Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon
The 2010-Spring Season
1 March through 31 May 2010
Paul E. Budde, Robert M. Dunlap, Douglas W. Kieser, James W. Lind, and William C. Marengo

A Cinnamon Teal delighted birders in Carver, where it lingered through most of the second half of April. Scoters, however, were scare, and no Black Scoters were reported — the first time since 2006. Duluth produced two Barrow's Goldeneyes in March — an over-wintering male and a newly documented female. High counts of Red-throated Loons in late May were outstanding, though only 1 or 2 Pacific Loons were found. There were also notable counts of both Horned and Red-necked Grebe at Park Point, Duluth.

Five Snowy Egrets were discovered, along with a single Little Blue Heron which provided a first county record for Fillmore. Cattle Egrets were found in ten counties, including several flocks of nine each. Twenty-nine Plegadis ibis were reported, of which 12 were identified as White-faced and the remainder left unidentified at the species level.

A fifth state record Black Vulture was discovered and photographed at Stoney Point in mid-May. This was the fourth North Shore and the fourth spring record for this species. The West Skyline Hawk Count in Duluth recorded almost 15,000 raptors from the beginning of March through mid-May. Among these were two “Harlan's” Red-tailed Hawks. Other notable raptors reported included a “Krider's” Red-tailed in Hennepin and a Prairie Falcon in Meeker.

At Agassiz N.W.R., a Whooping Crane was seen over several days in late May. At the end of that month, either the same bird or another Whooping Crane was found about 20 miles away near Newfolden.

A Piping Plover was photographed in Lac qui Parle; all other reports of this species were from St. Louis. Two Black-necked Stilts were found in Brown, while a third was seen at Agassiz. The presence of eighteen American Avocets at Lake Byllesby was impressive for the eastern edge of the state, but not as remarkable as the 327 Willets seen there the same day! This total is more than four times the prior state record high count! A “big day” attempt in Chisago produced first county records of both Hudsonian and Marbled Godwit. Another shorebird highlight for Dakota this season was a Western Sandpiper found in Greenvale Township, while in Wright at the Annandale W.T.P. a female Ruff was discovered.

The gull highlight for the season was an adult Laughing Gull at Lake Koronis in Stearns. Early April brought a Lesser Black-backed to Thielke Lake in Big Stone. In May, late Thayer's, Iceland and Glaucous Gulls at Superior Entry probably had Duluth birders wondering whether spring would really come! A light morph Parasitic Jaeger towards the end of May was also seen at Superior Entry.

Eurasian Collared-Doves were reported from 33 counties, including first county records for Sherburne and Norman. There were two reports of White-winged Dove — both were photographed.

In several counties Northern Hawk Owls were observed exhibiting breeding behavior. A Burrowing Owl was found in mid-May near Bluestem Prairie S.N.A. in Clay.

There were two reports of Say's Phoebe — both from the western third of the state in Nobles and Clay counties, and a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was found in late April in Redwood.

In Winona, a White-eyed Vireo was photographed in early May, while Bell's Vireos were found in six counties. Purple Martins were present in record high numbers for spring at the Ironton W.T.P.

Two Carolina Wrens were found in late May in southwestern suburbs of Minneapolis. Only two Townsend's Solitaires were reported — one each in Blue Earth and St. Louis — after five were found during the previous winter. Varied Thrush numbers dropped from 14 in the winter to four this season. Two were over-wintering individuals, and there were new discoveries in Roseau and Hennepin. Northern Mockingbirds made a strong showing in the state with 9 or 10 individuals.

Disappointingly, only three Black-throated Blue Warblers were reported away from breeding territories. A Black-throated Gray Warbler in St. Louis provided the seventh state record of this western species. Louisiana Waterthrushes made it as far north as Pine, where they were reported at two locations, and Connecticut Warbler was found as far southwest as Blue Mounds S.P.

Also at Blue Mounds — and more expected — was a Spotted Towhee. A male Lark Bunting discovered near the end of the season at Agassiz N.W.R. was a refuge first and capped off a good birding season there. Four Smith's Longspurs at the Nicollet W.M.A. entertained birders for a few days and led to the discovery of a record-early Henslow's Sparrow.

The only Summer Tanager of the season was found in Martin, while Western Tanagers showed up at feeders in Hennepin, St. Louis and Washington. A Blue Grosbeak was a surprise in Dakota during the last half of May. Only Jackson and Lac qui Parle hosted Great-tailed Grackles. Winter finch numbers were unremarkable; by mid-March most had left the state.

Weather summary: Monthly mean temperatures were 4–11� F above average in March across the state. Similarly, April was one of the warmest Aprils on record (6 – 9� F above average), leading to a plant phenology that was about two weeks ahead of schedule. A cool early part of May was balanced with a warm end to the month to result in average temperatures for May.

Many communities, including the Twin Cities, reported no snow in March. Total precipitation levels were well below average everywhere except the Northwest. In April, no measureable snow was reported anywhere in the state — the first time since modern records began in 1891. A major storm on 13 April brought significant rainfall to the middle of the state, but the Northeast and far south were about 1 to 1.5 inches below normal for the month. In a winter reprise, May 7–8 brought two to four inches of snow to the North-central and Northeast, with some areas of the Iron Range reporting eight inches. Two storms brought very heavy rainfall to the Northwest in the last week of May, producing well above-average rainfall for that region. Duluth experienced a record-May rainfall on the 23rd, when almost four inches fell. The following day, winds off of Lake Superior produced dense fog in Duluth conducive to fallouts.

Documented reports still under review: This section is new to the seasonal reports. It will present records that have been documented but have not been completely reviewed at the time this report is published. Taiga Bean-Goose 4/14 Lac qui Parle (potential first state record in Arena Twp., ph.); Long-billed Curlew 4/10 Lac qui Parle (Plover Prairie, ph.); California Gull 4/8 Big Stone (3 at Thielke Lake, ph.).

Undocumented reports: Seasonal report data for this spring included submissions to eBird and the Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas Project, in addition to traditional MOU seasonal reports. This may be why there has been an increase in reports of Regular species that are out of range or markedly early or late, but for which no documentation details are provided. These records are listed in this section: Clark's Grebe 5/18 Marshall; Least Bittern 5/1 Lac qui Parle; White-faced Ibis 5/1 Lac qui Parle; Swainson's Hawk 5/4 Itasca; Golden Eagle 5/1 Lac qui Parle, 5/9 Dakota; Yellow Rail 4/19–20 Rice; Black-bellied Plover 4/18 Dakota; Solitary Sandpiper 4/16 St. Louis; Common Tern 4/11 Steele; Great Gray Owl 4/7 Pennington; Common Nighthawk 4/20 Hennepin; Sedge Wren 4/9 Washington, 4/11 Anoka; Hooded Warbler 5/23 Brown, 5/26 Blue Earth; American Tree Sparrow 5/15 Hennepin, 5/23 Winona, 5/31 Chisago; Chipping Sparrow 3/21 Morrison, 3/26 Roseau (4); Le Conte's Sparrow 3/23 Otter Tail; Fox Sparrow 5/27 Morrison, 5/28 Dakota; Lincoln's Sparrow 4/6 Otter Tail; Chestnut-collared Longspur 5/1 Lac qui Parle; Scarlet Tanager 4/26 Clearwater; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4/16+ St. Louis; Blue Grosbeak 5/23 Renville; Eastern Meadowlark 4/1 Pennington; Rusty Blackbird 5/15 Sherburne, 5/23 Dakota (6), Winona, 5/25 Hennepin; Purple Finch 5/31 Anoka.

Acknowledgements: We thank Anthony Hertzel, Jeanie Joppru, and Jim Lind for providing transcripts of Minnesota's weekly birding reports. Special thanks to Dave Cahlander for building and maintaining the seasonal reports submission web page (http://moumn.org/moureports/season.php). Medians of recent arrivals and departures are based on published and unpublished seasonal report data from 1985 through 2008. We are grateful to Peder Svingen and Tom Tustison for many helpful comments after their review of an earlier draft of this report. Finally and most importantly, our appreciation goes out to all our contributors. We are especially grateful to those who respond to our requests for details and who submit observations online.

Key to the Seasonal Report
1.Upper case (LEAST TERN) indicates a Casual or Accidental species in the state.
2.Species are listed in brackets [Whooping Crane] when there is a reasonable doubt as to its origin or wildness.
3.Bracketed text following a species’ name indicates the total number of north and south counties.
4.Dates listed in bold (10/9) indicate an occurrence either earlier, later, or within the three earliest or latest dates on file.
5.Counties listed in bold (Aitkin) indicate an unusual occurrence for that county.
6.Counties listed in bold and with an underline (Becker) indicate a first county record.
7.Counties listed in italics (Crow Wing) indicate a first county breeding record.
8.Totals in bold (150) indicate a total within or exceeding the top three high counts for that species.
9.Totals in bold-italic (55) indicate a CBC total within or exceeding the top three high counts for that species.
10.Dagger “†” preceding observer’s initials denotes written documentation was submitted.
11“ph.” denotes a species documented with a photograph.
12.“v.t.” denotes a species documented by video.
13.“a.t.” denotes a species documented by audio.
14.High counts that are multiples of 100 are assumed or known to be estimates, unless otherwide noted.
The Seasonal Report  is a compilation of seasonal bird sightings from throughout Minnesota. We particularly invite reports from parts of the state that have been neglected or covered lightly in past reports. To become a contributor, contact the Editor of The Loon (editor AT moumn.org).

Species

N S

Information

Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks
Snow Goose
(Anser caerulescens)
1024 Early south (median 3/2) 3/12 Olmsted DMA, JWH, 3/15 Dakota JPM, 3/16 Washington RMa. Early north 3/13 Marshall GT, 3/21 Grant, Traverse HHD, 3/23 Roseau JTi. High count 3/16 Washington (150, Forest Lake) RMa. Late south 5/16 Pipestone SIv, HHD, KRE, 5/30 Blue Earth JCN, 5/31 Rock RMD (median 5/24), but also see summer report. Late north 5/16 Cass BAW, 5/30 St. Louis PHS.
Ross's Goose
(Anser rossii)
214 Early south (median 3/18) 3/12 Olmsted (South Landfill Reservoir) DMA, JWH, 3/17 Lac qui Parle (Ten Mile Lake Twp.) BJU, 3/18 Dakota (Lake Byllesby) LEC, JPM, Houston PEJ, Mower, Steele DBM. All north reports: 3/22 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) GT, 3/27 Norman JMJ. High count 3/27 Nobles (18) DAB. Late south 5/4 Dodge JWH, 5/6 Blue Earth ChH, 5/8 Meeker (Pigeon Lake) HHD (median 5/13).
Greater White-fronted Goose
(Anser albifrons)
433 Early south 3/7 (median) Fillmore RBW, JWH, 3/12 Olmsted DMA, JWH. All north reports: 3/21 Grant, Traverse HHD, 3/27 Norman JMJ, 3/30 Mille Lacs ASc. High counts 3/18 Houston (3,015), Goodhue (375), Wabasha (375) PEJ. Late south 5/8 Dakota BAF, 5/30 Hennepin HHD (median 5/15).
Cackling Goose
(Branta hutchinsii)
634 Documented in only 6 counties. Early south (median 2/26) 3/6 Olmsted JWH, 3/12 Steele NFT, 3/13 Fillmore DBM, Rice FVS, Wabasha PEJ. All north reports: 3/18 Mille Lacs ASc, 3/21 Grant HHD, 3/25 Hubbard (4) RJS, 3/26 Mille Lacs (2) RBJ, 3/27 Norman JMJ, 4/9 Hubbard HHD, 4/16 St. Louis FKB, 5/14 Douglas ARW. Late south 4/18 Stearns †PCC, 5/6 Carver JCy, 5/23 Yellow Medicine BJU (median 5/13). Observers are asked to document all sightings with notes, photographs, or recordings to improve our understanding of this species in the state.
Canada Goose
(Branta canadensis)
3453 Reported from all 87 counties.
Mute Swan
(Cygnus olor)
5 All reports: 3/11 Sherburne (location?) ASc, 3/13 Goodhue (probable release at Prairie Island) PEJ, 3/14 Carver (near Rapids Lake) SWe, Rice (2, Upper/Lower Sakatah Lakes) DAB, 4/4 Hennepin (location?) MDN. The provenance of all of these birds is unknown.
Trumpeter Swan
(Cygnus buccinator)
2833 High counts 3/21 Sibley (75) PHa, 4/10 Hennepin (50, Minneapolis) TAb. Please continue to report numbers, exact locations and dates of observations.
Tundra Swan
(Cygnus columbianus)
2037 Early south (median 3/11) 3/6 Dakota GLa, 3/14 Carver WCM, 3/15 Olmsted JWH. Early north (median 3/26) 3/13 Marshall GT, 3/16 Kanabec CAM, 3/17 Cass ABi. High counts 3/21 Dakota (1,590, Minnesota side of Mississippi River at Prescott, WI) DWK, 3/17 Carver (650, Rapids Lake, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) JCy. Late south 4/11 Lincoln BJU, 4/17 Big Stone PEJ, DFN, 4/24 Lac qui Parle BJU (median 5/4). Late north 5/5 St. Louis PEJ, PHS, 5/6 Lake DaD (median 5/28).
Wood Duck
(Aix sponsa)
2953 See winter report for over-wintering and early south migrants. Early north (median 3/18) 3/21 Clay RHO, 3/24 Crow Wing fide AXH, Hubbard MAW, Wadena PJB.
Blue-winged Teal
(Spatula discors)
3252 Early south (median 3/11) 3/21 Carver JCy, Winona ANy, 3/23 Olmsted JWH, 3/24 Lac qui Parle BJU. Early north (median 3/29) 4/5 Cass BAW, Polk ABi, 4/6 Marshall GT. High count 5/5 Stearns (128, Albany W.T.P.) PCC.
Cinnamon Teal
(Spatula cyanoptera)
1 Adult male 4/18–27 Carver (Norwood-Young America) ph. JCy, †DWK, †MDu, †PEB, ph. †CMB, m.ob.
Northern Shoveler
(Spatula clypeata)
2552 Early south (median 3/3) 3/7 Dakota PEJ, DFN, 3/8 Rice TFB, 3/9 Brown BTS, Winona ASM. Early north (median 3/27) 3/26 Douglas JPE, 3/27 St. Louis ABL, 3/31 Cass ABi, Otter Tail DST.
Gadwall
(Mareca strepera)
2248 Early north (median 3/24) 3/21 Traverse HHD, 3/26 Douglas JPE, 3/27 Cass BAW, ABi. High count 3/13 Scott (48) DWK.
American Wigeon
(Mareca americana)
2046 Early south (median 3/1) 3/10 Dakota PEJ, 3/12 Olmsted DMA, JWH, 3/13 Rice DAB, TFB, Winona PEJ. Early north (median 3/26) 3/27 Douglas DPG, 3/30 Cass ABi.
Mallard
(Anas platyrhynchos)
3453 Reported from all 87 counties. High count 3/9 Dakota (3,000) JPM.
American Black Duck
(Anas rubripes)
715 High count 3/5 St. Louis (38, Duluth Harbor) PHS. Late south 5/7 Lac qui Parle BJU, 5/14 Fillmore RTP (median 5/17).
Northern Pintail
(Anas acuta)
1838 Early south (median 2/28) 3/6 Hennepin MDu, 3/7 Dakota PEJ, but also see winter report. Early north (median 3/20) 3/5 Clay RHO, 3/17 Mille Lacs ASc, St. Louis KRE, PHS, 3/18 Marshall GT.
Green-winged Teal
(Anas crecca)
2046 Early south (median 3/6) 3/7 Dakota PEJ, DFN, 3/13 Scott DWK, Wabasha PEJ, 3/17 Chippewa, Lac qui Parle BJU. Early north (median 3/27) 3/21 Traverse HHD, 3/22 Marshall GT, 3/26 Mille Lacs RBJ.
Canvasback
(Aythya valisineria)
2247 Early south (median 2/29) 3/6 Dakota PEJ, CMB, 3/11 Steele NFT, 3/12 Olmsted DMA, Winona ANy. Early north (median 3/28) 3/21 Kanabec CAM, 3/26 Mille Lacs RBJ, 3/27 Cass BAW, ABi, Douglas DPG. High count 3/23 Faribault (450) ALD.
Redhead
(Aythya americana)
1851 See winter report for over-wintering and early south migrants. Early north (median 3/24) 3/19 Douglas JPE, Mille Lacs MJB, 3/21 Grant, Traverse HHD. High count 3/23 Faribault (150) ALD.
Ring-necked Duck
(Aythya collaris)
3053 See winter report for over-wintering and early south migrants. Early north (median 3/20) 3/19 Douglas JPE, 3/21 Kanabec CAM, Mille Lacs MJB, Grant, Traverse HHD. High counts 4/10 Mille Lacs (3,700) PEJ, 4/9 Aitkin (3,400) PEJ.
Greater Scaup
(Aythya marila)
2034 Early south (median 3/8) 3/4 Stearns RBW, 3/6 Dakota PEJ, CMB, 3/7 Hennepin PEJ. Early north (median 3/31) 3/24 Douglas DPG, 3/26 St. Louis PHS, 3/27 Cass BAW, ABi. High count 4/17 St. Louis (1,685, Park Point, Duluth) PHS. Late south 5/14 Freeborn RTP, 5/15 Rice DAB (median 5/14). Late north 5/26 St. Louis PHS, 5/28 Lake DFN (median 5/29).
Lesser Scaup
(Aythya affinis)
2951 See winter report for over-wintering and early south migrants. Early north (median 3/15) 3/18 Mille Lacs ASc, 3/19 Douglas JPE, 3/21 Kanabec CAM, Traverse HHD, Wadena PJB. High counts 3/27 Dakota (1,500) JPM, 4/2 Chippewa (685, Shakopee Lake) WCM.
Harlequin Duck
(Histrionicus histrionicus)
No reports.
Surf Scoter
(Melanitta perspicillata)
21 All reports: 4/5–7 Stearns (record early, first-spring male, Albany W.T.P.) PCC, m.ob., 4/26–27 Otter Tail (2, Jewett Lake) SPM, 5/8 St. Louis (adult male, Park Point) PHS, MLH, 5/17 St. Louis (female, Morgan Park, Duluth) PHS.
White-winged Scoter
(Melanitta deglandi)
1 Only report: 5/11 St. Louis (5, Park Point) DRB.
Black Scoter
(Melanitta americana)
No reports.
Long-tailed Duck
(Clangula hyemalis)
31 All reports: 3/3 Stearns (Mississippi River, also see winter report) JnS, 3/10 Lake (22, Two Harbors) MLH, 3/19 St. Louis (5, Brighton Beach, Duluth) AMo, 3/27 St. Louis (12, Stoney Point) NAJ, 4/19 Lake ChH, 4/20–22 Cass ABi, 5/9 St. Louis (Park Point) PHS, 5/16 Lake (15, Two Harbors) JWL, 5/19 Lake (2, Iona's Beach S.N.A.) RBJ, DAC, 5/22 St. Louis (13, Duluth Twp.) MJB.
Bufflehead
(Bucephala albeola)
3050 High count 3/31 Carver (125, Maria/Assumption Lake) JCy. Late south 5/15 Rice DAB, Watonwan ChH, 5/22 Chisago DWK, PEB, Lac qui Parle RLW, SWe (median 5/30). Late north 5/27 Kittson LBF, 5/30 Polk ABL, 5/31 Lake of the Woods MHK, but also see summer report.
Common Goldeneye
(Bucephala clangula)
2742 High count 3/27 St. Louis (584, Duluth Harbor) PHS. Late south 5/14 Scott PEJ, 5/17 Swift JWH, 5/25 Big Stone CRM (median 5/12).
Barrow's Goldeneye
(Bucephala islandica)
1 Only reports: 3/16 St. Louis (over-wintering adult male, Park Point) ph. †KJB, 3/23–27 St. Louis (female, Park Point) †KJB, †PHS.
Hooded Merganser
(Lophodytes cucullatus)
3151 Early north (median 3/17) 3/7 St. Louis PHS, 3/14 Kanabec CAM, Wadena PJB, 3/16 Marshall GT.
Common Merganser
(Mergus merganser)
2650 High count 3/13 Hennepin (249, Bass Ponds) MDu. Late south 5/15 Chisago PEB, 5/26 Scott SPe, 5/30 Ramsey MKi (median 5/24).
Red-breasted Merganser
(Mergus serrator)
1437 See winter report for over-wintering and early south migrants. Early north (away from Lake Superior) 4/8 Mille Lacs PEJ, Traverse BJU, 4/9 Polk JMJ. High count 5/14 St. Louis (229, Park Point) PHS. Late south 5/8 Dakota LMS, Rice BAF, 5/23 Sherburne SMC, 5/30 Anoka JTo (median 5/19).
Ruddy Duck
(Oxyura jamaicensis)
1143 Early south (median 3/11) 3/7 Dakota PEJ, CMB, DFN, 3/14 Jackson PEJ, DFN, HHD, 3/15 Brown BTS. Early north (median 4/3) 4/4 Crow Wing JSB, 4/8 Traverse BJU, 4/17 Douglas HHD, JPE, Grant and Traverse DFN.
Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys
Wild Turkey
(Meleagris gallopavo)
2345 Reported as far north as Kittson, Pennington, Hubbard, Cass, Itasca, Aitkin, Carlton. High count 3/12 Pennington (80) fide JMJ.
Ruffed Grouse
(Bonasa umbellus)
2610 Found throughout normal range, including Anoka DPG, Dakota (Miesville Ravine) m.ob., Fillmore NBO, Goodhue m.ob., Houston DFN. High count 4/27 Lake (15 detected along 13 miles of C.R. 3 and East Alger Grade) JWL. Drumming counts down 31% from 2009 in the forested regions (MN DNR).
Spruce Grouse
(Canachites canadensis)
3 High count 5/15 Lake of the Woods (5) MHK. Also reported from Lake (Stony River F.R.) DDo, JWL, St. Louis SES.
Sharp-tailed Grouse
(Tympanuchus phasianellus)
131 Unusual south reports outside of typical range in Lac qui Parle (Plover Prairie and Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU. Total of 2,096 individuals observed on 195 dancing grounds; similar to 2009 (MN DNR). North reports from Aitkin, Beltrami, Carlton, Clay, Kanabec, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington, Polk, Roseau, and St. Louis. High counts 3/20 Pennington (18) JMJ, 3/6 Aitkin (16, Tamarack) DWK, JLO, 5/27 Kittson (15) LBF.
Greater Prairie-Chicken
(Tympanuchus cupido)
81 Presumed releases seen in Lac qui Parle (Plover Prairie) BJU. All north reports: Becker ARo, Clay (max. 20, Felton Prairie S.N.A) DPW, RHO, Norman JMJ, Pennington PHS, Polk, Roseau, Wadena, Wilkin (max. 22, Rothsay W.M.A.) AMe.
Gray Partridge
(Perdix perdix)
515 High counts 3/7 Brown (11, Lake Hanska Twp.) BTS, 4/29 Fillmore (8, Geothetic W.M.A.) RTP. Unusual report: 3/11 Lake of the Woods GM.
Ring-necked Pheasant
(Phasianus colchicus)
1752 Reported as far north as Marshall, Wadena, Cass, Aitkin, and Pine.
Grebes
Pied-billed Grebe
(Podilymbus podiceps)
2649 Early south (median 3/9) 3/6 Hennepin BWi, 3/8 Rice TFB, 3/13 Scott DWK, PEB. Early north (median 3/27) 3/23 Cass ABi, 3/26 Douglas JPE, 4/1 Marshall MA, GAK, Mille Lacs ASc.
Horned Grebe
(Podiceps auritus)
1422 Early south (median 3/26) 4/1 Dakota JPM, Hennepin CMB, 4/2 Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/4 Freeborn PEJ, Rice DAB. Early north (median 4/10) 3/23 (second earliest north date) Cass ABi, 3/27 Douglas DPG, 4/8 Traverse BJU. High counts 4/23 St. Louis (2,416, Park Point; highest count since the early 1970s when 3,000–5,000 were found on western Lake Superior) PHS, 4/13 Hennepin (151, Lakes Harriet and Calhoun) CMB. Late south 5/7 Lac qui Parle BJU, 5/8 Hennepin m.ob., 5/15 Murray DAC, RBJ (median 5/14). Late north 5/18 Kittson JEB, Marshall MA, 5/31 St. Louis PHS (median 6/3), but also see summer report.
Red-necked Grebe
(Podiceps grisegena)
1422 Early south 4/3 (median) Swift WCM, 4/4 Hennepin CMB, 4/5 Rice TFB, Stearns PCC. Early north (median 4/7) 4/6 Marshall GT, 4/10 Koochiching HHD, 4/11 Cass BAW. High count 5/1 St. Louis (482, Park Point) PHS.
Eared Grebe
(Podiceps nigricollis)
310 Early south (median 4/9) 4/14 Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/25 Yellow Medicine BJU. All north 5/2–6 Polk (East Grand Forks W.T.P.) m.ob., 5/28 Morrison CRM, 5/31 Pennington PLJ. New county record 5/22 Benton (Rice W.T.P.) JWH.
Western Grebe
(Aechmophorus occidentalis)
617 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.
CLARK'S GREBE
(Aechmophorus clarkii)
No documented reports.
Aechmophorus grebe
(Aechmophorus sp.)
1 One left unidentified in St. Louis where either species would be unusual 5/26–27 KJB, MLH, PHS.
Pigeons, Doves
Rock Pigeon
(Columba livia)
3253 Observed statewide. High count 3/6 Hennepin (135, Brooklyn Park) BWi.
Eurasian Collared-Dove
(Streptopelia decaocto)
231 Observed south in Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Dakota, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, Martin, Meeker, Mower, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Pope, Renville, Rice, Rock, Sherburne (4/8, near Princeton, ph. EMa), Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Wabasha, Watonwan, Yellow Medicine. Only north reports: 5/1 Norman (Twin Valley) JMJ, 5/25 Clay (east of Glyndon) PHS.
White-winged Dove
(Zenaida asiatica)
2 Two reports: 4/15–16 Carver (Waconia) ph. †FPe, 5/28–31 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) †HHD, ph. BJU.
Mourning Dove
(Zenaida macroura)
3453 Observed statewide.
Cuckoos
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
(Coccyzus americanus)
217 Early south 5/15 (median) Sherburne ASc and Steele PSu, 5/17 Rice DAB, TFB and Yellow Medicine (2) WCM. Only north reports: 5/24 Douglas ARW, 5/30 Cass CMB, 5/31 Cass LEC. High count 5/23 Yellow Medicine (4, Upper Sioux Agency S.P.) BJU.
Black-billed Cuckoo
(Coccyzus erythropthalmus)
927 Early south (median 5/9) 5/8 Washington DFN, 5/9 Scott DFN. Early north 5/16 (median) Mille Lacs CAM, 5/17 Otter Tail ARo. High count 5/23 Crow Wing (7) BU.
Nightjars
Common Nighthawk
(Chordeiles minor)
929 Early south (median 5/1) 4/29 Hennepin (Sunrise Park) DB, 5/12 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) RTe. Early north (median 5/10) 5/1 Morrison (Crane Meadows N.W.R.) GDe, 5/18 Kittson and Roseau JEB. High count 5/23 Hubbard (73) MAW.
Eastern Whip-poor-will
(Antrostomus vociferus)
610 Early south (median 4/28) 5/2 Goodhue LS, 5/3 Rice TFB; also observed south in Anoka, Chippewa, Chisago, Dakota, Renville, Rock, Sherburne, Yellow Medicine. Early north (5/8) 4/24 Cass (Deep Portage Conservation Reserve) BAW, 5/17 Lake of the Woods GMM; also observed north in Clearwater, Crow Wing, Lake, St. Louis. High count 5/30 Chippewa (7, C.R. 40) DBM.
Swifts
Chimney Swift
(Chaetura pelagica)
2345 Early south 4/21 (median) Rice DAB, 4/25 Dakota PEJ, Hennepin (10) TAT, Rice NFT. Early north (median 5/1) 4/23 Cass (2, Battleground S.F.) ABi and Douglas JPE, 5/9 Cass MRN. High count 5/8 Hennepin (35) CMB.
Hummingbirds
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
(Archilochus colubris)
2338 Early south (median 5/4) 4/22 Wabasha (Maxville) GSw, 5/2 Washington WPe, Wright (Lake Sylvia) RBJ. Early north (median 5/7) 5/9 Pennington PMu. High count 5/25 Hubbard (10, Park Rapids) MGo.
Rails, Gallinules, Coots
Virginia Rail
(Rallus limicola)
1126 Early south (median 4/15) 4/5 Olmsted JWH, 4/10 Anoka MHe, Chisago DWK, PEB, HCT. Early north (median 5/5) 4/17 Douglas HHD, Marshall MA, Polk KLa, 4/18 Cass ABi.
Sora
(Porzana carolina)
2236 Early south (median 4/14) 4/5 Olmsted JWH, 4/11 Steele NFT. Early north (median 4/23) 4/10 Pennington JMJ, 4/17 Douglas HHD, Marshall MA, Polk KLa. High count 5/12–13 Polk (14, Glacial Ridge N.W.R.) MAh.
Common Gallinule
(Gallinula galeata)
1 All reports from Lac qui Parle: 5/1 (location?) ASc, 5/7–8 Big Stone N.W.R. BJU.
American Coot
(Fulica americana)
1651 Reported south throughout the season. First reported north (median 3/28) 3/5 Otter Tail (2) DST, 3/24 Douglas DPG. High count 4/2 Meeker (300, Lake Ripley) MJB.
Yellow Rail
(Coturnicops noveboracensis)
32 Only south reports with details: 4/17 Winona (audio-taped) KAK, 5/22 Chisago (Fish Lake Twp.) PEB, DWK. Early north (median 5/11) 5/3 Marshall (2) JFr, 5/8 Morrison FGo. Also reported north 5/30 Cass (4, Swamp Lake Marsh) BAW, LEC, LS.
Cranes
Sandhill Crane
(Antigone canadensis)
2935 Early south (median 3/14) 3/4 Wabasha (14) HHu, 3/7 Anoka (2) DWK. Early north (median 3/21) 3/12 Pennington (2) PMu, 3/16 Kanabec CAM. High count 4/9 Polk (500, Glacial Ridge N.W.R.) DOL.
WHOOPING CRANE
(Grus americana)
1 One unbanded bird, presumably of the wild Wood Buffalo N.P./Aransas N.W.R. population, seen 5/21–23 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) †GAK, ph. †PHS, †JMJ, SAS. Possibly the same individual was photographed twenty miles away near Newfolden 5/30 ph. JaK.
Stilts, Avocets
Black-necked Stilt
(Himantopus mexicanus)
11 Two reports: 5/15 Brown (2, Milford Twp.) ph. †SPS, 5/23 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) SAS, †JMJ, ph. †PHS. These were the 16th and 17th state records, respectively.
American Avocet
(Recurvirostra americana)
47 Early south (median 4/20) 4/23 Big Stone (2) BJU, 4/30 Dakota (12, Lake Byllesby) m.ob. Also reported from Hennepin, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Meeker, Stearns. All north reports: 5/2 St. Louis (Interstate Island W.M.A.) PHS, 5/23 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) JMJ, SAS, PHS and Polk (Glacial Ridge N.W.R.) KRE, 5/25 Todd (2, Browerville W.T.P.) BWF. High counts 4/30 Dakota (18, Lake Byllesby) RTe, 5/13 Lincoln (17, Gislason N.W.R.) RJS.
Plovers
Black-bellied Plover
(Pluvialis squatarola)
1013 Early south (median 5/1) 5/11 Kandiyohi JoS. Early north (median 5/16) 5/14 St. Louis (Park Point) PHS, 5/16 St. Louis PRH, 5/18 Morrison (2) FGo. High count 5/23 Cass (51, Pelican Island, Leech Lake) BAW. See summer report for late migrants south and north.
American Golden-Plover
(Pluvialis dominica)
25 Early south (median 4/17) 4/6 Dakota (2) JPM, 4/7 Dakota (4, Lake Byllesby) CMB; other south reports from Big Stone, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Nobles. Only north reports: 5/19 Mahnomen JEB, 5/23 Marshall (12, Agassiz N.W.R.) JMJ, SAS, PHS. High count 4/24 Lac qui Parle (42) BJU. See summer report for late migrants south and north.
Killdeer
(Charadrius vociferus)
3453 Early south (median 3/2) 3/11 Mower ARW, Sherburne ASc, 3/12 Rice TFB, Winona ASM. Early north (median 3/18) 3/15 Mille Lacs ASc, 3/17 Hubbard MAW. No significant counts.
Semipalmated Plover
(Charadrius semipalmatus)
920 Early south (median 4/22) 4/18 Lincoln DBM, 4/24 Lac qui Parle m.ob. Earth north (median 5/8) 5/17 Cass ABi and Douglas JEB, 5/18 Kittson and Roseau JEB. High count 5/23 Marshall (135, Agassiz N.W.R.) JMJ, SAS, PHS. See summer report for late migrants south and north.
Piping Plover
(Charadrius melodus)
11 All reports: 5/2 St. Louis (2, Park Point) ph. PHS, ph. MLH, 5/3 St. Louis (Twin Lakes, Aurora) NAJ, 5/15 Lac qui Parle (Arena Twp.) ph. BJU, 5/16 St. Louis (Minnesota Point) ph. SCZ.
Sandpipers
Upland Sandpiper
(Bartramia longicauda)
78 Early south (median 4/26) 4/24 Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/27 Big Stone DPG. Early north (median 5/3) 5/2 Clay (3, Felton Prairie) RHO, 5/8 Clay RHO, 5/12 Polk (Glacial Ridge N.W.R.) MAh. High count 5/18 Wilkin (4, Rothsay W.M.A.) AMe. No observations from the northeast.
Whimbrel
(Numenius phaeopus)
31 Only south report 5/24 Lac qui Parle (Yellow Bank Twp.) ph. BJU. All north reports: 5/16 Lake (7, Lighthouse Point, Two Harbors) JWL, St. Louis (Hearding Island, Duluth) PHS, 5/18 St. Louis (2, Park Point) PHS, 5/27 St. Louis (60, Park Point) JLK, 5/29 Cook (3, Paradise Beach) DFN, St. Louis (5, Park Point, Duluth) PHS, 5/30 St. Louis (2, Park Point, Duluth) PHS.
Hudsonian Godwit
(Limosa haemastica)
313 Early south (median 4/21) 4/25 Yellow Medicine (Miller Lake) BJU, 4/27 Pope DPG. All north reports: 5/14 Pennington SAS, 5/20 Cass (Walker W.T.P.) BAW, KRE, 5/23 Marshall (23, Agassiz N.W.R.) JMJ, SAS, PHS. Late south 5/22 Blue Earth (Perch Lake) ChH, PRH, Chisago (Franconia Twp.) DWK, PEB, Dakota (Lake Byllesby) BAF, JPM, 5/24 Dakota JWH and Lac qui Parle CRM (median 5/31). See summer report for late migrants.
Marbled Godwit
(Limosa fedoa)
1413 Early south (median 4/13) 4/12 Stearns (2, Zion Twp.) PCC, 4/14 Stearns (Paynesville W.T.P.) MJB. Early north (median 4/13) 4/3 Clearwater KLa, 4/11 Clay (5, Felton Prairie) RHO. High count 5/22 Chisago (25, Rush Lake) DWK, PEB.
Ruddy Turnstone
(Arenaria interpres)
68 Early south (median 5/14) 5/7 Rice TFB, 5/14 Lac qui Parle (Haydenville W.M.A.) BJU. Early north (median 5/14) 5/14 St. Louis (4, Park Point) PHS, 5/16 Cass (8, Pelican Island) BAW. High counts 5/23 Cass (16, Pelican Island, Leech Lake) BAW, 5/20 Dakota (11) JPM.
Red Knot
(Calidris canutus)
No reports.
RUFF
(Calidris pugnax)
1 Female (Reeve) observed and photographed 5/10 Wright (Annandale W.T.P.) ph. †JJS, RAE, MJu, JPr.
Stilt Sandpiper
(Calidris himantopus)
29 Early south (median 5/3) 5/9 Lac qui Parle BJU and Lincoln DBM, 5/13 Dakota ADS and Lincoln RJS. Only north reports: 5/23 Becker DBM and Marshall (2, Agassiz N.W.R.) JMJ, SAS, PHS. High count 5/15 Lac qui Parle (14) BJU. See summer report for late migrants.
Sanderling
(Calidris alba)
511 Early south (median 5/5) 5/9 Brown (Sleepy Eye W.T.P.) RMD, 5/12 Dakota (Lake Byllesby) CMB. Early north (median 5/11) 5/14 St. Louis (9, Park Point) PHS, 5/16 Cass (3, Pelican Island) BAW and St. Louis PRH. No significant counts. See summer report for late migrants south and north.
Dunlin
(Calidris alpina)
1326 Early south (median 4/19) 4/16 Dakota (3, Lake Byllesby) CMB, 4/18 Dakota CRM, SWe. Early north (median 5/10) 5/16 Cass (12, Boy Bay, Leech Lake) BAW, 5/17 Douglas JEB. High counts 5/23 Marshall (1,055 at Agassiz N.W.R.) JMJ, SAS, PHS, 5/22 Dakota (240) JPM. See summer report for late migrants south and north.
Baird's Sandpiper
(Calidris bairdii)
318 Early south (median 4/6) 4/11 Blue Earth (Perch Lake W.P.A.) RMD, 4/12 Dakota (Lake Byllesby) CMB. All north reports: 5/22 Cass (2, Dry Sand W.M.A.) BAW, 5/23 Becker DBM, Cass ABi, Marshall (4, Agassiz N.W.R.) JMJ, SAS, PHS. Late south 5/27 Stearns MJB, 5/31 Lac qui Parle BJU (median 6/1). No significant counts.
Least Sandpiper
(Calidris minutilla)
1433 Early south (median 4/15) 4/7 Dakota (Lake Byllesby) CMB, 4/16 Dakota (3, Lake Byllesby) CMB, 4/18 Brown BTS. Early north (median 5/6) 5/8 Morrison FGo. High count 5/16 Dakota (300, Lake Byllesby) BAF. See summer report for late migrants south and north.
White-rumped Sandpiper
(Calidris fuscicollis)
821 Early south (median 4/29) 4/18 Dakota CRM, 4/30 Dakota (Lake Byllesby) m.ob. Early north (median 5/14) 5/2 St. Louis (2, Interstate Island W.M.A.) PHS, 5/17 Douglas JEB. High counts 5/23 Marshall (400, Agassiz N.W.R.) JMJ, SAS, PHS, 5/31 Lac qui Parle (260) BJU. See summer report for late migrants south and north.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
(Calidris subruficollis)
No reports.
Pectoral Sandpiper
(Calidris melanotos)
832 Early south (median 4/1) 3/28 Dakota (Lake Byllesby) BAF, 3/29 Dakota (2, Lake Byllesby) LS, RTe, 4/3 Blue Earth ChH, Dakota DFN, JLO, SKS, Goodhue PEJ, DFN. Early north (median 4/19) 4/14 Cass (2, Homebrook Twp.) BAW, 5/1 Norman JMJ. High count 4/24 Lac qui Parle (300) BJU. See summer report for late migrants.
Semipalmated Sandpiper
(Calidris pusilla)
1624 Early south (median 4/17) 4/17 Lac qui Parle PEJ, DFN, 4/23 Carver SWe. Early north (median 5/4) 5/14 St. Louis (Park Point) PHS. High count 5/31 Lac qui Parle (150) BJU. See summer report for late migrants south and north.
WESTERN SANDPIPER
(Calidris mauri)
1 Adult female found 5/13–14 Dakota (Greenvale Twp.) ph. †JPM, ph. †DWK, †CMB, m.ob. Seventh documented state record.
Short-billed Dowitcher
(Limnodromus griseus)
420 Early south (median 4/30) 4/30 Dakota m.ob., 5/1 Dakota (2, Lake Byllesby) PNi and Rice (3, Dennison W.T.P.) DAB. All north reports: 5/14 Cass (2, Longville) BAW, 5/20 Pennington (Thief River Falls W.T.P.) JMJ, PHS, 5/23 Becker DBM and Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) JMJ, SAS, PHS. High count 5/16 Dakota (60) JPM. Late south 5/23 Sherburne PLJ, 5/25 Martin HHD.
Long-billed Dowitcher
(Limnodromus scolopaceus)
20 Early south 4/24 (median) Lac qui Parle CAB, 4/25 Dakota (Lake Byllesby) BAF. Late south 5/16 Lac qui Parle BJU and Renville (Fairfax W.T.P.) DWK, 5/21 Carver JCy (median 5/19). No north reports and no significant counts.
American Woodcock
(Scolopax minor)
2033 Early south (median 3/13) 3/12 Winona ASM, 3/14 Carver (Carver P.R.) JCy. Early north (median 3/26) 3/22 Cass (3, Ponto Lake Twp.) BAW, 3/26 Hubbard MAW. High counts 4/23 Lake (24) JWL, 4/16 Dakota (15) MDu.
Wilson's Snipe
(Gallinago delicata)
2940 Early south (median 3/22) 3/23 Rice DAB, 3/28 Swift CRM. Early north (median 3/31) 3/22 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) GT, 3/26 Cass (Wabedo Twp.) DAY, 3/30 Aitkin (Swamp Lake) RBJ. High count 4/7 Dakota (50, Black Dog Lake) ADS.
Spotted Sandpiper
(Actitis macularius)
2142 Early south (median 4/20) 4/11 Hennepin (3, Powderhorn Park) JJo, 4/13 Winona ANy, 4/17 Hennepin (Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) CRM. Early north (median 4/29) 4/29 Crow Wing (3, Ironton W.T.P.) JSB, 5/1 Cass BAW, Hubbard MAW. High count 5/20 Ramsey (15, Mississippi R., St. Paul) MDu.
Solitary Sandpiper
(Tringa solitaria)
1031 Early south (median 4/19) 4/16 Dakota (Lake Byllesby) CMB, 4/17 Dakota JLO. Early north (median 4/30) 4/27 Cass ABi. High count 4/22 Ramsey (18, St. Paul) RPR. Late south 5/17 Dakota JPM, 5/24 Carver (2) JCy (median 5/27). Late north 5/31 Roseau JTi (median 5/25).
Lesser Yellowlegs
(Tringa flavipes)
1640 Early south (median 3/29) 4/1 Dakota JLO, 4/2 Dakota (Lake Byllesby) RTe. Early north (median 4/9) 4/4 Crow Wing (Ironton W.T.P.) JSB, 4/23 Douglas JPE. High counts 5/7 Stearns (175, Albany W.T.P.) PCC, 5/10 Wright (170, Annandale W.T.P.) DWK. See summer report for late migrants.
Willet
(Tringa semipalmata)
316 Early south (median 4/24) 4/20 Kandiyohi DPG, 4/25 Ramsey (White Bear Lake) ELC. All north reports: 4/23 Douglas JPE, 5/3 St. Louis (8, Park Point) PHS, 5/4 St. Louis (5, Park Point) PHS, 5/16 St. Louis (Longyear Lake) TAb, 5/20 Pennington (Thief River Falls W.T.P.) JMJ, PHS. Astonishing record high count of 327 birds 4/30 Dakota (Lake Byllesby) CMB; prior high count was 78 from 1959. On the same day 65 birds were counted in Olmsted (C.R. 9 marsh) LAV. Late south 5/15 Carver JCy, Dakota (Lake Byllesby) CMB, Lac qui Parle BJU, Ramsey DWK, CRM, 5/20 Dakota JPM (median 5/26).
Greater Yellowlegs
(Tringa melanoleuca)
1433 Early south (median 3/27) 4/2 Steele NFT, 4/3 Blue Earth ChH, Dakota JLO, Goodhue RTe, Stevens DPG. Early north (median 4/8) 4/9 Polk JMJ, 4/11 Aitkin HHD and Clay RHO. High count 4/16 Dakota (100, Lake Byllesby) CMB. Late south 5/18 Dakota (5, Lake Byllesby) OWB, 5/22 Sherburne (2, Sherburne N.W.R.) JaM (median 5/25). Late north 5/20 Pennington (Thief River Falls W.T.P.) JMJ, PHS and St. Louis (Duluth) ALo, 5/23 Marshall (2, Agassiz N.W.R.) JMJ, SAS, PHS (median 5/28). See summer report for late migrants.
Wilson's Phalarope
(Phalaropus tricolor)
1528 Early south (median 4/23) 4/24 Lac qui Parle (Perry Twp.) BJU, 4/25 Lac qui Parle (Haydenville W.M.A.) BJU and Mower LS. Early north (median 5/1) 4/20 Cass ABi, 4/30 Cass (Brockaway Lake) BAW. High count 4/30 Brown (75, Sleepy Eye W.T.P.) BTS.
Red-necked Phalarope
(Phalaropus lobatus)
58 Early south (median 5/12) 5/9 Lac qui Parle (2, Salt Lake) BJU and Lincoln DBM, 5/13 Lincoln RJS. All north reports: 5/17 Becker ARo, 5/20 Pennington (12, Thief River Falls W.T.P.) JMJ, PHS, 5/21 Wilkin (2) KRE, 5/23 Becker (3) KRE, DBM, Marshall (6, Agassiz N.W.R.) JMJ, SAS, PHS, Polk KRE. No significant counts. See summer report for late migrants.
Jaegers
Parasitic Jaeger
(Stercorarius parasiticus)
1 Light-morph adult observed 5/29 St. Louis (Minnesota side of Superior Entry) †PHS.
Gulls, Terns
Bonaparte's Gull
(Chroicocephalus philadelphia)
1230 Early south (median 4/3) 4/1 Stearns (Albany W.T.P.) DPG, 4/2 Goodhue LS. Early north (median 4/13) 3/31 Mille Lacs ASc, 4/8 Traverse BJU. Rare first-cycle variant 5/14 St. Louis (Duluth, plumage showed extensive dark upperwings, contrasting with normal gray mantle) ph. PHS. High count 5/8 St. Louis (1,000, Park Point, Duluth) MLH, PHS. See summer report for late migrants south and north.
LITTLE GULL
(Hydrocoloeus minutus)
No reports.
LAUGHING GULL
(Leucophaeus atricilla)
1 Adult bird seen 5/2 Stearns (Lake Koronis) †PCC.
Franklin's Gull
(Leucophaeus pipixcan)
1224 Probably the same individual that over-wintered in the Twin Cities area was observed 3/11 Dakota (Black Dog Lake) PEJ. Early south (median 3/25) 4/2 Dakota (2, Lake Byllesby) RTe, Lac qui Parle (3) BJU, 4/4 Steele (2) NFT. Early north 4/6 (median) Pennington JMJ and Polk NGE, 4/17 Douglas JPE. High count 5/7 Lac qui Parle (315, Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU. Northeast reports all from St. Louis: 4/23 ALo, 5/4 W.S.H.C. KJB, 5/17 (adult, Superior Entry) ph. PHS.
Ring-billed Gull
(Larus delawarensis)
3052 Observed south and north throughout the season. High count 4/18 St. Louis (9,293, Interstate Island W.M.A. and 27th Ave. West, Duluth) PHS.
Herring Gull
(Larus argentatus)
1738 Last reported south 5/15 Pipestone (Pipestone) DAC, RBJ, 5/25 Big Stone CRM. High count 3/3 St. Louis (1,412 at Duluth) KJB.
Iceland Gull
(Larus glaucoides)
1 At least five individuals were present in St. Louis: a first-cycle through 4/9 ph. KJB; an adult 3/31 – 4/11 ph. KJB, ph. PHS; another first-cycle through 5/4 ph. KJB; and second-cycle birds in Duluth through 5/10 (yellow irides) ph. KJB and 4/25 – 5/12 (dark irides) ph. †PHS.
Iceland Gull (Thayer's)
(Larus g. thayeri)
1 All reports were from Duluth in St. Louis where at least 6 over-wintering and 8 migrant birds were reported. Over-wintering individuals were last seen in March, except for one third-cycle which lingered to 5/14 KJB. Early migrants 4/21 and 4/29 were both adults (KJB). High count of 5 on 5/14 at Superior Entry (KJB). A first-cycle provided the last report on 5/30 (Superior Entry) ph. †PHS.
Lesser Black-backed Gull
(Larus fuscus)
2 Adult seen 4/8 in Big Stone (Thielke Lake) ph. BJU. Two birds (first- and third-cycle) observed 5/7 Dakota (Lake Byllesby) ph. †JPM.
Glaucous Gull
(Larus hyperboreus)
1 High count 3/13 St. Louis (5, three first-cycle, one second-cycle, and one adult, Canal Park) PHS. A first-cycle bird lingered in St. Louis on the Minnesota side of the Superior Entry through 5/18 PHS. Another immature found 5/30 St. Louis (Superior Entry) †PHS.
Great Black-backed Gull
(Larus marinus)
1 Two over-wintering birds were found in St. Louis (Duluth): an adult through 3/8, and a first-cycle through 3/22 (KJB).
Caspian Tern
(Hydroprogne caspia)
612 Early south (median 4/23) 5/1 Lac qui Parle ASc, 5/2 Hennepin (4) CMB, LS. Early north (median 5/3) 4/29 Crow Wing (Ironton W.T.P.) JSB. High count 5/8 Hennepin (57, Purgatory Creek wetlands) CMB.
Black Tern
(Chlidonias niger)
1833 Early south (median 4/30) 5/2 Ramsey (2, White Bear Lake) ELC, 5/7 Lac qui Parle BJU. Early north (median 5/8) 4/20 Crow Wing (Whitefish Lake) GDa. No significant counts.
Common Tern
(Sterna hirundo)
811 Early south (median 4/26) 4/23 Big Stone (Otrey Twp.) BJU. Early north (median 5/1) 5/8 St. Louis (9, Duluth) PHS. High count 5/14 St. Louis (1,187, Minnesota side of Superior Entry) PHS. Late south 5/17 Ramsey (White Bear Lake) KMn, 5/18 Dakota (2) JPM (median 6/1), but see summer report.
Forster's Tern
(Sterna forsteri)
1234 Early south (median 4/10) 4/13 Dakota ADS, JPM and Ramsey (2, Turtle Lake) ELC, 4/14 Dakota CMB. Early north (median 4/19) 4/17 Douglas (3) JPE, 4/19 Otter Tail (6, Maplewood S.P.) CSu. High count 5/9 Dakota (40, Lake Byllesby) BAF.
Loons
Red-throated Loon
(Gavia stellata)
1 All reports from St. Louis (Duluth) beginning 4/22 (Park Point) KJB, including peak counts of 102 on 5/27 (Park Point, PHS) and 63 on 5/26 (Park Point, KJB). Also see summer report.
Pacific Loon
(Gavia pacifica)
1 Only reports: 5/26–27 St. Louis (adult, Park Point) KJB, PHS. Possibly the same adult was seen on 5/28 at Stoney Point flying northeast (KJB).
Common Loon
(Gavia immer)
2431 Early south (median 3/27) 3/26 Jackson PEJ, Ramsey RPl, 3/27 Wright DWK, HCT, 3/28 Hennepin DDo, Rice RBW, Scott SLP, Waseca DAB, JWH, Winona DBM. Early north (median 4/2) 3/28 Cass BAW, 4/1 Grant LLS, Hubbard MAW.
Cormorants
Double-crested Cormorant
(Nannopterum auritum)
2351 Early south (median 3/17) 3/13 Goodhue PEJ, Rice TFB, 3/18 Scott JEB, Winona PEJ. Early north (median 3/30) 4/4 Clay RHO, 4/8 Traverse BJU. High count 4/17 St. Louis (397, Duluth Harbor) PHS.
Pelicans
American White Pelican
(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
2549 Early south (away from over-wintering areas) 3/13 Dakota RTe, Washington MDu, 3/18 Houston PEJ, NBO. Early north (median 4/7) 4/3 Douglas JPE, 4/5 Kanabec CAM, 4/6 Cass BAW. High counts 5/13 Blue Earth (300) ChH, 4/12 Dakota (110, Lake Byllesby) CMB. Unusual location: 5/17 Lake (7, Knife River) SDa.
Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons
Least Bittern
(Botaurus exilis)
25 All south reports: 5/23 Nicollet ChH, RMD, Yellow Medicine (Upper Sioux Agency S.P.) BJU, 5/25 Big Stone CRM, 5/31 Brown (Stately Twp.) BTS, Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU. All north reports: 5/14 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) GT, 5/26 Cass KMo.
American Bittern
(Botaurus lentiginosus)
2215 Early south (median 4/18) 4/1 Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/9 Nobles BTS, 4/17 Houston TPr, 4/20 Rice TFB. Early north (median 4/18) 4/9 Lake of the Woods †SSc, 4/17 Marshall MA, 4/19 Koochiching DGr, 4/20 Lake JWL.
LITTLE BLUE HERON
(Egretta caerulea)
1 Only report: 4/17–5/29 Fillmore (no details) NBO.
Snowy Egret
(Egretta thula)
4 All reports: 5/7 Hennepin (Purgatory Creek) WCM, Lac qui Parle (Marsh Lake) BJU, 5/13 Rice TFB, 5/15 Lac qui Parle (Florida Creek W.M.A.) BJU, Watonwan ph. †ChH.
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
(Nyctanassa violacea)
No reports.
Black-crowned Night Heron
(Nycticorax nycticorax)
27 Early south (median 3/29) 4/10 Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/13 Hennepin DDo. All north reports: 4/16–5/22 Otter Tail (max. 11, Grotto Lake, Fergus Falls) DST, m.ob., 5/18 Marshall JEB, Otter Tail (Prairie Wetlands Learning Center) EGe.
Green Heron
(Butorides virescens)
1533 Early south (median 4/21) 4/14 Hennepin RDa, 4/21 Martin CMu, 4/24 Dakota RPR. Early north (median 5/3) 4/30 Mille Lacs ASc, 5/3 Wilkin FVS. High count 5/23 Carver (7, Carver Park) JCy.
Great Egret
(Ardea alba)
641 Early south (median 3/22) 3/28 Ramsey BAF, 4/1 Carver JCy, Dakota RLW, Rice DAB, Scott SLP. Early north 4/1 (median) Grant LLS, 4/12 Otter Tail DST. High count 4/17 Carver (97, Lake Waconia) WCM. Unusual north reports: 5/25–28 St. Louis (Duluth) SVB, PHS, 5/30 Cass (Leech Lake) m.ob.
Western Cattle-Egret
(Ardea ibis)
19 All south reports: 4/11 Lincoln (Perch Lake) BJU, 4/21 Meeker (Litchfield Twp.) DMF, 4/25 Mower (near Grand Meadow) LS, 4/29 Olmsted (Rochester) LAV, 5/1 Lac qui Parle ASc, 5/1–12 Meeker (max. 9, Darwin Twp.) DMF, 5/2 Freeborn AEB, 5/8–9 Carver (9, Young America) HHD, JJS, CMB, 5/10–12 Rice (5, Cannon Lake) CVK, m.ob., 5/25 Pope CRM, 5/30 Lac qui Parle (Walter Twp.) BJU. Only north report: 5/8–12 Otter Tail (Grotto Lake, Fergus Falls) DST, m.ob.
Great Blue Heron
(Ardea herodias)
2950 Early south (median 3/8) 3/6 Hennepin BWi, 3/7 Winona ANy, 3/8 Mower ARW. Early north (median 3/20) 3/21 Kanabec BHa, 3/26 Douglas JPE, 3/27 Beltrami DPJ, Pine ABL, Wadena PJB.
Ibises
White-faced Ibis
(Plegadis chihi)
5 All reports: 4/23 Lac qui Parle (3 with 12 Plegadis sp., near Big Stone N.W.R. headquarters) †SMC, 4/30 Dakota (Lake Byllesby) †CMB, †ADS, †LEC, ph. DAC, m.ob., 5/1 Nicollet (1 with 1 Plegadis sp., Nicollet W.M.A.) ph. RMD, 5/7 Lac qui Parle (4, near Big Stone N.W.R.) ph. †BJU, 5/23 Blue Earth (Perch Lake W.P.A.) ChH, ph. RMD, Lac qui Parle (Arena Twp.) †BJU, 5/24 Sherburne (Santiago Twp.) †PLJ.
Plegadis ibis
(Plegadis sp.)
3 4/23 Lac qui Parle (12 with 3 White-faced Ibis, near Big Stone N.W.R. headquarters) SMC, 5/1 Dakota (4, Gun Club Lake) PEJ, Nicollet (1 with 1 White-faced Ibis, Nicollet W.M.A.) ph. RMD.
New World Vultures
BLACK VULTURE
(Coragyps atratus)
1 Fifth state record and third for St. Louis County 5/15–16 St. Louis (Stoney Point) †JGr, †JCG, ph. †PHS, PRH.
Turkey Vulture
(Cathartes aura)
3052 Early south (median 3/11) 3/13 Wabasha PEJ, 3/14 Rice DAB, 3/18 Houston, Winona PEJ. Early north (median 3/30) 3/21 Carlton RPe, 3/28 St. Louis (W.S.H.C.) KJB, 3/30 Mille Lacs RBJ. High count 4/11 St. Louis (379, W.S.H.C.) KJB. Also see Table 1.
Osprey
Osprey
(Pandion haliaetus)
1926 Early south (median 3/27) 3/28 Washington JFR, Renville LS, 3/30 Ramsey AXH, 4/2 Goodhue LS, Scott JEB. Early north 4/1 (median) Crow Wing JSB, 4/2 Otter Tail ARo, St. Louis NAJ, 4/6 Cass ABi. High count 4/18 St. Louis (10, W.S.H.C.) KJB. Also see Table 1.
Kites, Accipiters, Hawks, Eagles
Golden Eagle
(Aquila chrysaetos)
58 All south reports: 3/6 Sherburne ASc, 3/7 Dodge †RBW, 3/12 Rice TFB, 3/17 Lac qui Parle BJU, 3/18 Rice DAB, 3/19 Mower RBJ, 3/20 Le Sueur PEJ, DFN, 3/24 Dakota RTe, 3/25 Wabasha DSc (median 4/14). All north reports: 3/14 Polk (2) and Red Lake RAE, 3/19 Lake ABi, 3/28 Aitkin DCr, 4/9 Aitkin ASc. Additional north reports from W.S.H.C. in St. Louis from 3/1 to 5/6, with a record high northbound peak of 30 on 3/16 (KJB).
Northern Harrier
(Circus hudsonius)
3349 Early north (median 3/10) 3/17 Clay fide JMJ, Polk KLa, St. Louis (W.S.H.C.) KJB, 3/18 Cass BAW, Marshall GT, 3/19 Douglas JPE, Otter Tail DST. High counts 4/2 St. Louis (13, W.S.H.C.) KJB, Kandiyohi (11) WCM. Also see Table 1.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
(Accipiter striatus)
2226 Early north (median 3/7) 3/1 St. Louis (W.S.H.C.) KJB, 3/2 Polk (over-wintered) SAu, 3/18 Itasca EEO, 3/21 Traverse HHD. Seasonal total of 1,827 at W.S.H.C. (peak of 239 on 4/18) KJB. Late south 5/28 Hennepin m.ob., 5/31 Anoka SSu, Washington MJB. Also see Table 1.
Cooper's Hawk
(Accipiter cooperii)
2240 Early north (median 3/18) 3/14 St. Louis (W.S.H.C.) KJB, 3/19 Douglas JPE, 3/25 Douglas, Otter Tail, Wadena RJS. Also see Table 1.
American Goshawk
(Accipiter atricapillus)
122 All south reports: 4/3 Ramsey ALo, 4/4 Washington DFN. North reports from Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mille Lacs, Pennington, Roseau, St. Louis. No reports with details. Also see Table 1.
Bald Eagle
(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
3152 High counts 3/16 St. Louis (679, W.S.H.C.) KJB, 3/15 Dakota (128) JPM, 3/12 Rice (120) TFB. Seasonal total of 4,028 at W.S.H.C. KJB. Also see Table 1.
Red-shouldered Hawk
(Buteo lineatus)
1021 Early north (median 3/14) 3/26 Cass ABi, Douglas JPE, Mille Lacs RBJ, 3/28 Otter Tail DST. All other north reports: Aitkin, Becker, Clay, Morrison, St. Louis (total of 3 at W.S.H.C.) KJB, Todd.
Broad-winged Hawk
(Buteo platypterus)
2126 Early south (median 4/7) 4/3 Dakota SKS, 4/14 Rice TFB, 4/15 Hennepin MaK, Sherburne PLJ. Early north (median 4/10) 4/14 St. Louis (W.S.H.C.) KJB, 4/17 Cass DAY, 4/18 Lake JWL. Seasonal total of 4,546 at W.S.H.C. (peak of 1,425 on 5/4) KJB. Also see Table 1.
Swainson's Hawk
(Buteo swainsoni)
122 Early south 4/3 (median) Washington PEJ, DFN, 4/9 Lyon BRB, 4/10 Lac qui Parle BJU. All north reports: 5/4 Traverse FVS, 5/26 Traverse CRM. High count 5/9 Brown (4) RMD. [Corrected]
Red-tailed Hawk
(Buteo jamaicensis)
3252 Reported statewide. Seasonal total of 2,336 at W.S.H.C. (peak of 254 on 4/7) KJB, included single Harlan's on 3/28, 4/6. Krider's reported 3/7 Hennepin DWK, 3/10 Dakota PEJ, 3/22 Jackson ph. JPM. Also see Table 1.
Rough-legged Hawk
(Buteo lagopus)
1611 High counts 4/9 Aitkin (15) PEJ, 4/18 St. Louis (15, W.S.H.C.) KJB. Late south 4/10 Lac qui Parle BJU, 5/1 Big Stone DPG (median 5/10). Late north 5/15 St. Louis (W.S.H.C.) KJB, 5/18 Kittson JEB (median 5/24). Also see Table 1.
Screech-Owls, Owls
Eastern Screech-Owl
(Megascops asio)
217 Observed south in Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Dakota, Hennepin, Houston, Lac qui Parle, McLeod, Nicollet, Nobles, Rock, Sherburne, Sibley, Stevens, Swift, Watonwan. Only north reports: 5/12 Itasca PDu, 5/22 Cass MRN.
Great Horned Owl
(Bubo virginianus)
1941 Observed statewide.
Snowy Owl
(Bubo scandiacus)
21 Reported south 3/17 Lac qui Parle (Agassiz Twp.) ph. BJU. Only north reports: 3/17 Polk KLa, 4/2 Roseau BJS.
Northern Hawk Owl
(Surnia ulula)
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.
BURROWING OWL
(Athene cunicularia)
1 One bird observed 5/15 Clay (near Bluestem Prairie S.N.A.) †BMc, SBe.
Barred Owl
(Strix varia)
1827 Observed statewide as far southwest as Brown and Watonwan. High count 5/2 Lake (5) JWL.
Great Gray Owl
(Strix nebulosa)
5 Observed in Aitkin, Beltrami, Lake, Lake of the Woods, St. Louis.
Long-eared Owl
(Asio otus)
54 All south reports: 3/2 Wright (Crow R.) DPG, 3/17 Lac qui Parle (2, Prospect W.M.A.) BJU, 3/18 Fillmore DBM, 3/27 Nobles (2) DAB, JWH. Early north (median 3/30) 3/29 Koochiching DGr and Lake JWL, 4/1 St. Louis SLF. Also observed north in Lake of the Woods and Morrison.
Short-eared Owl
(Asio flammeus)
84 Observed south in Big Stone, Lac qui Parle, Mower, Swift as late as 5/7 Lac qui Parle (Plover Prairie East Unit) ph. BJU. Early north (median 3/22) 4/7 Polk (3, Climax) DLT, 4/9 Marshall (2) MA. Also observed north in Aitkin, Douglas, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Pennington, St. Louis, Wilkin.
Boreal Owl
(Aegolius funereus)
No reports.
Northern Saw-whet Owl
(Aegolius acadicus)
911 Observed south in Anoka, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Lac qui Parle, Ramsey, Rice, Scott, Stearns, Swift as late as 3/29 Ramsey (Tamarack Park) PNi. Observed north in Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Hubbard, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, St. Louis beginning 3/1 Lake JWL. High count 4/5 St. Louis (8, south of Hoyt Lakes) SLF.
Kingfishers
Belted Kingfisher
(Megaceryle alcyon)
2745 Observed south throughout the season. Early north (median 3/26) 3/24 Hubbard MAW, 3/26 Douglas JPE. No significant counts.
Woodpeckers
Red-headed Woodpecker
(Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
1325 Early south (median 4/22) 4/16 Sherburne (2) PLJ, 5/1 McLeod AnR; earlier reports 3/4 Wabasha (Maxville) HHu, 3/6 Hennepin (Brooklyn Park) BWi, Rice DFN, 3/26+ Rice m.ob. probably refer to over-wintering birds. Early north (median 4/25) 4/30 Cass (Meadowbrook Twp.) BAW, 5/8 Morrison FGo; earlier reports 3/21, 3/28 Kanabec (2, Mora) BHa probably refer to over-wintering birds. High count 4/10 Rice (9, Nerstrand-Big Woods S.P.) JTa.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
(Melanerpes carolinus)
2048 Observed statewide as far northeast as Lake and as far northwest as Polk.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
(Sphyrapicus varius)
2945 Early south (median 3/28) 3/25 Hennepin KRo, 3/28 Rice TFB. Early north (median 4/5) 4/1 Itasca EEO, 4/2 Hubbard MAW, 4/3 Carlton DC.R. and Koochiching (2) DGr. High count 4/12 Dakota (27) JPM.
American Three-toed Woodpecker
(Picoides dorsalis)
No reports.
Black-backed Woodpecker
(Picoides arcticus)
7 Observed in Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Cook (near Lutsen, ph. DMB), Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, St. Louis.
Downy Woodpecker
(Dryobates pubescens)
2951 Observed statewide. High count 3/6 Hennepin (15, Brooklyn Park) BWi.
Hairy Woodpecker
(Dryobates villosus)
3049 Observed statewide.
Northern Flicker
(Colaptes auratus)
3050 Observed south throughout the season. Early north (median 3/26) 3/28 Kanabec (2, Mora) BHa, 3/30 Aitkin (Swamp Lake) RBJ. High count 4/19 St. Louis (76, Park Point) ChH. “Red-shafted” individual observed 4/6 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) GT.
Pileated Woodpecker
(Dryocopus pileatus)
2640 Observed statewide as far southwest as Murray.
Caracaras, Falcons
American Kestrel
(Falco sparverius)
3253 Reported south throughout the season. Early north (median 3/7) 3/16 Otter Tail fide JMJ, 3/18 Cass BAW. High count 4/2 Kandiyohi (13) WCM.
Merlin
(Falco columbarius)
2012 Early north (median 3/14) 3/12 Kittson LW. Male on territory in Hennepin 4/21 – 5/15 failed to find a mate (PEB). See summer report for breeding birds south.
Peregrine Falcon
(Falco peregrinus)
916 Reported south throughout the season. Early north (median 4/8) 3/6 St. Louis (W.S.H.C.) KJB, 4/10 St. Louis ABL, 4/21 Cook SGW.
Prairie Falcon
(Falco mexicanus)
2 Only report with adequate details: 4/22 Meeker (Litchfield) DMF.
Flycatchers
Great Crested Flycatcher
(Myiarchus crinitus)
2642 Early south (median 5/1) 5/2 Rice MDu, Wright RBJ, 5/4 Ramsey BNW. One north report prior to the 5/8 median — 5/2 Roseau JTi — then, surprisingly, no further reports until 5/15 Hubbard MAW, Mille Lacs DPG, Morrison (2) MJB. High count 5/22 Scott (14, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R., north trails) BAF.
Western Kingbird
(Tyrannus verticalis)
714 Early south (median 5/7) 5/2 Redwood (Johnsonville Twp.) BRB, 5/8 Lac qui Parle BJU, 5/9 Lincoln DBM. Early north (median 5/10) 5/8 Otter Tail DST, 5/18 Kittson, Roseau JEB. An individual 5/25 St. Louis (Park Point) ph. SC was well out-of-range. High count 5/25 Roseau (4, Springsteel Resort) LBF.
Eastern Kingbird
(Tyrannus tyrannus)
2649 Early south (median 4/27) 4/24 Olmsted RCA, 4/30 Olmsted LAV, 5/1 Ramsey HHD. Early north (median 5/6) 5/13 Cass (Walker W.T.P.) BAW, Crow Wing (3, Ironton W.T.P.) JSB, Polk (Glacial Ridge N.W.R.) RPR. High count 5/23 Rock (12, Blue Mounds S.P.) RLa, CLW, DCh.
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER
(Tyrannus forficatus)
1 Adult male originally found northwest of Redwood Falls 4/24 CPl, relocated 4/26 Redwood RAE, DBM, †BTS was a new county record.
Olive-sided Flycatcher
(Contopus cooperi)
615 Early south (median 5/7) 5/15 Lac qui Parle BJU, Redwood JWH, 5/19 Steele PSu. Early north (median 5/15) 5/22 Lake of the Woods MHK, 5/23 Aitkin BU, JWH, Otter Tail DBM, DST. Reported south through end of season; see summer report for late migrants.
Eastern Wood-Pewee
(Contopus virens)
2638 Early south (median 5/5) 5/1 Hennepin SMC, 5/6 Hennepin SoS, 5/8 Goodhue RTe. Early north (median 5/12) 5/8 Morrison FGo, 5/13 Lake JWL. High count 5/22 Scott (12, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R., north trails) BAF.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
(Empidonax flaviventris)
24 All south 5/15 Lac qui Parle BJU, 5/19 Rice TFB, 5/22 Steele PSu, 5/23 Nicollet (5) RMD, 5/24 Steele (2) PSu. Median early 5/12, late 6/6. All north (median early 5/20) 5/25 St. Louis (5) PHS, 5/28 Lake DFN. Reported without identification details from an additional 8 south and 3 north counties. Note: During spring and fall migration, undocumented records of silent Empidonax flycatchers are not included in this report. Observers are encouraged to include identification details in their reports.
Acadian Flycatcher
(Empidonax virescens)
4 New county records: 5/17-18 Yellow Medicine (Upper Sioux Agency S.P.) WCM, 5/23 Steele PSu. Additional south reports (median early 5/17) 5/15 Rice DAB, TFB, 5/23 Yellow Medicine (Upper Sioux Agency S.P.) BJU, 5/30 Hennepin (2, Elm Creek P.R.) RLR. Also reported without details from Houston, Washington.
Alder Flycatcher
(Empidonax alnorum)
812 Early south 5/16 (median) Washington (2) DFN, 5/17 Dakota (2) CMB, 5/22 Chisago DWK, PEB, Dakota DFN. Early north (median 5/17) 5/24 St. Louis (2) SLF, 5/25 Lake of the Woods LBF, St. Louis PHS, 5/26 Roseau LBF. High count 5/25 Steele (9) PSu. Reported without details from an additional 13 south and 11 north counties.
Willow Flycatcher
(Empidonax traillii)
7 Early south 5/9 (median) Sherburne PLJ, 5/16 Dakota (5) BAF, 5/17 Dakota CMB, 5/19 Rice TFB. High count 5/23 Dakota (10 singing at Black Dog Nature Preserve S.N.A.) MDu. Reports from an additional 10 south and 3 north counties lacked details.
Least Flycatcher
(Empidonax minimus)
1112 Early south (median 5/1) 5/8 Rice DAB, 5/9 Fillmore NBO, Lac qui Parle BJU, Rice TFB. Early north (median 5/5) 5/17 Koochiching (2) DGr, St. Louis SES. High count 5/23 Dakota (20 singing birds spread throughout Black Dog Nature Preserve S.N.A.) MDu.
Eastern Phoebe
(Sayornis phoebe)
3246 Early south (median 3/21) 3/24 Nicollet RMD, 3/26 Fillmore NBO, 3/27 Rice TFB, Winona ASM. Early north (median 3/29) 3/31 Cass (2) ABi, St. Louis AXH, 4/1 Cass DAY, Mille Lacs ASc. High counts 4/11 Hennepin (10, Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis) JJo, 4/12 Cass (9) ABi.
Say's Phoebe
(Sayornis saya)
11 Reported for the third consecutive spring. New county record 5/14–15 Nobles (near Worthington W.T.P.) †DOK, ph. †KRE, ph. DAC, m.ob. One north 5/8 Clay (north of Sabin, Elkton Twp.) †RHO.
Vireos
White-eyed Vireo
(Vireo griseus)
1 Only report: 5/2 Winona (Prairie Island Road, Winona) ph. ANy.
Bell's Vireo
(Vireo bellii)
6 Early south (median 5/15) 5/16 Dakota (2, Black Dog Nature Preserve S.N.A.) BAF, 5/17 Dakota (3) CMB, 5/18 Rice TFB, 5/20 Washington (Grey Cloud Dunes S.N.A.) ph. LSi. High count 5/23 Dakota (4, Black Dog Nature Preserve S.N.A.) MDu. Most reports from Dakota, but also reported from Hennepin, Houston, Lac qui Parle (Caerulean W.M.A., a.t. BJU), Rice, Washington.
Yellow-throated Vireo
(Vireo flavifrons)
2043 Early south (median 5/1) 5/2 Washington DFN, 5/3 Rice TFB, 5/4 Dakota LEC. Early north (median 5/9) 5/13 Cass BAW, 5/14 Douglas ARW, Otter Tail ARW. High count 5/22 Scott (7, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R., north trails) BAF.
Blue-headed Vireo
(Vireo solitarius)
1329 Early south (median 4/28) 4/30 Rice TFB, 5/1 Hennepin TAT. Early north (median 5/5) 4/29 Crow Wing ABi, 5/8 Clay RHO, Morrison FGo. Late south 5/23 Renville BJU, Rock (Blue Mounds S.P.) CLW, DCh, RLa, Yellow Medicine RLW, 5/24 Lac qui Parle BJU (median 5/31).
Philadelphia Vireo
(Vireo philadelphicus)
616 Early south (median 5/7) 5/10 Olmsted JWH, 5/15 Watonwan ChH. Early north 5/14 (median) Lake JWL, 5/16 St. Louis NAJ. High count 5/24 St. Louis (5, Park Point) DWK. Late south 5/26 McLeod RBW, 5/27 Hennepin RTe, 5/29 Big Stone (2, Big Stone N.W.R.) MJB (median 5/30).
Warbling Vireo
(Vireo gilvus)
2645 Early south 5/1 (median) Dakota PEJ, Kandiyohi JoS, Le Sueur RMD, Rice TFB, 5/2 Dakota CMB, Hennepin CMB, LS, Scott PEJ. Early north (median 5/8) 5/6 Mille Lacs ASci. High count 5/23 Dakota (8, Black Dog Nature Preserve S.N.A.) MDu.
Red-eyed Vireo
(Vireo olivaceus)
2941 Early south (median 5/6) 5/2 Wright RBJ, 5/8 Hennepin CRM, 5/9 Goodhue BNW, Lac qui Parle BJU. Early north (median 5/10) 5/7 Mille Lacs ASc, 5/8 Morrison FGo, 5/15 St. Louis NAJ. High count 5/25 Steele (20) PSu.
Shrikes
Loggerhead Shrike
(Lanius ludovicianus)
19 Reports down from previous two springs. Early south (median 3/20) 3/18 Fillmore DBM, 3/23 Steele ARW, 3/24 Dakota JLO. Only north reports came from Clay (C.R. 26) 5/2 RHO, 5/16 DPW (median 4/13). High count 5/29 Dakota (5) JLO.
Northern Shrike
(Lanius borealis)
1318 High counts 3/6 Aitkin (3) DWK, JLO, 3/10 Cass (3) ABi. Late south 3/27 Dodge HHD, Rice TFB, 3/28 McLeod PRH, Renville LS, Rice TFB (median 4/5). Late north 4/3 Lake JWL, 4/12 Koochiching DGr (median 4/19).
Jays, Nutcrackers, Magpies, Crows
Canada Jay
(Perisoreus canadensis)
9 Reported throughout the Northeast and North-central regions. High count 3/1 Cass (7) ABi.
Blue Jay
(Cyanocitta cristata)
3053 Reported statewide. High count 5/15 St. Louis (2,535 at W.S.H.C., Duluth) KJB.
Black-billed Magpie
(Pica hudsonia)
13 All reports from within normal range.
American Crow
(Corvus brachyrhynchos)
3353 Reported statewide.
Common Raven
(Corvus corax)
277 Unusual north location 4/23 Douglas (2) †JPE. Also reported from all counties bordering North Dakota from Clay northward. In the south, reported from Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Sherburne, Stearns, Washington, Wright. This species appears to be expanding its range; please include details with any extra-limital sightings.
Chickadees, Titmice
Black-capped Chickadee
(Poecile atricapillus)
3253 Reported statewide. High count 4/4 Dakota (36, Lebanon Hills R.P.) RTe.
Boreal Chickadee
(Poecile hudsonicus)
6 Reported from Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Lake, Lake of the Woods, St. Louis. High count 3/26 Lake (6, east of Greenwood Lake) JWL.
Tufted Titmouse
(Baeolophus bicolor)
4 Unusual report from Scott (3/9 and 4/9 GLa). Also found in Goodhue, Olmsted and Houston.
Larks
Horned Lark
(Eremophila alpestris)
2350 Present both north and south as the season commenced. Not reported from the northeastern quarter of the state. High counts 3/5 Clay (100, north of Moorhead) RHO, 3/6 Wadena (76) PJB.
Martins, Swallows
Bank Swallow
(Riparia riparia)
1839 Early south (median 4/17) 4/15 Rice TFB, 4/16 Dakota JPM, Olmsted JWH, 4/18 Rice (10) DAB. Early north 4/30 (median) Cass (Brockaway Lake) BAW, 5/1 Cass ABi. High counts 5/26 Crow Wing (50, Ironton W.T.P.) JSB, 5/2 Carver (40) JCy.
Tree Swallow
(Tachycineta bicolor)
3353 Early south (median 3/20) 3/11 Winona ANy, 3/18 Olmsted JWH, Winona ASM. Early north (median 4/3) 3/23 Hubbard MAW, 4/1 Mille Lacs ASc, 4/3 Douglas JPE. All high counts reported by JSB from the Ironton W.T.P.: 2,000 on 5/1; 1,000 on 5/2, 5/3 and 5/6.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
(Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
1742 Early south (median 4/12) 4/13 Dakota JPM, Rice TFB, 4/16 Dakota CMB, MDu, Olmsted JWH. Early north (median 4/21) 4/17 Douglas JPE, 4/30 Cass BAW.
Purple Martin
(Progne subis)
2041 Early south 4/5 (median) Freeborn AEB, 4/6 Le Sueur PWi, 4/8 Stearns RBJ, DAC. Early north (median 4/11) 4/15 Aitkin (Clear Lake) RBJ, DAC, 4/17 Mille Lacs ASc, Todd HHD. Record-high spring count 5/13 Crow Wing (500, Ironton W.T.P., 2000 swallows present) JSB; additional high counts 5/5 Crow Wing (250, Ironton W.T.P.) JSB, 5/25 Lake of the Woods (92, Wheeler's Point Resort) LBF.
Barn Swallow
(Hirundo rustica)
3152 Early south (median 4/11) 4/4 Hennepin (3, Wood Lake N.C.) JJo, 4/5 Ramsey BNW, 4/9 Nicollet RMD. Early north (median 4/19) 4/23 Douglas JPE, 4/29 Mille Lacs RBJ, DAC, Otter Tail DST.
Cliff Swallow
(Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
2646 Early south (median 4/18) 4/17 Chisago PEB, 4/18 Scott PEJ, Stearns (3, Albany W.T.P.) PCC. Early north (median 4/25) 4/24 Aitkin HHD, 4/29 Mille Lacs RBJ, DAC. High counts 5/9 Fillmore (75) NBO, 5/2 Dakota (50) CMB, 5/2 Rice (50) MDu.
Kinglets
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
(Corthylio calendula)
2442 Early south (median 3/27) 3/31 Hennepin (Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis) JJo, Rice TFB, Scott JEB, 4/1 Hennepin (2) CMB, Mower RBJ. Early north (median 4/6) 4/3 Douglas JPE, 4/5 Cass BAW, Mille Lacs ASc. High counts 4/17 Scott (38, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) DWK, 4/12 Crow Wing (20, Agate Lake) JSB, 4/17 Fillmore (20) NBO. Late south 5/17 Swift JWH, 5/19 Dakota TAT, Hennepin ChD (median 5/24).
Golden-crowned Kinglet
(Regulus satrapa)
929 Early south migrants (median 3/25) 3/19 Carver JCy, Dakota LEC, 3/20 Dakota ASc. Early north (median 3/25) 3/22 Aitkin (2) MDN, 3/23 Hubbard MAW. High count 3/31 Carver (7) JCy. Late south 4/18 Dakota CRM, 4/22 Lac qui Parle BJU (median 5/7). Additional south reports of possible summering birds 5/28 Sherburne ASc, 5/30 Washington (William O'Brien S.P.) MDN.
Waxwings
Bohemian Waxwing
(Bombycilla garrulus)
5 Reported from Carlton, Cass, Lake of the Woods, Pennington, St. Louis. High counts 3/29 St. Louis (150) KJB, 3/30 Carlton (60) MSS. Late north 4/1 St. Louis KJB.
Cedar Waxwing
(Bombycilla cedrorum)
2643 High counts 5/24 St. Louis (200) DWK, 4/25 Carver (47) JCy, 3/2 Stearns (45) MDN.
Nuthatches
Red-breasted Nuthatch
(Sitta canadensis)
2126 High counts 5/15 St. Louis (13) FKB, 3/23 Cass (7) ABi. Late south migrants Yellow Medicine (2, Blue Devil S.N.A.) BJU, 5/25 Ramsey (Reservoir Woods) KCr, Washington (Lake Elmo P.R.) KCr (median 5/23).
White-breasted Nuthatch
(Sitta carolinensis)
3253 Reported statewide.
Creepers
Brown Creeper
(Certhia americana)
2328 Early north reports were well ahead of the 3/28 median, indicating possible over-wintering: 3/5 Beltrami fide JMJ, 3/6 Aitkin (Rabey Tree Farm) DWK, JLO, 3/7 Beltrami HHD. High counts 4/11 Anoka (5) DWK, 4/18 St. Louis (5, Park Point) PHS. Late south 4/19 Hennepin MDu, Rice (2) SLP, 5/2 Goodhue LS, 5/16 Ramsey DBM (median 5/21).
Gnatcatchers
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
(Polioptila caerulea)
545 First south arrivals well ahead of 4/21 median beginning with record-early 4/4 Hennepin (Minnehaha Falls ravine) DDo followed by 4/15 Hennepin (5) CMB, Rice TFB, 4/17 Carver RDE, Dakota LMS, Freeborn AEB, Hennepin MDu, CMB, Steele AEB. Early north (median 5/6) 5/3 Cass (Sylvan Twp.) BAW, 5/8 Morrison FGo, Otter Tail fide JMJ. High counts 5/14 Scott (22, Louisville Swamp) BAF, 5/1 Carver (18, Carver P.R.) JCy.
Wrens
Carolina Wren
(Thryothorus ludovicianus)
2 All reports: 5/30 Hennepin (Hyland Lake P.R.) RBy, Carver (UM Landscape Arboretum) DAT.
Northern House Wren
(Troglodytes aedon)
3251 Early south (median 4/17) 4/15 Waseca AEB, 4/16 Rice TFB, 4/17 Dakota LMS, Fillmore NBO, Freeborn AEB. Early north 4/29 (median) Mille Lacs RBJ, DAC, 5/4 Kanabec CAM, Mille Lacs ASc. High counts 5/19 Hennepin (30) CDu, 5/17 Steele (25) PSu, 5/8 Ramsey (24) MDu.
Winter Wren
(Troglodytes hiemalis)
717 Early south (median 3/27) 3/16 Rice TFB, 3/29 Olmsted JWH, 3/31 Hennepin CAs, Martin DBM. Early north (median 4/6) 3/31 St. Louis (2, Sax-Zim Bog) AXH, 4/12 St. Louis FKB, 4/14 Cass BAW, ABi, 4/16 Wadena JEB. Late south 5/8 Mower ARW 5/22 Houston (2) AXH (median 5/13).
Sedge Wren
(Cistothorus stellaris)
2438 Early south (median 4/27) 5/1 Chisago PEB, HCT, 5/2 in six more counties. Early north (median 5/3) 4/29 Clay fide JMJ, 5/2 Cass BAW. High counts 5/23 Dakota (15, Black Dog Nature Preserve S.N.A.) MDu.
Marsh Wren
(Cistothorus palustris)
1940 Early south (median 4/25) 4/17 Dakota (2) RTe, 4/19 Hennepin MDu, 4/23 Lac qui Parle BJU. Early north (median 5/4) 5/6 Mille Lacs (Kunkel W.M.A.) ASc.
Thrashers, Mockingbirds
Gray Catbird
(Dumetella carolinensis)
2649 Early south (median 4/27) 4/16 Dakota SSt, 4/18 Dakota (Lebanon Hills R.P.) RTe, 4/23 Benton MRN, 4/24 Lac qui Parle BJU, Olmsted RCA. Early north (median 5/6) 5/8 Morrison FGo, 5/11 Clay RHO, Kanabec CAM. High counts 5/19 Hennepin (10, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) CDu, 5/22 Sherburne (10, Mahnomen Trail, Sherburne N.W.R.) JMu, 5/28 Dakota (10, Ritter Farm Park) JDe.
Brown Thrasher
(Toxostoma rufum)
2049 Early south (median 4/13) 4/4 Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/14 Dakota (2) CMB, Rice TFB, 4/15 Brown JSS. Early north (median 4/23) 4/20 Kanabec CAM, Otter Tail DST, 4/22 Cass HHD, DAY, St. Louis ALo. High count 5/12 Washington (15, Grey Cloud Dunes S.N.A.) MDu.
Northern Mockingbird
(Mimus polyglottos)
45 All south reports 4/10 Olmsted RLE, 4/20 Wright (Buffalo) RaP, 4/21 Washington (Afton) DZa, 5/2 Le Sueur (north of Elysian) CVK, 5/4 Dakota (singing at Empire electric station) JPM. All north 5/3, 5/4 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R. headquarters) fide JMJ, 5/8–10 Lake (downtown Two Harbors) JWL, 5/18 St. Louis (Sky Harbor Airport) LME, 5/24 Pine CPr, 5/25 St. Louis (Park Point) PHS.
Starlings
European Starling
(Sturnus vulgaris)
3453 Reported statewide. High count 3/13 Goodhue (210, Featherstone Township) RCA.
Thrushes
Eastern Bluebird
(Sialia sialis)
2752 Early south (median 3/1) 3/11 Winona ANy, 3/12 Rice DAB, 3/13 Fillmore DBM, Olmsted JWH. Early north (median 3/16) 3/18 Mille Lacs ASc, 3/19 Douglas JPE.
MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD
(Sialia currucoides)
No reports.
Townsend's Solitaire
(Myadestes townsendi)
11 Only two reports: 3/18 St. Louis (1800 block of London Rd, Duluth.) PHS, 3/22 Blue Earth (Minneopa S.P.) fide ChH.
Veery
(Catharus fuscescens)
2521 Early south (median 5/1) 5/7 Hennepin TAT, Olmsted JWH, Rice TFB. Early north (median 5/8) 5/8 Morrison FGo. High count 5/22 Scott (13, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R., north trails) BAF.
Gray-cheeked Thrush
(Catharus minimus)
618 Early south (median 5/3) 5/2 Anoka JMu, 5/7 Olmsted JWH, Rice TFB, 5/8 Dakota ADS, Rice (2) DAB. Early north (median 5/8) 5/7 Mille Lacs ASc, 5/11 Clay (S. Moorhead) RHO. High count 5/10 Hennepin (4) CMB. Late south 5/20 Steele PSu, 5/22 Hennepin MDu, 5/23 Brown BJU, Hennepin CMB, MDu (median 5/27). Late north 5/20 Cass DAY, 5/23, 5/24 Beltrami PBD (median 5/28).
Swainson's Thrush
(Catharus ustulatus)
1732 Early south (median 4/26) 5/1 Brown JSS, Rice TFB, 5/2 Dakota ADS, Hennepin (2) TAT, 5/3 Freeborn CRM. Early north 5/2 (median) Clay RHO, 5/5 Wilkin FVS, 5/6 Cass BAW. High count 5/10 Hennepin (9) CMB. Late south 5/26 Pipestone HHD, Steele PSu, 5/27 Hennepin JJo, 5/30 Rock DBM (median 6/1).
Hermit Thrush
(Catharus guttatus)
2430 Early south (median 3/28) 3/27 Rice HHD, Steele HHD, 3/28 Hennepin (Bass Ponds) MDu. Early north (median 4/10) 3/31 Cass ABi, 4/8 Mille Lacs RBJ, DAC, 4/9 Beltrami DPJ. High count 4/12 Cass (8) ABi. Late south 5/19 Fillmore RTP, 5/23 Sherburne SMC (median 5/16).
Wood Thrush
(Hylocichla mustelina)
1529 Early south (median 5/1) 5/3 Le Sueur DAB, 5/4 Rice TFB, 5/6 Nicollet RMD. Early north (median 5/8) 4/29 Crow Wing ABi, 5/2 Cass ABi, 5/10 Clay RHO. High count 5/22 Scott (6, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R., north trails) BAF. New county record: 5/24 Pipestone (Pipestone N.M.) KLi.
American Robin
(Turdus migratorius)
3453 Reported from every county. High counts 4/2 Washington (250, Carpenter N.C.) JaH, 3/23 Scott (90, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) DWK.
Varied Thrush
(Ixoreus naevius)
13 In the south an over-wintering bird near Zimmerman, Sherburne continued through 3/12 ASc. A second over-wintering bird in Nicollet appeared sporadically through 3/28 fide ChH. Additional reports: 3/11 Lake of the Woods (Roosevelt) GMM, 3/31 Hennepin (male, Brooklyn Park) SSg, ph. CSc.
Old World Sparrows
House Sparrow
(Passer domesticus)
3150 Reported statewide.
Pipits
American Pipit
(Anthus rubescens)
722 Early south arrivals well ahead of 4/10 median: 3/27 Lac qui Parle BJU, Nobles (3) DAB, JWH, 4/3 Blue Earth ChH. Early north (median 4/28) 4/29 Crow Wing (Ironton W.T.P.) JSB, 5/1 Cass (3, Walker W.T.P.) BAW. High counts 5/8 Dakota (110, Lake Byllesby) BAF, 5/12 Dakota (80, Lake Byllesby) CMB. Late south 5/17 Lac qui Parle BJU, 5/22 Benton JWH (median 5/16). Late north (median 5/22) 5/18 Kittson JEB, 5/19 Lake JWL, 5/24 St. Louis (Park Point) DWK.
Finches
Evening Grosbeak
(Coccothraustes vespertinus)
9 Only reported from the north region, where found throughout the season. Evidence of breeding activity in Lake and St. Louis.
Pine Grosbeak
(Pinicola enucleator)
5 All reports 3/1 Cass ABi, 3/5–6 Itasca, Koochiching HHD, Lake of the Woods RAE, HHD, 3/6 Lake of the Woods HHD, 3/22 Itasca RSh, 3/23 Cass ABi, 4/7 St. Louis ALo.
House Finch
(Haemorhous mexicanus)
2651 Reported statewide.
Purple Finch
(Haemorhous purpureus)
2719 Late south 5/2 Isanti JZe, 5/4 Olmsted FPa, 5/13 Anoka DaS, Hennepin MKi, Steele PSu (median 5/17).
Redpoll (Common)
(Acanthis f. flammea)
92 All south 3/3 Freeborn AEB, 3/24 Lac qui Parle BJU. Late north 3/16 Polk SAu, 3/18 Roseau JTi, 3/31 Itasca RSh (median 5/4).
Redpoll (Hoary)
(Acanthis f. exilipes)
No reports.
Red Crossbill
(Loxia curvirostra)
3 Reported from Hubbard and Lake in March, and then a family group of three 5/31 Cass KRE, m.ob.
White-winged Crossbill
(Loxia leucoptera)
63 All south 3/3 Stearns (13) MJB, 3/13 Sherburne MJB, 3/20 Lincoln HHD. All north 3/5–6 Lake of the Woods RAE, HHD, St. Louis DBF, 3/7 Lake JWL, 3/12 Kittson LW, 3/13 Cass BAW, Polk CMe, 3/15 Lake DWi, 3/17 Cass ABi, St. Louis KRE, 3/27 – 4/15 Polk (nested) SAu, DOL.
Pine Siskin
(Spinus pinus)
2416 Late south 5/9 Lincoln DBM, 5/18 Steele BNo, 5/19 Olmsted LAV. Reported throughout the season north. Evidence of breeding activity in Lake, St. Louis, Itasca and Crow Wing counties.
American Goldfinch
(Spinus tristis)
3152 Reported statewide.
Longspurs and Snow Buntings
Lapland Longspur
(Calcarius lapponicus)
1332 An accurate understanding of when spring migrants arrive is complicated by the many winter reports of this species. Presumed early north 3/9 Polk CMK, 3/17 Mille Lacs ASc, 3/21 Grant, Traverse HHD. Late south 5/1 Goodhue HHD, 5/2 Dakota BAF, 5/16 Ramsey DBM (median 5/4). Late north 4/20 Marshall MA, 4/23 Douglas JPE, 5/18 Roseau JEB, 5/19 St. Louis AM (median 5/19). Season high counts 4/13 Dakota (1,500) JPM, 4/9 Polk (1,000) DOL.
CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR
(Calcarius ornatus)
1 Reported from traditional locations at Felton Prairie, Clay County beginning 5/2 RHO, m.ob. Also see undocumented reports.
Smith's Longspur
(Calcarius pictus)
2 All reports: four at Nicollet W.M.A. in Nicollet 4/9–11 ph. †RMD, ph. ChG, ph. †JPM, †PEB, m.ob.; 4/24 Lac qui Parle (Plover Prairie East Unit) ph. BJU.
Snow Bunting
(Plectrophenax nivalis)
1317 Late south 3/14 Jackson DFN, HHD, Renville LS, Rock HHD, Waseca RBW, 3/17 Dakota JLO, Lac qui Parle BJU, 3/19 Mower RBJ, 3/20 Dakota PEB (median 3/28). Late north 3/16 Marshall GT, 3/19 St. Louis ANy, 3/21 Cook DMB, 3/30 Cass ABi (median 5/8).
Towhees, Sparrows
Grasshopper Sparrow
(Ammodramus savannarum)
831 Early south (median 4/26) 4/19 Dakota JWH, JPM, 4/20 Dakota CMB, 4/21 Sherburne ASc, 4/23 Dakota JLO, 4/24 Chisago PEB. Early north (median 5/8) 5/6 Mille Lacs ASc, 5/8 Morrison FGo, 5/12 Polk CMe. High count 5/12 Washington (17 at Grey Cloud Dunes) MDu.
Lark Sparrow
(Chondestes grammacus)
927 Early south (median 4/22) 4/18 Murray DBM, 4/21 Sherburne ASc, 4/22 Anoka DWK, Lac qui Parle BJU, Rice DAB. Early north (median 5/4) 4/23 Lake (Iona's Beach S.N.A) ph. JWL, 4/29 Polk DLT, 5/9 Cass BAW, 5/10 Clay RHO, 5/14 Pennington JMJ. Season high counts 5/17 Yellow Medicine (8, Upper Sioux Agency S.P.) WCM, 5/23 Yellow Medicine (7, Upper Sioux Agency S. P.) BJU, 5/2 Washington (6, Grey Cloud Dunes S.N.A.) RTe, 5/12 Dakota (6) JPM.
LARK BUNTING
(Calamospiza melanocorys)
1 Adult male 5/28–29 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) ph. †BRB. This was the third county record and the first to be photographed for the refuge.
Chipping Sparrow
(Spizella passerina)
3252 Early south (median 3/26) 3/21 Ramsey FKB, 3/27 Carver JCy, Lac qui Parle BJU, Wright JMo, 3/31 Blue Earth ChH, Rice TFB. Early north (median 4/11) 4/2 Mille Lacs ASc, 4/4 St. Louis TAb, 4/10 Cass DAY. Season high count 5/8 Clay (65) RHO.
Clay-colored Sparrow
(Spizella pallida)
3044 Early south (median 4/21) 4/22 Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/23 Big Stone BJU, 4/24 Lac qui Parle DDo, 4/25 Yellow Medicine BJU, 4/27 Dakota CMB. Early north (median 4/27) 4/25 Wadena PJB, 4/27 Otter Tail DST, 4/29 Clay DPW, 4/30 Mille Lacs ASc.
Field Sparrow
(Spizella pusilla)
844 Early south (median 4/1) 3/27 Rice TFB, 3/31 Olmsted JWH, 4/2 Goodhue LS, Winona ANy, 4/3 Houston KRo, LS. Early north (median 4/21) 4/5 Mille Lacs ASc, 4/15 Clay DPW, 4/17 Douglas JPE, 4/19 Otter Tail CSu. Season high counts 5/12 Washington (24) MDu, 5/9 Scott (14) BAF, 4/23 Carver (12) JCy.
Fox Sparrow
(Passerella iliaca)
2037 Presumed early spring migrants (median 3/13) 3/2 Stearns MDN, 3/5 Hennepin JnS, 3/21 Fillmore NBO, Hennepin DWK, 3/24 Carver WCM. Early north (median 3/29) 3/23 Hubbard MAW, Mille Lacs ASc, 3/25 Cass BAW, 3/28 Kanabec BHa. Late south 4/18 Carver JCy, 4/24 Lac qui Parle BJU, 5/1 McLeod AnR (median 4/29). Late north 4/23 Douglas JPE, 5/8 Morrison FGo, 5/17 Itasca RSh (median 5/9). Bulk of reports from the last week in March through third week of April.
American Tree Sparrow
(Spizelloides arborea)
2147 Late south 4/20 Goodhue RPl, 5/9 Mower RTP (median 5/2). Late north 4/20 Cook DMB, 4/22 St. Louis SES, 5/8 Morrison FGo (median 5/7). The vast majority of reports are prior to mid-April.
Dark-eyed Junco
(Junco hyemalis)
3150 Reported statewide. Most reports south through end of April. Late south 5/1 CarverJCy, McLeod ANr, 5/5 Hennepin MWe, then one very late straggler 5/31 Dakota JPM (median 5/19).
White-crowned Sparrow
(Zonotrichia leucophrys)
1731 Early south (median 4/21) 4/11 Olmsted DBM, 4/24 Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/25 Mower LS, 4/27 Washington LMS. Early north (median 4/23) 4/16 St. Louis LiM, 4/28 Cass DAY, 5/1 Otter Tail ARo, Roseau JTi. Late south 5/22 Fillmore AEK, Steele PSu, 5/23 Yellow Medicine BJU, 5/24 Lac qui Parle BJU (median 5/21). Late north 5/24 Beltrami LBF, 5/25 Clay PHS, 5/27 Morrison FGo (median 5/25). Bulk of reports south are from the last week of April to the third week of May, north mostly the month of May.
Harris's Sparrow
(Zonotrichia querula)
1327 Early south (median 4/3) 4/1 Yellow Medicine LS, 4/4 Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/12 Blue Earth ChH, 4/17 Freeborn and Steele AEB. Early north 4/28 (median) Otter Tail ARo, 4/29 Polk DLT, 4/30 Polk SAu, CMe, MAh, Roseau JTi. Late south 5/16 Chippewa JWH, Lac qui Parle FAE, 5/17 Swift JWH (median 5/22). Late north 5/16 Koochiching DGr, Marshall JMJ, 5/17 Lake of the Woods MHK, Roseau JTi (median 5/21). Bulk of reports of this species are from the last week of April through mid-May.
White-throated Sparrow
(Zonotrichia albicollis)
2840 Over-wintered south (see winter report). Presumed early migrants south (median 3/20) 3/5 Hennepin JnS, 3/6 Ramsey BNW, 3/14 Sibley DWK. Early north (median 4/11) 3/21 Kanabec BHa, 3/24 Crow Wing KWo, 4/2 Lake JWL, 4/6 Polk SAu. Season high count 4/30 Hennepin (140 at Bass Ponds) MDu. Late south 5/22 Chisago PBE, DWK, 5/23 Renville BJU, Nicollet ChH, RMD, Winona GLa. See summer report for late migrants into June. Bulk of south reports of this species are from the first week of April through mid-May.
Vesper Sparrow
(Pooecetes gramineus)
1950 Early south (median 3/29) 3/24 Lac qui Parle BJU, 3/27 Dodge HHD, 3/30 Sherburne ASc, 3/31 Dakota TAT, JPM, Rice TFB. Early north (median 4/12) 4/4 Otter Tail DST, 4/5 Mille Lacs ASc, 4/8 Traverse BJU. Season high count 5/31 Yellow Medicine (25) PME.
LeConte's Sparrow
(Ammospiza leconteii)
1710 Early south (median 4/23) 4/10 Nicollet JPM, JLO, m.ob., 4/11 Dakota JLO, JPM, 4/15 Hennepin CMB, Rice TFB. Early north (median 5/2) 4/28 Cass ABi, 5/12 Polk MAh, 5/13 Polk RPR, 5/14 Marshall GT. Late south 5/22 Rock CRM, 5/23 Pipestone, 5/24 Lac qui Parle BJU, but see summer summary for reports south that continue into June. Season high count 5/12 Polk (29, Glacial Ridge N.W.R.) MAh.
Nelson's Sparrow
(Ammospiza nelsoni)
22 All south 5/7 Lac qui Parle BJU, 5/15 Watonwan ChH. All north 5/14 Marshall GT, 5/26+ Cass (8, Boy River Marsh) BAW, m.ob.
Henslow's Sparrow
(Centronyx henslowii)
10 Record early south (median 5/11) 4/10 Nicollet (Nicollet W.M.A.) †JPM, m.ob., 4/20 Scott (Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) SLP, 5/1 Steele PEJ, DFN, 5/3 Hennepin (Elm Creek P.R.) RLR, 5/8 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU, 5/9 Brown BTS, Carver (Carver P.R.) JCy.
Savannah Sparrow
(Passerculus sandwichensis)
2844 Early south (median 4/1) 4/2 Big Stone BJU, Wright JMo, 4/3 Sherburne JMo, 4/4 Lac qui Parle BJU. Early north (median 4/17) 4/2 Cass TBe, 4/8 Traverse BJU, 4/14 Cass ABi, 4/17 Douglas HHD, 4/18 Wadena PJB. Season high counts 5/12–13 Polk (60) MAh, CMe.
Song Sparrow
(Melospiza melodia)
3352 Reported throughout the state. See winter report for over-wintering individuals. South reports of this species being in earnest the third week of March. Early north (median 3/26) 3/17 St. Louis KRE, 3/21 Wadena PJB, 3/23 Mille Lacs ASc, 3/26 Douglas JPE. High counts 4/18 St. Louis (54 at Duluth) PHS, 4/17 Hennepin (50) JJo.
Lincoln's Sparrow
(Melospiza lincolnii)
1320 Early south (median 4/12) 4/2 Dakota JLO, 4/7 Hennepin DDo, 4/11 Nicollet LMS, 4/15 Brown JSS. Early north (median 4/24) 4/10 St. Louis FKB, 4/28 Otter Tail ARo, 4/29 Polk DLT. Late south in nine counties on 5/15, then 5/16 Lac qui Parle BJU, 5/22 Blue Earth ChH, 5/23 Yellow Medicine BJU (median 5/25).
Swamp Sparrow
(Melospiza georgiana)
2738 Early south (median 3/24) 3/27 Hennepin KRo, ALD, Wright DWK, HCT, 3/28 Hennepin RDa, 3/31 Hennepin DDo, Olmsted JWH, Sherburne ASc. Early north (median 4/15) 4/5 Mille Lacs ASc, 4/15 Marshall GKn, St. Louis SES, 4/16 St. Louis FKB. Season high count 4/17 Hennepin (30) MDu.
Spotted Towhee
(Pipilo maculatus)
1 Only report 5/23 Rock (Blue Mounds S.P.) CLW. Another mid-May record from Lac qui Parle County was photographed, but key plumage features to preclude the possibility of a hybrid were not visible and no description was included.
Eastern Towhee
(Pipilo erythrophthalmus)
1325 Early south (median 4/16) 4/1 Scott SLP, 4/12–13 Olmsted LAV, 4/15 Winona RWT, 4/16 Dakota JLO. Early north (median 5/4) 4/16 Hubbard JEB, 4/30 Cass BAW, 5/1 Crow Wing JSB.
Yellow-breasted Chat
Yellow-breasted Chat
(Icteria virens)
No reports.
Blackbirds, Orioles
Yellow-headed Blackbird
(Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)
1643 Early south (median 3/29) 3/24 Lac qui Parle BJU, 3/27 Brown WCM, 3/28 Brown BTS, 4/2 Goodhue LS. Early north (median 4/10) 4/17 Grant, Traverse DFN, 4/19 Koochiching DGr, 4/21 Marshall MA, 4/23 Otter Tail DST.
Bobolink
(Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
2545 Early south (median 5/1) 5/8 Carver HHD, Mower ARW, Wright DPG, 5/9 Brown BTS, Carver JCy, Lac qui Parle BJU, Rice TFB, Scott SLP, Wabasha JWH. Early north (median 5/5) 5/12 Cass ABi, Polk MAh, 5/13 Norman MAh, CMe. Season high count 5/19 Wilkin (35) AMe.
Eastern Meadowlark
(Sturnella magna)
1332 Early south 3/14 Olmsted DMA, 3/17 Dakota RLW, 3/18 Fillmore DBM, Rice TFB. Early north (median 3/25) 3/10 Mille Lacs ASc, 3/26 Douglas JPE, 3/27 Cass BAW, ABi.
Western Meadowlark
(Sturnella neglecta)
1934 Early south 3/18 Fillmore DBM, 3/19 Dakota CMB, Mower RBJ, 3/20 Dakota KRo, ADS, 3/21 Steele RBW. Early north (median 3/16) 3/23 Red Lake SAS, 3/26 Marshall MA, 3/27 Norman JMJ.
Orchard Oriole
(Icterus spurius)
431 Early south (median 5/7) 5/2 Dakota CMB, 5/4 Washington KCr, BNW, Winona ANy, 5/11 Washington CRM. All north 5/17 Douglas JEB, 5/23 Becker DBH, 5/25 Clay PHS, 5/26 Traverse CRM, 5/31 Clay DPW.
Baltimore Oriole
(Icterus galbula)
2751 Early south 4/29 (median) Le Sueur RMD, 4/30 Carver RBJ, Ramsey REH, Winona ASM, and six more counties over the next two days. Early north (median 5/4) 4/27 St. Louis JBy, 5/4 Otter Tail DST, 5/6 Crow Wing JSB, St. Louis PHS.
Red-winged Blackbird
(Agelaius phoeniceus)
3453 Please see winter report for over-wintering reports. Presumed early migrants north (median 3/10) 3/8 Otter Tail BDe, 3/15 Mille Lacs ASc, 3/17 Otter Tail DST, 3/18 St. Louis LiM.
Brown-headed Cowbird
(Molothrus ater)
3353 See winter report for some potential early migrants. Presumed first spring migrants south (median 3/13) 3/2 Hennepin CMB, 3/14 Olmsted DMA, 3/19 Freeborn DMA. Record early north (median 4/6) 3/23 Otter Tail DST, 4/1 Mille Lacs ASc, 4/5 Cass BAW, 4/6 Cass ABi, St. Louis ALo.
Rusty Blackbird
(Euphagus carolinus)
1244 Early south 3/6 (median) Hennepin MDu, 3/11 Sherburne ASc, 3/13 Fillmore DBM, Martin DPG, Mower DBM. Early north (median 3/20) 4/3 Douglas JPE, Hubbard MAW, 4/4 Clay RHO, 4/9 Polk JMJ. Season high count 4/5 Dakota (250) JPM. Late south 4/24 Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/29 Dakota Rte (median 5/1). Also see Undocumented Reports.
Brewer's Blackbird
(Euphagus cyanocephalus)
2538 Early south (median 3/15) 3/13 Fillmore, Mower DBM, 3/18 Stearns JnS, 3/20 Lyon HHD, Rice DFN, Rock HHD. Early north (median 4/2) 3/21 Traverse HHD, 3/22 Otter Tail TSS, 3/26 Roseau JTi, 4/3 Douglas JPE. Note: Please document all reports of this species prior to mid-March.
Common Grackle
(Quiscalus quiscula)
3453 See winter report for over-wintering reports. Presumed early migrants north (median 3/9) 3/17 Cass ABi, Mille Lacs ASc, 3/18 Otter Tail DST, 3/21 four more counties. Season high count 4/2 Steele (500) NFT).
Great-tailed Grackle
(Quiscalus mexicanus)
2 All reports: 3/27+ Jackson (S.R. 86 and C.R. 4) DAB, JWH, 3/31 Jackson (Pletz-Klima W.M.A.) DBM, 5/15 Lac qui Parle (Cory Lake) ph. †BJU.
Warblers
Ovenbird
(Seiurus aurocapilla)
2637 Early south (median 4/30) 4/24 Dakota CNo, 4/29 Hennepin CMB, 4/30 Rice TFB, Washington SLP. Early north (median 5/4) 5/3 Cass BAW, ABi, 5/4 Hubbard MAW. High counts 5/12 Hennepin (12) CMB, 5/15 Aitkin (12) BHa, 5/13 Hennepin (10) CMB.
Louisiana Waterthrush
(Parkesia motacilla)
110 Early south arrivals were well ahead of the 4/23 median: 4/9 Houston (2, Beaver Creek Valley S.P.) NBO, 4/18 Houston DBz, Rice (3) DAB. One West-central report 5/9 Lac qui Parle (Lac qui Parle C.P.) ph. BJU. Only north reports (median 5/13) 4/29 Pine (Banning S.P.) SC, 5/1 Pine (Chengwatana S.F., on Pine/Chisago county border) PEB. High counts 4/18 Rice (3) DAB, 5/1 Rice (3, Cannon River, Faribault to Northfield) SLP.
Northern Waterthrush
(Parkesia noveboracensis)
1831 Early south (median 4/25) 4/20 Winona ASM, 4/29 Hennepin (2) CMB, Rice TFB. Early north (median 5/4) 4/29 Crow Wing (Northland Arboretum) ABi. High counts 5/9 Hennepin (16) CMB, 5/10 Ramsey (15, Crosby Farm Park) MDu. Late south 5/23 Hennepin CMB, Renville BJU, Rock (Blue Mounds S.P.) CLW, DCh, Yellow Medicine BJU, 5/24 Lac qui Parle BJU (median 5/29).
Golden-winged Warbler
(Vermivora chrysoptera)
1422 Early south (median 5/5) 5/1 Ramsey HHD, 5/3 Hennepin KRo, 5/4 Rice TFB. Early north (median 5/8) 5/12 Cass ABi, 5/13 Cass BAW, 5/14 Hubbard MAW. High count 5/12 Hennepin (8) CMB. Late south away from breeding areas 5/23 Yellow Medicine BJU, 5/26 Rice TFB.
Blue-winged Warbler
(Vermivora cyanoptera)
321 Early south (median 5/2) 4/30 Scott JEB, 5/2 Carver (2) JCy, Goodhue LS, Rice (2) MDu, Washington DFN. All north 5/15 Pine PEB, 5/24 Mille Lacs ASc, 5/29 Cass LEC (median early 5/23). High counts 5/9 Scott (9, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R., south trails) BAF.
Black-and-white Warbler
(Mniotilta varia)
2638 Early south (median 4/26) 4/14 Scott GLa, 4/24 Rice TFB. Early north (median 5/3) 4/20 Cass ABi ties the record-early north arrival date, 4/30 Cass BAW. High counts 5/8 Clay (8) RHO, 5/15 Aitkin (8) BHa, 5/25 St. Louis (8, Park Point) PHS.
Prothonotary Warbler
(Protonotaria citrea)
12 Early south (median 5/4) 5/2 Houston (Millstone Landing) DBM, 5/6 Ramsey SLo, KRo. New county record 5/18 Redwood (Lower Sioux Agency Historic Site) WCM. No north reports, and no counts of more than two birds.
Tennessee Warbler
(Leiothlypis peregrina)
1743 Early south (median 4/28) 4/29 Winona ANy, 4/30 Dakota SWe, Hennepin MDu, Ramsey REH, Rice TFB. Early north 5/7 (median) Mille Lacs ASc, 5/11 Cass BAW. High counts 5/15 Carver (25, Rapids Lake) JCy, 5/24 St. Louis (25, Park Point) DWK. Late south 5/26 Meeker RBW, Murray HHD, Steele PSu, 5/28 Rice TFB (median 6/3), see summer report for additional late migrants.
Orange-crowned Warbler
(Leiothlypis celata)
1125 Early south (median 4/20) 4/24 Blue Earth ChH, Brown RMD, Freeborn AEB, Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/29 Blue Earth ChH. Early north (median 4/25) 4/27 Roseau JTi, 4/28 Mille Lacs ASc, 4/29 Crow Wing ABi, Mille Lacs RBJ, DAC. Late south 5/17 Steele PSu, 5/18 Rice DAB, 5/21 Dakota JLO (median 5/22). Late north 5/23 Morrison FGo, Pennington JMJ, 5/25 St. Louis (2) PHS (median 5/27).
Nashville Warbler
(Leiothlypis ruficapilla)
2538 Early south (median 4/26) 4/29 Dakota RPR, Rice DAB, TFB, 4/30 Hennepin CMB, Mower ARW, Winona ASM. Early north (median 5/3) 4/29 Mille Lacs RBJ, DAC, 5/2 St. Louis JBy, 5/3 Cass BAW, St. Louis FKB. High count 5/14 Hennepin (12) CMB. Late south 5/24 Lac qui Parle BJU, Pipestone (Pipestone N.M.) KLi (median 5/29).
Connecticut Warbler
(Oporornis agilis)
86 Early south (median 5/11) 5/17–23 Hennepin CMB, 5/20–21 Rice TFB, 5/23 Renville (Skalbekken C.P.) BJU, Rock (Blue Mounds S.P.) CLW, DCh, Yellow Medicine (Upper Sioux Agency S. P.) BJU. Early north (median 5/17) 5/10 Hubbard MAW, 5/16 Clearwater KLa, 5/17 Mille Lacs ASc, 5/18 Cass ABi. Late south 5/25 Hennepin CMB, 5/29–31 Rice TFB.
Mourning Warbler
(Geothlypis philadelphia)
1518 Early south (median 5/9) 5/14 Olmsted JWH, 5/15 Scott BAF, 5/16 Rice TFB, Washington DFN. Early north (median 5/14) 5/14 Cass ABi, 5/17 Cass BAW, ABi, 5/18 Kittson and Marshall JEB. Late south 5/27 Scott SLP, 5/31 Washington MJB (median 6/5). The overwhelming majority of reports south for this species fell between 5/20 and 5/24. North reports begin in earnest starting 5/21. For five southern counties, reports continue into June indicating potential breeding activity. High count 5/20 Brown (6) WCM.
KENTUCKY WARBLER
(Geothlypis formosa)
1 Only report 5/22 Rice (River Bend N.C.) DAB.
Common Yellowthroat
(Geothlypis trichas)
3146 Early south (median 5/2) 4/27 Hennepin RDa, 5/1 Carver JCy, 5/2 Olmsted JWH, Rice MDu. Early north (median 5/7) 5/6–7 Mille Lacs ASc, 5/12 St. Louis PHS, 5/13 Clay RHO. Notable high counts 5/19 Hennepin (40) CDu, 5/30 Washington (35) MDN, 5/28 Hennepin (27) MDu.
Hooded Warbler
(Setophaga citrina)
8 All reports: 4/30 – 5/18 Rice TFB, 5/10 Hennepin (Wood Lake N.C. and Veterans Memorial Park) CMB, 5/13 Fillmore (Forestville S.P.) RTP, 5/15+ Dakota and Scott (Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) BAF, m.ob., Rice (Cannon River W.P.) DAB, 5/16 Hennepin (Elm Creek P.R.) RLR, Hennepin (Lake Rebecca P.R.) RLL, 5/22 Scott (3, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R., all singing males) DFN, 5/25–26 Ramsey (Reservoir Woods) BRL, EEO, JFR. Reports continue into the summer from the usual locations within Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.
American Redstart
(Setophaga ruticilla)
2845 Early south (median 5/3) 5/6 Goodhue LEC, Houston (Beaver Creek Valley S.P.) NBO, Rice TFB. Early north (median 5/8) 5/7 Mille Lacs ASc, 5/8 Morrison FGo. High counts 5/24 St. Louis (200, Park Point, from Southworth marsh to near the end of the point) DWK, 5/25 St. Louis (78, Park Point) PHS.
Cape May Warbler
(Setophaga tigrina)
913 Early south (median 5/7) 5/10 Hennepin (3, West River Parkway, Minneapolis) MDu, 5/11 Mower ph. JEM, Rice TFB. Early north (median 5/9) 5/11 St. Louis NAJ, 5/12 Cass ABi. High count 5/24 St. Louis (25, Park Point) DWK. Late south 5/23 Carver JCy, Renville (Skalbekken C.P.) BJU, 5/24 Lac qui Parle BJU (median 5/22).
Cerulean Warbler
(Setophaga cerulea)
111 Early south (median 5/7) 5/6 Houston (Beaver Creek Valley S.P.) NBO, 5/8 Rice TFB, 5/9 Hennepin CMB. Only north report 5/23 Morrison FGo. High count 5/30 Hennepin (3, Elm Creek P.R.) RLR.
Northern Parula
(Setophaga americana)
1119 Early south (median 5/1) 5/3 Washington PNi, 5/4 Ramsey REH, 5/6 Rice TFB. Early north (median 5/6) 5/10 Cass ABi, 5/14 Itasca EEO. Unexpected locations 5/15 Nobles DBM, 5/16 Lac qui Parle (Lac qui Parle C.P.) ph. BJU. Late south 5/22 Anoka HHD, Chisago PEB, Rock KRo, CRM, 5/23 Renville BJU, Yellow Medicine (Upper Sioux Agency S.P.) BJU (median 5/26).
Magnolia Warbler
(Setophaga magnolia)
1323 Early south (median 5/5) 5/7 Rice TFB, 5/9 Goodhue BNW, 5/10 Carver CRM. Early north (median 5/9) 5/12 Cass ABi, 5/15 St. Louis FKB, NAJ, ALo, Wadena PJB. High counts 5/24 St. Louis (95, Park Point, Southworth marsh to end of point) DWK, 5/25 St. Louis (42, Park Point) PHS. Late south 5/24 Hennepin CMB, Lac qui Parle BJU, 5/26, 5/29 Steele PSu (median 5/31).
Bay-breasted Warbler
(Setophaga castanea)
38 Few reports. Early south (median 5/8) 5/13 Hennepin CMB, 5/15 Steele PSu. Early north (median 5/13) 5/18 Roseau JEB, 5/21 Pennington JMJ. High counts 5/24 St. Louis (30, fall-out at Park Point) DWK. Late south 5/20 Dakota JPM, McLeod PRH, 5/22 Blue Earth PRH, ChH, 5/24 Lac qui Parle BJU (median 5/25).
Blackburnian Warbler
(Setophaga fusca)
1824 Early south (median 5/4) 5/2 Carver (Rapids Lake) JCy, 5/8 Stearns (Collegeville) RPR. Early north (median 5/7) 5/12 Cass ABi, 5/13 Clay RHO. High count 5/24 St. Louis (7, Park Point) DWK. Late south 5/23 Brown, Renville (2) and Yellow Medicine BJU, Nicollet ChH, RMD, 5/24 Lac qui Parle BJU (median 5/31).
Yellow Warbler
(Setophaga petechia)
3248 Early south (median 4/27) 4/30 Carver (4) JCy, Scott JEB, Winona ASM, 5/1 Carver (2) JCy, Dakota PEJ, RTe. Early north (median 5/4) 5/4 Hubbard MAW, 5/6 Mille Lacs RBJ, DAC. High counts 5/23 Dakota (41, Black Dog Nature Preserve S.N.A.) MDu, 5/19 Hennepin (30, Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) CDu, 5/14 Freeborn (23, Myre-Big Island S.P.) RTP.
Chestnut-sided Warbler
(Setophaga pensylvanica)
2526 Early south (median 5/6) 4/30 Winona ASM, 5/8 Lac qui Parle BJU, Stearns (Collegeville) RPR. Early north (median 5/8) 5/7 Mille Lacs ASc, 5/12 Cass ABi, Otter Tail fide JMJ. High counts 5/24 St. Louis (90, Park Point, from Southworth marsh to near the end of the point) DWK, 5/25 St. Louis (15, Park Point) PHS.
Blackpoll Warbler
(Setophaga striata)
1627 Early south (median 5/4) 5/8 Goodhue RTe, Ramsey MDu, Stearns (2) MJB, 5/9 Rice (2) DAB. Early north (median 5/9) 5/10 Cass ABi, Polk SAu, 5/13 Clay RHO. High counts 5/24 St. Louis (45, Park Point) DWK. Late south 5/24 Big Stone and Lac qui Parle BJU, Hennepin CMB, 5/25 Martin HHD, Steele (2) PSu, but see summer report (median 5/30). Late north 5/27 Morrison FGo, 5/28 Lake DFN (median 5/30).
Black-throated Blue Warbler
(Setophaga caerulescens)
31 Only south report 5/24 Lac qui Parle (adult male, Big Stone N.W.R.) BJU (median late 5/21). All north reports (median arrival 5/18) 5/15 St. Louis FKB, 5/21 Cook (2, Oberg Mountain) MJB, Lake (5, Tettegouche S.P.) MJB, 5/24 St. Louis (Park Point) KRE, 5/30 Cook (2, Oberg Mountain) DFN.
Palm Warbler
(Setophaga palmarum)
1434 Early south arrivals prior to 4/22 median: 4/12 Wabasha CRM, 4/18 Houston DBz, 4/21 Winona ANy. Early north (median 4/25) 4/23 St. Louis ALo, 4/28 St. Louis PHS, 4/29 Mille Lacs RBJ, DAC, St. Louis NAJ. High count 5/2 Washington (30, William O'Brien S.P.) DCa. Late south 5/16 Chippewa JWH, Goodhue (2) BNW, Lyon RBW, Pipestone SIv, HHD, Ramsey DBM, Scott GLa, 5/17 Steele PSu, 5/20 Rice TFB (median 5/23).
Pine Warbler
(Setophaga pinus)
1412 Early south arrivals well ahead of 4/23 median: 4/14 Dakota JLO, 4/15 Hennepin HCT, 4/16 Carver (2 locations) JCy. Early north (median 4/25) 4/13 Crow Wing (Agate Lake) JSB, 4/15 Aitkin (Clear Lake) RBJ, DAC, 4/16 Hubbard and Wadena JEB. High count 4/19 Stearns (3, Collegeville) MJB.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
(Setophaga coronata)
2645 Early south (median 4/2) 3/27 Lac qui Parle BJU, 4/4 Ramsey (Maplewood N.C.) KCr. Early north (median 4/7) 4/6 Cass (4) BAW, 4/11 Beltrami DPJ, Cass TBe. High counts 4/17 Hennepin (110, Old Cedar Ave. bridge) MDu, 5/8 Clay (89) RHO. Late south 5/23 Renville BJU, Winona GLa, 5/24 Lac qui Parle BJU, 5/28 Dakota (Ritter Farm Park) AMa, JDe (median 5/28).
BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER
(Setophaga nigrescens)
1 An adult male was briefly seen at Park Point, Duluth 5/25 St. Louis ph. †KJB. This represents the 7th state record and 4th spring record for this species.
Black-throated Green Warbler
(Setophaga virens)
1220 Early south (median 4/30) 4/29 Rice TFB, 4/30 Mower ARW, 5/2 Olmsted JWH. Early north (median 5/4) 5/3 St. Louis FKB, 5/7 Mille Lacs ASc. High count 5/31 St. Louis (4) PHS. Late south 5/23 Carver (2) JCy, DWK, Renville BJU, 5/24 Lac qui Parle CRM (median 5/30).
Canada Warbler
(Cardellina canadensis)
1016 Early south (median 5/9) 5/11–13 Rice DAB, 5/14 Olmsted JWH, 5/15 Sherburne ASc, 5/16 Scott DWK. Early north (median 5/14) 5/17 Cass ABi, 5/18 Kittson JEB, 5/19 Lake JWL, 5/20 Becker DBM, Cass BAW. Late south 5/26 Rice TFB, 5/27 McLeod PRH, 5/28 Hennepin MDu (median 5/31).
Wilson's Warbler
(Cardellina pusilla)
1125 Early south (median 5/4) 5/9 Washington DCa, 5/10 Rice TFB, 5/12 Anoka REH, Hennepin CMB, Ramsey BNW, Washington MDu. Early north (median 5/10) 5/16 Clay RHO, Marshall JMJ, Pennington JMJ. Late south 5/24 Big Stone BJU, Hennepin CMB, Lac qui Parle BJU, CRM, 5/25 Faribault HHD (median 5/29). Season high count 5/24 St. Louis (110) DWK. Bulk of reports south are from the last half of May.
Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks
Summer Tanager
(Piranga rubra)
1 Only report was of a window-kill specimen 5/17 Martin (first-spring male, Fairmont) ph. JBe.
Scarlet Tanager
(Piranga olivacea)
1635 Early south (median 5/5) 5/8 Carver JCy, Goodhue FKB, 5/9 Carver WCM, Wabasha LS, Winona ANy. Early north (median 5/12), 5/10 Cass BAW, 5/15 Morrison MJB, 5/16 Wadena PJB. Season high counts 5/22 Scott (17, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) BAF, 5/15 Rice (7) DAB.
Western Tanager
(Piranga ludoviciana)
12 Three reports, all adult males: 5/3–9 Hennepin (NE Minneapolis) ph. CKa, 5/6–10 St Louis fide DOK, fide JWL, 5/9–13 Washington (West Lakeland Twp.) ph. fide PHS.
Northern Cardinal
(Cardinalis cardinalis)
2249 Reported statewide; northernmost records 4/22 Cook ARu and 5/29 Koochiching DGr.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
(Pheucticus ludovicianus)
3146 Early south (median 4/28) 4/30 Dakota RTe, Winona ANy, then multiple reports beginning 5/1 throughout south region. Early north Otter Tail ARo, 5/4 Crow Wing JSB. Season high counts 5/14 Scott (20) BAF, 5/16 Kanabec (16) BHa, 5/13 Carver (15) JCy.
Blue Grosbeak
(Passerina caerulea)
4 One unusual report 5/21 Dakota †KSc. Also many reports from more usual areas 5/22+ Rock CRM, m.ob., 5/26 Pipestone HHD.
Indigo Bunting
(Passerina cyanea)
1940 Early south (median 5/4) 5/6 Olmsted JWH, Sherburne PLJ, Winona ANy, 5/7 Rice TFB. Early north (median 5/9) 5/8 Morrison FGo, 5/16 Wadena PJB, 5/18 Kittson and Marshall JEB, St. Louis NAJ. Season high counts 5/10 Ramsey (10, Crosby Farm Park) MDu, 5/28 Carver (7) JCy, 5/30 Steele (7) PSu.
Dickcissel
(Spiza americana)
24 Early south (median 5/10) 5/14 Rice BHe, 5/19 McLeod CaR, 5/22 Blue Earth PRH, ChH, 5/23 Rock CLW, DCh, Wright DWK. North reports of this species do not occur until well into June (see summer report).