For most people, including many birders, the summer of 1989 will be remembered chiefly as a dry and dusty purgatory sandwiched between spring and fall migration.

Drought was once again the common theme. Many reporters were concerned that the weather was reducing both the number and diversity of birds. Yet, despite the efforts of Mother Nature, it was an interesting (albeit not extraordinary) summer.

Most of the state received below normal rainfall in June, with the north central and northeast regions being notable exceptions.

Average monthly rainfall for the south was three inches or less; in contrast, the North Shore near Lutsen recorded over eight inches for the month, and almost four inches fell in Aitkin County in one day (22 June). Although precipitation varied, it was a cool month statewide. Temperatures were below normal in all regions of the state, especially the north.

A low of 29° was recorded at several weather stations in the northeast on 16 June. Even in the south and west, there were very few days over 90°, although the thermometer did hit IOOo in a few places on 21 June.

July, in contrast, was extremely hot. All regions of the state had average temperatures well above normal ; the northwest was 4.4° above normal. There were very many days with temperatures over 90° in the west, central, and southern regions. Pipestone had the dubious honor of reaching 105° on 10 July.

And the drought continued, with most of the state receiving very little rainfall. The northem regions were hit hardest, with total monthly precipitation less than two inches.

Ada (Norman County) recorded a mere.26 inches for the month. Only parts of the west central, southwest, and south central regions had rainfall near normal levels. Ironically, Pipestone took honors for having the most rainfall; over four inches in one day (ll July) and almost eight inches for the month.

Despite the adverse conditions, no fewer than 91 observers contributed seasonal reports and/or breeding information for the summer. A total of267 species was observed, compared with an average of about 263 for the past decade. Drought or no drought, the birds and the birders were well represented.

However, relatively few breeding records were submitted in 1989. Contributors sent in 625 nest or brood cards, substantially fewer than last year and well below the 1000 + submitted in both 1985 and 1986. Top contributors were Jack Sprenger (55 cards) and Karl Bardon (53), followed by Jean Segerstrom/Mark Newstrom, William Longley, Paul Hetland, Tod Tonsager, and Erlys Krueger. Many thanks for your excellent work! Nesting information was obtained for 143 species. Unfortunately, there has been a steady decline in this number since a high of 177 species in 1985.

Perhaps the most exciting event of the summer was the appearance of a pair of Blacknecked Stilts in Stevens County. This species has been long overdue in Minnesota; it is ironic that the first state record (April 1989; The Loon 61: 197) was so quickly followed by the second in July. But for most Minnesota birders, the birds in July will be best remembered.

The pair was present for several days; as a result, the species was added to many Minnesota life lists.

Two accidental species appeared briefly in the state this summer. A Long-billed Curlew flew by two observers near Blue Mounds State Park in Rock County. This represents the first summer sighting for this species in this century! A singing Western Wood-Pewee appeared briefly in the Sax-Zim bog area of St. Louis County, only the fifth record for the state. Another bird that would have been an accidental had it been wild was a Blackbellied Whistling-Duck photographed in Crow Wing County by a visitor from Texas; this bird was later traced to a game farm, however, and as a result is not included in the species accounts.

Several other species of note that appeared in the state include: a Pacific Loon at Duluth, representing only the fourth summer record for the state; a Barrow's Goldeneye in Cook County, lingering from May till early June; two California Gulls and a Sabine's Gull in Big Stone County (first summer record for Sabine's in the state); a Least Tern in Dakota County; a White-eyed Vireo in Clay County; Kentucky Warblers in Lac qui Parle and Renville Counties (as usual, however, no nesting evidence); and a vagrant Lark Bunting in Wilkin County, a bit north of where it might be expected in Minnesota.

Several species were more commonly seen this year, although it must be remembered that the number of contributors was also higher than in the past. Raptors are an example: Ospreys and Bald Eagles continued to expand southward, and the successful reintroduction of Peregrine Falcons is well known; Red-shouldered Hawks and Merlins were also more common within their ranges.

Despite the drought (or perhaps because of it?) many waterbird sightings increased. The list includes Western Grebe, American White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Canada Goose, Hooded Merganser, Bonaparte's Gull, and Herring Gull. Other species that were unusually abundant included Whitewinged Crossbills in the northeast, both cuckoo species (not surprising to those of you familiar with army worms), Dickcissel, and Grasshopper Sparrow.

Unlike the previous summer, there were relatively few early fall migrants in 1989.

Warblers in particular seemed scarce. Other species for which reports were down included Yellow Rail, Wood Duck, Canvasback, Northern Harrier, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Blue-headed Vireo, Lark Sparrow, and Pine Siskin.

Four species normally seen were notreported at all: Snowy Egret, Bufflehead, Yellow- breasted Chat, and Rusty Blackbird. For each of these, this was only the first or second summer out of the past ten that they have not been recorded.

For better or for worse, the House Finch became an official resident in Minnesota. The first nesting records for the state were documented and sightings occurred in several counties. Other breeding records of note included a Wood Thrush nest in Lac qui Parle County, well west of its usual range.

The format for the species accounts is the same as the past several years. The key to seasonal reports is located below. Some readers may wonder why certain breeding records are classified as "nested" (positive breeding) and others as "probable nesting." A detailed summary of the criteria can be found in The Loon 58:22 or in Green and Janssen (Minnesota Birds, p. 7). Counties for which positive breeding is documented for the first time since 1970 are in italics and identified as such according to updated versions of Janssen and Simonson's breeding maps (The Loon 56:167-186, 219-239, 57:15-34).

A final thanks to all of the summer season reporters who make it possible to document avian distribution and migration. Thanks also to Kim Eckert for his assistance in preparing this report.