Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon - Grebes 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: Grebes
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Eared Grebe
Western Grebe
Clark's Grebe
[Western Grebe X Clark's Grebe]
[Aechmophorus grebe]

Western Grebe(Aechmophorus occidentalis)
YearSeasonNS
1936Summer Nine nests of this interesting ·ns-wa:n-neckod Grobe" wo:t"o found by Rober~ Upson on May 23rd. One nest contained two eggs, five nests held on egg each, and th~ee nests wGre cnptyc Tho 1835 nesting report of tho T. s. Roberts Ornithological Club n~ed their find of the Western Grobels nest as the "prize find", it being tho first reported since 1899. 2? -The Flicker, 1936
1938SummerTwo observers found Swan-necked Grebes at Lake Trav­ erse. Bob Upson noted 2 nests that held 4 and 5 eggs on June 6-7; and R. M. Berthel, on June r6, found 4 pairs that were courting.
1961Springabundant on Lake Traverse again this year, and they undoubtedly breed there. Members of the Avifauna} Club saw them there on 23 April and 6, 11 and 12 May. R. Grant observed a pair courting and displaying there on 20 May. Pelican and Cormorant: Both were seen this season.
1961SummerTwo nests containing one and three eggs, seen by the Huber brothers at Swan Lake on 24 June. See article elsewhere in this issue for details of this uncommon nesting.
1962SpringApril 30, Winona, Hiawatha Valley Bird Club.
1962SummerJune 9, Detroit Lakes, Becker Co., Avifaunal Club.
1962FallSept. 2, Lake Traverse, Traverse Co., adult feeding young, R. Grant; Oct. 6, Frog Lake, Stevens Co., Avifaunal Club, five seen.
1963SpringApril 20, Lake Traverse, 9 seen, Avifaunal Club; May 30, Swan Lake Nicollet County, 6 seen, R. Janssen.
1963SummerStevens Co., Frog Lake, Aug. 31 at least 31 seen, family groups? Avifaunal Club. Regular summer resident here.
1963Falllatest Nov. 6, Frog Lake, Stevens Co., E. Strubbe and Nov. 15, Howard Lake, Wright Co., Erma Christopher, both exceptionally late dates.
1964Spring4-25 Frog Lake, RBJ; 5-22 Marshall Co, DLO.
1964Summerbreeding, Frog Lake, Stevens Co, RAG, RLH, ES, others.
1964Fall9-27 Frog Lake, Stevens Co, 53, RAG; 11-1 Frog Lake, 3, MIG; 11-15 Frog Lake, 1, KH, ES.
1965Spring4-27 Traverse Co, EHH, DB; 4-30 Cook Co, MAF and Holt, DLO; 5-1 Stevens Co, ES; 5-2 Traverse Co, RAG; 5-14 Fargo, LWJ and Grant Co, VFB.
1965Fall10-3 Mpls, DB, EHH; 10-9 Frog Lake, 20, RAG; 10-11 Lake Carlos, MVS; 11-5 Holt, Marshall Co, DLO.
1966Springearliest 4-16 Stevens Co, ES, 5-5 Lake Traverse, DB and Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge, DLO.
1966Summer7-23 Swan Lake, Nicollet Co, ad y, BL; 7-23 Carver Co, DB, RG; 8-15 Swan Lake, 150 PE; one unusual record, 6-2 Wilson Lake, Lake Co, 1 bird captured, examined in hand by JGH and 6 other biologists, good details.
1966Fall9-13 Lake Co., 5, JGH; ~-14 Lake Co., 8, JGH; 9-15 Lake Co., 3, JGH; very unusual in the northeastern JOrtion of our state; 9-24 Lake Traverse, 3, JAH.
1967Spring4-16 Big Stone Co., JAH; 4-21 Marshall Co., AWR; 4-23 Ramsey Co., 1, Art Wilde, good details; 4-29 Lac qui Parle Co., EHH, DB; 5-12 Nobles Co., HSH and Marshall Co., 12, AWR; 5-24 Fargo-Moorhead fide EGA.
1967SummerJune, Graham Lake, Nobles Co., HSH; 6-18 Herman, Grant Co., 40+, BC, LC, RLH; 6-10 Cottonwood, Lyon Co., PE.
1968Spring 5-5 Fargo-Moorhead, fide EGA; 5-6 Grant Co., JAH; 5-21 Stevens Co., EHH; 5-26 Big Stone Co., EMB; "May", Marshall Co., A WR; only reports.
1968Summer 6-18 Pelican Lk., Grant Co., 1, NMH; 6-19 Platte Lk, Crow Wing Co., ELC (see Notes of Interest in previous issue).
1968Fall9-2 Nicollet (Swan Lake) DB; 11-16 Hennepin (Lake Harriet) DB, CKS, KP; 11-17 same RBJ.
1969Spring4-25 Carver Co., RDT; 5-1 Lac qui Parle Co., BL.
1969Summer6-13 Agassiz Refuge, Marshall Co. (6) RBJ. Swan Lake, Nicollet Co., 5 on 7-25 (RBJ) and 17 there 105 l)ecennber 19GY on 6-19 (FL) and an unusual eastern record from Lake Waconia, CARVER CO., 1 on 6-4 (TH). Pied-billed Grebe:· nested in Morrison, Pope, Washington, and Watonwan Co's. Reported from Marshall, Clearwater, Mahnomen, Clay, Hennepin, Carver, Sherburne, Meeker, Ramsey, Crow Wing, and Ottertail Co's.
1969Fall10-9 Hennepin MHM; 10-25 Hennepin KP.
1970Springearly south 4-16 Hennepin CH; 4-26 Nicollet EB; 5-2 Stevens KH; early north 5-2 Marshall AR; also 5-28 and 30 Lake Harriet, Minneapolis GES, EJ, BL, WL.
1970Summerneste d in Nicollet (7-26 Swan Lake, 2ad ly, DB) and Kandiyohi (Sunburg Lake "nested in August" BAH) Co's. Also reported from Pope (Simon La ke), Grant, and Marshall Co's. Local but sp reading in recent years.
1971Spring9 reports of 83 individuals south 5-1 Nicollet BL, FL; 5-8 Big Stone MS; earlynorth 5-1 Marshall AR; 5-9 Marshall KE, RR; 5-15 Todd (10) BH; peak 5-22 Stevens (50) BDC, FN.
1971Summernested in Stearns, Kandiyohi and Nicollet; also reported from Marshall, Clearwater, Roseau, Kittson and Pope.
1971Falllate south 10-6 Lyon; 10-31 Nicollet; 11-11 Jlennepin; late north 10-14 Marshall; 10-31 Crow Wing; peak 8-29 Stevens (80), J. Hart.
1972Summernested in Kandivohi (50+young, SundburDouble-crested Cormorant
1973Summer Nested in Kandiyohi (50+ Sunburg Lake BAH); Pope (30+ Simon Lake BAH); Big Stone (300+ Big Stone Refuge Staff); Nicollet (200 JWP); seen in Marshall, Grant, Douglas and Hennepin (6-10 OJ).
1973Fall Reported from St. Louis, Pope, Nicollet. Late north 10-23 Marshall (2) (AWR).Late south 10-13 Kandiyohi(20) (BAH). (BAH). Peak 8-2 Kandiyohi (100)
1974Spring Early south 4-25 Nicollet GR; 4-26 Big Stone DS; 4-27 Kandiyohi BH; 2 reports north 4-25, 5-10 Marshall AR; a surprising peak of 6 was recorded on Lake Calhoun, Hennepin Co. on 5-24 ES. Pied-billed. Grebe Early south 3-3 Dakota DR; 3-5 Anoka SC; 3-16 Big Stone; early north 3-15, 4-7 Crow Wing (75+ ) TS; 4-8 Mille Lacs MI; peak 5-3 Marshall (122) AR.
1974Summer Nested in Marshall, Kandiyohi, Nicollet; also reported from Big Stone, Pope, Swift, Lac qui Parle, Sibley.
1974Fall Late south 9-14 Carver KG; 10-9 Freeborn DG; 10-12 Murray LR; late north 10-25 Marshall AR; peak 9-21 Marshall (200) AR.
1975Spring Early south 4-20 Big Stone DWS; 425 Lac qui Parle KE; 4-27 Lac qui Parle RBJ; early north 4-24 Cook HFC; 5-2 Marshall AR; 5-3 Cook HT; peak 5-31 Pope (40+ ) BAH.
1975Summer Nested in Marshall, Big Stone (30 pair on Thielke L., BE) and Kandiyohi; also reported from Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Rock, Pope and Hennepin (7-6, OJ). Pied~billed Grebe Nested in Marshall, Swift, Cottonwood, VVright, Hennepin and Ramsey; also reported from 14 other counties. at Itasca State Park. A Rusty Blackbird in Cook Co. was only the third summer report on record. Summer Northern Cardinal records from Rock Co. represented another range extension, and from the same area Blue Grosbeaks were found in no less than four different locations. A flock of Red Crossbills in the southwest was unusual enough, but there seems no explanation for the VVhitewings there on a hot July day. Lark
1975Falllate south 10-2 Pope DM; late north 10-27 Marshall SV; 11-9 Duluth KE; peak 9-8 Marsh all (203) SV.
1976Spring Early south 4-17 Kandiyohi BH; 420 Lincoln LK; 4-24 Lac qui Parle OJ; early north 4-27 and 5-7 Marshall SV, MS.
1976Summernested in Marshall, Todd (25 pair, NH), Wright and Kandiyohi; also reported from Ottertail, Grant (peak of 200, J. Fitzpatrick), Big Stone, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Jackson, Stearns (6-2, St. Cloud, NH) and Hennepin (French L., OJ); more reports than usual.
1976Fall Late north 9-23 Grant, 10-18 Marshall; late south 9-26 Lac qui Parle, 1 0-23 Ramsey EC.
1977Spring Early south 4-22 Meeker RJ; 7 reports on 4-23; 1 report from the eastern part of the state, 4-26 Hennepin VL; early north 4 reports on 4-24.
1977Summer Nested in Otter Tail and Lac qui Parle; also reported from 10 other counties east to Meeker (7-9, RJ) and Carver 6-26, DA); more reported than usual, though thought to be down at Agassiz N.W.R.
1977Winter One remarkably survived the harsh winter and overwintered at Ortonville, Big Stone Co. (m.ob.); there had been no previous record later than mid-November!
1978Spring Early north 4-22, 4-26 Otter Tail GO, SM; outside normal range 5-3 Anoka KL.
1978Summer Breeding reported from Marshall, Big Stone, Lac qui Parle, Todd, (Lake Osakis), and Anoka (Rice Lake); also seen in Lake of the Woods, Roseau, Becker, Otter Tail, Grant, Pope, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Sibley, Nicollet, LeSueur.
1978Fall Late north 10-18 Marshall ANWR, 10-23 Lac qui Parle CMB, 10-29 Otter Tail SM; late south 10-21 Hennepin DB; also reported 9-25 St. Louis MC.
1979Spring Early south 4-19 Stearns CM, 4-20 Anoka KL, McLeod RJ and Traverse KE; early north 4-18 Otter Tail SM, 4-27 Pennington SS, 5-6 Marshall ANWR. Peak 5-31 Grant GMO (300).
1979Summer Breeding reported from Todd, Wright, Nicollet, Murray, Lac qui Parle; also seen in Marshall, Pennington, Becker, Grant, Douglas, Pope, Traverse, Big Stone, Kandiyohi, Hennepin, Lincoln, Lyon, W a ton wan, Blue Earth, Goodhue (Lake Pepin, 7-3, one), Pine (6-2, three, Oak Lake, RBJ).
1979Fall Peak 9-7 Nicollet JCF (100); late north 9-29 Grant RJ, 10-15 Marshall KSS; late south 10-7 Big Stone RMA, 11-3 Nicollet JCF.
1980Spring Early south 4-14 DG, 4-19 Kandiyohi BSH, 4-25 Lac qui Parle KE, Nicollet JCF, McLeod RJ; early north 4-24 Grant SM, 5-13 Marshall ANWR, 4-21 Pennington KSS.
1980Summer Breeding in Marshall, Todd, Big Stone, Nicollet; also seen in Roseau, Otter Tail, Traverse, Douglas, Stevens, Lac qui Parle, Kandiyohi, Martin.
1980Fall Late north 9-21 Clearwater RJ; late south 9-27 Freeborn RJ, 10-10 Pope NH, 11-14 Nicollet JCF.
1981Spring Early south 4-10 Nicollet JCF, 4-18 188 The Loon Vol. 53 Rice KJ, 4-26 Dodge JSD and Steele JEB; early north 4-20 Otter Tail SM, 4-25 Wilkin JPI AM, 5-2 Beltrami JP.
1981Summer Breeding data from Todd, Douglas, Pope, Stevens, Big Stone, Kandiyohi, FREEBORN. Seen throughout range plus Anoka (6-18 Round Lake, KL), Duluth (7-4, KRE))
1981Fall Late north 10-22 Todd RJ; late south 10-23 Lac qui Parle DB, 11-2 Nicollet JCF, 11-29 Big Stone RG.
1982SpringEarly south 4/5 Washington TBB, 4/18 Stearns NH, 4/21 Blue Earth JCF and Lac qui Parle CMB; early north 4/16 Aitkin JBA 4/18 Otter Tail SDM, 4/29 Marshall NWR.
1982Summer Breeding data from Marshall, Todd, Pope, Big Stone, Wright, Sibley, Martin, Jackson, Murray. Seen throughout range.
1982Fall Late north 10/30 Otter Tail DS, 11/7 Todd NH, 11/16-21 Crow Wing WN, TS; late south I0124 Chippewa and Lac qui Parle AB, 11/6 Le Sueur KL, 11/11 Nicollet JCF.
1983Spring Early south 4/22 Lac qui Parle RH, 4/24 Kandiyohi AB, 4/28 Blue Earth MF; early north 4/23 Grant RJ, 4/24 Otter Tail SDM, 4/26 Marshall ANWR.
1983Summer Breeding data from Roseau, Marshall, Todd, Big Stone, Wright. Also seen in Kittson, Polk, Clay, Ottertail, Grant, Stevens, Pope, Jackson, Freeborn, Nicollet, Hennepin (6/17, Lake Harriet).
1983Fall Late north 10/30 Otter Tail OS, 11/6 Todd KL, 11/29 Beltrami JSP; late south IOII4 Nicollet JCF, 11//1 Waseca RG, RJ, I Ill8 Chippewa AB.
1983Winter The second and third winter records for the state: Hennepin, Lake Calhoun on I 2-2 (mob) and Two Harbors, Lake Co. on 12-9 (KE) and 12-10 (SWMS) (KL).
1984Spring Early south 4/19 Blue Earth MF, 4/21 Martin SWIMS, Nicollet JCF; early north 4/20 Otter Tail GMO, 4/21 Marshall AB, 5/19 Clay TBB.
1984Summernested in Marshall, Todd (L. Osakis, 300 pairs -NH), Big Stone and Wright; also seen in Steams, Hennepin, Pope, Renville, Chippewa, Brown, Nicollet, Lincoln and Washington (6/12 on, St. Croix R. fide JD).
1984Fall Late north 10/7 Otter Tail SDM, 11/6 Todd KL, 11/12 Lake SWIMS; late south 10/19 Goodhue BL,10/27 Cottonwood LAF, 11/3 Big Stone RJ, 11/9 Nicollet JCF.
1985Spring Early south 4/10 Sibley RJ, 4/12 Lac qui Parle DB, 4/14 Hennepin AP; early north 4/21 Wilkin SDM, 5/3 Marshall ANWR, 5/5 Polk AB.
1985Summer Nested in Todd, Big Stone, Swift (25 nests, Lake Shibble, WT), Lac qui Parle, Lincoln (WT), Murray, Jackson, Nicollet. Also seen in Lake of the Woods (7/29, adult carrying young, AJ), Marshall, Wilkin , Wright, Blue Earth, Hennepin (all summer on French and Diamond Lakes, OJ).
1985Fall Late north 9/28 Grant RJ, 10/26 Todd KL, l 0131 Otter Tail DS ; late south 9/29 Big Stone TBB, 10/13 Chippewa AB, 11/13 Nicollet JCF.
1986Spring Early south 4/1 Lac qui Parle RGJ, 4/8 Sibley BDC, 4/9 Chippewa RJ, Lincoln SSt; early north 4/20 Grant SDM, Traverse GAM, 4/24 Marshall ANWR.
1986Summer Nested in Todd, Pope (80 pairs, Lake Reno, NH), Lyon (HK), Jackson; probable nesting in Swift, Murray, Nicollet. Also seen in Agassiz NWR, Clearwater, Big Stone, Lac qui Parle, Cottonwood, Freeborn (6/14, one, NH).
1986Fall Late north 10/22 Otter Tail GAM, 1/12 Todd RG (10), 1/16 Becker BK; late south 10/25 Stearns NH, 10/31 Nicollet JF, 1/12 Lac qui Parle AB.
1986Winter Duluth Township 12/6 (AB). Casual on Lake Superior in any season and one of the very few winter records for this species.
1987Spring Early south 4/11 Nicollet MF, 4/18 Sibley RJ, 4/19 Blue Earth RG; early north 4/28 Pennington GS, Wilkin GAM, 4/29 Marshall ANWR.
1987Summer Nested in Marshall, Todd (350-400 pairs, Lake Osakis, NH), Pope. Also seen throughout the west central plus Renville, Lyon, Redwood, Nicollet.
1987Fall Late north 9/3 Marshall IT, 9/15 Becker MM, 11/22 Douglas AB; late south 10/17 Kandiyohi RJ, 10/18 Stevens EL, IllS Nicollet JF.
1988Spring Early south 4/8 Nicollet JF, 4/9 Big Stone RG and Lac qui Parle DO; early north 5/3 Duluth DJ, 5!6 Marshall ANWR, 5/11 Clay LCF.
1988Summer Nested in Marshall, Todd, Pope, Nicollet. Also seen in Stevens, Big Stone, Swift, Lac qui Parle, Wright.
1988Fall Late north 9/5 Clearwater AB, 10/21 Douglas BSE, 10/24 OtterTail DS; late south 8/13 Yellow Medicine BSE, 9/29 Waseca AMP.
1989Spring Early south 4/11 Blue Earth MF, 4/18 Murray ND, 4/21 Freeborn, Lac qui Parle, Swift m.ob.; early north 4/29 St. Louis JB, 5/13 Pennington AP, 5/31 Clay LCF and Todd BR.
1989Summer Many more reports than last year. Nested in Marshall, Todd, Stevens; probable nesting in Freeborn. Seen in 12 other counties west of line through Clearwater, Nicollet, Martin; also reported 6/3 Hennepin, Dakota DZ, Washington all summer, DS.
1989Fall Reported 8/13 Clearwater AB, 9/23 Freeborn AP, 10/10 Sherburne DO, 10/20 Marshall PS, 11/J9 Hennepin AB, SC, RJ.
1990Spring Early south 4/22 Lincoln PS, 4/28 Big Stone TEB, Lac qui Parle mob, Swift AB.
1990Summer Nested in Steele FKS, AP; seen in 12 other counties as far east as Isanti RJ, Hennepin OJ, Dakota AP, 6/3-8 Winona mob.
1990Fall Late north 8/24 Todd RJ, 10/14 Otter Tail DS, 11/13 Douglas RG; late south 10/5 Blue Earth MF, 10/17 Chippewa AB.
1991Spring Early south 4/25 McLeod RH, 4/26 Lac qui Parle CMB, Cottonwood ED; early north 4/25 Roseau KSS, 4/28 OtterTail SDM, 5/4 Traverse FKS; also 5/25 St. Louis AB, BL.
1991Summer Nested in Hennepin OJ, KB; probable breeding in Traverse, Renville. Seen in 12 other counties as far east as Kanabec RJ, Freeborn.
1991Fall Late north 10/10 Polk PS, 10/23 Todd KB, 10/28 Otter Tail DS; late south 10/7 Rice TB, 11/1 Chippewa AB, 11/20 Hennepin SC.
1992Spring Early south 4/18 Cottonwood ED and Lac qui Parle DO, 4/20 Mower JM; early north 4/19 Otter Tail MO, 4/23 Beltrami PS, 4/25 Grant RJ.
1992Summer Nested in Marshall, Kandiyohi, Hennepin; probable breeding in Nicollet, Faribault. Seen in seven other western counties plus Todd, Carver, Blue Earth.
1992Fall Late north 10/9 Pennington SSt, 10/11 Otter Tail DS; late south 11/6 Hennepin SC, 11/8 Carver MB, 11/22 Kandiyohi CJ.
1993Spring Early south 4/17 Big Stone DN and Wright KB, 4/18 Hennepin SC. Early north 4/29 Grant SDM, 5/12 Traverse AH, 5/5 Douglas JW.
1993Summer Nested in Hennepin (up to 232 birds present by end of July); seen in nine western counties plus Todd, Meeker, Renville, Sibley, Carver, Ramsey.
1993Fall Late north 9/17 St. Louis FN, 10/17 Grant KB, 10/24 Todd RJ. Late south 9/6 Yellow Medicine DSM, 10/30 Chippewa AB, 10/31 Hennepin TBr, SC.
1994Spring Early south 4/10 Carver mob, 4/16 Lac qui Parle CM and Redwood DN; early north 4/17 Grant SDM and Todd AB, 4/27 Becker BBe.
1994Summer More reports than usual. Nested in Big Stone, Douglas, Hennepin; probable breeding in 11 counties. Observed in eight additional counties as far east as Roseau, Todd in the north and Rice in the south.
1994Fall Late north 10/21 Otter Tail DS, 10/22 Lake of the Woods PS, 11/21 Douglas KL. Late south 10/20 Lyon HK, 11/2 Kandi-yohi RG, 11/30 Hennepin RJ.
1994Winter Late migrant reported until 12/10 on Lake Calhoun, Hennepin Co. mob. Ties the latest date on record and only the fifth winter report.
1995Spring Early south 4/21 Kandiyohi RF/JC, 4/23 Big Stone, Dakota, Lac qui Parle and Sibley mob; early north 4/22 Traverse KB, 5/5 Clay CF, 5/21 Clearwater DJ.
1995Summer Very few reports; less than half the number of counties reported from last year. Nested in Marshall, Big Stone, Jackson; probable nesting in Hennepin. Also observed in Polk, Clearwater, Otter Tail, Traverse, Todd, Faribault.
1995Fall Sightings in two north and eight south counties with a peak of 100s on 9/17 Todd PKL.
1996Spring Reported from 20 counties, including 4/2 (second earliest date statewide) Otter Tail SDM. Peak 4/25 Todd (200+) PKL. Unusual location 5/19 Duluth (1) PBu et al.
1996Summer Nested in Grant SDM, Douglas, Big Stone; probable nesting in Todd. Seen in 12 additional counties as far east as a line through Roseau, Crow Wing, Hennepin, Steele.
1996Fall Peak 10/28 Douglas (800) RJ. Reported in six north and eight south counties. Late north (median 10/31) 10/4 Todd KB, 10/6 Marshall PS. Late south 10/25 Chippewa ABo, 11/2 Big Stone (1) LE.
1997Spring Reported from 20 south and 4 north counties. Early south 4/11 Nicollet DS (ten-year median early date 4/14). Peak 5/19 Big Stone (34) LE.
1997Summer Nested in Marshall (50+ nests at Thief L. KB) and Todd (219+ nests at L. Osakis KB); probable nesting in Douglas, Big Stone, Wright. Observed in 15 other counties in all regions except north central and northeast.
1997Fall Reported from three north and eight south counties. Unusual report 10/5 St. Louis (Duluth) fide KE. Late north 10/18 Traverse (4) WM. Late south 10/26 Big Stone LE, 10/27 Hennepin (2) TT. No November records.
1998Spring Reported from 13 south and 7 north counties.
1998Summer Remarkably few reports (less than one-half the previous ten-year average). Seen in Roseau, Marshall, Big Stone, Faribault, Freeborn; probable nesting in Douglas.
1998Fall Peak count 8/10 Todd (489 on L. Osakis) KB. Reported from five north and nine south counties. Unusual location 9/30–10/4 St. Louis (Duluth) mob. Late north 10/24 Marshall JJ. Late south 11/28 Hennepin (L. Minnetonka) KB.
1998Winter Reported 12/13 Rice JL (record late south date). Only the sixth winter record.
1999Spring Fewer reports than usual, especially in the northwest. Early south 4/13 Hennepin SC and Nicollet MF, 4/18 Big Stone SDM. Eleven were counted 5/30 on Diamond L., Hennepin Co. SC.
1999Summer Seen in Roseau, Lake of the Woods, Polk, Wilkin, Todd, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, Kandiyohi, Meeker, Hennepin, Le Sueur; plus 130 young on 7/19 at Thielke L. in Big Stone Co. PS.
1999Fall Late north 10/19 Marshall PS, 10/29 Todd RJ, 11/11 Todd GS. Late south 11/7 Lyon and Lincoln RgS, 11/21 Big Stone KB.
2000Spring Earliest date on record 3/30 Big Stone BF, then 4/8 Lac qui Parle BL, 4/22 in two counties. No reports from southeast or north-central regions. Early north 4/25 Clay CN, 4/28 Todd RH. Unusual location 5/17 St. Louis (Pike L.) KHu.
2000Summer Reported in 16 counties as far east as a line through Roseau, Todd, Hennepin, Freeborn.
2000Fall North observations included 9/16 St. Louis (2) fide KRE, 11/2 Itasca †BRN, 11/22 Otter Tail fide MRN, 11/26+ Lake †JWL et al. Late south 11/10 Waseca JPS, 11/18 Houston (Pool 8) PEJ.
2000Winter One lingered from fall season (11/26) through 1/20 Lake (Two Harbors) mob.
2001Spring Observed in 21 south and 12 north counties, none in Southeast or Northeast. Reported from Hennepin in East-central, Clearwater in North-central. Early south (median 4/11) 4/5–6 Rice mob, 4/8 Lyon RJS. Early north (median 4/24) 4/19 Grant CRM, 4/20–23 in four counties.
2001Summer Seen in 14 counties as far east as a line through Roseau, Becker, Hennepin, Rice, Freeborn. Possible hybrid (Western x Clark's) documented 7/19 Lyon †RJS.
2001Fall Few reports. Unusual location 10/14 St. Louis (Duluth) MH. Late north 10/20 Douglas REH, 10/31 Todd HHD. Late south 10/27 Hennepin PEB, 11/12 Meeker DMF.
2002Spring Observed in 17 south and 10 north counties. No reports from the Northeast. Early south 4/10 Big Stone KJB, 4/17 Freeborn AEB and Mower RDK, RCK. Early north 4/25 Douglas REH, 5/5 Roseau JMJ. First county record 5/23 Norman JJS.
2002Summer Reported in 14 counties scattered across the Northwest, West-central, and Central regions; plus Hennepin, Dakota, Nicollet, Waseca. Peak count 6/15 Big Stone (175) PHS.
2002Fall Reported from 8 north and 12 south counties, including 10/23 Mille Lacs (Wigwam Bay, Mille Lacs L.) PHS. Late north 11/2 Todd JSK, SDu. Late south 11/29 Hennepin (L. Harriet) PEB.
2003Spring Observed in 18 south and 10 north counties, though none in North-central. Reported from Hennepin and Dakota in East-central, and Olmsted in Southeast. Early south 4/11 Redwood HHD, 4/12 Big Stone SPM, DKM. Early north 4/20 Clay RHO, 4/21 Todd/Douglas (52 at L. Osakis) BWF. Peak count 5/7 Big Stone (200+ at Thielke L.) BJU. Unusual location 5/25 St. Louis (2 at Park Point, Duluth) AXH, PHS.
2003Summer Found in 16 counties as far north and east as a line through Marshall, Todd, Hennepin, Freeborn; new nesting record in Carver RMD.
2003Fall Seen in six north and nine south counties. Late north 10/13 Polk PHS, then unusual report 11/21+ St. Louis (Duluth) JJS et al. Late south 11/1 Chippewa BJU, 11/26 Meeker CRM. Also see winter report.
2003Winter Reported 11/21–12/20 St. Louis (Duluth) †PHS (The Loon 76:168–169).
2004Spring Observed in 20 south and 11 north counties, though none in North-central. Reported from Hennepin and Wright in East-central, and Goodhue in Southeast. Early south 4/6 Big Stone BJU, 4/16 Rice TFB. Early north 4/21 Douglas JPM, 4/25 Todd BWF. Peak count 5/1 Big Stone (126) PEJ, DFN. Unusual location 5/26–28 St. Louis (max. 3 at Park Point, Duluth) MSS et al.
2004Summer Seen in 18 counties in all regions except North-central, Northeast, Southeast. Unusual location 7/1 Dakota (Black Dog L.) JPM, ADS.
2004Fall Seen in eight north and six south counties. Unusual locations 8/26–28 Lake (Two Harbors) ph. JWL, 9/25–10/15 St. Louis (Park Point) KRE, m.ob. Late north 10/24 Itasca SC and Douglas JPE, 11/7 Marshall PHS. Late south 10/25 Rice TFB.
2005Spring Observed in 19 south and 10 north counties, though none in Southeast. Reported from Hennepin and Dakota in East-central. Early south 4/9 Big Stone DFN, 4/16 Meeker DMF. Early north 4/15 Polk EEF, 4/17 Douglas CRM. Unusual location 5/21–23 St. Louis (Park Point, Duluth) MTA, MLH, MOc et al.
2005Summer Seen in 13 counties south and west of a line through Roseau, Wright, Freeborn.
2005Fall Found in five north and nine south counties. Unusual location 9/4 Clearwater (Pine L.) BJU. Late north 10/23 Polk fide JMJ, 11/18 Todd BWF (median 10/31). Late south 10/21 Big Stone PHS, 11/23 Brown BTS (median 11/18).
2006Spring Observed in 24 south and 4 north counties, none in Southeast. Reported from Wright in East-central. Early south 4/8 Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/9 Big Stone DFN. Early north 4/13 (2nd earliest north date) Douglas SPM, 4/16 Marshall fide JMJ (median 4/22).
2006Summer Observed in 24 coun-ties south and west of a line from Marshall to Olmsted.
2006Fall Seen in 7 north and 11 south counties. Unusual location 10/20–21 Lake (Two Harbors) DNS, EAS, EGS, †PHS, DWK, ph. JWL. High count 8/30 Big Stone (249) BJU. Late north 10/27 Polk PHS, 11/3 Marshall (3 at Agassiz N.W.R.) MA. Late south 11/11 Houston (Pool #8 in MN) PEJ, 11/16 Hennepin (L. Calhoun) CMB.
2007Spring1020 Early south 4/15 Big Stone LS and Meeker DMF, 4/18 Lac qui Parle BJU (median 4/11). Early north 5/3 Otter Tail DTT, 5/6 Douglas DFN (median 4/21). Unusual northeast report 5/19–24 St. Louis (max. 2, Park Point, Duluth) DRB, m.ob. High count 4/26 Big Stone (188) BJU.
2007Summer916 Reported from record high number of counties south and west of a line from Kittson to Rice.
2007Fall715 Unusual location 8/23 St. Louis (2 at Park Point, Duluth) KJB. Late north 10/22 Beltrami BJU, 11/3 Todd MSK. Late south 11/16 Blue Earth RMD, 11/24 Waseca HHD.
2008Spring922 Early south (median 4/11) 4/7 Blue Earth ARW, 4/15 Lac qui Parle BJU. Early north (median 4/21) 4/19 Douglas JPE. High count 5/29 Douglas (200 on Lake Osakis) MRN.
2008Summer616 Seen in all regions except East-central and Southeast. DNR survey found 550 nests at Lake Osakis in Douglas Co. Unusual location 6/8, 6/22 St. Louis (Park Point, Duluth) MSS, †PHS.
2008Fall715 Unusual location 9/11, 11/1 St. Louis (Park Point) BCM, PHS. Late south 10/14 Swift DMF, 11/1 Meeker DMF (median 11/17).
2009Spring1018 Early south (median 4/11) 4/10 Faribault RMD, 4/13 Meeker DMF. Early north (median 4/21) 4/25 Douglas JPE, 4/30 Marshall GT.
2009Summer69 None found in eastern regions. High count 7/11 Stevens (54 adults at Clear L.) DPG.
2009Fall611 High counts 8/22 Big Stone (71, West Toqua Lake) PHS, 8/23 Big Stone (40, Thielke Lake) KRE. Late north 11/16 Todd JLO, 11/17 St. Louis (Duluth) SLP, 11/28 Douglas JPE (median 11/3). Late south 10/24 Meeker DPG, Nicollet RMD, 11/8 Ramsey DBz, 11/29+ Faribault DAB, JWH (median 11/17).
2009Winter1 One report this season: 12/1 Faribault (Minnesota Lake) DBM. See also fall report.
2010Spring617 Early south (median 4/11) 4/2 Big Stone BJU, 4/10 Faribault DAB, JWH, 4/14 Lac qui Parle BJU. Early north 4/17 Douglas HHD, JPE, Todd HHD.
2010Summer66 Found in all western regions plus Todd. High count 7/10 Big Stone (46 adults and 30 downy chicks at Thielke Lake) PCC.
2010Fall911 High count 8/22 Big Stone (40, Ortonville) RTe. Late north 10/16 Todd DBM, 10/30 Douglas JPE (median 11/3). Late south 10/30 Pope DPG, 11/11 Houston DFN, PEJ (median 11/17). Unusual Northeast report: 10/16 St. Louis (5, Park Point, Duluth) †PEB.
2011Spring1022 Early south (median 4/11) 4/13 Rice (Cannon Lake) DAB, Stevens, Swift BJU, 4/17 Big Stone PEJ, DFN, Brown BTS, DWK, 4/23 Hennepin DDo, †MDu, m.ob. Early north (median 4/21) 4/12 Douglas ARW, 4/27 Crow Wing FGo, 4/28 Kittson TrB. High count 5/21 Douglas (30, Lake Osakis) JEl.
2011Summer712Seen in all central regions plus Northwest and North-central.
2011Fall614 Late north 10/22 Douglas JPE, Wilkin GLa, JPr, 10/23 Otter Tail GLa, 11/12 St. Louis (Superior Entry) KJB (median 11/3). Late south 10/27 Swift BJU, 11/12 Big Stone BJU, 11/29 Dakota RLW (median 11/17).
2012Spring1215 Early south (median 4/11) 4/6 Sibley RBW, 4/11 Lac qui Parle BJU, Stevens DLP, 4/22 Brown DWK, Sibley DWK, SBM. Early north (median 4/21) 4/5 Douglas ANy, 4/14 Douglas JPE, 4/28 Clearwater DWK, SBM. High count 5/24 Marshall (27, Agassiz N.W.R.) GAK. Unusual northeast reports 5/16 Koochiching (Rainy Lake) ph. AMe, 5/19–20 St. Louis (2, Park Point) FJN, KJS, †PHS.
2012Summer77 Observed in all western regions plus Meeker, Sherburne, Sibley, Todd.
2012Fall1110 Late north 10/20 Becker GT, 10/29 Lake DBM, 11/8 St. Louis DAY, 11/14 St. Louis †PHS (median 11/3). Late south 11/9 Big Stone (Big Stone Lake) ph. BJU, 11/13 Pope DBM, 11/14 Big Stone (Big Stone Lake) BJU, 11/15 Wabasha DBz, 11/20 Big Stone DLP (median 11/17).
2012Winter1 Only the second individual to overwinter in the state. Seen in Lake (Two Harbors) from 12/2 ph. †PHS through 2/13 †JWL, m.ob. The first to overwinter was in Big Stone, through 2/11/1978. Another lingered in Two Harbors as late as 1/20/2001, but not through the winter.
2013Spring1516 Early south (median 4/11) 4/22 Swift DaB, 4/26 Big Stone DLP, 4/27 Lac qui Parle SMC, Stearns MJB, Swift SMC. Early north (median 4/21) 4/26 Grant, Traverse DBM, 4/27 Marshall JMJ, CCr, Roseau BSi, 4/28 Becker MO, Clay TCL, Otter Tail m.ob. High count 5/15 Grant (66, Lake Christina, Pomme de Terre Lake, North Ottawa Impoundment) WCM. Unusual northeast reports 5/8–29 St. Louis (max. 4, Duluth) KJB, JLK, †PHS, m.ob, 5/12 Lake (Flood Bay) JWL, 5/12 Lake (Gooseberry Falls S.P., same bird?) RMD.
2013Summer915 Reported from locations in all regions except Southeast. Unusual location 6/1–2 St. Louis (continuing from late May at Park Point, Duluth) JLK, PHS. High count 7/29 Douglas (130, Lake Osakis) RHi.
2013Fall713 High counts 8/17 Big Stone (max. 54, Thielke Lake) DWK, KRE, 8/1 Douglas (44, Lake Osakis) PLJ. Late north 9/21 Traverse HHD, 9/29 Douglas JPE, and then one much later in St. Louis (Superior Entry) 11/2–9 ph. TRK, ph. ClN. m.ob. (median 11/3). Late south 10/25 Le Sueur CRM, RZi, 10/27 Big Stone DLP, 11/5 Faribault WAF (median 11/17).
2014Spring1124Early south (median 4/11) 4/13 Faribault PEJ, DFN, 4/15 Dakota PEJ, 4/17 Goodhue RAE. Early north (median 4/21) 4/20 Douglas LS, 4/25 Douglas JPE, 4/28 Traverse ANy. High count 5/29 Douglas (50, Lake Osakis) ToL. One Northeast report 5/18–19 St. Louis (Park Point) †PHS.
2014Summer810Observed in all western regions plus Central, South-central. First county breeding record from Polk SAu.
2014Fall65 High count 10/11 Douglas (20, Lake Osakis) ALu. Late north 10/16 Polk JMJ, 10/21 Douglas ANy, Todd ANy, 11/7 Douglas BEc (median 11/3). Late south 10/20 Stevens JFl, 10/28 McLeod PRH, 11/2 Stevens DLP.
2015Spring814 Early south (median 4/11) 4/10 Olmsted MiD, 4/12–18 Big Stone PEJ, DFN, m.ob., 4/12–25 Lyon GWe, 4/24 Faribault WAF, Lac qui Parle TiW. Early north (median 4/21) 4/18 Traverse DLP, 4/21 Douglas ALu, 4/26 Marshall KRi. High count 4/21 Douglas (80, Lake Osakis) ALu.
2015Summer83 Seen in Northwest, West-central plus Scott, Todd.
2015Fall98 High count 8/22 Grant (100, North Ottawa Impoundment) CNn, ToL. Late north 10/17 Otter Tail (2) CNn, 11/2 Cook ABL, 11/18 Polk (East Grand Forks W.T.P.) DaL (median 11/7). Late south 10/31 Big Stone DLP, 11/1 Stevens (Gorder Lake) RBW, 11/22 Blue Earth (2, Loon Lake) ChH (median 11/18).
2016Spring1115 Early south (median 4/11) 4/8–17 Big Stone DLP, ALw, 4/16 Lyon GWe, 4/17 Faribault RBW. Early north (median 4/20) 4/21 Douglas SDS, 4/24–25 Todd JAn, SEm, 4/27 Polk SAu. High counts 5/2 Douglas (426, Lake Osakis, counted individually) JLK, 5/30 Big Stone (76, Prairie State W.M.A., breeding colony, 38 pairs counted) GWe.
2016Summer77 Seen in scattered locations south and west of a line from Marshall to Rice. High count 6/22 Douglas (168, L. Osakis, downtown Osakis public boat access) RHi.
2016Fall915 High counts 9/6 Todd (200, Lake Osakis) ToR, 9/14 Faribault (114, Minnesota Lake) WAF. Late north 10/30 Otter Tail NaH, 10/29–11/4 St. Louis JLK, m.ob. (median 11/7). Late south 11/16 Carver (Lake Waconia) HHD, 11/24 Wright (Howard Lake) DWK, 11/29 Meeker (Lake Washington) DPG (median 11/19).
2017Spring1119 Early south (median 4/10) 4/15 Lincoln GWe, 4/20 Freeborn (2) RBW, 4/19–20 Faribault WAF. Early north (median 4/20) 3/21–24 St. Louis (Duluth) ClN, m.ob., 4/16 Clay MO, Douglas (4) ADi. High count 4/26 Douglas (136, Lake Osakis) JLK.
2017Summer813 Seen in all regions except North-central, Northeast, East-central. High count 6/1 Douglas (200, Lake Osakis) SEm.
2017Fall69 High counts 8/19 Todd (120, Lake Osakis) ToL, 8/19 Grant (100, North Ottawa Impoundment) ToL. Late north 10/17 Todd DWK, 10/18–25 Grant (max. 6, North Ottawa Impoundment) EGa, m.ob. (median 11/7). Late south 10/25 Freeborn HHD, 11/2–3 Rice TFB, 11/7 Wright DWK (median 11/18). One member of an apparent pair of Western Grebes in Todd (Lake Osakis) exhibited characteristics suggesting some Clark†™s Grebe ancestry (MJB).
2018Spring1529 Early south (median 4/10) 4/24 Blue Earth ChH, m.ob., Rice TFB, 4/25 Faribault (Wells W.T.P.) 4/25–26 Anoka MAJ, RMD, m.ob., and from Brown, Carver, Hennepin on 4/26. Early north (median 4/20) 4/24 Polk SAu, 4/25 Otter Tail JsS, 4/27 Grant (2) MO. High count 5/22 Grant (40, North Ottawa Impoundment) ASu.
2018Summer813 Found in all western and central regions.
2018Fall1117  High count 8/7 Faribault (536, Minnesota Lake C.P.) WAF. Late north 10/26–28 Itasca BAb, m.ob., 11/3 Douglas (2, Lake Osakis) CNn, Todd (2, Lake Osakis) AaL, m.ob. (median 11/7). Late south 11/1 Faribault WAF, 11/2 Wright (1, Howard Lake) DPG, 11/8 Big Stone HHD (median 11/18).
2019Spring924 Early south (median 4/10) 4/15–23 Watonwan (max. 4) ASu, m.ob., 4/22 Lincoln ANy, 4/23 Big Stone (3) DLP. Early north (median 4/20) 4/13–24 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) ebd, SDz, WPl, 4/24 Douglas (2) ToR. Second county record 5/11 Winona (Prairie Island Park) ph. DBz. High counts 5/12 Todd (57, Lake Osakis) JLK, 5/4 Faribault (46, Minnesota Lake) BHe.
2019Summer517 Reported from all western regions, Central, South-central, plus 6/5 Chisago (Carlos Avery W.M.A.) JMS, ebd. High count 6/16 Faribault (239, Minnesota Lake) JoS, JWd.
2019Fall511 High counts 8/4 Faribault (345, Minnesota Lake) DnS, PNi, 8/31 Douglas (80, Lake Osakis) GMd, RSw. Late north 10/3 Douglas (78, Lake Osakis) JLK, 10/3 Todd (23, Lake Osakis) JLK, 10/8 Todd ANy, 11/23 St. Louis DnW (median 11/7). Late south 10/8 Big Stone (5, Big Stone Lake) WCM, 10/9 Faribault WAF, 10/20 Stevens DLP (median 11/18).
2020Spring912 Early south (median 4/10) 4/14 Blue Earth BHW, 4/24 Benton HHD, BWF, 4/25 Sherburne ebd. Early north (median 4/20) 4/22–28 Grant (max. 8) CNn, MO, 4/26 Douglas (12) JCC, 4/28 Clay TCL. High count 5/25 Freeborn (16, Myre-Big Island S.P.) ebd.
2020Summer57 Seen in West-central plus Carver, Clay, Faribault, Todd, Watonwan.
2020Fall59 High counts 8/6 Douglas (79, Lake Osakis) GHo, KDS, 9/25 Todd (63, Battle Point, Lake Osakis) JLK. Late north 11/5–7 Hubbard (Kabekona Lake) REn, RLF, RAE (median 11/7). Late south 10/25 Lyon (2) GWe, 10/31 Hennepin (2) MAK, 11/16 McLeod ABL (median 11/18).
2021Spring1019 Early south (median 4/11) 4/5 Lac qui Parle ASu, 4/10 Hennepin ebd, 4/11 Faribault PEJ, LiH. Early north (median 4/20) 4/7 Douglas (2, Lake Osakis) RLF, REn. Early north away from Lake Osakis 4/24 Traverse ABL, 5/1 Polk SAu, JCJ. High count 5/17 Todd (82, Lake Osakis) ebd.
2021Summer1010 Seen in all regions except Northeast, Southeast. High count 7/26 Douglas (143, Lake Osakis in Peterson Bay) REn, RLF.
2021Fall57 High counts 8/12 Faribault (627, Minnesota Lake) PEJ, 8/8 Douglas (150, Lake Osakis) REn, ebd. Late north 11/7–13 St. Louis (Park Point) ClB, JLK, APi, ebd (median 11/7). Late south 11/4 Rice TFB, 11/6–9 Hennepin (Medicine Lake) JST, KSz, ebd (median 11/16).
2022Spring1322 Early south (median 4/11) 4/26 Faribault PEJ, 4/30 Big Stone DLP, 5/1 Sibley LiH. Early north (median 4/20) 4/21 Todd ebd, 4/25 Grant ebd, Polk ANy, DBz. High count 5/19 Douglas (115, Lake Osakis) BDo.
2022Summer1011 Observed in scattered locations south and west of a line from Marshall to Sherburne, plus unusual location 6/17–26 Olmsted (Chester Woods) ebd, ph. JPr, m.ob.
2022Fall813 High count 8/17 Faribault (350, Minnesota Lake) PEJ. Late north 11/15–20 St. Louis (Park Point) JLK, ebd, 11/26 Otter Tail WyR (median 11/7). Late south 11/13 Hennepin ebd, 11/18 Wabasha PEJ, 11/19 Watonwan ARW (median 11/16).
 
 Breeds mostly west. Migrant throughout, but rare northeast.

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.