Aitkin; plus June observations at several sites in Morrison MCBS (south of previously known breeding range). | ||
| 1992 | Fall | One report: 10/4 Duluth AH. | ||
| 1993 | Spring | 5/20 Washington SD, 5/31 Otter Tail SDM. | ||
| 1993 | Summer | Seen in Kittson, Clay, Aitkin (within traditional range). Also reported in Morrison for second consecutive year; plus at least one bird singing in the Sax-Zim bog area, St. Louis Co. (6/14–19 KR et al.). | ||
| 1994 | Spring | Two reports 5/21 Roseau PS, 5/30 Aitkin WN. | ||
| 1994 | Summer | Only reports from Roseau, Aitkin. | ||
| 1995 | Spring | Early north 5/16 (ties earliest date north) Becker BBe, 5/20 Aitkin WN, 5/24 Polk MCBS. | ||
| 1995 | Summer | Reported in Roseau (numbers up, PS); found at seven locations in Polk Co. MCBS; found at Neal WMA in Norman RJ; observed at two sites in Waubun Prairie in Mahnomen MCBS; discovered near Swamp R. in Cass, PS; and observed at traditional McGregor site in Aitkin. | ||
| 1995 | Fall | All reports: 8/11 Norman DBM, 9/21–24 Anoka (6) KB, mob (The Loon 67:249–250), 9/30 Clay CF. | ||
| 1996 | Spring | No reports. | ||
| 1996 | Summer | Reported on 7/20 at three traditional locations in Roseau PS; three birds observed on 7/13 east of Felton Prairie in Clay RO; reported at traditional McGregor marsh site in Aitkin; also observed 7/10–14 Wilkin SDM. | ||
| 1996 | Fall | All reports: 8/3 Kittson PS, 10/8 Wargo Nature Center, Anoka Co. KB, 10/12 (second latest north date) Duluth, St. Louis Co. CK et al. | ||
| 1997 | Spring | All reports: 5/6 Lyon RgS, 5/17 Winona CS, 5/24 Aitkin WN. Breeding birds in northwestern Minnesota were late arriving on territory (MBW). | ||
| 1997 | Summer | Several reports: Kittson (three locations near L. Bronson S.P. and Caribou WMA), Marshall (Agassiz NWR), Pennington, Mahnomen, Clay (Felton Prairie), Aitkin (McGregor Marsh). | ||
| 1997 | Fall | All reports: 8/3 Aitkin TBr, 9/21 French Lake, Hennepin Co. HT, 9/28 Resurrection Cemetery, Dakota Co. TT, 10/18 (ties latest south date) Old Cedar Ave. Bridge, Hennepin Co. TT. | ||
| 1998 | Spring | Early north 5/12 (earliest date north) Douglas (Solem Twp.) SWa, GrK, 5/23 Clay CK. | ||
| 1998 | Summer | Most reports ever for this species. Recorded in Kittson, Roseau, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Polk, Clay, Wilkin, Otter Tail, Aitkin. | ||
| 1998 | Fall | All reports: 9/7 Hennepin (Brooklyn Park) OJ, 9/17–10/2 Olmsted (E. Landfill Reservoir) CBe, mob, 9/20 Hennepin (MSP airport) TT, 10/2–4 St. Louis (40th Avenue West) DBe, mob. | ||
| 1999 | Spring | Only report: 5/18 Roseau AH, PS. | ||
| 1999 | Summer | Seen or heard in Kittson, Norman, Beltrami, Cass, and Aitkin. | ||
| 1999 | Fall | All reports: 9/9 Hennepin TT, 9/26 Olmsted JSt, 10/5 Jackson BBo, 10/8–10 McLeod †DF, †RbS, 10/9 Dakota TT. More reports than usual for this species, which is rarely detected during migration. | ||
| 2000 | Spring | All reports: 5/22 Marshall (ANWR) MB, 5/30+ Aitkin (McGregor) WN. | ||
| 2000 | Summer | Seen in Roseau, Marshall, Clay, Aitkin. | ||
| 2000 | Fall | Only north reports were from Two Harbors in Lake: 9/15 (Burlington Bay) JWL, 9/19 (Agate Bay) JWL. More south reports than usual, but usually overlooked? Observed 9/17 Olmsted (East Landfill Reservoir near Rochester) CBe, 9/18 Steele (2) RBJ, 9/25 Dakota (2) TAT, 10/1–11 Hennepin (3–4 at Crow-Hassan Park) SLC, 10/2–3 Dakota (Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights) ADS, 10/3 Dakota (record high count of 7 in Lakeville) ADS, 10/3–14 Rice (6+ at River Bend N.C.) TBF, †JGL, 10/7 Dakota TAT. Most had no details. | ||
| 2001 | Spring | All reports were within usual breeding range but some were in marginal habitat: 5/19+ Roseau mob, 5/26–28 Marshall KRE et al., 5/30+ Aitkin (McGregor) MCBS. | ||
| 2001 | Summer | Seen in Roseau, Marshall, Polk, Clay, Aitkin. | ||
| 2001 | Fall | Only north reports: 9/16 St. Louis SWe, 9/19 Roseau (2) BRB. All south observations: 9/19 Anoka (Carlos Avery W.M.A.) KJB, 9/19–23 Olmsted (East Landfill Reservoir) CBe, 10/3–9 Rice (at least 2 at River Bend N.C.) TFB, 10/5 Dakota (2 at Lakeville) ADS, TAT. | ||
| 2002 | Spring | All south reports: 5/15 Jackson (Timber Lake W.P.A.) BRB, 5/16 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave., Bloomington) †PEB, 5/27 Murray (Hiram Southwick W.M.A.) †CRG, †CBe et al. Only north report: 5/20 Traverse (Mud L.) KJB. | ||
| 2002 | Summer | Observed in Polk, Wilkin, Traverse, and Aitkin. | ||
| 2002 | Fall | All north reports: 9/11 Traverse (6 at Mud L.) KJB, 9/15 St. Louis (Stoney Pt.) JWL, 9/21–22 St. Louis TAT, MH, 9/23 Pine JMP, 10/5 Lake (Beaver Bay lagoons) JWL. All south reports: 9/12 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) KJB, 9/26 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave.) BBB, 9/29 Hennepin (3 at Crow-Hassan Regional Park) †SLC, 9/29 Meeker (4 in field with Le Conte's Sparrows) DMF, 10/1 Hennepin (Wood L.) TAT, 10/4–7 Rice (third year in a row at River Bend N.C.) TFB, 10/8 Carver (Seminary Fen) RMD. | ||
| 2003 | Spring | Only report: 5/13 McLeod (2 at Swan Lake Park) †DMF, †RWS. | ||
| 2003 | Summer | Found in Roseau, Marshall, Pennington, Norman, Mahnomen, Becker, Wilkin, Aitkin. | ||
| 2003 | Fall | All north reports: 9/17–23 St. Louis (40th Ave. W., max. 3) KRE, MH, PHS, m.obs., 9/23 Lake (Two Harbors, two locations) JWL, 9/28 Lake (Beaver Bay W.T.P.) JWL, 10/5 Otter Tail (Otter Tail Prairie S.N.A.) CRM, KRE, 10/12 Lake (ties latest north date, Flood Bay) JWL. All south reports: 9/20 Carver (Chaska L.) RMD, 9/25 Watonwan (Fedji L.) JEB, 10/4 Lac qui Parle (Lac qui Parle S.P.) BJU, 10/5 Hennepin (Crow-Hassan P.R.) SLC. | ||
| 2004 | Spring | Two south reports: 5/3 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU, 25 May Anoka (tower kill) fide JSc. All north reports: 5/27 Lake of the Woods (Baudette) MHK, 5/28 Kittson (2 locations) AXH, PHS. | ||
| 2004 | Summer | Reported from six north counties within usual summer range. | ||
| 2004 | Fall | All north reports: 9/4 Marshall, 9/5 Roseau KRE et al., 10/2 Cook JWL, 10/7 Clay JGa, 10/13 Beltrami DPJ (second latest). Latest south date on record 10/22 Cottonwood LBF. | ||
| 2005 | Spring | All reports: record-early 5/7 Beltrami BJU, then 5/19 Clay PBB, 5/20 Wilkin AXH, PHS, 5/29 Aitkin KWR, 5/30 Polk m.obs. | ||
| 2005 | Summer | Observed in Kittson, Roseau, Polk, Clay, Traverse, Morrison, Cass, Itasca, Aitkin, Lake. | ||
| 2005 | Fall | Seen in six north counties including 8/29 Hubbard (Mud Lake, Farden Twp.) BJU, 10/1 Lake ASc. Early south 9/17+ Olmsted (South Landfill Reservoir) DAB, JWH, PWP. Late north 10/8 Mahnomen (Waubun W.M.A.) BJU. Late south 10/8 Brown (near Bashaw W.M.A.) †BTS, 10/9 Meeker (near Darwin) DMF. Additional south reports 10/1 Sherburne (Sherburne N.W.R.) LBF, 10/2 Nicollet (Swan L.) DAB, RMD, JWH. | ||
| 2006 | Spring | Seen and heard 4/22 Lac qui Parle (earliest date on record; east side of CR 59, Lac qui Parle W.M.A.) BJU; only other south report 5/9 Lac qui Parle (Freeland Twp.) BJU. All north reports: 5/29–31 Clay (6) PBB et al., 5/30 Cass (5 along CR 8 at Boy River, plus one along CR 4) BAW. | ||
| 2006 | Summer | Seen in eight counties: Marshall, Pennington, Polk, Hubbard. Cass, Aitkin, Morrison, Big Stone (7/22, singing male, PHS). | ||
| 2006 | Fall | Only north report: 8/30 Traverse BJU. Seen in eight south counties. Record-early south (but see summer report) 8/23 Lac qui Parle (juvenile in section 3, Walter Twp.) BJU; next reported 9/14–15 Yellow Medicine (St. Leo W.M.A. and section 27, Omro Twp.) BJU, 9/20 Olmsted (South Landfill Res.) JWH. Late south 10/8 Hennepin †DWN and Le Sueur RMD, 10/17 Hennepin JLO. All other south reports: Big Stone, Meeker, Washington. | ||
| 2007 | Spring | 1 | Second highest count 5/31 Cass (8 at Boy River Marsh) BAW. | |
| 2007 | Summer | 8 | Observed in Polk, Norman, Clay, Wilkin, Traverse, Cass, Aitkin, Morrison. | |
| 2007 | Fall | 1 | 6 | All north reports: 9/29 St. Louis (Minnesota Point) LBe, 10/10 St. Louis (McQuade Rd.) JWL. All south reports: 9/17–18 Lac qui Parle (Lac qui Parle W.M.A. in Lake Shore Twp.) BJU, 9/22 Big Stone RBW, 9/26 Olmsted JWH, 9/28 Blue Earth (Cobb River W.P.A.) RMD, Olmsted (East Landfill Reservoir) JWH, 10/5 Meeker (Litchfield Twp.) DMF, 10/6 Brown (Bashaw Twp.) BTS, 10/11 Brown JEB. |
| 2008 | Spring | 5 | 6 | Early south (median 5/10) 5/9 Meeker DMF, 5/17 (3) and 5/21 (5) Blue Earth (Cobb River W.P.A. and Indian Lake W.M.A.) ChH, RMD) ChH. All north (median 5/22) 5/25 Cass BAW, Lake JWH, DBz, Mahnomen DBM, Marshall PHS, 5/28 Aitkin CMB. High count 5/28 Aitkin (8 at McGregor Marsh) CMB. |
| 2008 | Summer | 4 | Seen 6/8, 6/27 Cass (3) BAW, MaH, 6/9 Aitkin (2) KRE, 6/16 Itasca MCBS, 6/27 Polk NGE. | |
| 2008 | Fall | 3 | All reports 9/21, 9/28 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave Bridge) †JBB, 9/30 Lac qui Parle (Sweetwater W.M.A.) BJU, 10/1 Rice TFB, 10/4 Hennepin (Crow-Hassan P.R.) DWK. | |
| 2009 | Spring | 3 | 1 | All reports: 5/21+ Nicollet RMD, ChH, m.ob. 5/27 Aitkin (McGregor Marsh) CMB, Cass (5, Boy River marsh) BAW, 5/28 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) JMJ, PHS. |
| 2009 | Summer | 6 | Reported from traditional locations in Polk, Mahnomen, Clay, Becker, Cass, Aitkin. All counts ?3 birds. | |
| 2009 | Fall | 3 | 2 | All north reports: 10/8 St. Louis PHS, 10/9 Douglas †JPE, Otter Tail SLP, DDo, CRM. All south reports: 9/26 Brown (Wood Lake W.M.A.) BTS, 9/27 Rice (River Bend N.C.) DAB, FVS, JWH. |
| 2010 | Spring | 2 | 2 | All south 5/7 Lac qui Parle BJU, 5/15 Watonwan ChH. All north 5/14 Marshall GT, 5/26+ Cass (8, Boy River Marsh) BAW, m.ob. |
| 2010 | Summer | 4 | 1 | Reported 6/2 Aitkin ASc, 6/5 Aitkin DBM, Cass (2) BAW, 6/6 Polk fide JMJ, 6/10, 6/12 Lac qui Parle (2) a.t. BJU, 6/17 Clay DDo, 7/24 Lac qui Parle ph. BJU. |
| 2010 | Fall | 5 | All south 8/1 Lac qui Parle (Walter W.M.A.) BJU, 9/17 Olmsted JPr, 9/19 Hennepin (Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) BAF, 10/1 Olmsted JPr, 10/3 Olmsted JWH, 10/4 Martin CRM, 10/9 Lincoln (Lake Benton W.T.P.) KRE, LS. | |
| 2011 | Spring | 4 | 1 | South reports 5/20 Lac qui Parle (Gollnick W.M.A.) BJU. North reports 5/5+ Cass (Battleground S.F.) ABi, 5/7 Morrison FGo, 5/20 Aitkin ASc, Kittson DBz, 5/23+ Aitkin (McGregor Marsh) SLo, 5/25 Kittson SC. |
| 2011 | Summer | 3 | Reported from Aitkin, Polk, Roseau. High count 6/11 Aitkin (7, McGregor Marsh) CLW, m.ob. | |
| 2011 | Fall | 1 | 13 | Only north report 10/7 Douglas JPE. Early south away from Lac qui Parle (where reported throughout summer) 9/18 Big Stone (Toqua Twp.) BJU, 9/22 Jackson, Murray JEB, 9/24 Olmsted (2) JPr, JoP, 9/25–27 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) †KRo, RZi, 9/25 McLeod PRH. Late south 10/3 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU, 10/5 Rock JEB, 10/9 Rice (Carleton College Cowling Arboretum) GHo (median 10/8). |
| 2012 | Spring | 1 | 5 | All south 5/12 Ramsey (Crosby Farm Park) RMD, 5/16 Jackson (Heron Meadows W.M.A.) RMD, 5/20 Washington DFN, 5/25 Dakota CMB, 5/31 Swift (Danvers W.M.A.) RMD. All north 5/23 Wilkin (3, Kettle Drummer Prairie) MJM. |
| 2012 | Summer | 8 | 1 | Observed in Aitkin, Cass, Clay, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Marshall, Pennington, Polk, and new county record 6/6 Crow Wing (Dean Lake Twp.) fide BBA. High count 6/2 Cass (3 at Swamp Lake & 4 at CR 8 bridge over Boy River) DWK. |
| 2012 | Fall | 4 | 7 | All north 9/1 Roseau (Roseau Lake W.M.A.) KRE, m.ob., 9/23 Grant (3, Ash Lake W.M.A.) BWF, JWH, 9/24 Morrison (2, Upsala W.T.P.) FGo, 9/26 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) DBM, 9/29 Douglas JPE. South reports 9/6 Dakota (Dodge N.C.) SBM, 9/12–13 Hennepin (Wood Lake N.C.) CMB, TAT, 9/13–23 Ramsey (max. 3, White Bear Lake) ph. RMD, ph. SBM, ph. ACr, 9/15–17, 9/30 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge boardwalk) KRo, CRM, 9/23–29 Olmsted (max. 3, East Landfill Reservoir) JPr, 9/28–10/20 Hennepin (max. 4, Bass Ponds) CMB, ph. SBM, ph. DCK, ph. LMS, m.ob., 9/29 Rice (Carleton College Cowling Arboretum) ANy, 9/30 Lac qui Parle (Walter Twp.) ph. BJU, 10/3 Hennepin (3, Old Cedar Ave. Bridge, near parking lot) JJo, RDa, 10/4 Lac qui Parle (2, Plover Prairie, East Unit) SBM, 10/7 Hennepin (Crow-Hassan P.R.) DWK, 10/10 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU, 10/7 Swift (Lubenow W.P.A.) ph. SBM. |
| 2013 | Spring | 1 | 1 | Only reports 5/23 Marshall (6, Agassiz N.W.R.) PEB, 5/31 Dodge (Dodge Center, specimen) WMe, ph. †RLE. |
| 2013 | Summer | 8 | Reported from Aitkin, Beltrami, Kittson, Mahnomen, Marshall, Polk, Wilkin and first county record 6/17 Koochiching DBM. | |
| 2013 | Fall | 2 | 6 | All north 8/31 Pennington KRE, m.ob., 9/2 Marshall LS. Early south 9/28 Olmsted JWH, DMs, JPr, Steele JWH, 9/29 Wright (Pelican Lake W.P.A.) DWK, 10/5 Dodge RMD, JWH, Hennepin (Wood Lake N.C.) TAT, Olmsted RMD, JWH, 10/6 Hennepin CMB, DWK, 10/7 McLeod PRH, Olmsted LAV. |
| 2014 | Spring | 3 | 3 | All south 5/21 Rice (Carleton College Cowling Arboretum) JBk, 5/22 Dakota (Empire Twp.) RMD, 5/23 Dakota (Ritter Farm Park) PMg, 5/24 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) PEB. All north reports 5/11 Becker (Hamden Slough N.W.R.) ShG, HeH, 5/24 Cass BAW, ABi, 5/30 Polk (Burnham Creek W.M.A.) VLa. |
| 2014 | Summer | 4 | Reported from Aitkin, Becker, Marshall, Polk. | |
| 2014 | Fall | 3 | 2 | All north 8/4 Roseau DPG, 8/6 Kittson DPG, 8/27 Marshall JSE. All south 9/26 Wabasha DBz, ANy, 9/27 Olmsted ANy, JWH. |
| 2015 | Spring | 1 | 1 | Only reports for this reclusive species 5/23 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) CMB, Roseau DWK, PEB, HCT. |
| 2015 | Summer | 7 | Found in Aitkin, Beltrami, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Norman, Wilkin. | |
| 2015 | Fall | 10 | Numerous reports south this season of this elusive species summarized as follows: 9/20 Winona (Whitewater W.M.A.) JWH, 9/25 Cottonwood JEB, Faribault WAF, Nicollet JEB, 9/25–29 Olmsted (Kalmar Reservoir) ph. JPr, m.ob., 9/25 Redwood JEB, 9/25–10/1 Faribault (max. 3, Blue Earth River W.M.A.) WAF, DWK, 9/26–10/6 Dakota (max. 4, 180th St. Marsh) KvM, ph. DAT, m.ob., 9/28 Washington (Afton S.P.) RMD, 10/3–4 Sibley (Severance Lake W.M.A.) DWK, RBW, 10/3–6 Scott (Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) ph. †BAb, m.ob., 10/4 Redwood BTS (median 10/9). | |
| 2016 | Spring | 4 | 1 | Only south report 5/12 Dakota ADS. All north 5/19 Becker (Hamden Slough N.W.R.) AMd, 5/20 Cass JKe, 5/21 Roseau PEB, SBM, 5/27 Aitkin (McGregor Marsh) ASn, 5/29 Aitkin (McGregor Marsh) JPR. |
| 2016 | Summer | 8 | Found in Aitkin, Clay, Clearwater, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Morrison, Polk, Roseau. | |
| 2016 | Fall | 8 | No north reports. Early south (median 9/19) 9/25 Carver (Tiger Lake W.M.A.) ANy, JWZ, 9/27 Nicollet (west side of Swan Lake) MiO, 9/28 Carver JCC, 9/29 Lincoln JEB. Notable record 10/2–3 Mower (Lansing Twp.) JWH, m.ob. Late south 10/13 Jackson (Heron Lake W.M.A., West Heron Unit) DAk, Nicollet RBW, RBJ, 10/15–16 Yellow Medicine (Miedd Lake) GWe, JLf, 10/17 Nicollet MiO (median 10/9). | |
| 2017 | Spring | 2 | Only reports of this reclusive species: 5/25 Aitkin JIf, 5/27 Aitkin ToL, CEl, LiH, 5/28 Polk CSl, 5/31 Aitkin CBn. | |
| 2017 | Summer | 6 | Found in Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Grant, Polk, Roseau. | |
| 2017 | Fall | 2 | 11 | All north 10/5 St. Louis (McQuade Small Craft Harbor) ALx, MSb, KnM, 10/13 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) CNn. Early south (median 9/20) 9/16 Hennepin (Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) JcM, 9/23 Olmsted (East Landfill Reservoir) JmP. High counts 9/27 Olmsted (4) JmP, 9/28 Carver (3, Tiger Lake W.M.A.) WCM. Late south 10/7 Cottonwood BTS, Freeborn JWH, Lyon GWe, Olmsted JmP, 10/8 Fillmore JWH, 10/16 Stearns MJB (median 10/9). |
| 2018 | Spring | 2 | 4 | 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. |
| 2018 | Summer | 6 | Found in Aitkin, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Polk, Roseau, Wilkin. | |
| 2018 | Fall | 5 | 16 |  Most fall reports in over ten years. All north 8/1 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) MGo, Polk (Agassiz Audubon Sanctuary) MGo, 9/7 Marshall MGi, 9/26 Kanabec (Hay-Snake W.M.A.) LiH, 9/26–28 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) ph. REn, RAE, 10/8 Mille Lacs (Rum River State Forest) ASu (median 10/9). Early south (median 9/19) 9/18 Lyon (Sham Lake) GWe, Wright (Pelican Lake) MJB, ToL, 9/21–24 Kandiyohi (Kandi W.M.A.) ph. † JWd, m.ob., 9/22 Hennepin (Fort Snelling S.P.) KBu, TBu. Another new county record 9/29 Nobles (Graham Lakes W.P.A.) KEm, JWH. Late south 10/5 Washington (Valley View Park) BDo, 10/6 Cottonwood LHl, 10/7 Lyon (Sham Lake) GWe, Olmsted (East Landfill Kalmar Reservoir) MiD, 10/11 Lincoln (Northern Tallgrass Prairie N.W.R.) CRM, Lyon (2, Black Rush Lake W.P.A.) RJS (median 10/9). |
| 2019 | Spring | 3 | 2 | All south 5/18 Cottonwood (Expandere W.M.A.) KEm, JWH, LHl, 5/23 Kandiyohi (Swan Lake W.P.A.) DPG. All north 5/20–22 Roseau (max. 3, S.R. 3/0) HCT, PEB, SBM, BDo, DnS, 5/24 Clay (Felton Prairie) ebd, 5/26–31 Aitkin (max. 2, McGregor Marsh) ToL, LiH. |
| 2019 | Summer | 7 | 4 |  Found in scattered locations in western regions plus Aitkin, Beltrami. More reports than usual from Southwest, including probable late migrants 6/3 Lincoln (Altona W.M.A.) JGz, 6/14 Pipestone † KEm. Singles 7/2 Lac qui Parle WCM, 7/15 Yellow Medicine GWe were likely responding to relatively wet conditions. |
| 2019 | Fall | 1 | 8 | Only north reports were from the North Ottawa Impoundment in Grant: 9/19 WPl, 10/9 WCM. All south 9/15 Hennepin (Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) VWe, 9/22 Lyon (Sham Lake) GWe, 9/25 Lyon GWe, Ramsey (Univ. of Minnesota Ag fields) ebd, 9/26 Olmsted (East Landfill Kalmar Reservoir) LAV, 9/27 Rice TFB, 10/6 Carver (Carver P.R.) JCy, Murray (Giese W.P.A.) JWH, KEm, 10/7 Washington LMS, 10/8 Rice TFB, 10/10 Olmsted (East Landfill Kalmar Reservoir) LAV, 10/13 Ramsey (Univ. of Minnesota Ag fields) ebd. |
| 2020 | Spring | 3 | 2 | Nine individuals reported. All south 5/16–17 Carver (1, Tiger Lake) FFa, MaJ, MwT, 5/24–26 Yellow Medicine (max. 2, Timm Lake) KEm, JWH, JGW, NMe, GWe. All north 5/20 St. Louis (1, Sax-Zim Bog) ClD, 5/21 Pennington (1, 390th Ave NE) ebd, 5/23 Roseau (2, Roseau Lakebed) JPR, 5/24, 5/29 Clay (1–2, Gruhl State W.M.A.) PBB, CMk. |
| 2020 | Summer | 2 | All reports: 6/4, 6/27 Clay (Gruhl State W.M.A.) PBB, ASu, 7/18 Kittson (C.R. 7, Halma) SAu. | |
| 2020 | Fall | 5 | 22 | More widely reported than in any previous fall season, in more than 2.5 times the 10-year average of reporting counties. All north 9/5 Aitkin SKS, 9/22 Douglas (Tenhoff W.M.A.) ph. REn, RLF, m.ob., 9/26 St. Louis JPR, PHS, 10/3 Becker (Chippewa Picnic Area) MO, 10/4 Kanabec (South Fork Twp.) SPS. Early south (median 9/18) 9/19 Lyon (Black Rush Lake W.P.A.) RJS, 9/20–23 Olmsted JWH, m.ob., 9/23–24 Swift (100th St. SW) ASu, CRM. High counts 9/24 Lyon (8, Lines W.M.A.) GWe, 9/24–27 Olmsted (4, South Landfill and East Landfill Kalmar Reservoirs) MiD, MwT, m.ob. Late south 10/11 Dakota MZa, NiR, ebd, 10/14 Lac qui Parle GWe, Yellow Medicine (3) GWe (median 10/9). |
| 2021 | Spring | 3 | No spring south reports for the first time since 2017. All north 5/26 Mahnomen ANy, DBz, 5/30 Kittson ANy, 5/31 Roseau ANy, DBz. | |
| 2021 | Summer | 5 | Reported from Kittson, Marshall, Pennington, Polk, Roseau. | |
| 2021 | Fall | 1 | 16 | Resembling 2020, another notable fall season for this species in the south with a 55% increase from the 10-year average number of reporting counties. The only north report was also a new fall record: 9/16 Crow Wing (Milford Mine Memorial Park) †LiH. Found across all southern regions; fewest reports from Central and West-central. Early south (median 9/18) 9/10–15 Hennepin ph. †ebd, SOa, MwT, 9/13–18 Olmsted (two locations) ph. MiD, JWH, SHo, 9/18 Scott AFo. High count 10/2 Olmsted (5, South Landfill Reservoir) KEm, JWH, BLa. Notable reports included a first county record 9/24 Houston LHl, while 10/2 Waseca (Moonan W.M.A.) ph. KEm, JWH is apparently the first for that county since 1892. The long list of N.W.R.s, W.M.A.s and W.P.A.s where many of these individuals were found indicate the value these managed sites hold for Nelson’s Sparrows in Minnesota. |
| 2022 | Spring | 8 | 4 | Best northern spring showing on record; more than three times the ten-year average number of northern counties. Also most widespread southern distribution in the last decade. All south: 5/9 Lyon RJS, 5/10 Murray DBz, ANy, 5/12 Hennepin JoJ, m.ob., 5/14 Mower (Lansing Marsh; new spring record) †KEm, JWH, †LHl, m.ob. All north: 5/16 Aitkin CLR, KWR, 5/25 Kittson BCS, Marshall ebd, Norman (Ada W.T.P.) JWH, LHl, JGW, 5/27–29 Morrison (Swanville Marsh) KEm, JWH, JGW, ebd, 5/29 Clay ebd, Lake of the Woods EHi, Roseau EHi. |
| 2022 | Summer | 5 | Encountered in Aitkin, Cass, Kittson, Morrison, Polk. | |
| 2022 | Fall | 4 | 14 | Found in every region except North-central and Northeast. Early south (median 9/18) 9/19 Olmsted LAV, JWH, 9/21 Hennepin BLz, 9/23 Martin EHi. High counts 9/24 Houston (3, Upper Mississippi N.W.R.) KEm, JWH, Olmsted (3, South Landfill Reservoir) ebd. All north 9/18 Otter Tail (Orwell W.M.A.) BAr, 9/21 Polk (Angus Oslo 4 Flood Control Project) HHu, 9/27 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) EHi, 10/9 Mille Lacs (2, Onamia) BbS. Late south 10/12 Ramsey LiH, APi, 10/15 Rock ebd, 10/29 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) KSz, 10/30 Olmsted (Silver Creek Reservoir) MiD (median 10/9). |
| Summer resident northwest and north-central. Two breeding records (1929, 1977). Migrant throughout. State designation: Special Concern. | ||||
| 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. |