 |
Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon | |
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The 1962-Fall Season 1 August through 30 November 1962 by Ronald L. Huber |
Weather: September and October
werP. approximately normal, although
October fluctuated between warmerthan-
usual and colder-than-usual temperatur-
es. The monotonous rains
which plagued summer campers finally
relented during September and
October. In early November some
snow fell on northern Minnesota but
this was soon melted away. The day
after Thanksgiving (November 23),
heavy snow snarled traffic in southern
Minnesota with some areas getting
as much as seven inches. At this
time, northern Minnesota was still
brown. Then a record-breaking warm
spell melted the snow in the southern
part of the state, leaving all of Minnesota
brown. On December 2, several
friends and I made the Avifauna!
Club's usual early-December trip to
Baudette, Lake-of-the-Woods County,
on the Canadian border. Imagine our
surprise to find shirt-sleeve temperatures
(plus 50 degrees Farenheit) and
no snow! This report covers September
through early December, but a few
August reports, which were turned in
late, are included because they are of
interest.
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Species |
Information |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks | |||||
| Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) | Seen for several weeks up until Nov. 26, Lac qui Parle Refuge, Arlin C. Anderson. Snow and Blue Geese: Several large flocks, Dec. 7, Lac qui Parle Refuge, Arlin C. Anderson and Avifaunal Club members. | ||||
| Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) | Last seen in Duluth, Nov. 7, P. B. Hofslund; last week of Nov., Marsh Lake, Lac qui Parle Co., Arlin C. Anderson; Nov. 18, Bass Pond, Hennepin Co., 119 seen by Bob Janssen. | ||||
| Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) | Nov. 16 (exception· a!) Frog Lake, E. Strubbe saw three. (See Notes of Interest) . | ||||
| Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) | last report, Nov. 24, Duluth, 1 female, Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| American Wigeon (Mareca americana) | Dec. 1, Minneapolis, Avifaunal Club; Dec. 1, Lac qui Parle Refuge, Arlin C. Anderson and Avifaunal Club members; Dec. 2, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel. | ||||
| Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) | latest dates, Dec. 4, Black Dog NSP Plant, Dakota Co., H. Huber saw 17; Dec. 15, Winona, Brother Theodore. | ||||
| Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) | Oct. 29, Duluth, 10-20 seen, Janet C. Green; Nov. 6, Duluth, ab:mt 175 seen, Janet C. Green. | ||||
| Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) | Nov. 3, French River, St. Louis Co., 3 females seen by John and Janet C. Green and Avifaunai Club members; Nov. 23, same area, one female seen by R. Oehlens'chlager. (See Notes of Interest) | ||||
| Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) | Oct. 29 and Nov. 2, Minnesota Point, Duluth, 1 male, Janet C. Green; Nov. 18, four seen along north shore of Lake Superior, Janet C. Green; Nov. 23, near Two Harbors, Lake Co., 1 male, R. Oehlenschlager. White-winged Seater: Oct. 28, Two Harbors, 3 seen by Dr. Gerald Church; Oct. 29, Duluth, Janet C. Green; Nov. 3, Duluth, Janet C. Green and Avifaunal Club members; Nov. 18, Grand Marais harbor, Cook Co., 3 seen by Dr. A. E. Allin; Nov. 17, Two Harbors, 12 seen, Dr. Gerald Church. Surf Seater: Oct. 19, Two Harbors, 5 females or immatures seen by Dr. Gerald Church; Oct. 20, Lake Vermilion, St Louis Co., specimen taken by E. Wolverton. Common Seater: Oct. 15, Two Harbors, 4 females or immatures seen by | ||||
| Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) | Nov. 23, French River, St. Louis Co., winter male, R. Oehlenschlager; Dec. 2, Lake Calhoun, Minneapolis, Bob Janssen saw three. | ||||
| New World Quail | |||||
| Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) | Nov. 24, Wabasha, 8 seen, Dr. D. G. Mahle. | ||||
| Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys | |||||
| Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) | Sept. 19, about 9 miles west of Minnesota-South Dakota line, near Big Stone Lake, adult female and 6-8 young seen by R. and L. Grant; The South Dakota Dept. of Agriculture has introduced them in recent years in the western part of South Dakota. This is apparently first record for eastern part of that statE: and perhaps indicates an eastward spread. If such be the case, the Wild Turkey can eventually be looked for in west ern Minnesota (Big Stone, Lac qui Parle, Traverse Counties). | ||||
| Spruce Grouse (Canachites canadensis) | Nov. 3, Teamster Lake, about 10 miles NW of Isabella, Lake Co., 1 female on road, Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) | Dec. 8, near Washkish, Beltrami Co., Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido) | Nov. 13, Nim rod area, Wadena Co., R. Oehlensch lager. | ||||
| Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix) | Nov. 17, near Dawson, Lac qui Parle Co., Avifaunal Club; Sept. 2, near Marietta, Lac qui Parle Co., 10 seen, R. Grant. | ||||
| Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) | Sept. 9, Ramsey Co., a very late brood of 7 young, a few weeks old, A. C. Rosenwinkel. | ||||
| Grebes | |||||
| Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) | Dec. 15, Winona, Winona Co., Brother Theodore. | ||||
| Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) | Nov. 10, Pleasant Lake, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel; Dec. 6, Le~ter River, Duluth, Janet C. Green. | ||||
| Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) | Sept. 2, Lake Traverse, Traverse Co., adult feeding young, R. Grant; Oct. 6, Frog Lake, Stevens Co., Avifaunal Club, five seen. | ||||
| Cuckoos | |||||
| Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) | Sept. 16, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel, last report. | ||||
| Hummingbirds | |||||
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) | Sept. 24, Ramsey Co., A C. Rosenwinkel; Oct. 6, Duluth, P. B. Hofslund; Oct. 13, Orr, St. Louis Co., Nels Hervi. | ||||
| Rails, Gallinules, Coots | |||||
| Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) | Sept. 8, Swan Lake, Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| Sora (Porzana carolina) | Sept. 8, Swan Lake, Nicollet Co., Avifaunal Club; Sept. 19, Madison, Lac qui Parle Co., R. Grant. | ||||
| Cranes | |||||
| Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) | Sept. 20, Duluth, 6 seen, Karl Hankins and Janet C. Green; Oct. 6, west of Rothsay, Wilkin Co., about 40 seen, Avifaunal Club; Oct. 8, Two Harbors, 1 s·een, Dr. Gerald Church. (See Notes of Interest) | ||||
| Stilts, Avocets | |||||
| American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) | approximately third week in Oct., sizeable flock at Salt Lake, Lac qui Parle Co., seen by Goodman Larson of Conservation Dept. | ||||
| Plovers | |||||
| Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) | latest report, Nov. 3, Duluth, Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominica) | Nov. 6, Duluth, Janet C. Green; Nov. 17, Salt Lake, Lac qui Parle Co., Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) | latest reports, Dec. 2, Salt Lake, Lac qui Parle Co., R. Grant; Dec. 15, ·winona, one seen by Brother Theodore. | ||||
| Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) | Aug. 30, Duluth, one seen, Janet C. Green. | ||||
| Sandpipers | |||||
| Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) | latest date, Oct. 5, Duluth, Janet C. Green. | ||||
| Dunlin (Calidris alpina) | latest date, Nov. 11, Blackdog NSP Plant, Dakota Co., in company with above species, Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis) | Sept. 13, Duluth, 0. A. Finseth. Dowitcher, species (?): Aug. 25 and Sept. 2, Salt Lake, Lac qui Parle Co., several seen, did not call, R. Grant; Sept. 7, Salt Lake, one, did not call, Richard K. Olson. | ||||
| Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) | latest report, Nov. 11, Blackdog NSP Plant, Dakota Co., Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) | latest report, Nov. 17, Beardsley, Big Stone Co., Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| Alcids | |||||
| DOVEKIE (Alle alle) | Nov. 5, specimen taken near Grand Rapids, Itasca Co. Second Minnesota specimen. | ||||
| Gulls, Terns | |||||
| Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan) | two late reports, Oct. 26, Martin Co., flock of 50-60 following plow, A. C. Rosenwinkel; Nov. 5, Mud Lake, Traverse Co., 5 seen, R. Grant. | ||||
| Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) | Nov. 23, Two Harbors, Lake Co., R. Oehlenschlager; Dec. 6, Knife River, Lake Co., one adult, Janet C. Green. | ||||
| Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) | latest report, Oct. 13, L. Traverse, 4 seen, R. Grant. | ||||
| Loons | |||||
| Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata) | Oct. 31, Lester River, Duluth, St. Louis Co., one in fall plumage, Bob Janssen; Dec. 6, same place, same plumage, Janet C. Green. | ||||
| Common Loon (Gavia immer) | Last observed Nov. 18, north shore L. Superior, Janet C. Green, and Nov. 17, Lake Harriet, Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., Bob Janssen. | ||||
| Pelicans | |||||
| American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) | Sept. 8, Tiger Lake, Carver Co., 200 seen, Avifaunal Club; Sept. 8, Titlow Lake, Sibley Co., 300 seen, Avifaunal Club; Oct. 6, Lakt! Traverse, 500 seen, Avifaunal Club; Oct. 17, Two Harbors, Lake Co., 1 seen, Mrs. R. A. Kuchta; Oct. 20, Minnesota Point, Duluth, 1 seen, John Green; Dec. 1, latest date, Lac qui Parle Refuge, 1 seen, Arlin C. Anderson (refuge manager) and Avifaunal Club members. (See Notes of Interest) Double-crested Corm01·ant: last report, Oct. 30, Lac qui Parle Lake, Lac qui Parle Co., John Bitter. | ||||
| Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons | |||||
| Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis) | Sept. 8, Swan Lake, Nicollet Co., 2 seen, Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) | latest date, Oct. 13, Felton, Clay Co., R. Grant. | ||||
| Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) | Oct. 6, Frog Lake, Avifaunal Club; latest date, Nov. 11, Mud Lake, 40 seen, R. Grant. | ||||
| Green Heron (Butorides virescens) | Oct. 6, Lake Traverse, Avifauna] Club; last report, Oct. 12, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel. Common Egret: Oct. 6, Lake Traverse, Avifaunal Club; Oct. 6, Lac qui Parle Lake, Richard K. Olson; Oct. 21, Ramsey Co., 2 seen, A. C. Rosenwinkel. | ||||
| Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) | latest dates; Dec. 2, Mud Lake, Traverse Co., R. Grant; Dec. 4, Cedar Ave. Bridge, Minneapolis, H. Huber; Dec. 15, Winona, Brother Theodore. | ||||
| New World Vultures | |||||
| Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) | Sept. 6, Duluth, K. Hankins; Sept. 14, Duluth, 16 seen by Janet C. Green; Oct. 9, Duluth total of 7 seen by P. B. Hofslund andj or Janet C. Green; last report, Oct. 18, Duluth, Janet C. Green. | ||||
| Kites, Accipiters, Hawks, Eagles | |||||
| Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) | Oct. 12, Carlos Avery Refuge, Anoka Co., 2 seen by Brother Theodore; Oct. 16-18, Duluth, total of 2 adults, 2 immatures seen, P. B. Hotslund. Bald Eagle: all fall, Lac qui Parle Refuge, several, Arlin C. Anderson Aug. 27, Duluth, St. Louis Co., Ralph McCarthy. Sept. 13-23, Duluth, 4ad, 2imm, P. B. Hofslund. Oct. 2, Duluth, 1 imm., Janet C. Green. Oct. 4, Lake Traverse, 1 imm., R. Grant. Oct. 5, Hibbing, St. Louis Co., Forrest Strnad. Nov. 17, Salt L., Lac qui Parle Co., 1 ad., Avifaunal Club Nov. 24, Wabasha, Wabasha Co., 1 imm., Bob Janssen. | ||||
| American Goshawk (Accipiter atricapillus) | This and several other northern species made unprecedented invasions of Minnesota this fall. First one, an immature, seen Sept. 24, Duluth, Janet C. Green; seen all during Sept. with peak for that month on Sept. 30, when 6 were seen. Immatures made up about half of total seen during September; during Oct., 90% or greater were adults; numbers moving through increased consistently thruout Oct. with peak for that month occurring on Oct. 30 when 169 were counted at Hawk Lookout, Duluth, iu 3 hour period (P. B. Hofslund, Janet C. Green); latest report, Nov. 3, one seen at Two Harbors dump, Lake Co., Avifaunal Club; another seen near Isabella, Lake Co., same date, Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) | Oct. 13, Breckenridge, Wilkin Co., one adult moving south, R. Grant. | ||||
| Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) | Only fall report, Sept. 2, Brown's Valley, Traverse Co., R. Grant, 2 seen. | ||||
| FERRUGINOUS HAWK (Buteo regalis) | Nov. 5, Mud Lake, 1 immature seen on ground and flying, studied carefully at 100 yards through 20X scope, R. Grant. | ||||
| Screech-Owls, Owls | |||||
| Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) | Nov. 18, Faribault, Rice Co., 1 seen, Orwin Rustad Nov. 3, Duluth, St. Louis Co., 1 seen, Mrs. D. J. Gazett Nov. 10, Duluth, 1 seen, J. K. Bronoel Nov. 18, Knife R., Lake Co., 1 seen, Janet C. Green Dec. 16, Christmas Lake, Carver Co., 1 seen, Mrs. Herz Nov. 21, St. Paul, Ramsey Co., 1 seen, observer? Nov. 22, Mud Lake Traverse Co., 2 seen, R. Grant Nov. 26, Plainview, Wabasha Co.. 1 seen, Dr. D. G. Mahle Late Nov., Lac qui Parle Refuge, 1 seen, A. C. Anderson Hawk-Owl: Oct. 26, 20 mi S International Falls, 1 seen, Ray Naddy Oct. 27, 20 mi N Duluth, 2 seen, J. | ||||
| Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) | 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 | ||||
| Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa) | Oct. 27, one trapped near Duluth by Ross Olson, seen by John G. Hale, photographs seen by Janet C. Green and the Huber brothers; Dec. 8, near Washkish, Beltrami Co., one seen by Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) | Oct. 17-20, Duluth, one, P. B. Hofslund; Oct., Duluth, two trapped at game farm, D. Meyer. | ||||
| Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) | Oct. 24, Duluth, one, P. B. Hofslund; Dec. 2, Traverse Co., total of 13 seen, R. Grant. | ||||
| Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) | Oct., Duluth, one trapped at game farm, D. Meyer. | ||||
| Woodpeckers | |||||
| Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) | This handsome resident of SE Minnesota continues to wander northward and westward across our state. A letter from Lowry Elliott of Milbank, South Dakota, dated December 7, mentions a Red-belly coming to the feeder of A. H. Riss, one mile inside the Minnesota line from South Dakota, and in Lac qui Parle County. Perhaps an even more interesting record was a specimen found dead at Walker, Cass County in mid-November and brought to Mr. H. R. Hanson for identification. | ||||
| Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) | last report, Oct. 20, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel. Black-backed Woodpecker: date? Gull Lake, Brainerd, Cass Co., reported to John Pratt Sept. 15, Encampment Forest, Lake Oo., 1 female, John Pratt Oct. 13, Encampment Forest, Lake Co., 1 male, John Pratt Oct. 31, Murphy City, Lake Co., 1, Bob Janssen Nov., First Wk., Encampment Forest, 1, Myrtle Penner Nov. 5, Knife R., Lake/ St. Louis Co. line, specimen brought to Duluth taxidermist for indentification. Nov. 15, Two Harbors, Lake Co., 1, Mrs. R. A. Kuchta Dec. 3, Beltrami Co., near Washkish, 1 female, R. Huber Although 1-2 reports per year of this | ||||
| American Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis) | Dec. 3, 5.3 miles south of Washkish, Bel· trami Co., R. Huber, D. Dorn, Bill Littke. One adult male seen in close proximity with the above species in a Black Spruce-White Cedar swamp. A note of interest on this most de lectable of Minnesota woodpeckers will appear in the future issue of the Flicker. | ||||
| Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) | On Sept. 19, one with very red wing-and-tail-linings seen near Nimrod, near the WadenaCass Co. line-may have been a hybrid. The following day, in the same area, R. Oehlenschlager collected a typical Northern Flicker which had three red feathers· in the left "whisker-mark," another hybrid specimen for Minnesota. | ||||
| Caracaras, Falcons | |||||
| Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) | Sept. 14-26, Duluth, to Two Harbors, total of 6 seen, P. B. Hofslund, Janet C. Green and Dr. Gerald Church. | ||||
| Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) | Dec. 2, White Rock, on Minnesota-South Dakota line, north of Lake Traverse, one studied for 10 minutes at close range, black axillars dearly seen when bird flushed, R. and L. Grant. | ||||
| Flycatchers | |||||
| Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) | Oot. 6, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel; Oct. 6, Frog Lake, Stevens Co., Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) | Oct. 1, Duluth, Janet C. Green; Oct. 6, Frog Lake, Stevens Co., Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| Vireos | |||||
| Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) | last date, Oct. 6, Duluth, P. B. Hofslund. | ||||
| Shrikes | |||||
| Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis) | Oct. 31, Chub Lake, Lake Co., R. B. Janssen; Dec. 8, Kelliher, Beltrami Co., Avifaunal Club. Both species of Shrike seem scarce this fall. | ||||
| Jays, Nutcrackers, Magpies, Crows | |||||
| Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) | Oct. 8, Virginia, St. Louis Co., 8 seen by Vera F. Barrows; Nov. 3, Lake Co., 10-15 seen, Avifaunai Club, very tame; Dec. 3,8, near Washkish, Beltrami Co., Avifaunal Club. Black-billed Magpie: Last week Nov. Lac qui Parle Lake area, 1 seen, Arlin C. Anderson Dec. 3, 9 mi N Tamarac R., Beltrami Co., 1 seen, Avifaunal Club Dec. 3, 16 mi N Tamarac R., Lake"'Ofthe- Woods Co., 1 seen, Avifaunal Club Dec. 3, 33 mi N. Tamarac R., Lake-ofthe- Woods Co., 1 seen, Avifaunal Club Dec. 8, 4 mi SW Washkish, Beltrami Co., 1 seen, Avifaunal Club Dec. 15, 4 mi E Nimrod, Wadena Co., 1 seen, R. Oehlenschlager | ||||
| Chickadees, Titmice | |||||
| Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) | Aug. 14, Hibbing, St. Louis County, Harriet Micensky; Sept. 25 and 30, Hibbing, Harriet Micensky; Nov. 1, Hibbing. Forest Strnad; numerous reports during all seasons of the year indicate that Mrs. Micensky has a "monopoly" on these brown-capped little fellows. | ||||
| Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) | Another SE Minnesota resident which, like the Red-bellied Woodpecker, has been spreading across our state. A recent letter from Lowry Elliott reports that he banded one at Big Stone City, South Dakota, just across the Minnesota border, on Nov. 27. | ||||
| Martins, Swallows | |||||
| Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) | last report, Oct. 6, Frog Lake, Stevens Co., Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) | same as for Tree Swallow. | ||||
| Kinglets | |||||
| Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula) | last dates, Nov. 10, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel, Nov. 15, Lake Jane, Washington Co., Jane Olyphant. | ||||
| Waxwings | |||||
| Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) | Oct. 30, Duluth, 4 seen, Janet C. Green; Nov. 23, Isabella area, Lake Co., 3 small flocks, R. Oehlenschlager. | ||||
| Wrens | |||||
| Northern House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) | last report, Oct. 6, Frog Lake, Stevens Co., Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis) | Oct. 5, Duluth, Janet C. Green; Dec. 1, Dunroven, Washington Co., Brother Theodore. Reck Wren: Oct. 28, near Dalton, Ottertail Co., one clearly seen at close range by Bob Janssen. Third Minne· sota record. (See Notes of Interest) MIMIC THRUSHES | ||||
| Thrashers, Mockingbirds | |||||
| Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) | last report, Oct. 27, ~lamsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel. | ||||
| Thrushes | |||||
| Veery (Catharus fuscescens) | last date, Oct. 22, Lake Jane, Washington Co., Jane Olyphant. | ||||
| Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) | last date, Oct. 19, Duluth, Anne K. Arndt. | ||||
| Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) | latest report, Nov. 10, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel. | ||||
| Finches | |||||
| Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) | Aug. 1-16, young being fed by adults near Duluth, P. B. Hofslund and Mrs. S. N. Erickson; Aug. 21-28, Chisholm, St. Louis Co., Forest Strnad; Sept. 5, Duluth, P. B. Hofslund; Sept. 11, Virginia, St. Louis Co., Vera F. Barrows; greatest number for Sept. was Sept. 7, Duluth, 24 seen by Anne K. Arndt; during Oct. only 1-2 individuals at a time were reported- Oct. 7 and 24-30, Duluth area, P. B. Hofslund, Mrs S. N. Erickson, Anne K. Arndt, and Janet C. Green; numbers increased again in Nov.-Nov. 24, Duluth, 20 seen, Janet C. Green and Huber brothers; Dec. 8, Kelliher, Beltrami Co., 11 seen by Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) | Aug. 9-13, Duluth, P. B. Hofslund; Aug. 31, Virginia, St. Loui:; Co., Vera F. Barrows; Sept. 11, Dululh, P. B. Hofslund; Oct. 31, Encampment Forest, Lake Co., Bob Janssen; Nov. 10, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel. | ||||
| White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera) | Aug. 16, Duluth area, 2 seen, Mrs. S. N. Erickson ; Sept. 30, Encampment Forest, Lake Co., 6 seen, P. B. Hofslund; Oct. 6, Duluth, P. B. Hofslund; Nov. 1, Hibbing, 2 banded by Forest Strnad; Nov. 10, Duluth, 18 seen, P. B. Hofslund; Nov. 21, Duluth, 2 seen, Janet C. Green; Nov. 27, Duluth, 3 seen, Janet C. Green; Dec. 8, Washkish, Beltrami Co., 3 females, 1 male seen, Avifaunal Club; Dec. 8, Kelliher, Beltrami Co., 10 seen, Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| Longspurs and Snow Buntings | |||||
| CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR (Calcarius ornatus) | On Nov. 17, Brother Theodore and R. Huber were observing thousands of Longspurs around Salt Lake, Lac qui Parle Co. For the most part, these birds preferred not to fly, but rather they walked and fed in the fields. In one partie· ular alfalfa field, we were able to walk amongst a rather tame gathering of them, flushing various individuals from five to ten feet ahead of us. Of approximately the first twenty-five, which we carefully checked, most seemed to be Lapland Longspurs, but one was a Chestnut-collared Longspur (white notch on either side of tail) and one, possibly two, were Smith's Longspurs ·. Another late-fallj early-winter record for the Chestnut-collared Longspur was Nov. 12, 1941, six seen with flock of Snow Buntings CMMNH files). | ||||
| Smith's Longspur (Calcarius pictus) | Nov. 17, Salt Lake, s·ee above species for details. Large flocks of Longspurs in SW Minnesota during late fall and winter deserve -close scrutiny. Since the Smith's Longspur is known to winter as far north as NW Iowa, it seems likely that they could winter in SW Minnesota, and perhaps more than just occasionally. Look for very buffy birds with Longspur call-note, and Junco-like outer tail feathers. | ||||
| Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) | Oct. 31, Wabasha, flock of 100 seen by D. G. Mahle. | ||||
| Towhees, Sparrows | |||||
| Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) | last dates, Oct. 20 Morris ·, Stevens Co., R. Grant; Oct. 29, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel. | ||||
| Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) | Oct. 21, Morris, R. Grant; Oct. 24, Eveleth, St. Louis Co., Florence Miller. | ||||
| Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) | Oct. 20, Carlos Avery Refuge, Anoka Co., one adult male seen, R Huber; this Junco has always been a source of fascination for Richard Oehlenschlager and me. I would like to encourage all of you to send in your reports of this bird, with complete and detailed descriptions where possible, and with particular referencE: to the contrast of the hood with the back and sides, and the color of these three parts. | ||||
| White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) | last date, Oct. 17, Duluth, Anne K. Arndt. | ||||
| Harris's Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula) | first report from Duluth area, Sept. 22, Janet C. Green; last reported there on Oct. 16, Mrs. S. N. Erickson; Oct. 6-18, Cass Lake, Mr. and Mrs. John Mathisen; Oct. 13, Lake Traverse, R. Grant, became very common thereafter until early Nov.; last seen there on Nov. 11. | ||||
| White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) | last week of Nov., feeder in west Minneapolis, Gloria Peleaux; Nov. 27, Duluth, Janet C. Green; Dec. 15, Winona, Brother Theodore. | ||||
| Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) | last date, Nov. 6, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel. | ||||
| Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) | last date, Oct. 9, Duluth, 1 male, P. B. Hofslund. | ||||
| Yellow-breasted Chat | |||||
| Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens) | A record to end all records: on Oct. 15, Harding Huber found a chat flying around inside the Dunwoodv Institute basement in Minneapolis. He tried to capture it for banding purposes and on several occasions he was close enough to almost brab the bird bare-handed. The chat finally escaped through an open window, however. This occurred on the last day of a week-long warm spell with southerly winds that undoubtedly brought some migrants back north again. The following day, however, a week-long cold spell began, quieting insect activity and probably affecting the demise of many of these late-lingering warblers. | ||||
| Blackbirds, Orioles | |||||
| Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) | last date, Sept. 30, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel. Eastern M eadowlark, Dec. 15, Winona, Brother Theodore. | ||||
| Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) | Aug. 24, Benson, Swift Co., R. Grant; Sept. 3, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel. | ||||
| Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) | latest dates, Nov. 13, Duluth, Mrs. S. N. Erickson; Nov. 16, Shakopee, R. Huber; Dec. 14, Shakopee, R. Huber. | ||||
| Warblers | |||||
| Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) | Sept. 26, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel, last date. | ||||
| Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata) | last date, Oct. 6, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel. | ||||
| Nashville Warbler (Leiothlypis ruficapilla) | last reports, Oct. 7, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel; Oct. 12, Duluth, P. B. Hofslund. Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel; very rettow Warbler: l::tst report, Oct. 4, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel; very few October dates for Minnesota. | ||||
| Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia) | last date, Sept. 30, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel. Yellowthroat: latest dates, Oct. 1, Ram sey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel; Dec. 15, Winona, one seen by Brother Theodore (exceptional). | ||||
| American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) | last date, Oct. 10, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel. | ||||
| Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) | last report, Oct. 7, Duluth, Anne K. Arndt. ; | ||||
| Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea) | Oct. 1, Duluth, Janet C. Green; Oct. 20, Morris, one seen, R. Grant (very late). | ||||
| Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) | last date, Oct. 4, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel. | ||||
| Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) | latest dates, Oct. 13, Duluth, P. B. Hofslund; Oct. 27, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel; Nov 10, NSP Blackdog Plant, Dakota Co., Avi faunal Club. | ||||
| Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) | late date, Oct. 6, Lac qui Parle State Park, Richard K. Olson. | ||||
| Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) | Last reports, Oct. 27, Two Harbors, Lake Co., Dr. Gerald Church; Nov. 4, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel. | ||||
| Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks | |||||
| Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) | Like the Tufted Titmouse and Red-bellied Woodpecker, the Cardi nal is extending its range across our state, perhaps even more quickly than the other two species. The Conservation Dept. station at Washkish, Beltrami County, about 30 miles south of Baudette and the Canadian border, reports that they had several Northern Cardinals there this past summer. H. R. Hanson reports one at a feeder in Walker, Cass County, during November and early December; Nov. 28, Duluth, Mrs. Jack Everett; the Northern Cardinal is almost becoming a regular visitor in the Duluth area now. | ||||
| Dickcissel (Spiza americana) | Sept. 2, Carlos State Park, Lac qui Parle Co., Richard K. Olson; a very late date was Oct. 4, Graceville, Traverse Co., R. Grant. | ||||