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Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon | |
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The 1962-Winter Season 1 December 1962 through 28 February 1963 by Ronald L. Huber |
This report covers the period from
December 1, 1962 until March 9, 1963.
Since the Christmas Census article by Janet C. Green appears in this issue, this report will cover those observations other than those on the Christmas Counts. This report also does not de· vote much space to the common or usual winter species, unless they range out of the ordinary.
Weather: Early December was deceptively warm and suddenly the remainder of the month experienced recordbreaking cold weather with sustained below-zero periods. Temperatures of 28 to 32 below zero occurred on several occasions in the Twin City area. Late January and February weren't quite as cold, but strong winds and occasional dips to 18 and 20 below were experienced in the Twin Cities. On January 13, the temperature at Finland, on the North shore of Lake Superior, dropped to 39 below. The most pronounced effect upon our bird-life during this frigid period was the general closure of open water throughout the state.
Most noticeable was the Lake Superior freeze-up. A recent article in the Minneapolis Star, accompanied by aerial photographs, showed that Lake Michigan was completely frozen over except for a small area near Milwaukee harbor. Lake Superior was completely frozen over except for an area near Isle Royal and a few "puddles" along the North Shore in Minnesota.
When the latter lake, largest body of fresh water in the world, is frozen over so extensively, we know it has been a hard, cold winter! Red-neclced Grebe: Jan 5, Knife River, Janet C. Green; Jan 15, same area, Janet Green, Very few winter records See also Canadian Lakehead report.
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Species |
Information |
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| Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks | |||||
| Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) | As usual, several thou- sand wintered on Silver Lake, Rochester, Olmsted Co. Among these were many Branta canadensis maxima, a race of the "honker" which was recent ly believed to be extinct. They have been breeding in northeastrn South Dakota and apparntly near Rochester. Good news, in view of recent wetland drainage problems confronting many of our water birds. | ||||
| Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) | Feb 9, NSP Blackdog Plant, female seen by Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| American Wigeon (Mareca americana) | Jan 1, Feb 1, NSP Blackdog Plant, Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) | Jan 5, Feb 1, NSP Blackdog Plant, Dakota Co., Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| KING EIDER (Somateria spectabilis) | One seen at Knife River on Jan. 5, by Janet Green. Present until Jan. 13, when it was collected for Minnesota Museum of Natural History. This is either first or second Minn. record, dependent upon stillpending circumstances. A more comprehensive account of this will be published in a future issue. | ||||
| Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) | Jan 8, Knife River, immature male seen, Janet Green. | ||||
| White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi) | Dec. 3-18, 2-3 seen, Two Harbors, Dr. Gerry Church; Jan. 8, Knife River, 3 seen, Janet Green; Feb. 8, mouth Cascade River, 4 seen, John Hale. | ||||
| Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) | Like the common Goldeneye, numbers much reduced because of freeze-up. Small groups of 1-9 seen throughout Dec. from Lester River to Two Harbors, Janet Green and Dr. Gerry Church. By January mostly gone; Jan 5, Lester River, Janet Green; Jan 26, Tofte, Janet Green; Feb. 2, Two Harbors, Janet Green and Avifaunal Club; Feb. 17, Grand Marais, Janet Green, Gloria Peleaux. Last date given was group of 5, largest "flock" this year. | ||||
| Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) | Dec. 3, Two Harbors, Lake Co., Ruth Kuchta; Jan 5, Feb 9, NSP Blackdog Plant, Dakota Co., Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) | Seen on open water in usual southern Minn. locations, but North Shore wintering population greatly reduced due to freezeup. | ||||
| Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) | A very few wintering along North Shore in "puddles" of open water; largest concentration reported was at Read's Landing, Wabasha Co., on Feb. 23, when 40 were seen by Amy Chambers. | ||||
| Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) | A few present in open water along North Shore in Dec. and Jan., but not seen in Feb. Northern Goshawk: Dec. 20, Cloquet Forest, Carlton Co. Gordon Gullion Dec. 23, Nimrod, Wadena Co. 1 adult R. OehlenschlagerDec. 27, Nimrod, Wadena Co. 1 adult R. OehlenschlagerJan. 3, Ramsey Co A. C. Rosenwinkel Jan 10, Two Harbors, Lake co. 1 adult Janet Green Jan. 13, Lake Co. Ruth Kuchta Feb. 2, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel Mar. 2, Shotley, Beltrami Co. 1 adult Mrs. Goranson, R. Huber Subsequent to the heavy invasion this past fall, we might expect wide-spread reports, especially in the northern part of the state. | ||||
| Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys | |||||
| Spruce Grouse (Canachites canadensis) | Mar 2, about 9 mi. S., Waskish, Beltrami Co., 2 males and 1 female picking gravel on edge of Hwy. 72, D. Dorn and R. Huber. | ||||
| Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) | Dec. 9, Dec. 23, Hibbing, St. Louis Co., Harriet Micen· sky; Jan. 1, Baudette, Lake-of-theWoods Co., Avifaunal Club; Jan. 17, Shotley, Beltrami Co., Mrs. Ben Goranson; Feb. 23, Lancaster, Kittson Co., and Feb. 24, Warroad, Lake-of-the· Woods Co., staff members of Minn. Museum of Natural History. | ||||
| Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido) | Dec. 16, Dec. 23, Feb. 2, Nimrod, Wadena Co., R. Oehlenschlager; Dec. 26, Cass Co., E. of Nimrod, R. Oehlenschalager. | ||||
| Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix) | Feb. 23, near Roseau, Roseau, Co., staff members of Minn. Museum of Natural History. | ||||
| Pigeons, Doves | |||||
| Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) | More scarce than usual this winter. One in late Jan. seen frequently at feeder of V. E. Janssen in south Mpls; A. C. Rosenwinkel seems to have them staked out this winter: Dec. 30, Jan. 3, Feb. 1 all in Ramsey Co. | ||||
| Rails, Gallinules, Coots | |||||
| American Coot (Fulica americana) | Two wintering at Howard Lake, Wright Co., Mrs. Erma Christopher; Jan. 5, Feb. 2, NSP Blackdog Plant, Dakota Co., Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| Gulls, Terns | |||||
| Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) | The usual wintering population along the North Shore fluctuated in numbers this winter in direct accord with open water conditions. Most interesting record was one adult seen at Silver Lake, Rochester on Jan 19 by Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) | Three seen in Knife River-Two Harbors area, between Jan. 8, and Jan. 15, by Janet Green and other observers. Carefully identified at close range, in company with Glaucous and Herring Gulls. A note of interest on this will appear in a future issue. Not seen during Feb., but one adult seen again at Knife River on Mar. 2, by Janet Green. About eight previous records, some of which are open to question because of lack of details. Two specimens have been taken in Minnesota. | ||||
| Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) | Dec. 6, adult, Knife River, Janet Green; present all during January in Knife River-Two Harbors area, as many as 9 seen at one time. Plumage characters indicates at least ~ Tree Swallow peering out of nesting box. House wren striking a valiant pose outside of split level nesting abode. c&-6p,-u~ bft6ftL ~~~ K~tuuJ Young Yellow-headed cattail above nest. ing fonnation. 3 pale blue eggs of !3lack-bllled Same nest with Black-billed Northern Pintail duck sitting on its eggso This nest too, was, found right out in plain sight on an open bare plowed field, early in spring. A small nest containing 5 young goldfinch which are almost ready to take off on their photos and text by e.h.strubbe | ||||
| Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons | |||||
| American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) | Early Dec, one seen at Howard Lake, Wright Co., by Mrs. Erma Christopher. An unusual record. | ||||
| Kites, Accipiters, Hawks, Eagles | |||||
| Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) | Jan. 19, adult, Whitewater Park, Winona Co., Avifaunal Club; Feb. 2, adult, Nimrod, Wadena Co., R. Oehlenschlager. Bald Eagle: Dec. 18, Read's Landing, Wabasha Co., 23 adults Dr. Mathieson Dec. 22, Read's Landing, 3 adults, John Feehan Dec. 24, 10 mi. S. Nimrod, Wadena Co., 1 adult R. Oehlenschlager Dec. 28, Lafayette Bluff, Lake Co., one reported M. Penner Jan. 9, May Twnshp, Washington Co., 1 adult D. Honetschlager Jan. 15 Read's Landing, immature and 19 adults Jan.d~bRead's Landing, 9 adults, Avifaunal Jan. 24, Cloquet Forest, Carlton Co. Gordon Gullion Feb. 1, St. Croix Park area, 1 adult A. C. Rosenwinkel | ||||
| Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) | Jan. 28, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkle, Feb. 16, Askov, Pine Co., W. J. Breckenridge. | ||||
| Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) | Jan. 21, Central Lakes, St. Louis Co., Mr. Stults; Feb. 27, French River, John Hale. | ||||
| Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) | Jan. 15, Homer, Winona Co., Austin Shira; Jan. 19, Wabasha and Winona Counties, Avifaunal Club; Jan. 20, Winona Co., Gwen Miller, Mar. 8, Wayzata, Hennepin Co., R. Huber. | ||||
| Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) | Reported from various, widespread areas in the state, but apparently in very reduced numbers as compared with past five winters. | ||||
| Screech-Owls, Owls | |||||
| Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) | Seen for several days in late Dec., St. Paul, A. C. Rosenwinkel; Mar. 2, gray phase, Mpls, W. R. Pieper; all winter in May Twnshp, Washington Co., red phase, D. Honetschlager. Great-Horned Owl: Present all winter in Duluth area, various observers; all winter in May Twnshp, Washington Co., at least two, D. Honetschlager; all winter, White Bear, Washington Co., Jack Gardner; Jan. 1, Nimrod, Wadena Co., Avifaunal Club; Jan. 7, Mpls, R. Huber; late Jan., Bemidji, Beltrami Co., specimen taken by John Souder, taxidermist; Mar. 9, Mora, Kanabec Co., Avifaunal Club. | ||||
| Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) | Dec. 19, near Hibbing, reported to Harriet Micensky. Dec. 23, Nimrod, Wadena Co., R. Oehlenschlager; Dec. 29, Mud Lake, Traverse Co., 2 seen, R. Grant; Jan. 1, Baudette, Lake-of-the-woods Co., Avifaunal Club; all Jan., Minn. Point, Duluth (3 there on Jan. 8, Janet Green) reported by J K. Bronoel; two seen there on Feb. 15 by Janet Green; one seen there on Mar. 9, Avifaunal Club. Hawl~ Owl: all Dec., Duluth and Range Cities 9 observations reported to Janet Green Dec. 26, Cass Co., E. of Nimrod, 1 seen R. Oehlenschlager Dec. 31, 5 mi. N. Two Harbors, Lake Co. 1 seen Avifaunal Club all Jan, Duluth and Range Cities 12 observations reported to Janet Green Jan. 1, Baudette to Washkish, 9 seen, | ||||
| Barred Owl (Strix varia) | Jan. 2, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel; Feb. 22, Ramsey Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel; Feb. 23, Etter, Dakota Co., R. Janssen. Long·eared Owl: Feb 18, one found dead on road just S. of Elk River, on Wright Co. side of MMississippi River, R. Huber. | ||||
| Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) | Dec. 29, Mud Lake, Traverse Co., R. Grant. | ||||
| Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus) | Mar. 1, French River, St. Louis Co., one found dead by John Hale; Mar. 9, Two Harbors, Lake Co., at close range, Avifaunal Club and Janet Green, photographed by Dr. Gerry Church. | ||||
| Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) | Jan. 31, Duluth, one found dead, brought to Ray Naddy. | ||||
| Woodpeckers | |||||
| Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) | Jan. 19, Read's Landing, Wabasha Co., Avifaunal Club; Jan. 19, Frontenac, Goodhue Co., Avifaunal Club; Feb. 23, Hastings, Dakota Co., R. Janssen; common all winter, May Twnshp, Washington Co., D. Honetschlager. | ||||
| American Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis) | On Dec. 21, one seen in Hibbing by Harriet Micensky and Mrs. Oscar McCracken. See Christmas Census, elsewhere in this issue. This has been quite a winter for American Three-toed Woodpeckers. | ||||
| Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) | Dec. 15, Nimrod, Wadena Co., female collected, R. Oehlenschlager; Feb. 17, Lutsen, Cook Co., 2 males, Gloria Peleaux, Janet Green, R. Janssen; Mar. 2, Waskish, Beltrami Co., male and female seen, 4 others heard, D. Dorn and R. Huber. Some of those calling may have been the following species. | ||||
| Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) | Dec. 11, Eden Prairie, Hennepin Co., R. Huber; one all winter at Cokato, Wright Co., Mrs. Erma Christopher. | ||||
| Caracaras, Falcons | |||||
| Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) | Feb. 15, in South Dakota near Salt Lake, Lac qui Parle Co., Minn, one seen on hay stack by Lowry Elliott; another reported on Manitoba Christmas Count at Winnipeg, just north of Kittson Co., Minn. | ||||
| Jays, Nutcrackers, Magpies, Crows | |||||
| Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) | Dec. 31, S. of Ely, St. Louis Co., Avifauna] Club; Jan. 1, Washkish, Beltrami Co., Avifauna] Club; Feb. 23, 24, throughout Roseau and Lake-of-the-woods Counties, Museum staff members; Mar. 2, Waskish, R. Huber. | ||||
| Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) | Jan. 1, Baudette to Waskish, 6 seen, Avifauna] Club; Feb. 23, Kittson and Roseau Counties, Museum staff; Feb 24, Northwest Angle, Lake-of-the-woods Co., Museum Staff; Mar. 2, Shotley, Beltrami Co., 3 seen, Mrs. Ben Goranson, R. Huber. | ||||
| Common Raven (Corvus corax) | Common throughout northern part of state this winter and very abundant in certain localities. On Feb. 16, large flocks of 50-60 seen at several city dumps along North Shore by Gloria Peleaux, Janet Green and Avifauna] Club. | ||||
| Chickadees, Titmice | |||||
| Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) | At Hibbing, Harriet Micensky had 22 observations at her feeder during Dec.; Dec. 28, Cloquet Forest Research Center, Carlton Co., Gordon Gullion; during Jan., Harriet Micensky again had 21 observations; Feb. 16, Lutsen, Cook Co., 3 at feeder, Gloria Peleaux, Janet Green; Feb. 24, Northwest Angle, Lake-of-thewoods Co., 2 seen, Museum staff. | ||||
| Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) | All winter at Mrs. Cuthbert's feeder, Lake Vadnais, Ramsey Co., reported by A. C. Rosenwinkel, and in May Twnshp, Washington Co., at least 3 at feeders, D. Honetschla- ger; Jan. 13, Theodore Wirth Park, Mpls, R. Huber; second week in Feb., Big Stone City, South Dakota, near Minnesota border, one banded by Lowry Elliott. Nearest Minnesota city would be Ortonville. Feb. 26, Theodore Wirth Park, Mpls, R. Huber; Grace Dahm of Hiawatha Valley Bird Club took the following survey on Jan. 15, all in Winona County: Homer, 1 seen, Austin Shira; Pleasant Valley, 2 seen, E. E. Christensen; Prairie Island, 2 seen, Robert Stephan; Dakota, 4 seen, Victor Morse; Stockton, 2 seen, Karl Lipsohn; West Burns Valley, 2 seen, Gwen Miller. | ||||
| Larks | |||||
| Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) | Arrived in some numbers during early Feb. near Twin Cities. By end of Feb., they were paired off on breeding territories as far north as Duluth and Waskish. | ||||
| Waxwings | |||||
| Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) | Dec. 22, 40 seen, Hibbing, Harriet Micensky; Jan. 5-26, flocks 5 to 30, Duluth area, Nels Hervi, Janet Green, P. B. Hofslund; all Feb., flocks 20 to 70 seen occasionally, Duluth, Janet Green; first week of Mar., large flocks up to 100, Duluth, Janet Green, Avifauna] Club. | ||||
| Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) | all Dec., Duluth to Two Harbors, up to 100 seen, several observers; all Jan., Duluth, flocks 1050 seen, various observers; Jan. 18, Dakota, Winona Co., 2 seen, Harry Luedke; all Feb., Duluth, "more common than Bohemian" says Janet Green, one flock contained 150 birds; Feb. 9-10, May Twnshp, Washington Co., small flock, D. Honetschlager; Feb. 12, Milbank, South Dakota, near Minn. line (Lac qui Parle Co.) 19 seen, Lowry Elliott. Northern Shrike: Dec. 27, 28, Parkville, Duluth Mrs. S. N. Erickson Jan. 1, May Twnshp, Washington Co. D. Honetschlager (banded) Jan. 1, Wheeler's Point, L.-of-Woods Avifaunal Club Jan 1·6, 20, 21, Duluth-Two Harbors area | ||||
| Wrens | |||||
| Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis) | One seen on Jan. 1, Purgatory Creek, Eden Prairie, Hennepin Co., R. Janssen. | ||||
| Thrashers, Mockingbirds | |||||
| Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) | Dec. 18, Carver Co., N of Shakopee, R. Huber; see also the 1962 Christmas Census in this issue. Robin: Widely reported throughout state this winter in small numbers, as far North as Waskish and North Shore. Largest flocks seen just above and below Two Harbors area where up to 20 seen on several occasions by various observers. Jan. 1, Purgatory Creek, R. Janssen. | ||||
| Finches | |||||
| Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) | all winter, Shotley, Beltrami Co., feeder of Mrs. Ben Goranson. One of these, a female, had aluminum band and 3 color-bands as follows: left leg-green above red, right leg-green above aluminum. Banded by any of our Minnesota banders? Widely reported in northern part of state from Waskish east to Hibbing and North Shore, south to May Twnshp, Washington Co. (D. Honetschlager), Minneapolis (W. J. Breckenridge), thence northwest to Cass Lake (Avifaunal Club) and Fertile, Polk Co. (Mrs. B. L. Duckstad). | ||||
| Redpoll (Hoary) (Acanthis f. exilipes) | Jan. 1, 5 mi. SE Waskish, Beltrami Co., 1 seen with 20 common Redpolls, Avifaunal Club; Feb. 16, 3 seen at Grand Marais, Cook Co. and 1 seen at Knife River, Lake Co. by Janet Green, Gloria Peleaux and Avifaunal Club; Mar. 2, Waskish, 4 out of 13 Redpolls in one flock were Hoarys, D. Dorn and R. Huber; Mar. 9, French River, St. Louis Co., 4 out of about 60 were Hoarys, Avifaunal Club; Redpolls were generally restricted to northern parts of state this winter. | ||||
| White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera) | Dec. 2,8, small flocks, Duluth, P. B. Hofslund; Jan 5, Cloquet Forest Research Station, Gordon Gullion; Jan. 27, Grand Marais, Cook Co., A. E. Allin; Feb. 15, Duluth, Janet Green; first two weeks in Jan., St. Paul, A. C. Rosenwinkel. | ||||
| Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) | Abundant in northern parts of state, with only a few records for southern Minn: Dec. 30, small flock, Mpls, R. Huber; all winter at feeder of V. E. Janssen, in south Mpls; Feb. 5 Hennepin Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel. | ||||
| Longspurs and Snow Buntings | |||||
| Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) | Feb. 17, small flock, Dakota Co., A. C. Rosenwinkel. | ||||
| Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) | Usual numbers in northern part of state except North Shore where they were surprisingly scarce this winter. | ||||
| Towhees, Sparrows | |||||
| Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) | all winter at feeder of Dr. W. J. Breckenridge, N Mpls; Jan. 15, West Burns Valley, Winona Co., Gwen Miller; Feb. 12, Lac qui Parle Co., one seen, Lowry Elliott. | ||||
| White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) | This is probably one of the first "White-throated Sparrow Winters" on record in Minn. While not abundant in any single locality, they were widely reported. Dec. 10-31, Hibbing, at feeder, Harriet Micensky; Jan. 6-7 thru late Feb., N. shore Mille Lacs Lake, Aitkin Co., two, then only one, at feeder reported by W. R. Pieper; Feb. 12, one banded at Genoa, Olmsted Co. by Carl Johnson, John Feehan. See also Christmas Census in this issue. | ||||
| Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) | A female seen Dec. 25 in South Dakota near the Minn. line (Lac qui Parle Co.) by Lowry Elliott has wintered at a feeder quite well and was still there as of Feb. 22. Possibly the arctic subspecies? (See Notes of Interest) | ||||
| Blackbirds, Orioles | |||||
| Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) | Dec. 18, Carver Co., N. of Shakopee, R. Huber; Feb. 22, Cokato, Wright Co., Mrs. Erma Christopher. | ||||
| Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) | Jan. 5, Eden Prairie, Hennepin Co., several with Redwings, Avifaunal Club; all winter, 8 in May Twnshp, Washington Co., D. Honetschlager; considerably less common this winter than usual. | ||||
| Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) | Jan. 1, Carver Co., N. of Shakopee, R. Janssen; 16 seen on Christmas Census in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, adjacent Rock County, Minn. | ||||
| Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks | |||||
| Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) | following reports were out of the ordinary: Dec. 2, male, Duluth, Mrs. B. Rutherford; Jan. 31, female, Doll!llelly, Stevens Co., most of winter at Allie Olson feeder, reported by Del Holdgrafer; Feb. 12, male, Lac qui Parle Co., Lowry Elliott; Feb. 16, male, Schroeder, Cook. Co., Janet Green; a sharp increase in Northern Cardinals was reported by John Feehan who states that Clyde Brown has counted as many as 50 at once near his farm at Genoa, twelve miles north of Rochester. | ||||