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 - Screech-Owls, Owls | 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: Screech-Owls, Owls |
| Northern Hawk Owl(Surnia ulula) | ||||
| Year | Season | N | S | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1945 | Winter | One near St. Paul, February 2?, 1946, (Brother Hubert Lewis). | ||
| 1961 | Fall | John Hale reported one at Duluth on 9 Nov. Seen again on 12 Nov. by Jan Green. | ||
| 1961 | Winter | One seen by Jan Green at Duluth on December 17 and 18. | ||
| 1962 | Fall | Oct. 26, 20 mi S International Falls,1 seen, Ray Naddy Oct. 27, 20 mi N Duluth, 2 seen, J.K. BronoelOct. 27-28, general Duluth area, 8seen, Lester MagnusOct. 29, Duluth, 1 seen, Ray Naddy Oct. 29, Chisholm, St. Louis Co., 1seen, Forest Strnad Oct. 31, Murphy City, Lake Co. 1seen, R. B. JanssenNov. 3, general Duluth area, 3 seen, Lester Magnus Nov. 3, Murphy City, Lake Co., 1 seen, Avifaunal Club Nov. 3, Greenwood L., Lake Co., 1 seen, Avifaunal Club Nov. 4, Mud Lake, Traverse Co., 1 seen, R. Grant Nov. 4, Hovland, Cook Co., 1 seen, Mrs. Sundquist Nov. 8-18, Ely, St. Louis Co., 1 seen, Mrs. Prigatel Nov. 10-25, Hibbing, St. Louis Co., 1 seen, Mrs. Micensky Nov. 13, Cass Co. near Nimrod, Wadena Co., 1 seen, R. Oehlensch-lager Nov. 16, Wawena, Itasca Co., 1 seen Ray Naddy Nov. 10-18, Mahtowa, Carlton Co., 1 seen, E. C. MyhreNov. 17, Duluth area, 3 seen, LesterMagnusNov. 17, Wabasha, Wabasha Co., 1seen, Bob Janssen Nov. 18, Mineral Center, Cook Co.,1 seen, Dr. A. E. Allin Nov. 18, Duluth area, 1 seen, Anne K. Atndt Nov. 23-24, Cass Co., to St. Louis Co., 12 seen, R. Oehlenschlager Nov. 24, Finland, Lake Co., 1 seen, Janet C. Green Nov. 24, Murphy City, Lake Co., 1 seen, Janet C. Green Nov. 24, Isabella, Lake Co., 1 seen, Janet C. Green Nov. 25, Duluth area, 1 seen, AnnE: K. Arndt DECEMBER, 1962 Nov. 26, Twig, St Louis Co., 1 dead, Stephen Haase Dec. 2, Beltrami/Lake-of-the-Woods Co.'s, 9 seen, Avifaunal Club Dec. 8, Beltrami/Lake-of-the-Woods Co.'s, 6 seen, Avifaunal Club A letter from Dr. A. E. Allin, dated Nov. 26, states that there were also four records from the Canadian Lake· head region by that date. He also said, "It would seem that this was the bigest flight of Hawk-Owls in recent decades. This is a happy thought as only a few years ago, it was consider- ed that the Hawk-Owl had become very scarce, and until the last two or three years, we had not had a flight and rarely saw an individual since the winter of 1938-1939.'' Avi- fauna! Club records, notes of interest in recent Flickers, and information in Birds of Minnesota (1936) would seem to indicate that this owl is, in limited numbers, a permanent resident of northern Minnesota, and can be seen every winter in small numbers. An increase in these numbers (5-10 re- ports) such as we had about three years ago, probably constitutes a min- or invasion which precedes by 1-3 years the large-scale invasion, such as we have this year. The Hawk-Owl in- vasion this winter, like the Goshawk invasion, is probably without prece- dent in Minnesota | ||
| 1963 | Winter | early Nov, Warroad area, Lake-of-the-Woods Co., fide James Ruos; Jan 3, Washkish, Beltrami Co., 1 collected, Bert Anderson; Feb 1, Washkish, Beltrami Co., R. Grant; Feb 1, Roseau Co., R. Grant; Mar 1, Aitkin Co., the Goldbergs; Feb 12, Ely, St. Louis Co., Professor Earl Ros· enwinkel; Oct thru March, 11 observations involving a total of 7 to 12 birds, fide Jan Green, St. Louis Co. | ||
| 1964 | Spring | latest dates, 3-1 Sax to Zim, St. Louis Co, 4, DM; 3-8 same area, 1, DM. | ||
| 1964 | Fall | 10-27 Swan River, Itasca Co, 1, RN; 11-4 Mt. Iron, St. Louis Co, WJM; 11-21 Island Lake, St. Louis Co, L. Patterson. | ||
| 1967 | Fall | 11-19 Faunce, Lake of the Woods Co., 1, PEB. | ||
| 1967 | Winter | 12-25 Cloquet Valley State Forest, 1, J. C. Ryan fide JCG. | ||
| 1972 | Winter | Aitkin Co., first seen by Mrs. Carl Orjala. See photo cover of The Loon, Vol. 45, No. 1 and Notes of Interest the same issue. | ||
| 1974 | Fall | 11-17 Cotton, St. Louis (3) G. Flaim. | ||
| 1974 | Winter | Two reports from Cook Co.: 12-21 (ES) and 12-31 (J. Jepson). | ||
| 1975 | Winter | only report was on 12-16 at Grand Portage, Cook Co. (JH); an unconfirmed report of 4 in late De cember from the Sax-Zim area of St. Louis Co. was not substantiated by others birding the area. | ||
| 1976 | Fall | 10-17 Duluth, L. Shannon; only report. | ||
| 1977 | Spring | 1 report: 3-11 and 3-13 St. Louis (1) HPO. | ||
| 1977 | Fall | 11-19 St. Louis (2) (D. Evans et al). | ||
| 1977 | Winter | An above average total of seven individuals: all winter near Fourtown, Beltrami Co. (SV) and in Duluth Twp. (m.ob.); two in Koochiching Co. (12-29 International Falls and 1-16 Island View, LG); 12-29 near Payne, St. Louis Co. (KE); from 2-13 one at Two Harbors, Lake Co. (KE); another sporadically present at the Silver Bay airport, Lake Co. from 2-11 on. | ||
| 1978 | Spring | 3-4 St. Louis OJ, RBJ; 3-5 Beltrami SV; 3-12 Redwood HC; 3-14 St. Louis KE; 3-21 Cook, Helen Tucker; 3-25 Lake KE; 5-6 Lake VH. | ||
| 1978 | Summer | 11-18 St. Louis KE; 11-23 Aitkin Jerry Beringer (fide TS). | ||
| 1978 | Fall | 11-18 St. Louis KE; 11-23 Aitkin Jerry Beringer (fide TS). | ||
| 1978 | Winter | Four reports: 12-5 Duluth Twp., St. Louis Co. (M. Hoffman); late Feb. near The Loon Sax-Zim, St. Louis Co. (4, fide KE); 2-28 Hwy. 61, Lake Co. (LCF); overwintered from 12-31 on, Two Harbors, Lake Co. (possibly same individual as last year that was here). | ||
| 1979 | Spring | Only report 3-15 Two Harbors KE. | ||
| 1979 | Fall | Four reports, 11-4 Itasca KE fide M. Carr, 11-9 Beltrami MV & SL, 11-13 St. Louis DA, 11-11 Aitkin RBA. | ||
| 1979 | Winter | Reported from St. Louis, Alden Twnsp. 12-9 until 2-10 (DA), Sax-Zim area (KE), three individuals near the Village of Cook 2-17 (DP). Also reported in Aitkin 12-16 until 2-9 (m.ob.), Carlton 2-13 (DB), Cook 2-3 until 2-16 (KE) and Polk 1-27 (SKS). | ||
| 1980 | Spring | Reported 3-1 St. Louis KE, Carlton KG, 3-8 RJ, 3-9 Aitkin SC, GP, 3-22 WN, 3-31 Beltrami JHMN. | ||
| 1980 | Summer | First Minnesota nesting record: 5-9, seven young in nest, Aitkin, S. Loch; one also seen in Beltrami (7-13, north of Waskish, Loon 53:53-54). The second nest for Minnesota was found by Martin Kehoe in Lake of the Woods Co. southwest of Pitt. It contained six young in mid-June. | ||
| 1980 | Fall | Early date 8-15 to 9-30 Lake of the Woods S. Dufer, T. Amble, 10-25 Beltrami J. Kingston. | ||
| 1980 | Winter | Lake of the Woods, Angle Inlet 12/0 (TD) and Baudette 1-13 L. Bernhoft). St. Louis (Ely) 12-25 through 126 G. Floyd fide (JG). | ||
| 1981 | Fall | 11-8 Two Harbors L. Ronning, 11-21 Isabella fide SW, late November Cook A. Hawkins. | ||
| 1981 | Winter | Two reports: Itasca 12-18 until 1228 (TL) and Carlton 1-3 (DB). | ||
| 1982 | Spring | 4-8,11 Duluth J. Eaton. Burrowing· Owl 5-6 Lac qui Parle CMB. | ||
| 1982 | Fall | Only reports: ll/7 Otter Tail SDM, ll13 St. Louis fide KE. | ||
| 1982 | Winter | Reported from Lake of the Woods 1/23 (AS) Koochiching, five miles south of Birchdale, 1/18, l/23, 2/5 (mob). | ||
| 1983 | Fall | 11/11 Duluth Twp. J. Green, 11/17 Aitkin J. Green. | ||
| 1983 | Winter | Reports of about eight individuals from six north counties. A first refuge record from Aggassiz NWR, 12-9 until 12-23 (JM) (KSS); one on the Baudette CBC; Beltrami Co. near Waskish on 12-9 (AJ); Staples, Todd Co. on 1-9, R. Hoffman; three Aitkin Co. locations, Co. Rd 18 and two at different locations on Highway 200 (mob) and one near Duluth on the 2-23 DRBA. | ||
| 1985 | Spring | 3/25 Mille Lacs C. Butler, 4/6 Greenwood Twp., Clearwater Co. AB. | ||
| 1985 | Winter | No additional details were received on a 1/23 MRBA report of one picked up dead along a highway in Wadena County. | ||
| 1986 | Fall | 10/24 Roseau RG, RJ. | ||
| 1986 | Winter | More reports that usual. Up to six in the Roseau Bog area (m.ob.), three in the Duluth area (fide, KE) and additional reports from "Arctic" Great Horned Owl, 24 January 1987, Mankato, Blue Earth County. Photo by John P. Bollenbacher. Cotton, Isabella, Two Harbors and Jackson Lake, all in the NE region. An unusual central region report from Morrison 12/28 (L. Johnson). | ||
| 1987 | Spring | All reports : 3/4-18 Cook SOL; also nested in Roseau Co. (The Loon 59:165-174). | ||
| 1987 | Summer | Nested in Roseau (The Loon 59: 165-174). | ||
| 1987 | Fall | All reports: 10/13 Cook fideWP, 11/13-28 St. Louis CO, m.ob., 11/28 Aitkin WN. | ||
| 1987 | Winter | The reports of 12 individuals in seven north region counties include Duluth, all winter (KE); Aitkin, County Rd. 18 area, (2, m.ob.); Lake, several locations (SWMS); St. Louis, near Orr 12/2 (KL), and section 15, T59N, R12W, (J. Howe); Koochiching, six miles SW of Loman 2/27 (KL); Lake of the Woods, Junction of County Roads 2 and 11, 12/2 (KL); Roseau Bog area, December and February, (m.ob.) and Beltrami 12/29 north of Waskish (KH) and 1/7, north of Kelliher (KH). | ||
| 1988 | Spring | All reports: 3/4 Aitkin (2) TK, 4/9 Federal Dam, Cass Co., 11. Burrowing Owi 4/24 Yellow Medicine m.ob. ; only report. | ||
| 1988 | Summer | Nested in Lake: adults and three shorttailed fledglings observed along Whyte Road from 6/26 to 7/2 by m.ob. | ||
| 1988 | Fall | All reports: 11/4-8 Cook KMH, SOL, 11/7 Mille Lacs AB, DB. | ||
| 1988 | Winter | Reports from Carlton 12/22 fide PB, St. Louis at Stoney Point 11/6 DJ, Lake 2/1, 7 near Wilson Lake WH, Cook 12/2 WP and during the Grand Marais CBC week. | ||
| 1989 | Winter | Reports from Babbit, St. Louis Co. 1/4 DB; on the Roseau CBC; and from Itasca Co. | ||
| 1990 | Spring | Only reports: 3/7 Sax-Zim Bog, St. Louis Co. MSt, 4/7 Knife River, Lake Co. fide KE. | ||
| 1990 | Fall | All reports: 9/28Waskish, Beltrami County RR, 11/9 Beltrami fide KH, 11/15 St. Louis fide KE, II 124 Aitkin WN. | ||
| 1990 | Winter | Major invasion with 16 individuals reported, Sept.-Mar. (The Loon 63:163-167). | ||
| 1991 | Spring | All Reports: 3/2 Aitkin WN, 3/4 St. Louis KE, 4/20 Koochiching KB. | ||
| 1991 | Fall | As with the other northern owls, an invasion year with reports from most of the northern counties, totaling 71 individuals by 30 November! Early north 10/11 – 11/30 Sax-Zim Bog, St. Louis County (max 11 on 11/10 SS), 10/29 - 11/30 Aitkin County (max nine on 11/16 WN), 10/26 Lake of the Woods DJ, 10/31 Cook KMH; only south report 10/31 - 11/9 Sherburne N.W.R., Sherburne Co. mob. | ||
| 1991 | Winter | Record invasion year. Total of 142 individuals (fide KE) reported from at least 12 counties as far west as Roseau and Marshall, and as far south as Pine (near Grasston). | ||
| 1992 | Spring | All reports: 3/1 Koochiching SDM, 3/8 Aitkin WN, 3/10 Becker fide BBe, 3/11 St. Louis TW, 3/27 Beltrami DJ, 5/5 Aitkin WN. | ||
| 1992 | Summer | First summer report since 1988; one observed and photographed on 7/1–3 near Tower, St. Louis Co. AH. | ||
| 1992 | Fall | All reports: 10/3 Lake of the Woods PS, 10/10 Cook SOL, 11/22–30 Lake FN et al. 11/24–28 St. Louis mob, 11/27–28 Hawk Ridge St. Louis County FN, 11/27–30 Lake (2) mob. | ||
| 1992 | Winter | Approximately 12 individuals (record 142 l.y.) reported from Cook (1) DPV, Lake (5) mob, St. Louis (3) mob, Aitkin (2) mob and Carlton (1 near Barnum, KE). | ||
| 1993 | Spring | All reports: 3/13 Lake (3) DSM, 3/20 Lake SW/MS, 4/13 Lake (2) mob. | ||
| 1993 | Fall | Only report 11/14 St. Louis TD. | ||
| 1993 | Winter | Only one report (12 reports l.y) from southern St. Louis County. First seen on 12/25 (County Road 98) fide KE, and then seen from 12/31 through end of period (Hwy 2 and 33 near Saginaw) KB, mob (probably same individual). | ||
| 1994 | Spring | All reports: 3/14 St. Louis mob, 3/26 Lake SW et al. | ||
| 1994 | Winter | Only two reports: one seen in February near Duluth mob, and another seen on 12/17 near Cotton in southern St. Louis Co. fide KE. | ||
| 1995 | Fall | A total of eight different birds reported from Carlton, Cook, Lake, St. Louis and Hennepin. Earliest north 10/31 St. Louis PKL. Exceptional report 11/17 Baker Park Preserve, Hennepin Co. DCo. | ||
| 1995 | Winter | Over 30 individuals reported from 13 counties as far south as Pine and as far west as Kittson. | ||
| 1996 | Spring | All reports: through 3/17 Itasca BN, 3/23 Roseau (2) PS, 3/25 Lake of the Woods PS, — 4/6–10 Roseau PS, KB, 4/9 Koochiching KB. | ||
| 1996 | Fall | Approximately 16 individuals reported, also the start of a major irruption. October reports 10/12 Itasca DJo, 10/20 near Meadowlands, St. Louis Co. SD, 10/24 Hawk Ridge, St. Louis Co. FN; all others were in November. Unusual were the reports 11/10 Mentor Prairie, Polk Co. fide AH and 11/29+ Pelican Rapids, Otter Tail Co. (second county record) mob. | ||
| 1996 | Winter | Second highest documented invasion on record. Over 90 individuals reported through the end of February, with observations as far south as the Twin Cities area in Anoka, Dakota, Ramsey and Washington. Another first county record 1/26–2/15 Kandiyohi fide RJF. | ||
| 1997 | Spring | Second largest documented invasion on record (The Loon 69:114–124). Many north reports, including 3/7 Marshall (near Holt) SKS. Late north 5/25–26 Roseau (Highway 3/0, relocated in June) mob, 5/26 Lake of the Woods (Hogsback-O'Brien Trail) CMa. | ||
| 1997 | Summer | Holdover from spring season observed 6/7 Roseau GK; first summer record since 1992. | ||
| 1997 | Fall | All reports: 9/17 St. Louis (Lake Vermilion) AH, 11/5 St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog) MH, 11/28 St. Louis (Duluth Twp.) EG, WM. | ||
| 1997 | Winter | Five individuals reported from Aitkin, Koochiching, St. Louis and Lake. | ||
| 1998 | Spring | Only report: 3/7–15 Lake mob. | ||
| 1998 | Fall | No reports. | ||
| 1998 | Winter | Only two reports: on the Roseau CBC, and 12/27 St. Louis (Sax-Zim) fide KE. | ||
| 1999 | Spring | Only report: 3/7 Beltrami (near Waskish) MA. | ||
| 1999 | Fall | Two second-hand reports: 10/20 Mahnomen fide BBe, 11/17–18 St. Louis fide DBe. | ||
| 1999 | Winter | As many as ten individuals reported from Aitkin, Lake, and St. Louis. | ||
| 2000 | Spring | One wintering near Kimberly was last seen 3/1 Aitkin mob. Also reported 3/2 St. Louis (Hwy 53) KSu, 3/15 St. Louis (I-35 at Midway Rd.) fide AH. | ||
| 2000 | Fall | Record invasion beginning 10/14 Lake, 10/15 Lake of the Woods and Cook. A total of 36 reported through end of period, all either in north-central or northeast regions. An article documenting this invasion will appear in a future issue of The Loon. | ||
| 2000 | Winter | From October through April, a record high 190 birds were reported (The Loon 73:135–143). | ||
| 2001 | Spring | Birds lingering after the record setting 2000–2001 influx (The Loon 73:135–143) furnished four confirmed and two probable breeding records (see summer report). | ||
| 2001 | Summer | Unprecedented number of reports, following the record influx of the preceding winter (The Loon 73:135–143). Nesting confirmed in Koochiching (near Little Fork) FJN and at two locations along the Gunflint Trail in Cook (new nesting records) DAG, MSS, KMH; another nest fledged three young in Lake (near Greenwood L.) JWL. Probable nesting reported at the Sax-Zim bog area in St. Louis County (adult feeding fledgling) BAB and near Whitefish L. in Lake County (adult with three fledglings) JWL. | ||
| 2001 | Fall | Reported from five locations in Northeast beginning 10/2 Cook (near Gunflint L.) fide KRE, 10/13 Cook (Lima Mountain Road) RHy. | ||
| 2001 | Winter | PHS compiled 30 individuals in 8 counties 10/2–2/28, 24 of which occurred during winter season. Unusual location 12/30 Polk (Wetland, Pines, and Prairie Audubon Sanctuary) fide BAB. Only other reports away from the Northeast: Beltrami (2), Roseau (3–5), Lake of the Woods (2), Koochiching. | ||
| 2002 | Spring | Many reports from Cook (upper Gunflint Trail). One lingered through 3/25 St. Louis (Rice Lake Twp.) m.ob., also see winter report. Late north 5/26 Roseau (2 at Lost River S.F.) AXH, PHS, but see summer report. | ||
| 2002 | Summer | Two separate confirmed nestings documented in Cook Co. (one at Gunflint Pines Resort, the other 2 miles south of county road 50 on the Gunflint Trail) †DAG; also observed 6/22 Cook (Seagull L.) CBe. | ||
| 2002 | Fall | No reports. | ||
| 2002 | Winter | Only report: 12/1 Pine (near Sandstone) fide MCA. | ||
| 2003 | Spring | Only report: late March Cook (Seagull Guard Station) fide DRB. | ||
| 2003 | Fall | No reports. | ||
| 2003 | Winter | All reports: 1/1 Beltrami Island CBC, 1/10, 2/1, 2/27 Roseau (all from Hwy 3/0?) ZL, SPM, MO, 1/10 Lake (CR 2/Hwy 1) †JMP, 2/4 Cook (Kindle Creek) DAG. | ||
| 2004 | Spring | All reports: 3/7 Lake of the Woods (8.5 miles south of Baudette) BJS, 3/11 Roseau RMD, JJS, 3/16 Lake of the Woods (same as 3/7?) fide JMJ, 3/26 Lake (Stoney River F.R.) DAG, JWL. | ||
| 2004 | Fall | Biggest invasion in state history beginning 10/3 St. Louis (Stone Lake Road) DWi, 10/14 Lake of the Woods (south of Baudette) HH, 10/15 Lake (near Beaver Bay) CBr, LM. | ||
| 2004 | Winter | Largest documented invasion in state history; full details presented elsewhere in The Loon. Two in Norman (1/8–2/24 along state highway 32 south of Gary GAO et al. and 2/24 along CR 39, 4.0 miles west of Syre MEB) may have been the first in the county in >100 years. Total of 15 injured or dead fide PHS, including one taken by a Northern Goshawk and one killed by a Great Gray Owl. Noteworthy south reports through 12/22 Chippewa (near Milan, present since early November) DT fide JSc, BWF, RJS, 12/25 Wright (St. Michael) fide ML, 1/21–28 Isanti (Dalbo W.M.A.) TM, 1/28–2/1 Chisago (Nessel Twp.) DP, TAN, SPS et al. Astounding was the record-high count of 42 hawk owls on the Sax-Zim CBC 12/20 St. Louis fide MSS. | ||
| 2005 | Spring | Largest documented invasion in state history (The Loon 77:132–140). Pairs lingered into April in St. Louis (4 locations) and one at the Koochiching/Lake of the Woods county line 5/11 may have moved three miles east by early June, but none were known to nest. | ||
| 2005 | Summer | One report: 6/9 Koochiching fide JMJ. | ||
| 2005 | Fall | Major invasion echoing last year's record-high numbers (The Loon 77:132–140). Early north 10/10 Roseau JD, 10/21 St. Louis FJN. Unlike last winter, none strayed outside of the coniferous forest zone. | ||
| 2005 | Winter | Excluding eight potential breeding birds discovered in April and May 2006, PHS compiled a total of 139 individuals in 15 north counties between 10 October 2005 and mid-March 2006, 109 of which were discovered during the winter season. High count of 12 individuals 12/31 Roseau (Roseau CBC) fide BJo. At least one bird present all winter at Agassiz N.W.R. fide JMJ. | ||
| 2006 | Spring | Many early March reports from North-central and Northeast; wintering birds mostly gone by end of March. Few reports in April; numbers up in May with record-high number of breeding birds (see summer report). Probable non-breeding bird 5/8 Clearwater MHK. Injured bird 5/17 Beltrami RBJ. | ||
| 2006 | Summer | Most summer reports ever: observed in Roseau, Lake of the Woods, Koochiching, Beltrami, Itasca. New nesting record for Beltrami DPJ. | ||
| 2006 | Fall | One seen 8/10 Itasca BJS was probably related to high number of breeding birds this summer. Potential migrants 10/23, 11/8 Lake of the Woods GMM, 11/12 Aitin fide WEN. | ||
| 2006 | Winter | 5 | Overwintered along Rice Lake Road, Duluth beginning 12/10 m.ob. Scattered reports elsewhere in North-central and Northeast, with a high count of 2 on 2/17 Beltrami DAB, JWH. | |
| 2007 | Spring | 3 | Overwintered through 4/1 St. Louis (Rice Lake Road, Duluth) fide JWL. All other reports: 3/6 Lake of the Woods KVH fide JMJ, 5/3 Lake SVK fide JWL. | |
| 2007 | Fall | 1 | All reports: 11/10 St. Louis (near Cotton) BKY, 11/29 St. Louis (S.R. 61/C.R. 42) fide JWL. | |
| 2007 | Winter | 4 | Down slightly from last year and concentrated in the North-central and Northeast regions. Individuals were reported 1/12–13, 2/2 and 2/7 Cass ABi, BAW, and 2/8 RBW; 2/6 Itasca SC; and 1/27 Aitkin fide JWL and east to St. Louis. Probably overwintered 12/14–2/17 St. Louis in the Sax-Zim Bog fide JWL, MHe, m.ob. Also frequently reported was an individual near the Duluth Airport 12/15–1/26 St. Louis m.ob. | |
| 2008 | Spring | 2 | Three reports: 3/2 Cass DAB, JEB, JWH, 3/5 St. Louis fide JWL, 4/13 St. Louis (Sax-Zim) JMa. | |
| 2008 | Fall | 6 | Observed in Beltrami, Cook, Itasca, Lake, Lake of the Woods, St. Louis beginning 10/29 Cook (2, Gunflint Trail) EEO (median 10/17). | |
| 2008 | Winter | 10 | 1 | A respectable 35–40 individuals reported north in a rectangle formed by Carlton and Lake in the Northeast and Roseau and Clearwater in the Northwest. Eleven individuals tallied statewide on CBCs. Totals were up somewhat from previous two years, but paltry compared to the mega-invasion of 2004–2005 when 154 were estimated in December alone including a North American CBC record of 42 on the Sax-Zim count (see The Loon 77:132–140). Unexpected was a brief visit by a single bird that pushed south into Nicollet where it was initially found by a non-birder and was well-documented ph. †ChH, ph. RMD. |
| 2009 | Spring | 7 | Reported in Beltrami, Cass, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Roseau, St. Louis as late as 4/25 Lake of the Woods TDi. High count 4/21 Lake of the Woods (6) TDi. | |
| 2009 | Fall | 6 | Early north (median 10/22) 10/31 St. Louis ABL. Observed throughout the remainder of the season in Aitkin, Beltrami, Cook, Koochiching , Lake, St. Louis. Approx. 27 individuals reported. | |
| 2009 | Winter | 14 | Seeing what was becoming an invasion year, MLH compiled records of 96 individuals in 14 north counties between 10/22/2009 and 3/17/2010. A review of all electronic records submitted for the winter period revealed approximately the following number of owls: 33 in December, 40 in January, and 34 in February for a total 1/7. No doubt this total includes some birds counted more than once; nonetheless, the actual total represents about the 5th highest invasion for the state (see Svingen and Nicoletti, The Loon 77:3). Most unusual were reports 1/20 and 1/31 Norman (East of Ada at intersection of CR24/CR27) fide JMJ. Recorded on 10 CBCs statewide. | |
| 2010 | Spring | 8 | Breeding activity in Aitkin (copulation observed, DWK), Lake (two nests, both failed, JWL) and St. Louis (fledged young, AXH). Also observed in Beltrami, Cass, Kittson (3/6 (2) LW), Koochiching, Lake of the Woods. | |
| 2010 | Summer | 5 | Male from a pair found in spring reported carrying prey in Aitkin through 6/4 ASc, WEN. Though spring saw several failed nesting attempts in Lake, but June and July brought evidence of successful breeding: 6/6 Lake (4, 3 fledglings) ph. JWL, 6/11 Lake (3; pair with one juvenile) CLW, CDo, 6/14 (family) MSS, 7/8–9 Lake (4, 3 fledglings) MCBS. Found in Lake of the Woods 6/19 RMD, 6/29 (3, including 2 juveniles) BJS. Additional reports: 6/14 Roseau JDr, 6/19 St. Louis EFP, 6/22 Lake NLM, 6/23 Lake KRE. | |
| 2010 | Fall | 5 | First reported north (median 10/22) 11/4 Lake of the Woods BSi. Also reported from Aitkin, Beltrami, Roseau, St. Louis. | |
| 2010 | Winter | 9 | Observed across the northern counties in a rough triangle between Roseau, Aitkin and Cook. Not quite the invasion experienced last year, but still a respectable number of individuals reported beginning 12/7 St. Louis SCZ and Cook fide JWL continuing through the end of the season. Observed on 4 CBCs with the high count 1/2 Baudette (4). This total was dwarfed by the individual high count 2/12 Roseau (10) SAu. One to two individuals were noted in the Sax-Zim Bog beginning with the 12/20 Sax-Zim CBC through 2/28 St. Louis m.ob. | |
| 2011 | Spring | 2 | Observed in St. Louis as late as 3/26 (Sax-Zim Bog) DED. Several observations of a pair in Roseau (Roseau River/Lost River S.F.) throughout the first half of the season culminated in the discovery of a nest with two fledged young 5/22 BJS. | |
| 2011 | Summer | 2 | Observed 6/10 Lake CLW et al., 6/12 St. Louis MCBS. | |
| 2011 | Fall | No reports. | ||
| 2011 | Winter | 3 | Observed only in the Northeast region where 3 individuals were reported, the lowest count of the previous 5 years. First noted in the Sax-Zim Bog area 12/10 St. Louis SSp, and infrequently thereafter through 2/19 m.o.b. Most cooperative was the individual found near Gooseberry Falls S.P. beginning 12/30 Lake fide JWL, continuing through 2/18 m.ob. Also seen 2/16 Cook WWo. | |
| 2012 | Spring | No reports. | ||
| 2012 | Summer | 1 | Observed 6/29 St. Louis (Toivola Swamp) MCBS. | |
| 2012 | Fall | 3 | All reports: 10/17 Lake of the Woods GMM, 11/4 St. Louis SmR, 11/9 Cook PLJ. | |
| 2012 | Winter | 9 | Best incursion into the state since winter 2009–2010. Individuals were found across the north in a rough triangle from Roseau in the northwest, southeast to Aitkin, and northeast to Cook. Most numerous in the Northwest region with high counts 2/16 Roseau (9) SPM, DKM, 1/5 Roseau (6) JMJ, 2/9 Lake of the Woods (4) BSi, and CBC high count 12/29 Roseau (5). Unusual was the report 1/18–2/9 Clearwater (south of Shelvin) SVo, DPJ, m.ob. In the Sax-Zim Bog, typically a good location for this species, only 1 or 2 birds were reported 12/21+ St. Louis m.ob. Also reported from Beltrami, Koochiching and Lake. | |
| 2013 | Spring | 9 | Reported across the northern third of the state. First county record 3/13 Red Lake (4 miles north of Oklee) SAS. High count of 4 in Lake of the Woods on various dates between 3/6 and 3/30 BSi, GMM. Late north 4/20 Lake (Finland) CMn, 5/4 Kittson (C.R. 4 and 370th Ave.) RBJ, DAC, LW. Also found in Beltrami, Itasca, Pennington, Roseau, St. Louis. See The Loon 85:148–149 for a complete summary. | |
| 2013 | Summer | 1 | Pair observed feeding nestling in cavity 6/25 Lake (Pagami Burn) SGW. Map includes March evidence of probable breeding (courtship) in St. Louis AXH. | |
| 2013 | Fall | 4 | All north reports (early median 10/22): 10/19 Lake DPa, 11/3 Cook (Gunflint Trail about 1 mile outside Grand Marais) ph. PEB, DWK, ph. KRE, m.ob., 11/21 St. Louis (Greaney) BRL, 11/24 St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog, Owl Avenue) JsB, 11/26 Aitkin (C.R. 1 and 430th Lane) WEN. | |
| 2013 | Winter | 7 | 1 | Found north in Cook, Lake, St. Louis, Aitkin Cass, and two unusual records: 12/11 Marshall (Elm Lake W.M.A.) fide JMJ, 1/25 Polk (Agassiz Valley project) JMJ. The epicenters of activity were in the Sax-Zim Bog and also Aitkin County, with at least 3 individuals in each area, observed and well photographed throughout the season. Remarkable in what was not an invasion year was the lone south observation 1/10–2/24 McLeod ph. KLz, m.ob., another obliging and often photographed individual. |
| 2014 | Spring | 4 | Last reported in Aitkin 4/3 (S.R. 200) EEO, 4/6 (C.R. 18) JPR; in Itasca 3/26 (east of Wawina along U.S. 2) EEO; in Lake 5/27 (north of Lake Isabella) fide SGW; and nested in St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog) 4/26 AXH, where birds were still present at the end of the season. | |
| 2014 | Summer | 1 | Only report 6/7 St. Louis ph. MLH; nesting pair successfully fledged 4 owlets in Sax-Zim Bog. | |
| 2014 | Fall | 3 | All reports: 8/20 Lake of the Woods GMM, 10/26 Cook LS, (mile 124, Hwy 61) ALo, KRE, ph. RZi, LS, WCM, 11/22 Lake (Trappers Lake Rd. burn area) ClN, 11/23 Lake (heavily logged part of Tomahawk Rd.) JRg. | |
| 2014 | Winter | 8 | All reports from either the northwest (Roseau, Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake, Beltrami), beginning 12/8 Beltrami GMM, or the northeast (Cook, Lake, St. Louis), beginning 12/19 Cook DMB. High counts 2/24 Roseau (10, north of Roseau) fide JMJ, 1/18 Roseau (8, north of Roseau) JMJ. | |
| 2015 | Spring | 4 | Reported from Roseau (mostly north of the city of Roseau), Koochiching (Big Falls), St. Louis (at least five individuals at scattered locations), and Cook (west of Grand Portage along Hwy. 61) in March, then only 4/18 Roseau BSi. High count 3/7 Roseau (12, S.R. 3/0 and Sprague Creek Rd.) TDr. | |
| 2015 | Summer | No reports. | ||
| 2015 | Fall | 1 | Only report 11/22 St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog) TCo. | |
| 2015 | Winter | 2 | Reported from only two counties (Roseau, Lake of the Woods), the fewest number for the season since winter 2002 (1). All reports were of singles except 2/27 Lake of the Woods (2) SAu, KCo. | |
| 2016 | Spring | 1 | No reports. | |
| 2016 | Summer | No reports. | ||
| 2016 | Fall | 2 | All reports: 11/25–26 Aitkin (C.R. 18) EGa, ASu, KMS, SSc, CEl, ToL, 11/26 Itasca SC. | |
| 2016 | Winter | 7 | Reports from seven north counties (Aitkin, Beltrami, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Roseau, St. Louis). High counts (3) in Roseau and Beltrami. | |
| 2017 | Spring | 3 | Reported north in St. Louis from Sax-Zim Bog through 3/11 m.ob. Additional north reports 4/5 Marshall (Warren) CoB, ph. HHu, 5/10 Lake of the Woods GMM. | |
| 2017 | Summer | 1 | Observed 6/24 Koochiching (1 immature, 2 adults, one singing) AXH. | |
| 2017 | Fall | 3 | All north (median 10/31) 11/12 Beltrami (location?) BSi, 11/19 Beltrami (Big Bog S.R.A.) LiH, ASu, 11/27 St. Louis ABL, 11/29 Lake of the Woods (S.R. 72, just north of the Beltrami County line) AMe, MSf, 11/30 St. Louis FGo. No south reports. | |
| 2017 | Winter | 4 | 1 | Reported from four north counties (Beltrami, Lake, Roseau, St. Louis), well below the average for the previous ten winters (8). Most were singles but up to three reported St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog). One south report of a presumed road-killed specimen discovered 1/5 Chisago (Hwy 8 roadside) NSc, ph. MTe. |
| 2018 | Spring | 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. | |
| 2018 | Summer | No reports. | ||
| 2018 | Fall | Â No reports. | ||
| 2018 | Winter | 1 | Reported only from one county (St. Louis, Sax-Zim Bog), the fewest since winter 2002. All reports that included a specific Sax-Zim location were apparently of the same individual. The 10-year average is eight counties. | |
| 2019 | Spring | 2 | Reported north in St. Louis from Sax-Zim Bog through 3/2 m.ob. Additional north report 4/14 Beltrami BSi. | |
| 2019 | Summer | Â No reports. | ||
| 2019 | Fall | 2 | All north 11/15 Cook ebd, 11/17 Lake ebd, 11/18 Beltrami (Red Lake S.F.) ASu, 11/22 Beltrami (2, same location?) BSi, 11/28 St. Louis (Sax Zim Bog) ClN. | |
| 2019 | Winter | 7 | Â Reported from eight north counties: Aitkin, Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, St. Louis. Most reports were singles from St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog), with a few high counts of 3. Away from Sax-Zim, high counts were 2 (Beltrami, Lake of the Woods). CBC high count 1/5 Baudette (4), 12/28 Cook Area (2). (This is considered a Sensitive Species in eBird and records are not public. This summary includes eBird records although they are not in the M.O.U. database.) | |
| 2020 | Spring | 4 | Reported north in St. Louis from Sax-Zim Bog through 3/14 m.ob. Additional north reports 3/8 Aitkin KCR, 3/13–14 Hubbard REn, m.ob., May 20–22 Lake (two separate locations) ebd. (This is considered a Sensitive Species in eBird and records are not public. This summary includes eBird records although they are not in the M.O.U. database.) | |
| 2020 | Summer | No reports. | ||
| 2020 | Fall | 3 | All north 9/26 Cook (Superior N.F.) ebd, 11/17 Lake (Superior N.F.) ASu, 11/21–26 St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog) ClN, m.ob. (This is considered a Sensitive Species in eBird and records are not public. This summary includes eBird records although they are not in the M.O.U. database.) | |
| 2020 | Winter | 4 | Reported from four north counties (Cook, Lake, Roseau, St. Louis), below the ten-year average (6). All reports were of singles. (This is considered a Sensitive Species in eBird and records are not public. This summary includes eBird records although they are not in the M.O.U. database.) | |
| 2021 | Spring | 1 | Reported north in St. Louis from Sax-Zim Bog through 3/8 m.ob. (This is considered a Sensitive Species in eBird and records are not public. This summary includes eBird records although they are not in the M.O.U. database.) | |
| 2021 | Summer | No reports. | ||
| 2021 | Fall | No reports. | ||
| 2021 | Winter | 4 | There were relatively few records, all from four north counties (Aitkin, Lake of the Woods, Roseau, St. Louis). High count 2/26 Roseau (4, S.R. 3/0) JMJ, and several other reports of 2 from Roseau; all others were of singles. (This is considered a Sensitive Species in eBird and records are not public. This summary includes eBird records although they are not in the M.O.U. database.) | |
| 2022 | Spring | 4 | Reported north in St. Louis from Sax-Zim Bog through 3/20 m.ob. Additional north reports 3/1–9 Roseau ebd, 3/14 Koochiching ebd, 3/22 Beltrami DvH. (This is considered a Sensitive Species in eBird and their records are not public. This summary includes eBird records although they are not in the M.O.U. database.) | |
| 2022 | Summer | No reports. | ||
| 2022 | Fall | No reports. | ||
| Rare breeder north. Irruptive winter visitant mostly north. | ||||
| 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. |