Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon
The 2022-Summer Season
1 June through 31 July 2022
Ann E. Kessen and Peder H. Svingen

A Black-bellied Whistling-Duck seen on Grass Lake, Hennepin County, on 11 July provided a Minnesota record for the fourth consecutive summer. Grass Lake was also one of several sites in the county where Mute Swans were found during the season. Continuing the fun for Hennepin County, a Clark’s Grebe lingered for about a week in June and July at Westwood Hills Nature Center.

Hummingbirds made a good showing, with an adult male Rufous Hummingbird in Forest Lake at the end of the season providing a second county record for Washington County. Considerably more surprising was a Broad-billed Hummingbird seen and photographed for about fifteen minutes on 23 July at a backyard feeder in Elk River, Sherburne County.

Big Stone, Sibley, and Stearns counties enjoyed Black-necked Stilts during the season, and a pair in Big Stone County fledged two chicks. A Least Tern at Woodstock W.M.A., Pipestone County, in mid-June was unexpected. Also in June, up to 18 Red-throated Loons were viewed from Park Point in St. Louis County. For the fourth consecutive year, Richfield Lake in Hennepin County hosted a Neotropic Cormorant, which remained for much of the season. An adult and a juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-Heron visited the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, Dakota County, for a couple of weeks in July.

A Barn Owl was present in Bancroft Township of Freeborn County on 1 June. Providing a third state record and a first record for Carlton County was an adult female Acorn Woodpecker at a residence in a rural area of Corona Township in early July. Later in the month a White-eyed Vireo was found along the Root River Trail in Fillmore County. A Eurasian Tree Sparrow continued into early June at Park Point, St. Louis County.

A Black-throated Sparrow was a surprise visitor to a backyard in Marshall, Lyon County, in early June. It provided a first county record. Later that same month, a Lark Bunting was observed for the first time in Washington County. Mid-July was the time for a first county visit to Carver County by a Blue Grosbeak, which was seen at the Dahlgren Road gravel pits.

By far the biggest excitement of the summer resulted when two Abert’s Towhees spent the season in Grand Rapids, Itasca County, resulting in a first state record. At least one of the birds sang persistently and gathering of nesting material by both birds was observed, but no nest or young was ever found.

Weather Summary: The statewide average temperatures for both June and July were above normal, though only by 1.8° F in June and 0.9° in July, so not nearly as extreme as in summer 2021. The 100-degree mark was reached in both months, at several locations on 19–20 June and at Gaylord on 2 July. The coldest temperature of the season was 29° on 5 June at Celina in northern St. Louis County.

Precipitation totals in most of the state were below normal in both June and July. The Twin Cities, for example, had their fifth driest June in the last 152 years, and in July only saw 30% of their expected precipitation.

Several severe weather events struck in late June. On the 20th, a series of thunderstorms struck central and northern Minnesota; Polk County recorded gusts of 91 mph. Hail and extreme rainfall hit central Minnesota again on 23–24th when baseball-sized hail fell in Otter Tail and an 11-inch rain gauge overflowed in Morrison County. A third major event struck northern Minnesota on 24–25th with damaging wind gusts and at least two tornadoes that touched down, one in Mahnomen and the other in Becker and Wadena counties.

Major storms in July included a derecho event along the Iowa border on the 5th, large hail on the 14th in Becker County, and strong winds and hail along a line from Renville to Houston counties on the 23rd.

Insufficiently Documented Reports of Regular Species: Philadelphia Vireo 6/20 Aitkin (out of range; this heard-only record could easily be confused with Red-eyed Vireo).

Maps: A map is included for each species having at least one confirmed breeding record during 2022 (not necessarily just in summer). A county is colored black to show confirmed breeding, medium gray for probable breeding, and light gray for a summer observation. Those species with no breeding data have no map.

Acknowledgements: For over thirty years, Peder Svingen has worked on the quarterly seasonal reports that have been published in The Loon. He began with the Winter 1990 season, and he has continued in various capacities as an author, editor, and reviewer until today. This season, summer 2022, will be his last. Peder brought an incredible knowledge of the distribution and occurrence of the state’s avifauna to this effort. Just as important has been his carefulness and attention to detail in completing these reports. We are very grateful to him. He will be missed.

Thanks also to all who submitted summer reports and breeding records. Your data make this report possible. We are grateful for the data provided by eBird. Thanks also to Paul Budde for compiling early and late dates, to Bob Janssen and Peder Svingen for maintaining a list of county and seasonal occurrence records, and to Dave Cahlander for his work on the online seasonal report. Weather data is from the Minnesota DNR’s HydroClim Minnesota newsletter (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hydroclim/index.html). Anthony Hertzel and Dave Cahlander produced the maps used in this report.

Stacy, MN; Duluth, MN.

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
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK
(Dendrocygna autumnalis)
1 Adult seen 7/11 Hennepin (Grass Lake, Eden Prairie) †SLC.
Snow Goose
(Anser caerulescens)
16 Found in Marshall, McLeod, Mower, Nobles, Pipestone, Rock, Yellow Medicine.
Ross's Goose
(Anser rossii)
1 Observed 6/5 Rock (Hills W.T.P.) ebd.
Greater White-fronted Goose
(Anser albifrons)
11 Reported 6/2 – 7/17 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment, possible broken wing) PLJ, RAE, BLz, CnN, DOr, RBW, 6/4–23 Stearns (Albany W.T.P.) DOr, PCC, HHD, MJB, ebd.
Canada Goose
(Branta canadensis)
3452
Seen in every county except Martin.
Mute Swan
(Cygnus olor)
1 Continuing from spring 6/2 – 7/31 Hennepin (various locations) CMB, DVe, BAF, m.ob.
Trumpeter Swan
(Cygnus buccinator)
3349
Observed statewide. First county breeding record: 6/22 Martin KEm. High count 6/17 Aitkin (308, Rice Lake N.W.R., plus 3 at Loon Lake) PNi, DnS.
Tundra Swan
(Cygnus columbianus)
1 Reported 6/10 Itasca (2 individuals vocalizing overhead, Grand Rapids) PPe.
Wood Duck
(Aix sponsa)
3352
Observed in every county except Red Lake and Faribault.
Blue-winged Teal
(Spatula discors)
3047
Found in all regions.
Northern Shoveler
(Spatula clypeata)
2126
Observed in all regions except Southeast. High count 6/5 Marshall (48, Agassiz Valley) HHu.
Gadwall
(Mareca strepera)
2122
Reported from every region except Southeast. First county breeding record 7/6 Douglas PEJ.
American Wigeon
(Mareca americana)
147 Seen in all northern and central regions plus 6/9 Faribault WAF.
Mallard
(Anas platyrhynchos)
3452
Reported from all counties except Dodge.
American Black Duck
(Anas rubripes)
121
Seen in all northern regions plus 6/15 Le Sueur (L. Pepin) ph. DOr. First county breeding record 6/18 Crow Wing JLa.
Northern Pintail
(Anas acuta)
1511 Observed in all regions except South-central, Southeast. First county breeding record: 7/6 Cottonwood ebd.
Green-winged Teal
(Anas crecca)
2423
Reported from all regions.
Canvasback
(Aythya valisineria)
148
Seen in all western regions plus Hennepin, 6/4 St. Louis (Park Point) ALw, Stearns, Watonwan.
Redhead
(Aythya americana)
1725
Found in all regions except Southeast.
Ring-necked Duck
(Aythya collaris)
2818
Observed in all regions.
Greater Scaup
(Aythya marila)
3 Reported from Cook, Marshall, St. Louis.
Lesser Scaup
(Aythya affinis)
2214 Seen in all regions except Southeast.
Harlequin Duck
(Histrionicus histrionicus)
1 Seen 6/1 – 7/16+ Cook (female continuing since 5/30, Grand Marais Harbor) EHi, m.ob.
Long-tailed Duck
(Clangula hyemalis)
No reports.
Bufflehead
(Bucephala albeola)
91
Found in all northern regions plus Hennepin, Mille Lacs. High count 7/4 Kittson (18, Twin Lakes W.M.A.) DnS, PNi.
Common Goldeneye
(Bucephala clangula)
161
Observed in all northern regions plus Grant, Hennepin, Mille Lacs. High count 6/16 Koochiching (50, International Falls W.T.P.) KRE, m.ob.
Hooded Merganser
(Lophodytes cucullatus)
3045
Reported throughout state. High count 6/18 Lyon (27, Cottonwood W.T.P.) GWe.
Common Merganser
(Mergus merganser)
164
Seen north and east of a line from Otter Tail to Hennepin.
Red-breasted Merganser
(Mergus serrator)
61 Found in Aitkin, Cook, Crow Wing, Koochiching, Lake, St. Louis, Wabasha.
Ruddy Duck
(Oxyura jamaicensis)
1232
Observed in all regions except Northeast. First county breeding record: 8/25 Crow Wing CRM.
Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys
Wild Turkey
(Meleagris gallopavo)
3245
Reported statewide.
Ruffed Grouse
(Bonasa umbellus)
2510
Found in all regions except Southwest, South-central.
Spruce Grouse
(Canachites canadensis)
3 Seen in Cook, Lake, St. Louis.
Sharp-tailed Grouse
(Tympanuchus phasianellus)
12 Observed in all northern regions.
Greater Prairie-Chicken
(Tympanuchus cupido)
61 Seen in Becker, Clay, Lac qui Parle, Otter Tail, Polk, Red Lake, Wilkin.
Gray Partridge
(Perdix perdix)
515 Scattered reports from all regions except North-central, Northeast, East-central.
Ring-necked Pheasant
(Phasianus colchicus)
1951
Found along and south of a line from Clay to Carlton, plus Marshall, Roseau.
Grebes
Pied-billed Grebe
(Podilymbus podiceps)
2146
Reported throughout state.
Horned Grebe
(Podiceps auritus)
4 All reports were of single birds: 6/15 Roseau (Roseau W.T.P.) PEJ, 6/28 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) ebd, 7/16 Pennington (Thief River Falls W.T.P.) ABL, 7/29 St. Louis (Stony Point) ALw, NGi.
Red-necked Grebe
(Podiceps grisegena)
1816
Found in all regions except Southeast. High count 7/6 Wright (23, Clearwater Lake) HBu. First county breeding record: 7/2 Yellow Medicine GWe.
Eared Grebe
(Podiceps nigricollis)
69
Primarily located in Northwest region, but also West-central, Central, Southwest, South-central. High count 6/4 Marshall (50, paired and displaying at Agassiz Valley) HHu.
Western Grebe
(Aechmophorus occidentalis)
1011
Observed in scattered locations south and west of a line from Marshall to Sherburne, plus unusual location 6/17–26 Olmsted (Chester Woods) ebd, ph. JPr, m.ob.
CLARK'S GREBE
(Aechmophorus clarkii)
1 Second county record 6/29 – 7/6 Hennepin (Westwood Hills N.C.) †JSz, ph. †LBa, ph. TBu, m.ob.
Pigeons, Doves
Rock Pigeon
(Columba livia)
3353
Reported from every county except Clearwater,
Eurasian Collared-Dove
(Streptopelia decaocto)
1347
Found in all central and southern regions plus Becker, Clay, Pennington, Red Lake. High count 6/18 Lyon (17, Cottonwood) GWe. First county breeding record: 5/22 Goodhue AXH.
Mourning Dove
(Zenaida macroura)
3453
Reported from every county.
Cuckoos
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
(Coccyzus americanus)
1342
Encountered in all regions. High count 6/1 Wright (5, Lake Maria S.P.) ebd, likely reflected peak spring migration. Unusual report 6/11 St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog, Admiral Rd.) †Herb Elliott.
Black-billed Cuckoo
(Coccyzus erythropthalmus)
2434
Found throughout state. High count 7/6 Sherburne (5, Sherburne N.W.R., Blue Hill Trail) ebd.
Nightjars
Common Nighthawk
(Chordeiles minor)
2745
Reported statewide. Counts of 20 in early June (6/1 Crow Wing, 6/1 Kittson, 6/4 Polk) represented the tail end of spring migration.
Eastern Whip-poor-will
(Antrostomus vociferus)
88 Found in all eastern regions plus Crow Wing, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Rice, Roseau, Sherburne.
Swifts
Chimney Swift
(Chaetura pelagica)
3349
Reported from all counties except Dodge, Mahnomen, Pope, Waseca, Watonwan. High count 7/15 Wabasha (380, carefully counted by 10s using mechanical clicker at St. Felix Catholic Church in Wabasha) †ebd. First county breeding records: 8/16 Lincoln SSP, 7/13 Scott BDG.
Hummingbirds
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
(Archilochus colubris)
3244
Encountered in all regions.
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD
(Selasphorus rufus)
1 Second county record 7/25 – 8/8 Washington (adult male, Forest Lake) ph. SDA.
BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD
(Cynanthus latirostris)
1 First state record: 7/23 Sherburne (Elk River backyard bird feeder) ph.†JrG.
Rails, Gallinules, Coots
Virginia Rail
(Rallus limicola)
2133
Encountered in all regions.
Sora
(Porzana carolina)
2932
Reported from every region. High count 6/28 Marshall (12, Agassiz N.W.R.) ebd.
Common Gallinule
(Gallinula galeata)
18
Seen in Big Stone, Carver, Lyon, Rice, Sibley, Steele, Traverse, Wabasha, Wright. First county breeding record: 7/21 Traverse DLP.
American Coot
(Fulica americana)
1430
Observed in all regions.
Yellow Rail
(Coturnicops noveboracensis)
22 Found in Aitkin, Anoka (continuing from spring through 6/13), Morrison, Stearns (continuing from spring through 6/4). High count 6/28 Aitkin (12, McGregor Marsh) ebd.
Cranes
Sandhill Crane
(Antigone canadensis)
3438
Reported from all regions. High count 6/12 Sherburne (212, Sherburne N.W.R.) PLJ. First county breeding record: 6/2 Jackson KEm.
Stilts, Avocets
Black-necked Stilt
(Himantopus mexicanus)
3
All reports: 6/1 Stearns (Albany W.T.P.) †PCC, 6/26 – 7/31+ Big Stone (C.R. 61, just N of C.R. 28) ph. †DLP, †EHi, †TWe, 7/23–26 Sibley (Indian Lake W.M.A.) †DWK, m.ob. First county breeding record: 8/3 Big Stone (nesting pair fledged 2 young) DLP.
American Avocet
(Recurvirostra americana)
36
Seen in all western regions plus Stearns, and 7/30 Chisago (cattle pond on Olinda Trail south of 270th St.) ELC. Presumed southbound migrants 7/11 Marshall (2, Warren W.T.P.) HHu. High count 7/13 Big Stone (23) DLP.
Plovers
Black-bellied Plover
(Pluvialis squatarola)
32 Encountered in Aitkin, Marshall, Rock, St. Louis, Sibley. One in mostly basic plumage 6/15–17 Aitkin (Rice Lake N.W.R.) ASu, ebd, DnS, PNi was presumably still northbound based on dates. Southbound migrant 7/28–29 Sibley RBW, DWK, SKe.
American Golden-Plover
(Pluvialis dominica)
3 Northbound migrant 6/2–3 Sibley EHi, JKu. Probable non-breeding bird in basic plumage 7/10 Big Stone †DLP. Southbound migrant 7/20 Cottonwood RAE.
Killdeer
(Charadrius vociferus)
3453
Reported from all counties.
Semipalmated Plover
(Charadrius semipalmatus)
919 Observed in all regions except Southeast. Northbound migrants: late south 6/8–9 Dakota KDS, m.ob., late north 6/11 Polk SAu. First fall migrants 7/1 Big Stone DLP, 7/10 Grant CJa.
Piping Plover
(Charadrius melodus)
No reports for the 5th time in the last nine summers.
Sandpipers
Upland Sandpiper
(Bartramia longicauda)
1120
Found in all western and central regions plus Carlton. First county breeding record: 7/27 Lincoln SSP.
Whimbrel
(Numenius phaeopus)
21 All reports: 6/1–3, 6/19, 6/24–25 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) m.ob., and exceptional locations 6/4 Renville (Bird Island W.T.P.) †RBW, 6/28 Pennington (Thief River Falls W.T.P.) †ebd.
Hudsonian Godwit
(Limosa haemastica)
2 Single northbound migrants 6/1 Sherburne (E of Santiago) PLJ, 6/4 Murray (E of Ruthton) GWe.
Marbled Godwit
(Limosa fedoa)
96 Seen in Northwest, West-central, plus Blue Earth, Dakota. High count 6/15 Roseau (73, Roseau River W.M.A.) PEJ.
Ruddy Turnstone
(Arenaria interpres)
33 Northbound migrants: late south 6/3 Sibley (2) DnS, 6/8 Stearns (3) ClB, HHD; late north 6/9 Cook (1) JGW, St. Louis (3) NAn. Southbound migrants: early north 7/29 Marshall HHu; early south 7/30 Lyon GWe.
Stilt Sandpiper
(Calidris himantopus)
919 Encountered in all regions except Southeast. Northbound migrants: late south 6/5 Lyon (4) GWe; late north 6/2 Marshall (2) JH. Southbound migrants: early north 7/6 Aitkin (1) JLa; early south 6/29 Brown (1) ph. BTS, Big Stone. (2) DLP. High count 7/21 Big Stone (92) DLP.
Sanderling
(Calidris alba)
79 Reported from every region except South-central, Southeast. High count 6/2 St. Louis (94, Park Point R.A.) APi. Northbound migrants: late south 6/5 Lyon (1) GWe; late north 6/13 Grant (6) ebd, 6/14 (3), 6/16 (1) St. Louis ALw, ebd. Southbound migrants: early north 7/23 St. Louis (10) ebd; early south 7/16 Big Stone (2) DLP, 7/20 Swift (13) and Lac qui Parle (2) DLP.
Dunlin
(Calidris alpina)
37 Northbound migrants: late south 6/7 Lyon NMe, 6/9 Dakota (3) PAl, WPo, ebd; late north 6/11 St. Louis HTo, 6/12 Marshall ebd. Only southbound migrants 7/28 Nobles (3) DaH.
Baird's Sandpiper
(Calidris bairdii)
417 Found in all regions except North-central, Southeast. Northbound migrants: late south 6/10 Dakota (1) ebd; late north 6/3 St. Louis (6) JEl. Southbound migrants: early north 7/21 Traverse DLP; early south 7/5 Big Stone DLP. All counts were single digits.
Least Sandpiper
(Calidris minutilla)
1636 Seen in every region. Northbound migrants: late south 6/6 Stearns MtS, 6/11 Rice NiR; late north 6/11 Polk (1) SAu, 6/12 Marshall (2) TJJ. Unclassified midsummer reports 6/15–16 Benton RBW, HHD, 6/16 Yellow Medicine (1) GWe, 6/18 Nobles (1) BTS; none of these had details. Southbound migrants: early north 7/1 Marshall (1) HHu, Traverse (7) DLP; early south 6/29 Big Stone (2) DLP, 6/30 Brown (2) BTS.
White-rumped Sandpiper
(Calidris fuscicollis)
927 Encountered in all regions. High count 6/5 Lyon (135, by Russell) GWe. Northbound migrants: late south 6/28 Big Stone ANy, 6/30 7/2 Brown (2) ph. BTS; late north 6/26 Marshall (2) HHu, 6/28 Marshall, Polk ebd. Documented reports of presumed fall migrants 7/16 Big Stone (Kleindl Pond) †DLP, 7/18 Lake (2, Agate Bay) †ebd.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
(Calidris subruficollis)
12 Extraordinary midsummer record 6/14 Sibley (C.R. 8 south of Buffalo Lake) ph. ANy. Southbound migrants 7/31 Lyon (2) EHi, GWe, Traverse (3) EHi.
Pectoral Sandpiper
(Calidris melanotos)
931 Observed in all regions except North-central. Northbound migrants: late south 6/14 Dakota ebd, 6/15–17 Benton RBW, HHD, 6/18 Lyon (2, Cottonwood W.T.P.) GWe; late north 6/10 Marshall (8) HHu, 6/11 Grant (1) BAr. Southbound migrants: early north 7/1 Traverse (4) DLP, 7/2 Grant (4) CnN; early south 6/29 Big Stone (4) DLP, 6/30 Brown (1) BTS. High count 7/24 Sibley (est. 600, High Island Lake) EzH, ASu.
Semipalmated Sandpiper
(Calidris pusilla)
1535 Reported from all regions. Northbound migrants: late south 6/18 Brown (6) BTS, 6/19 Dakota (1) ALw, 6/24–25 Sibley TWe; late north 6/17 Cook (1), St. Louis (1) ebd, 6/17 (5), 6/18 (3) 6/23 (5), 6/26 (4) Marshall (Warren W.T.P.) HHu. Southbound migrants: early north 7/4, 7/11 Marshall (2) HHu; early south 7/8 Hennepin (5) VRL, 7/9 Lyon RJS, Brown KEm, JWH.
Short-billed Dowitcher
(Limnodromus griseus)
615 Observed south and west of a line from Roseau to Hennepin. The absence of spring migrants was puzzling. Southbound migrants: early north 7/2 Grant ((3) CnN, 7/3 Roseau (3) DnS, PNi; early south 7/6 Sibley DWK, 7/7 Faribault RBW.
American Woodcock
(Scolopax minor)
1412 Found in every region except Southwest.
Wilson's Snipe
(Gallinago delicata)
3224
Reported from all regions except Southeast. High count 6/28 Marshall (14, Agassiz N.W.R.) ebd.
Spotted Sandpiper
(Actitis macularius)
2848
Found statewide.
Solitary Sandpiper
(Tringa solitaria)
2035
Seen in every region. Late spring migrants 6/1 Ramsey ebd, 6/4 Pipestone VKl. Southbound migrants: early north 6/29 Marshall HHu; early south 7/2 Sherburne, Waseca, Washington. High count 7/29 Sibley (13, High Island Lake) ebd.
Lesser Yellowlegs
(Tringa flavipes)
1835 Encountered in all regions. Northbound migrants: late south 6/6 Dakota (2) KDS, ebd, 6/14, 6/17 Sibley (1, south of Buffalo Lake) †NMe, ph. JWZ; late north 6/5, 6/6 Marshall HHu. Southbound migrants: early north 6/22 Polk (3) HHu, 6/23 Marshall (8) and Polk (6) HHu; early south 6/24 Sibley (3) TWe, 6/28 Big Stone ANy. High count 7/24 Sibley (est. 600, High Island Lake) EzH, ASu.
Willet
(Tringa semipalmata)
46 Late spring migrants 6/17 Marshall HHu, 6/28 Roseau (South Shore W.M.A.) †ebd. Southbound migrants: early north 7/3 Traverse (1, Metz W.M.A.) GWe, 7/21 Traverse (White Rock Dam) EHi; early south 7/16 Lyon (1) GWe, 7/17 Yellow Medicine (2) GWe.
Greater Yellowlegs
(Tringa melanoleuca)
1224 Seen in all regions. Late south migrants 6/5 Lyon (1) NMe, 6/6 Dakota (1) ebd. Southbound migrants: early north 6/23 Marshall (3) HHu, 7/2 Grant (1) CnN and Kanabec (1) SPS; early south 7/3 Ramsey (1) BAr and Big Stone (1) GWe, 7/5 Big Stone DLP.
Wilson's Phalarope
(Phalaropus tricolor)
917 Reported from all regions except North-central, Northeast, Southeast. High count 6/4 Pipestone (45, Pipestone W.T.P.) VKl.
Red-necked Phalarope
(Phalaropus lobatus)
413 Observed in every region except North-central, Northeast, Southeast. Northbound migrants: late south 6/5 Stearns (2) LFr, 6/6 Lyon (1) NMe; late north 6/5 Grant (1) ebd, 6/6 (12), 6/7 (5) Marshall (Warren W.T.P.) HHu, ebd. One photographed by Hughes at Warren W.T.P. 6/26 and 7/1 would normally be considered a record late migrant, but was inexplicably joined by 3 more 7/2 — were these three record early fall migrants, record late spring migrants, or non-breeding birds? Subsequent reports from this location (all by Hughes) 7/7 (3), 7/16 (4), 7/18 (4), 7/24 (2) suggests the possibility of a few non-breeding birds summering at Warren. Confounding this analysis were apparent record late migrants 7/2 Lac qui Parle DLP, 7/2 Grant (2, North Ottawa Impoundment) †CNn, and 7/2 Norman (2, Ada W.T.P.) ph. SAu. Making matters worse were apparent early fall migrants 7/9 Brown (1, Sleepy Eye W.T.P.) ph. KEm, JWH, 7/11 Stearns (male, direct comparison to Wilson’s) ANy, HHD, 7/14–15 Brown (female) ebd, BTS, 7/17 Chippewa (3) GWe. High count 7/24 Big Stone (23, Graceville W.T.P.) EHi, TWe.
Gulls, Terns
Bonaparte's Gull
(Chroicocephalus philadelphia)
82 Found in all northern regions plus early south migrants 7/29 Le Sueur DOr, 7/30 Sibley ToL, TWe. High count 6/17 Lake of the Woods (200, flooded field south of Baudette) TBH, AXH.
Franklin's Gull
(Leucophaeus pipixcan)
1729 Observed in all regions. Unusual location 6/1–4 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) ALw, ebd, FJN. High count 6/30 Roseau (1,500, Roseau W.T.P.) StK.
Ring-billed Gull
(Larus delawarensis)
3145
Reported statewide. High count 6/11–12 St. Louis (28,000, Interstate Island W.M.A.) PHS. First county breeding record: 7/9 Meeker PKF.
Herring Gull
(Larus argentatus)
1510
Seen in all regions except Southwest, South-central. High count 7/16 Lake (330, Knife River Marina) ALw.
LEAST TERN
(Sternula antillarum)
1 Seen 6/12–13 Pipestone (Woodstock W.M.A., West Unit) ph. †KEm, JWH, RAE, †NMe, EHi, VKl, SCh, LVD, ebd.
Caspian Tern
(Hydroprogne caspia)
1315 Encountered in all regions except Southwest.
Black Tern
(Chlidonias niger)
2341
Found in every region except Northeast. High counts 6/2 Murray (110, Big Slough W.P.A.) ebd, 6/4 Pipestone (90, Pipestone W.T.P.) VKl.
Common Tern
(Sterna hirundo)
133 Reported from all northern and central regions. High count 6/5 St. Louis (estimated 100, Interstate Island W.M.A.) PHS.
Forster's Tern
(Sterna forsteri)
1626 Observed in every region except Southeast. First county breeding record: 7/26 Sherburne ebd.
Loons
Red-throated Loon
(Gavia stellata)
1 Observed 6/1–10 St. Louis (up to 18, Park Point) ALw, PHS, NGi, ebd.
Common Loon
(Gavia immer)
3021
Found in all regions. Unusual locations 6/2–15 Olmsted (immature, Silver Creek Reservoir) LAV, m.ob., 6/17 Lincoln (Perch Lake) GWe. High count 7/25 Becker (26, Detroit Lake) NaH.
Cormorants
Double-crested Cormorant
(Nannopterum auritum)
2847
Encountered statewide. High count 7/29 Renville (710, Preston Lake) WCM.
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT
(Nannopterum brasilianum)
1 Seen 6/8 – 7/31+ Hennepin (Richfield Lake) †BAF, ph. †CMB, RBW, m.ob. This is the fourth consecutive year that at least one individual of this species has been found at this location.
Pelicans
American White Pelican
(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
2748
Reported throughout state. First county breeding records: 5/21 Cottonwood KEm, 4/27 Pipestone LVD. High count 7/25 Grant (3,585, North Ottawa Impoundment: one group of about 3,000 (counted by 10s, then 100s), another group of 500 (counted by 100s), a group of 65 and a group of 20) ChP, ebd.
Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons
Least Bittern
(Botaurus exilis)
822 Found in every region, but only St. Louis (Duluth, Mud Lake area) in Northeast.
American Bittern
(Botaurus lentiginosus)
2127 Encountered in all regions.
LITTLE BLUE HERON
(Egretta caerulea)
No reports.
Snowy Egret
(Egretta thula)
3 Observed 6/2, 7/31 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R.) EHi, ebd, 6/19 Stevens (Alberta) GWe, 7/4 Big Stone (Ortonville) GWe.
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
(Nyctanassa violacea)
1 Observed 7/9–17 Dakota (adult and juvenile by Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley) Jeff Little, LMo, GMo, ph. m.ob.
Black-crowned Night Heron
(Nycticorax nycticorax)
513
Seen in every region except Northeast, Southeast. High count 6/29 Otter Tail (12, Fergus Falls) TBH, AXH.
Green Heron
(Butorides virescens)
2846 Reported statewide. High counts 6/22 Hennepin (15, Bloomington, Goodrich Rd. access) ebd, 7/21 Ramsey (12, St. Paul Downtown Airport) DnS, PNi.
Great Egret
(Ardea alba)
1435
Reported from every region. Unusual location 7/28 Cook (Grand Portage N.M.) ebd. High count 7/29 Renville (229, Preston Lake) WCM.
Western Cattle-Egret
(Ardea ibis)
44 Found in Chippewa, Dakota, Grant, Hennepin, Jackson, Otter Tail, Traverse, Wilkin.
Great Blue Heron
(Ardea herodias)
3151
Seen in all counties except Cook, Dodge, Pennington, Red Lake. High count 6/18 Washington (75, St. Croix River Boat Ramp and Boom Site) JEc.
Ibises
White-faced Ibis
(Plegadis chihi)
3 All acceptable reports: 6/22 (3), 6/26–29 (3), 7/24 (7) Big Stone (C.R. 61 at MN 28) DLP, m.ob., 7/28–30 Sibley (1, plus 3 unidentifiable Plegadis at High Island Lake) RBW, TWe, 7/20 Stearns (I-94 at Sauk River) †ebd. Though now considered a Regular species, observers still need to consider the possibility of Glossy Ibis and hybrids between White-faced and Glossy, both of which continue to expand westward.
Plegadis ibis
(Plegadis sp.)
1 A flock of ibis seen only in flight 6/7 Lyon / Lincoln (28 of the 34 in Lyon were followed as they flew west 8+ miles across the county line into Lincoln; though probably all or most were White-faced, none landed and none was seen well enough to describe beyond “dark birds with decurved bills and long legs”) NMe. Prudently left unidentified due to distance: 7/30 Big Stone (16, Artichoke W.P.A.) DLP.
New World Vultures
Turkey Vulture
(Cathartes aura)
3453 Seen in all counties. High count 6/8 Fillmore (100, Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood S.F.) ToM.
Osprey
Osprey
(Pandion haliaetus)
2426
Reported from every region except Southwest.
Kites, Accipiters, Hawks, Eagles
Northern Harrier
(Circus hudsonius)
3240 Encountered in all regions.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
(Accipiter striatus)
123 Observed in all northern regions plus Mille Lacs. Undocumented reports from 3 south counties were excluded.
Cooper's Hawk
(Accipiter cooperii)
2643
Found throughout state.
American Goshawk
(Accipiter atricapillus)
7 Seen in North-central, Northeast, plus Mille Lacs.
Bald Eagle
(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
3449
Reported from every county except Dodge, Lincoln. High count 6/11 Isanti (104, hog farm near Crown) RCl.
Red-shouldered Hawk
(Buteo lineatus)
818
Found in every region except Northeast, Southwest.
Broad-winged Hawk
(Buteo platypterus)
2821
Reported from all regions except Southwest. First county breeding record: 8/8 Benton DOr.
Swainson's Hawk
(Buteo swainsoni)
813 Observed in all western regions plus Mille Lacs, Renville, Rice, Stearns, Winona.
Red-tailed Hawk
(Buteo jamaicensis)
3453 Found in all counties.
Rough-legged Hawk
(Buteo lagopus)
1 Unusual record 6/5 St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog, McDavitt Rd.) KTP.
Barn Owls
AMERICAN BARN OWL
(Tyto furcata)
1 Detected 6/1 Freeborn (Bancroft Twp.) a.t. KAB.
Screech-Owls, Owls
Eastern Screech-Owl
(Megascops asio)
19
Reported from Dakota, Freeborn, Hennepin, Houston, Lac qui Parle, Murray, Olmsted, Pine, Rice, Wabasha.
Great Horned Owl
(Bubo virginianus)
2120
Found in all regions. First county breeding record: 6/14 Pipestone RMD.
Northern Hawk Owl
(Surnia ulula)
No reports.
Barred Owl
(Strix varia)
2329
Encountered in all regions except Southwest. High count 6/23 Hennepin (6, Staring Lake Park) BHw.
Great Gray Owl
(Strix nebulosa)
1 Reported in June from Beltrami, Kittson and St. Louis, and 7/18 St. Louis ABL. (This is considered a Sensitive Species in eBird and their records are not public. This summary includes eBird records although they are not in the M.O.U. database.)
Long-eared Owl
(Asio otus)
2 Vocalizing 6/8 St. Louis †JEl, 6/20 Carlton (no details) ebd.
Short-eared Owl
(Asio flammeus)
No reports.
Boreal Owl
(Aegolius funereus)
No reports.
Northern Saw-whet Owl
(Aegolius acadicus)
3 Found 6/15 Cook (Tofte) ebd, 6/18 Koochiching (C.R. 13, Littlefork) KRE, m.ob., 7/10 Cass (Upper Sylvan Rd. SW) JBu.
Kingfishers
Belted Kingfisher
(Megaceryle alcyon)
3251
Found in all counties except Faribault, Mahnomen, Red Lake, Waseca. High count 7/23 St. Louis (7, Western Waterfront Trail) JLK.
Woodpeckers
Red-headed Woodpecker
(Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
2346
Encountered statewide. High count 6/19 Anoka (11, Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve) ebd.
ACORN WOODPECKER
(Melanerpes formicivorus)
1 Third state record: 7/2–5 Carlton (adult female, Corona Twp., found by Russell Stewart) †EzH, ph. †LBa, †RZi, ph. †PHS, ph. †AXH, †KEm, m.ob. (The Loon 94:120–122).
Red-bellied Woodpecker
(Melanerpes carolinus)
2850
Reported throughout state. High counts 6/28 Hennepin (12, Crow-Hassan P. R.) ebd, 6/4 Meeker (11, Lake Washington) RMa.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
(Sphyrapicus varius)
3246
Found in every region. High count 7/1 St. Louis (9, Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve) HTo. First county breeding records: 7/8 Rock ebd, 7/27 Sibley ebd.
American Three-toed Woodpecker
(Picoides dorsalis)
3
Observed in Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods.
Black-backed Woodpecker
(Picoides arcticus)
6
Encountered in Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Roseau, St. Louis. First county breeding record: 7/7 Roseau MRN.
Downy Woodpecker
(Dryobates pubescens)
3353
Found in every county except Red Lake.
Hairy Woodpecker
(Dryobates villosus)
3349
Reported statewide.
Northern Flicker
(Colaptes auratus)
3451
Encountered in every county except Nicollet, Watonwan.
Pileated Woodpecker
(Dryocopus pileatus)
3338
Found in all regions.
Caracaras, Falcons
American Kestrel
(Falco sparverius)
3449
Found in all counties except Houston, Mower, Nicollet, Watonwan. High count 6/14 St. Louis (17, Sax-Zim Bog) FJN.
Merlin
(Falco columbarius)
2313
Reported from all regions except Southwest. First county breeding records: 6/27 Goodhue ebd, 6/28 Kandiyohi SGa.
Peregrine Falcon
(Falco peregrinus)
816
Seen in all regions except Southwest.
Flycatchers
Great Crested Flycatcher
(Myiarchus crinitus)
3353
Reported from every county except Red Lake. High count 6/5 Washington (15, Sunfish Lake Park) ebd. First county breeding record: 7/7 Meeker PKF.
Western Kingbird
(Tyrannus verticalis)
1417
Observed in every region except Southeast. Unusual location 6/1, 6/14, 6/27 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) †JLK, †ALw, ebd.
Eastern Kingbird
(Tyrannus tyrannus)
3453
Found in all counties. High counts 7/24 Sherburne (25, Sherburne N.W.R.) ebd, 7/17 Dakota (20, Lake Marion) BxP. First county breeding record: 7/21 Nobles SHo.
Olive-sided Flycatcher
(Contopus cooperi)
1915 Encountered in all regions. Late south migrants (away from known breeding locations) 6/8 Fillmore ebd, 6/9 Ramsey DnS, 6/12 Hennepin ebd. Fall migrants are sometimes detected by the end of July, but none was found this season.
Eastern Wood-Pewee
(Contopus virens)
3252
Reported from all counties except Red Lake, Watonwan, Wilkin. High counts 6/10 Carver (20, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd. Picnic/Rec. Area) JCy, 6/12 Scott (20, Murphy Hanrehan P.R.) TPp. First county breeding records: 8/19 Grant ebd, 9/1 Mille Lacs JWZ.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
(Empidonax flaviventris)
179
Reported from every region. Late south migrant 6/8 Dakota (vocalizing) DFN. High count 6/3 Cook (12, Gunflint Lodge) BAn.
Acadian Flycatcher
(Empidonax virescens)
13 Encountered in East-central, Southeast, plus Carver, Faribault, Rice, Scott. High counts 7/2 Fillmore (6, Rushford Village) ToM, 7/30 Houston (6, Beaver Creek Valley S.P.) ToM. First county breeding record: 7/28 Fillmore ToM.
Alder Flycatcher
(Empidonax alnorum)
3227 Reported from all regions. High count 6/4 Roseau (20, Nereson W.M.A.) BCS. Late south migrant (vocalizing, outside of known breeding range) 6/16 Steele PSu.
Willow Flycatcher
(Empidonax traillii)
1245 Found in every region except North-central. High count 6/5 Pipestone (23, Woodstock W.M.A., East Unit) GWe. Unusual reports of vocalizing birds 6/8–20 St. Louis (Western Waterfront Trail) JLK, MLH, PHS, 6/15 St. Louis (Mud Lake) NGi, ALw; the former was at the exact same spot as in 2020.
Least Flycatcher
(Empidonax minimus)
3342
Found throughout state. High counts 7/3 Lake of the Woods (31, Zippel Bay S.P.) DnS, PNi, 6/20 St. Louis (29, F.R. 200) ebd, 6/19 Aitkin (28, Savanna Portage S.P.) DnS.
Eastern Phoebe
(Sayornis phoebe)
3146
Encountered statewide. Nesting documented in no fewer than 24 counties.
Vireos
White-eyed Vireo
(Vireo griseus)
1 Found 7/10–13 Fillmore (Root River Trail) †EHi, †LHl.
Bell's Vireo
(Vireo bellii)
14 Reported from East-central, South-central, Southeast, plus Redwood, Scott, Sherburne.
Yellow-throated Vireo
(Vireo flavifrons)
3046
Encountered throughout state. High counts 6/1 Scott (11, Cleary Lake R.P.) BxP, 6/17 Goodhue (11, Lake Byllesby) BxP. First county breeding records: 7/13 Blue Earth ebd, 7/21 Olmsted LAV.
Blue-headed Vireo
(Vireo solitarius)
13
Found in all northern regions and Pine. High count 7/25 Lake (5, Superior N.F., Isabella area) ebd.
Philadelphia Vireo
(Vireo philadelphicus)
126 Found in all regions except South-central, Southeast. Late south migrant 6/3 Rock GWe.
Warbling Vireo
(Vireo gilvus)
3452
Reported from every county except Faribault. High counts 6/2 Hennepin (12, Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) DVe, AlV, 6/5 Beltrami (12, Bemidji, Paul Bunyan Bike Trail) ebd, 6/18 Hennepin (12, Fort Snelling S.P.) ebd.
Red-eyed Vireo
(Vireo olivaceus)
3450
Found in all counties except Lincoln, Stevens, Watonwan. High counts 6/17 Aitkin (47, Rice Lake N.W.R.) DnS, Phi, 7/3 St. Louis (45, Bass Lake Trails) ebd.
Shrikes
Loggerhead Shrike
(Lanius ludovicianus)
28 Seen in Benton, Clay, Dakota, Lyon, Murray, Olmsted, Polk, Rice, Sherburne, Wabasha.
Jays, Nutcrackers, Magpies, Crows
Canada Jay
(Perisoreus canadensis)
8
Reported from North-central, Northeast. High count 7/22 Koochiching (7, Pine Island S.F.) NKu, ebd.
Blue Jay
(Cyanocitta cristata)
3453
Found in all counties. Spring migration extended into early June along the North Shore as usual; high counts 6/4 St. Louis (299, Park Point R.A.) ALw, 6/2 St. Louis (228, Minnesota Point, migration watch site) NGi. First county breeding records: 7/13 Beltrami JEc, 8/27 Isanti ebd.
Black-billed Magpie
(Pica hudsonia)
21
Encountered in all northern regions plus Otter Tail, Pine. First county breeding record: 6/1 Cass MRN.
American Crow
(Corvus brachyrhynchos)
3453
Found in every county.
Common Raven
(Corvus corax)
3212
Reported from all northern and central regions plus Goodhue.
Chickadees, Titmice
Black-capped Chickadee
(Poecile atricapillus)
3453
Found in all counties. High count 7/27 Hennepin (35, Eden Prairie) ebd.
Boreal Chickadee
(Poecile hudsonicus)
4 Found in Cook, Koochiching, Marshall, St. Louis.
Tufted Titmouse
(Baeolophus bicolor)
13 Encountered in East-central, South-central, Southeast plus Scott. High count 6/28 Fillmore (7, Schueler W.M.A.) ToM.
Larks
Horned Lark
(Eremophila alpestris)
2246 Reported from all regions except Northeast.
Martins, Swallows
Bank Swallow
(Riparia riparia)
2947
Seen statewide. No counts >100.
Tree Swallow
(Tachycineta bicolor)
3453
Reported from every county. High count 7/15 Olmsted (300, Viola Twp.) JmP.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
(Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
3046
Observed throughout state. High counts 7/17 Winona (50, Quarry Hill Rd.) ebd, 7/18 Dakota (38, Miesville Ravine P.R.) ebd.
Purple Martin
(Progne subis)
2946
Encountered in every region. High count 7/3–4 Wright (375, includes nestlings, Otsego) ToL.
Barn Swallow
(Hirundo rustica)
3453
Observed in all counties. High count 7/25 Grant (135, North Ottawa Impoundment) ChP, ebd.
Cliff Swallow
(Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
3353
Found in every county except Cook. High counts 6/30 Swift (340, Lac qui Parle Lake, northwest end) ebd, 6/11 Hennepin (300 adults in the air, attending ~600 nests between spandrels 31 and 36 at Fort Snelling S.P.) BBr.
Kinglets
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
(Corthylio calendula)
103 Found in all northern regions plus late spring migrants 6/2 Dakota ebd, 6/2 Ramsey JDv, 6/12 Anoka (Rice Creek West Regional Trail, continuing since 5/22) †CF, JBe. High count 6/25 Cook (8, Superior N.F., Eagle Mountain Trail) ebd.
Golden-crowned Kinglet
(Regulus satrapa)
11
Found in North-central, Northeast, plus Pine. High count 6/3 Cook (8, Gunflint Lodge) BAn.
Waxwings
Cedar Waxwing
(Bombycilla cedrorum)
3453
Encountered in all counties. High count 7/24 St. Louis (101, Park Point R.A.) ALw. First county breeding records: 8/15 Freeborn AEB, 7/29 Norman TCL.
Nuthatches
Red-breasted Nuthatch
(Sitta canadensis)
2214
Reported in every region except West-central, South-central. High count 7/3 St. Louis (16, Bass Lake Trails) ebd.
White-breasted Nuthatch
(Sitta carolinensis)
3451
Found in every county except Pipestone, Watonwan. High count 6/28 Hennepin (13, Crow-Hassan P.R.) ebd.
Creepers
Brown Creeper
(Certhia americana)
129 Reported in all regions except West-central, Southwest, South-central. Presumed late migrant 6/1 Houston AAz.
Gnatcatchers
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
(Polioptila caerulea)
639
Encountered in all regions except Northwest, Northeast. High count 6/3 Dakota (11, Lebanon Hills R.P., Jensen Lake Loop) DSh.
Wrens
Carolina Wren
(Thryothorus ludovicianus)
3 All reports: 6/1 Blue Earth (Rasmussen Woods Park) MiO, 6/22–23 Winona (Goodview Rd.) SGz, DSt, 7/7–31 Hennepin (Skyview Rd.) BLW. First county breeding record: 8/12 Hennepin BLW.
Northern House Wren
(Troglodytes aedon)
3453
Found in all counties. High counts 6/28 Ramsey (est. 30, Fort Snelling S.P., Pike Island) LAi, 6/30 Dakota (29, Lebanon Hills R.P.) ebd.
Winter Wren
(Troglodytes hiemalis)
144
Reported from all northern regions plus Pine, Chisago, and vocalizing birds 6/7–15 Hennepin (Minneapolis, Bryant Ave) a.t. GrS, 7/21 Anoka (Ramsey) †DPG, 7/31 Carver (Chaska) †ANy. Though sometimes territorial along the Mississippi River in Southeast, summer records in residential areas of the Twin Cities are most unusual. [Corrected]
Sedge Wren
(Cistothorus stellaris)
3452
Found in every county except Nicollet. High counts 6/17 Pipestone (42, Winter W.M.A.) GWe, 6/28 Marshall (34, Agassiz N.W.R.) ebd. First county breeding record: 8/18 Lac qui Parle SSP.
Marsh Wren
(Cistothorus palustris)
2949
Encountered throughout state. High count 7/3 Steele (30, Rice Lake S.P., carefully counted while circling entire lake) ebd.
Thrashers, Mockingbirds
Gray Catbird
(Dumetella carolinensis)
3452
Reported from every county except Lincoln. High counts 7/7 Scott (22, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) BxP, 7/3 Anoka (20, Carlos Avery W.M.A.) ebd.
Brown Thrasher
(Toxostoma rufum)
2949
Found statewide. High count 6/5 Pipestone (11, Woodstock W.M.A., East Unit) GWe.
Northern Mockingbird
(Mimus polyglottos)
11 Encountered 6/4 Cook (continuing at Grandview Park, Lutsen) ebd, 6/7 Cook (Naniboujou Lodge) ebd, and 6/18 Dakota (Miesville Ravine Park) ebd.
Starlings
European Starling
(Sturnus vulgaris)
3453
Observed in all counties. High count 7/28 Dakota (1,500, rough estimate at 140th St. Marsh) JBn.
Thrushes
Eastern Bluebird
(Sialia sialis)
3140
Found statewide. High count 7/12 Goodhue (18, Frontenac S.P., Prairie Trail) SDz.
Veery
(Catharus fuscescens)
3321 Reported from all regions except Southwest. High counts 6/17 Aitkin (31, Rice Lake N.W.R.) DnS, PNi, 7/3 Lake of the Woods (29, Zippel Bay S.P.) DnS, PNi.
Swainson's Thrush
(Catharus ustulatus)
151 Observed in all northern regions plus spring migrant 6/1 Anoka ebd. High counts 7/3 St. Louis (15, Bass Lake Trails) ebd, 7/18 Cook (7, Hungry Jack Lodge) ebd.
Hermit Thrush
(Catharus guttatus)
172 Found in all northern regions and Mille Lacs, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns.
Wood Thrush
(Hylocichla mustelina)
2534
Encountered throughout state including unusual midsummer reports from Jackson, Lyon, Redwood, and Rock in Southwest. High counts 6/21 Washington (7, William O’Brien S.P.) SLP, 6/27 Wright (7, Stanley Eddy Memorial C.P.) PRH.
American Robin
(Turdus migratorius)
3453
Reported from all counties. High count 6/18 Lyon (90, Cottonwood) GWe.
Old World Sparrows
House Sparrow
(Passer domesticus)
3453
Seen in all counties. High count 6/18 Lyon (125, Cottonwood) GWe.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
(Passer montanus)
1
Reported 6/5 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) ALw.
Finches
Evening Grosbeak
(Coccothraustes vespertinus)
3 Reported from Cook, Lake, St. Louis.
House Finch
(Haemorhous mexicanus)
3152
Found in all counties except Lake, Lake of the Woods, Pope, Roseau. First county breeding records: 7/11 Blue Earth BSa, 7/14 Grant CNn.
Purple Finch
(Haemorhous purpureus)
254
Encountered in northern half of state plus Benton, Isanti, Sherburne, Stearns. High counts 6/3 Cook (22, Gunflint Lodge) BAn, 7/1 St. Louis (20, Meadowlands Twp.) IaG.
Redpoll (Common)
(Acanthis f. flammea)
11 Seen 6/5 Anoka (Blaine, private residence) JkS, 6/1216 St. Louis (Duluth, private residence) ph. SLd.
Red Crossbill
(Loxia curvirostra)
134 Reported from all northern regions plus Big Stone, McLeod, Pope, Washington.
White-winged Crossbill
(Loxia leucoptera)
3 Found in Beltrami, Cook, St. Louis.
Pine Siskin
(Spinus pinus)
168 Encountered in all regions except West-central, Southwest, Southeast.
American Goldfinch
(Spinus tristis)
3453
Found in all counties. High counts 6/3 Rock (40, Blue Mounds S.P.) GWe, 6/5 Pipestone (40, Woodstock W.M.A., East Unit) GWe.
Longspurs and Snow Buntings
CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR
(Calcarius ornatus)
No reports.
Towhees, Sparrows
Grasshopper Sparrow
(Ammodramus savannarum)
1944
Found in all regions except Northeast. High counts 6/5 Pipestone (25, Woodstock W.M.A., East Unit) GWe, 6/4 Pipestone (24, Eden W.M.A.) GWe, 6/28 Hennepin (20, Crow-Hassan P.R.) EHo.
BLACK-THROATED SPARROW
(Amphispiza bilineata)
1 Eighth state and first county record: 6/2–5 Lyon (Marshall) MOs, ph. †KEm, †EzH, ph. †NMe, ph. †LBa, †PCC, ph. RZi, ph. †LS, m.ob.
Lark Sparrow
(Chondestes grammacus)
1342
Reported from every region except Northeast. New county record: 6/16 Koochiching (C.R. 32, 1.2 miles S of MN 11) DOK, LMc.
LARK BUNTING
(Calamospiza melanocorys)
1 New county record: 6/13 Washington (Lone Oak Trail) RSd, ph. †BAb, †EzH, †LiH, m.ob.
Chipping Sparrow
(Spizella passerina)
3453
Found in all counties. High count 7/22 St. Louis (28, Stony Point) JLK.
Clay-colored Sparrow
(Spizella pallida)
3452
Reported from every county except Houston. High counts 7/6 Polk (32, Central Polk Co.) JHd, SHd, 7/10 Kittson (25, Norway Dunes) BCS.
Field Sparrow
(Spizella pusilla)
1446
Encountered in every region, but only as far north as Beltrami (Bemidji). High counts 6/16 Washington (30, Afton S.P.) ebd, 7/6 Hennepin (28, Crow-Hassan Park Reserve) MaS.
Dark-eyed Junco
(Junco hyemalis)
91 Found in North-central, Northeast plus late spring migrant 6/6 Meeker ph. PKF. High count 6/19 St. Louis (4, Johnson Rd.) ebd.
White-crowned Sparrow
(Zonotrichia leucophrys)
1 Seen 6/2 Hennepin (Lake Hiawatha Park) WPe.
White-throated Sparrow
(Zonotrichia albicollis)
174
Reported from all northern and central regions plus Nicollet. Late spring migrants 6/26 Hennepin †LKt, CMB. Possible early southbound migrant 7/5 Ramsey (downtown St. Paul) a.t. ebd. High count 7/4 Lake (40, Range Lake) JEl.
Vesper Sparrow
(Pooecetes gramineus)
2951
Encountered throughout state. First county breeding record: 7/27 Pipestone SSP.
LeConte's Sparrow
(Ammospiza leconteii)
215 Found in all northern and central regions plus 6/4 Pipestone (Eden W.M.A.) †GWe.
Nelson's Sparrow
(Ammospiza nelsoni)
5 Encountered in Aitkin, Cass, Kittson, Morrison, Polk.
Henslow's Sparrow
(Centronyx henslowii)
124 Encountered in all central and southern regions. Only north report: 7/18 Wilkin (Rothsay W.M.A.) ebd.
Savannah Sparrow
(Passerculus sandwichensis)
3446
Reported statewide. High counts 6/4 Pipestone (29, Eden W.M.A.) GWe, 7/8 Kittson (25, conservative estimate, 480th Ave.) BCS.
Song Sparrow
(Melospiza melodia)
3453
Found in all counties. High counts 7/22 St. Louis (68, Stony Point) JLK, 7/31 St. Louis (57, Western Waterfront Trail) JLK.
Lincoln's Sparrow
(Melospiza lincolnii)
9 Reported from North-central, Northeast. High count 7/22 Koochiching (9, Pine Island S.F.) NKu, ebd.
Swamp Sparrow
(Melospiza georgiana)
3451
Found in all counties except Mower, Nicollet. High counts 6/25 Anoka (44, Carlos Avery W.M.A.) RCl, 7/4 Marshall (32, Agassiz N.W.R.) DnS, PNi.
ABERT'S TOWHEE
(Melozone aberti)
1 First state record 6/17 – 7/30+ Itasca (2, Grand Rapids) D. Troumbley; ph. SC, ph. †PHS, ph. †LiH, a.t., ph. †JGW, †PCC, ph. †LBa, ph. JJS, m.ob. (The Loon 94:174–178).
Eastern Towhee
(Pipilo erythrophthalmus)
1827
Reported from all regions. High count 7/9 Sherburne (21, Sherburne N.W.R., Wildlife Drive) RCl.
Yellow-breasted Chat
Yellow-breasted Chat
(Icteria virens)
1 Reported 6/18–25 Redwood (Cedar Rock S.N.A.) ChH, a.t. GWe, a.t. EHi, m.ob.
Blackbirds, Orioles
Yellow-headed Blackbird
(Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)
2649
Found in all regions. High count 7/17 Yellow Medicine (250, Spellman Lake) GWe. First county breeding record: 7/21 Nobles JtM.
Bobolink
(Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
3349 Reported from every county except Cook, Dodge, Faribault, Nicollet, Waseca. High counts 6/17 Pipestone (105, Winter W.M.A.) GWe, 6/4 Pipestone (45, Eden W.M.A.) GWe, 6/5 Rock (44, Touch the Sky Prairie) ebd. First county breeding record: 8/11 Cottonwood KEm.
Eastern Meadowlark
(Sturnella magna)
1534
Reported from all regions except Northwest. High counts 7/6 Hennepin (20, Crow-Hassan P.R.) MaS, 6/16 Washington (15, Afton S.P.) ebd.
Western Meadowlark
(Sturnella neglecta)
2429
Found in every region. Unusual report 6/4 Cook (Lutsen) ebd. High counts 6/23 Wilkin (17, Rothsay W.M.A.) ebd, 6/22 Clay (15, Felton Prairie) ebd, 7/8 Rock (13, Touch the Sky Prairie) ebd.
Orchard Oriole
(Icterus spurius)
1650
Encountered Northwest and in all central and southern regions, plus Wadena. High counts 6/18 Lyon (13, Cottonwood) GWe, 6/3 Rock (11, Blue Mounds S.P.) GWe.
Baltimore Oriole
(Icterus galbula)
3353
Found in all counties except Lake. High count 6/16 Morrison (22, Crane Meadows N.W.R.) CsB.
Red-winged Blackbird
(Agelaius phoeniceus)
3453
Reported from all counties. High count 7/24 Washington (800, Otisville; “Persistent appearance of small flocks well upstream over large grassy border where the river forks come together; flocks then flying as loose assemblages downstream, passing directly over our section of the river, and disappearing well south still over the river. Presumably these birds are already migrating!! Groups numbered 5 to >100, with a remarkably consistent modal size of about 35.)” JoF.
Brown-headed Cowbird
(Molothrus ater)
3453
Found in all counties. High counts 7/23 Anoka (80, Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve) ebd, 6/17 Pipestone (55, Winter W.M.A.) GWe. Parasitized species included Red-eyed Vireo, Veery, American Robin, Chipping Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, Orchard Oriole, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow Warbler, Northern Cardinal.
Rusty Blackbird
(Euphagus carolinus)
No reports.
Brewer's Blackbird
(Euphagus cyanocephalus)
3331
Observed in all regions. High counts 6/25 Wilkin (58, Rothsay W.M.A.) MZa, 7/31 Roseau (40, MN 89) ebd.
Common Grackle
(Quiscalus quiscula)
3453
Found in every county. High count 7/7 Olmsted (300, conservative estimate, C.R. 9 Marsh) ebd.
Great-tailed Grackle
(Quiscalus mexicanus)
1 Observed 6/3 Murray (MN 91, Chandler) GWe.
Warblers
Ovenbird
(Seiurus aurocapilla)
2834
Encountered statewide. High counts 6/17 Aitkin (49, Rice Lake N.W.R.) DnS, PNi, 6/17 Cass (36, Deep Portage Learning Center) TWe, 6/22 St. Louis (36, Fox Farm Rd.) MLH.
Louisiana Waterthrush
(Parkesia motacilla)
5
Found in Blue Earth, Chisago, Olmsted, Washington, Winona.
Northern Waterthrush
(Parkesia noveboracensis)
154 Reported from all northern regions and East-central. High count 7/4 Lake (10, Range Lake) JEl.
Golden-winged Warbler
(Vermivora chrysoptera)
237 Reported from all northern and central regions. High counts 6/14 Crow Wing (27, Old Grade Road) TWe, 6/17 Aitkin (12, Rice Lake N.W.R.) DnS, PNi, 6/4 Becker (11, Tamarac N.W.R.) ebd.
Blue-winged Warbler
(Vermivora cyanoptera)
224 Found in all regions except Northwest, North-central, West-central. High counts 6/10 Carver (19, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd. Picnic/Rec. Area) JCy, 6/5 Dakota (15, Ritter Farm Park) TPu et al., 6/5 Washington (12, William O’Brien S.P.) ebd.
Golden-winged Warbler X Blue-winged Warbler
(Vermivora chrysoptera X V. cyanoptera)
13 All south 6/4 Wright (“Brewster’s” singing Golden-winged song, Stanley Eddy Memorial Park) DCk, 6/8 Washington (Arcola Bluffs Day Use Area) ebd, 6/26 Dakota (“Brewster’s”) DFN. Extraordinary north report 7/22 St. Louis (2, Stony Point; “Brewster’s” seen following a Golden-winged female and a Blue-winged male along Alseth Rd.) †JLK.
Black-and-white Warbler
(Mniotilta varia)
2710
Encountered in all northern and central regions plus 6/5 Pipestone (2) GWe. High counts 6/14 Crow Wing (19, Old Grade Road) TWe, 6/17 Aitkin (17, Rice Lake N.W.R.) DnS, PNi.
Prothonotary Warbler
(Protonotaria citrea)
217 Reported from Central, East-central, South-central, Southeast regions. First county breeding record: 7/10 Wright RSk.
Tennessee Warbler
(Leiothlypis peregrina)
1215 Found in scattered locations statewide. Late south migrants 6/9 Steele PSu, 6/11 Scott CF., 6/4–14 Hennepin (Lake Hiawatha Park, a.t. on 6/12) BAF, 6/17 Washington †KTP. Fall migrants: early north (away from known breeding locations) 7/17 St. Louis (Stony Point) JLK, 7/21–22 (Stony Point) ALw, JLK; early south 7/23 Carver JCy, 7/23–24 Freeborn ebd.
Nashville Warbler
(Leiothlypis ruficapilla)
2310 Encountered in all regions except West-central, Southwest, Southeast. High count 6/11 St. Louis (40, Sax-Zim Bog) ebd. Early fall migrant 7/13 Steele PSu. First county breeding record: 7/9 Washington MZa.
Connecticut Warbler
(Oporornis agilis)
8
Found in Beltrami, Carlton, Clearwater, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, St. Louis. First county breeding record: 6/23 Lake of the Woods (nest with 4 young in Sphagnum hummock along abandoned trail) MRN.
Mourning Warbler
(Geothlypis philadelphia)
2110
Encountered in every region except West-central, Southwest. Late spring migrants 6/1 Brown BTS, 6/2 Winona SHo. High count 6/3 Cook (12, Gunflint Lodge) BAn.
Common Yellowthroat
(Geothlypis trichas)
3453
Found in every county. High counts 7/4 Marshall (89, Agassiz N.W.R.) DnS, PNi, 6/17 Aitkin (67, Rice Lake N.W.R.) DnS, PNi.
Hooded Warbler
(Setophaga citrina)
5 Found in Dakota, Hennepin, 6/25 – 7/7 Isanti (Wayside Prairie Park, Poor Fen) †JGW, m.ob., Scott, Washington.
American Redstart
(Setophaga ruticilla)
3350
Reported from every county except Mahnomen, Martin, McLeod, Nobles. High count 7/3 Lake of the Woods (46, Zippel Bay S.P.) DnS, PNi.
Cape May Warbler
(Setophaga tigrina)
81 Encountered in North-central, Northeast plus late migrant 6/5 Pipestone (female, Pheasant Terrace State W.M.A.) †GWe.
Cerulean Warbler
(Setophaga cerulea)
13 Found in Central, East-central, South-central, Southeast. High count 6/4 Wright (8, Stanley Eddy Memorial Park) RSk.
Northern Parula
(Setophaga americana)
151 Encountered in all northern regions plus Hennepin. High counts 7/3 St. Louis (11, Bass Lake Trails) ebd, 6/18 Itasca (9, Scenic S.P.) DnS, PNi. First county breeding record: 7/28 Koochiching ebd.
Magnolia Warbler
(Setophaga magnolia)
141 Found in North-central, Northeast plus Becker, Clay, Dakota. High count 7/23 Cook (20, all or most of these fall migrants at Sugarloaf Point S.N.A.) ebd.
Bay-breasted Warbler
(Setophaga castanea)
4 Reported from Cook, 6/5 Kittson (wandering migrant at Lake Bronson S.P.) SAu, Koochiching, St. Louis.
Blackburnian Warbler
(Setophaga fusca)
192
Encountered in all northern regions and Central, East-central. Interesting report of a singing bird south of its normal range 6/1 – 7/3 Washington (Crystal Spring S.N.A.) TAr, m.ob. High counts 7/3 St. Louis (18, Bass Lake Trails) ebd, 7/2 Lake (13, Superior N.F., Snowbank Lake Rd.) ebd.
Yellow Warbler
(Setophaga petechia)
3451
Reported from all counties except Dodge, Faribault. High counts 6/17 Aitkin (48, Rice Lake N.W.R.) DnS, PNi, 7/1 St. Louis (42, Western Waterfront Trail) JLK.
Chestnut-sided Warbler
(Setophaga pensylvanica)
2617
Encountered in all regions. Late south migrants 6/2, 6/4 Houston (Reno) AAz, EHi, TWe, 6/3 Redwood DRL, 6/10 Blue Earth (Mankato) ChH. High counts 6/14 Crow Wing (36 singing males, Old Grade Road) EHi, 6/17 Cass (27, Migizi Trail) SHd, JHd.
Blackpoll Warbler
(Setophaga striata)
25 Extraordinary report of vocalizing male seen and/or heard on 11 dates 6/8 6/23 Fillmore (Schueler W.M.A.) ph. †ToM. Initially found in a stand of oak trees, it moved into a nearby stand of mixed oak, spruce, pine, and walnut in mid-June, then primarily foraged in oak or walnut trees the rest of its stay. Kudos to Todd Mitchell for intensive follow-up! All other reports this season were spring migrants on or before 6/4 in Anoka, Hennepin, Lac qui Parle, Marshall, St. Louis, Sherburne.
Black-throated Blue Warbler
(Setophaga caerulescens)
6 Found in Cook, 6/12 Hubbard ebd, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, St. Louis.
Palm Warbler
(Setophaga palmarum)
11 Encountered in all northern regions. High count 6/27 Beltrami (8, Big Bog State R.A.) ebd.
Pine Warbler
(Setophaga pinus)
209 Found in all northern regions and Central, East-central. High counts 6/17 Cass (14, Migizi Trail) SHd, JHd, 7/2 Cass (9, Chippewa N.F., Cass Lake area) DnS, PNi.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
(Setophaga coronata)
204
Reported from all northern regions, Central, East-central. High counts 6/3 Cook (16, Gunflint Lodge) BAn, 6/2 Cook (13, Oberg Mountain) KMa.
Yellow-throated Warbler
(Setophaga dominica)
11 Reported 6/2 St. Louis (Park Point) ph. †AdP, ph. TaP, ph., a.t. †PHS, ebd. Continuing from spring through 6/18 Houston (Hillside Rd., Reno) m.ob.
Black-throated Green Warbler
(Setophaga virens)
131
Encountered in all northern regions plus late migrant 6/2 Nobles ebd. High counts 6/16 Lake (20, Superior N.F., Spruce Rd.) EHi, 7/3 St. Louis (16, Bass Lake Trails) ebd.
Canada Warbler
(Cardellina canadensis)
112 Reported within normal breeding range in North-central and Northeast, plus Roseau. Late spring migrants 6/3 Brown SLH, 6/9 Ramsey TAn. High counts 7/4 Lake (10, Range Lake) JEl, 7/2 Lake (9, Superior N.F., Snowbank Lake Rd.) ebd.
Wilson's Warbler
(Cardellina pusilla)
82 Found in North-central, Northeast plus Clay. Late south migrants 6/2 Olmsted JPr, 6/5 Pipestone GWe.
Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks
Summer Tanager
(Piranga rubra)
31
All reports: 6/1–2 Roseau (Warroad) ph. BSi, 6/3 Lake (Secret Cove) ph. ABm, 6/10 Scott (Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) TAT, 6/16 – 7/17 Becker (Tamarac N.W.R.) †NHe, 7/24–31+ Scott (2, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) RBW, BLz, TWe. First county breeding record: 8/7 Scott GWe.
Scarlet Tanager
(Piranga olivacea)
2838
Encountered in all regions. High count 6/9 Scott (12, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) BxP.
Western Tanager
(Piranga ludoviciana)
1 Continuing from spring 6/1–2 Lake (male, Silver Bay) ABm, ph. JlB.
Northern Cardinal
(Cardinalis cardinalis)
2452
Found throughout state. High count 6/25 Hennepin (32, Hyland Lake P.R.) ebd. First county breeding record: 7/1 Benton DOr.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
(Pheucticus ludovicianus)
3250
Reported from every county except Dodge, Faribault, Lincoln, Traverse, Wilkin. High counts 6/2 St. Louis (12, Meadowlands Twp.) IaG, 6/7 Washington (12, Lake Elmo R.P.) BDo.
Blue Grosbeak
(Passerina caerulea)
18
Encountered in Central, East-central, Southwest, South-central. New county record: 7/17–24 Carver (Dahlgren Rd. gravel pits) TWe, m.ob.
Indigo Bunting
(Passerina cyanea)
3252
Found in all counties except Pennington, Red Lake, Stevens. High counts 6/25 Dakota (20, Pine Bend Bluffs S.N.A.) MaS, 6/28 Ramsey (20, Fort Snelling S.P.) JHv, 6/10 Carver (18, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd. Picnic/Rec. Area) JCy.
Dickcissel
(Spiza americana)
2553
Reported from all regions. High counts 6/3 Rock (45, Blue Mounds S.P.) GWe, 7/9 Rock (45, Touch the Sky Prairie) ebd, LKt. First county breeding record: 7/27 Pipestone SSP.