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Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon | |
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The 1965-Winter Season 1 December 1965 through 28 February 1966 Janet C. Green |
Since my style differs somewhat from that usually used in this column, I will first explain my notations and assumptions.
All the observations that were reported for each species are listed unless a summary statement is made. A few ubiquitous species have been omitted: Ruffed Grouse, Ring-necked Pheasant; Pileated, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers; Blue Jay; and Black-capped Chickadee. If no number is given after the date, it is assumed that only one was seen. In most cases, only the county name is used for the location of the observation and the word "County" is then omitted. When the state has been divided into "North" and "South", the boundry between them is the southern border of Pine, Kanabec, Morrison, Todd, Douglas, Grant and Traverse Counties. If the division is into "North," "Central," and "South," then the northern border of these counties is used plus the southern border of Dakota, Scott, Sibley, Renville and Lac qui Parle Counties.
The picture that emerges from the reports is of course biased by the geographical extent of the coverage for the state.
So that the reader may interpret the seasonal summary with this bias in mind the counties covered will be listed below.
The number following the county name is the number of regular (i. e., submitting a complete report) contributors in that county. If there is no number, then the county was covered by just a few miscellaneous observations. North: Marshall, 1; Polk 2; Clay; Cass; S. ¥>. Beltrami, 3; Wadena; Crow Wing, 1; Aitkin, 1; S. 1/3 St. Louis, 2; mid I/3 St. Louis, 1; S. I/z Lake, 1; Cook, 4. Central: Stevens, 2; Pope, 1; Stearns, 2; Swift; Kandiyohi; Wright, 1; Morrison, 2; Washington, 2;
Dakota 1; Scott; Carver; Mille Lacs, 1; Kanabec,!; Chisago; Anoka; Hennepin, 10; Ramsey, 3. South: Nobles, 1; Cottonwood, 1; Murray; Lyon; Rock; Rice, 1; Goodhue; Wabasha, 1; Olmsted, 2; Winona.
There are many interesting areas of the state that are not covered at all. We particularly would like to get information from some of the many birders in Winona, Mankato, Albert Lea, Willmar, and St. Cloud as well as any observers in the western or northern parts of the state. If anyone we have not contacted would like to contribute, please write to me and I will be very glad to send the forms.
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Species |
Information |
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| Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks | |||||
| Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) | 12/ 12-26 and later?), (1-3), Howard Lake, Wright Co., EMB, WL, DAB, MGGs. All winter, (1) Watab Lake, Stearns Co., RPR. ' | ||||
| Ross's Goose (Anser rossii) | 12/5 (D. Strom & K. Hanson) -12/ 29 (E. R. Sullivan), (2); 12/ 2226 (4), E. R. Sullivan; Howard Lake, Wright. Co. | ||||
| Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) | All winter: small groups in Aitkin, Stearns, Wright, Ramsey, Hennepin, Dakota, Wabasha; large group (7400, 1/ 2, Xmas), Olmsted. | ||||
| Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) | 12/ 3, Hennepin, RDT. | ||||
| Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) | Last, South: 12/7, Hennepin, DAB. All winter (1 wild), Howard Lake, Wright Co., EMB. | ||||
| American Wigeon (Mareca americana) | Last, South: 12/ 19, Hennepin, VL. 1/ 2, Olmsted, Xmas. | ||||
| Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) | All winter Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, Goodhue, Wabasha, Winona, Olmsted; groups of 1020, Ottertail (Xmas), Kandiyohi (Xmas), Stearns (RPR), Cook (semi-wild, JCG). Migrants?: 2/ 21 (10), St. Joseph (RPR) and 2/ 26 (1), St. Cloud (NMH), Stearns Co.; 2/ 26 (750), "Black Dog", Dakota Co., JRR. | ||||
| American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) | All winter: (2-10), Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, Goodhue, Wabasha, Winona, Olmsted, Stearns. 12/ 7 (6), JCG, and 2/ 12 (3), W. J. Breckenridge, Grand Marais, Cook Co. | ||||
| Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) | Last, South: 12/ 10, Hennepin, VL. ; | ||||
| Redhead (Aythya americana) | Last, South: 12/11, Hennepin, RBJ. 1/9, Ramsey, DAB, (third winter record). | ||||
| Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) | Last, South: 12/ 8, Hennepin, RDT. All winter (2 females), "Black Dog", Dakota Co., RBJ, RG, EMB. 1/ 8 (injured? male), Carver, RBJ. | ||||
| Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) | Last, South: 12/ 18, Hennepin, WL. 1/ 5, Ramsey, DAB. 1/ 8 (RG) 2/ 12(RBJ), (1-2), "Black Dog," Dakota Co. | ||||
| Somateria eider (Somateria sp.) | 1/ 16, one female or immature either King or Common, Two Harbors, | ||||
| Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) | 11/28 -1/18 subadult male, "Ironstone House," Duluth Twp., St. Louis Co., JCG, JG, RK, RAK. et al. 1/ 23, sub-adult male (different bird because of markings on head), Clifton, Duluth Twp., St. Louis Co., JCG. 12/ 31 pair, Two Harbors, Lake Co., RK, RAK: ; | ||||
| Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) | Last, South: 12/12, Hennepin, MHM. 12/ 14 (3), 1/ 6 (4), Lake, JCG. 12/ 24 -2/ 6 (1-2), "Black Dog", Dakota Co., RBJ, RG. Long-tailed Duck. 12/ 1 (RDT) -12/11 (RG), (2) Hennepin. Lake Superior: first, 12/7 (7), Cook, JCG; only small groups (3-10) all winter except on 1/ 18 (105), St. Louis, JCG; and 2/ 5 (50), Cook, MA. ; | ||||
| Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) | All winter: (10s100), Cook, Lake, St. Louis, Morrison, Stearns, Cass, Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, Dakota, Goodhue, Olmsted, Wabasha. Migrants?: 2/ 22 (500), Hennepin, Mpls. Aud.; 2/24 (250), Ramsey, WL. BARROW'S GOLDENEYE. 1/ 1 (WL) 1/ 8 (fide EMB), and again 3/ 1 -(WL) 3/ 5 (EMB), one male, Ramsey. | ||||
| Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) | Last, South: 12/ 8, Hennepin, RDT. 1/ 8 (female), 1/ 30 (male), "Black Dog," Dakota Co., RG. | ||||
| Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) | Last North: 12/ 4 Aitkin, CEP. Last, South:' 12/14, Henne: pin, VL. All winter: Lake Superior (112); Wabasha (10-50); Howard Lake Wright Co. (1); Dakota (EMB); Washing: ton (Xmas). 2/ 5, Birch Lake Dam, Lake Co., RG. Re~-breasted Merganser. Last, Lake Supenor: 12/ 14, St. Louis, JCG. Only other 1/ 8, Dakota, EMB. | ||||
| New World Quail | |||||
| Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) | 1/15/2/ 16 (9/10), Dakota, EMB, RBJ. Chukar. 1/8 (14), Ely, St. Louis Co., DAB. Gray Partridge. 12/9 (1), Olmsted, FGD; 12/22 (10), Clay, Xmas; Feb., Nobles, HSH; 2/2/28 (8), Dakota, EMB; 2/12 (4), Marshall, Az. Staff; 2/28 (2), Polk, G&SM. | ||||
| Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys | |||||
| Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) | St (2), Hibbing, HM; 2/12 (1), Floodwood, RG. Marshall: daily with greatest number, 16, Az. Staff. Aitkin: occasionally with greatest number, 7, CEP. | ||||
| Grebes | |||||
| Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) | Last, South: 12/ 2, Hennepin, VL. 1/ 9, "Black Dog", Dakota Co., RBJ, RG. | ||||
| Pigeons, Doves | |||||
| Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) | North: 2 attempted to winter at grain elevators in Duluth, found frozen in Jan., fide JCG Central: all winter, groups of 1-6, about 22 observations by 10 people in Hennepin, Ramsey, Stevens, Pope, Scott. South: all winter, groups of 1-12 (except 1/ 2 (25) Winona, FGD), reported by 5 people in Wabasha, Winona, Rice, Olmsted, Nobles. Eastern Screech-Owl. 12/ 19, Stearns, NMH. 12/ 20, Ramsey, WL. 1/ 1, Ramsey, St. Paul N. Xmas. 2/ 22, Stevens, RAG. Jan. & Feb., Nobles, HSH. | ||||
| Rails, Gallinules, Coots | |||||
| American Coot (Fulica americana) | Last, South: 12/ 19, Hennepin, VL. 12/ 18 (WL)-1/ 12 (EGC) (3), Howard Lake, Wright Co. 1/ 8-2/ 15 (1), "Black Dog," Dakota Co., EMB, RBJ, RG. 1/ 2 (2), Rochester, Olmsted Co., Xmas. Killdeer. 1/ 2 (4), Winona, FGD. Wilson's Snipe. 12/ 5 (1), ACR, 2/ 27 (2), WL, Ramsey. 1/ 2 (2), Excelsior Xmas Count 1/ 1 (3), St. Paul NE Xmas Count. 1/ 1, Dakota, RBJ. 1/ 2 (2), Winona, FGD. 2/ 9-13 (1), Goodhue, EMB. Glaucous Gull. Lake Superior, Knife River-Two Harbors: 12/ 9 (1 adult), JCG; 12/14 (different adult), JCG; 1/1 (1), RK; 1/ 15-23 (2 adults, 3 immatures), JCG; none seen after that, lake frozen past Two Harbors. | ||||
| Gulls, Terns | |||||
| Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) | Central: last regular migrant, 12/ 19, Hennepin, VL; on river, 1/1 (1), St. Paul N. Xmas. South: with Herring Gulls along the Mississippi; last, 1/2 (14), Winona Xmas, and 1/3, WinonaHouston, fide F. M. Voelker. | ||||
| Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) | Lake Superior: all winter -Lake Co., (6-800) until lake froze in late Jan., (10-50) after that, fewest in many years, no commercial fishing to attract them; Grand Marais, Cook Co. June, 1966 12/ 9 (500), 2/ 12 (42), JCG. North: early wanderers, 2/ 26 (3), Gunflint Lake, Cook Co., HH, not seen again. Central: hundreds until freeze-up on Mpls. lakes, 12/19; last on rivers, 1/ 5, Ramsey, DAB and Dakota, EMB; first wanderer, 2/ 19 (1 adult), Ramsey, WL. South: hundreds along the Mississippi until 1/ 1 (200), Goodhue, RG; greatest number 12/ 18 (1000), Wabasha, DGM; Xmas Counts, 12/ 29 (31), Wabasha and 1/ 2 (11), Winona; last, 1/ 4 (6), Wabasha, DGM and | ||||
| Loons | |||||
| Common Loon (Gavia immer) | 12/ 1, Hennepin, VL. | ||||
| Kites, Accipiters, Hawks, Eagles | |||||
| Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) | Hennepin: 12/ 3, Mpls. Aud.; 12/ 7, VL; 2/ 19, MHM. Stevens: 2/8, RAG; Olmsted: 2/12, JPF. Sharp-shinned Hawk. 12/20, French River, St. Louis Co., R. A. Widmeier. Xmas Count, Willmar, Kandiyohi Co. 1/ 1, Wabasha, RBJ. 2/ 6, Goodhue, EMB, RG. | ||||
| American Goshawk (Accipiter atricapillus) | North: 12 observations by 6 people in Cook, Wadena, Cass, Marshall, St. Louis, Aitkin. Central: 8 observations by 8 people in Stearns, Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota. South: only, 2/ 23, Olmstead, JPF. | ||||
| Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) | All winter: reported by 20 people in Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, Washington, Goodhue, Wabasha, Winona, Rice, Olmsted, Migrants?: 2/ 25 (3), Hennepin Mrs. EWJ. Red-shouldered Hawk. 12/ 29, Wabasha DGM, Xmas, 1/ 1, Ramsey, ACR, Xmas; 1/ 1 Washington?, St. Paul NE. Xmas; 1/ 2, Winona, Xmas; 2/ 6, Hennepin, RDT. Rough-legged Hawk. All winter. North: 5 observation by 5 people in Marshall, Cook, Lake, Aitkin, Roseau. Central: 11 observations by 9 people in Stearns, Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, Dakota. Southeast: 5 observations by 5 people in Olmsted, Rice, Goodhue. Southwest: "every trip," Nobles, HSH; "common," Rock, B. Anderson. | ||||
| Screech-Owls, Owls | |||||
| Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) | North: reported by 5 people in Lake, S. St. Louis, Aitkin, Crow Wing. Central: reported by 12 people in Stearns, Sherburne, Washington, Wright, Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, Kandiyohi, Stevens. South: reported by 6 people in Rice, Olmsted, Wabasha, Nobles, Murray, Lyon. Snowy Owl. Only a few this winter (March data included): 12/ 20-3/ 11, Hibbing, HM. 12/ 23-1/23, Polk, G&SM. 12/8, S. Beltrami, MG. 1/ 4 (RPR)-2/ 9 (A. Grewe), St. Joseph, Stearns Co. 12/10 (1), 12/ 21 (different one?) 3/ 1 (2). Rice, OAR. 2/ 5, Sax, St. Louis Co., JCG. 1/ 23/ 7, Duluth, J. K. Bronoel. Last week Dec. (2), Taconite Hbr., Cook Co., W. Nelson. 3/ 26, Stevens, RAG. Hawk-Owl. All winter, Cloquet Valley | ||||
| Barred Owl (Strix varia) | North: reported by 3 people in Cook, S. St. Louis, Aitkin. Central: reported by 10 people in Washington, Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, Stearns. South: reported by 3 people in Winona, Wabasha, Olmsted. Great Gray Owl. See article in this issue. Short-eared Owl. 12/4, Lutsen, Cook Co., LES, (latest record for North). 1/ 9 (RG) 1/ 19 (EMB) Dakota. 1/ 30 (F. Cruzen)2/ 25 (Mpls. Aud.) (1-2 with 3 on 2/ 2, MHM. and 2/ 6, WL) International Airport, Hennepin Co. Boreal Owl. See article in this issue. Northern Saw-whet Owl. 12/25, Aitkin, CEP. 2/3, Duluth, Jane Highum. | ||||
| Woodpeckers | |||||
| Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) | Central: 12/11, Pope, WHS; 1/ 1, Ramsey, ACR; 2/ 6, Dakota, RB; 2/ 26, Big Stone, RAG. Southeast: 12/ 22, Rice, OAR; 1/ 13, Wabasha, DGM; 2/ 26 (3, migrants?), Olmsted MHM. Southwest: 2/ 6, Cottonwood, Mrs. LAF; all "winter, 3-4 a week, Nobles, HSH; all winter, some with hybrid characters, Rock, B. Anderson; 12/ 28 (5), Lyon, Xmas. Red-bellied Woodpecker. North of usual range: Nov.-late Dec., S. Beltrami, MG; 12/ 23, Little Falls, Morrison Co., LSR (good details); 2/ 5 (1), 2/ 12 (different bird), Collegeville, Stearns Co., RPR. All winter, reported by 12 people as regular in Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, Goodhue, Washington, Wabasha, Winona, Olmsted, Rice plus Kandiyohi Xmas. 2/ 20 (pair), Lake Shetek, Murray Co., HSH. | ||||
| Caracaras, Falcons | |||||
| American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) | Central: 26 observations by 15 people; Dec. and Jan. reports in the Twin Cities area only; migration? in Feb.-2/ 11, Kanabec, NAJ; 2/ 28, Wright, RPR; Twin Cities, one report before 2/ 24, five that date and later. South: reported in Wabasha (once), Rice (once), Olmsted (once), Lyon (once), Nobles (occasionally 1-2, HSH). | ||||
| Shrikes | |||||
| Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis) | North: about 50 observations by 13 people in Marshall, S. Beltrami, Wadena, Crow Wing, Aitkin, St. Louis, Lake, Cook, Cass; common. Central: 42 observations by 15 people in Stearns, Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, Dakota, Stevens, Anoka. South: 8 observations by 3 people in Winona, Wabasha, Olmsted; last. 2/ 20, Wabasha, DGM. Meadowlark sp. 12/ 22, identified as Western, Clay, Xmas. 12/ 30, Rice, OAR. 1/ 8, then daily, Wabasha, DGM. Dec., and 1/ 5, Pope, WHS. All winter, a few, Nobles, HSH. 2/ 6 (3), Dakota, EMB. Yellow-backed Blackbird. 12/ 5, Marshall, Az. Staff. Red-winged Blackbird. North. 2/ 13, Cook, Mrs. Seines. South: December (4 observations)- | ||||
| Larks | |||||
| Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) | All Winter: usually small groups (2-15) before migration in Stevens, Pope, Hennepin, Dakota, Wright, Scott, Wabasha, Goodhue, Winona, Olmsted, Rice, Cottonwood, Nobles, Lyon. Migration: Central-1/ 30 (influx, 3-400), Dakota, EMB; next wave 2/ 10-13 (many first arrivals); biggest wave, 2/ 24 (100+, Stearns, NMH)-2/ 26 (large flocks, Stevens, RAG). Migration: North-first arrivals (none wintered): 2/10, Crow Wing, JB; 2/12, Duluth, MGGs, and Grand Marais, E. Putnam; 2/ 24 (4), Aitkin, CEP; 2/ 25, Polk, G&SM; 2/ 26 (40), Marshall, Az. Staff. Gray Jay. All winter, regularly (perhaps more common than normal) reported by 13 people in Cook, Lake, St. Louis, S. Beltrami, Aitkin (1-3 all winter, CEP). 1/ 2 (4), Walker, Cass Co., Xmas. 1/ 12 (2), Brainerd, Crow Wing Co., LSR. 1/ 19 | ||||
| Nuthatches | |||||
| Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) | North: only a few observations in Crow Wing (until mid-Jan., JB), Cook (once), St. Louis (once), Wadena (twice), Cass (3, Xmas); scarce. Central: reported regularly in Stevens (2, RAG), Ramsey (1-2, MGGs; also 18 on Xmas, St. Paul N.) Stearns (4-6, RPR); 26 other observations by 14 people in Stearns, Hennepin, Ramsey, Kandiyohi, Washington. South: reported regularly in Nobles (HSH); 4 other observations by 4 people in Rice, Winona, Olmsted, Cottonwood plus Lyon Xmas. | ||||
| White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) | North: 1-2 reported regularly by 8 people in Polk, Beltrami, Crow Wing, Aitkin, St. Louis (Hibbing, Duluth) plus Xmas in Clay, Cass. South: 1-5 reported regularly by 22 people in Morrison, Mille Lacs, Stearns, Wright, Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, THE LOON Dakota, Wabasha, Winona, Rice, Olmsted, Nobles, Cottonwood, Pope, Stevens plus Xmas in Anoka, Lyon, Kandiyohi, | ||||
| Creepers | |||||
| Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) | South: 1-3 reported occasionally by 14 people in Stearns, Hennepin, Anoka, Stevens, Nobles, Washington, Winona, Olmsted, Wabasha, Ramsey plus Xmas in Lyon, Kandiyohi. Winter Wren. 12/ 29, Whitewater Refuge, Wabasha Co., DGM. Brown Thrasher. Late fall-1/ 12, Duluth. Mrs. Guy S. Engle. Late fall-1/26, St. Paul, Mrs. Norman Haglund. Robin. 1-2 seen occasionally in Polk, Wadena, St. Louis (Duluth), Morrison, Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, Goodhue, Rice, Olmsted. One group: 1/ 2 (13), Winona, DGM. VARIED THRUSH. 12/ 5-18, immature male, Morris, Stevens Co., EHS, RAG, | ||||
| Finches | |||||
| Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) | North: reported as abundant in Aitkin (CEP), Crow Wing (JB); large groups also at Hibbing (12/ 30, 218, Xmas); scarce on the North Shore, 16 observations of 1-11 birds; scattered reports also in Marshall, Polk, S. Beltrami, Cass, Wadena, Morrison, Mille Lacs. South: abundant in Stevens (12/ 15-27, 50100, RAG; fewer in Jan.; 2/5, 75, JAR; last, 2/ 28,.JAR) and later in Stearns (1/ 19, 5-2/ 25, 100, RPR). Scattered reports of small groups (1-10) to the east: first 12/ 4, Rice, OAR; next, 12/ 7, Hennepin, Mrs. EWJ; then, 10 observations in Jan. in Hennepin, Ramsey, Chisago, Dakota, Washington, Goodhue; last, 2/ 16, Wabasha, DGM and Feb., Winona, fide GD. Hoary Redpoll. A few (1-4) reported in the flocks of Common Redpolls that wintered | ||||
| Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) | North: 12/ 9-15 (50) Polk, CCE; 1/ 2 (6), Cass, Xmas; 12/ 22 (2), Clay Xmas; no other reports. South: regularly all winter in small groups (2-15) from Stevens, Stearns and Mille Lacs Counties southward; reported by 25 people. | ||||
| Redpoll (Common) (Acanthis f. flammea) | South: the most abundant winter finch; present in invasion numbers all winter in the southern part of the state with counts of flocks of 50100 commonly made in Stevens, Pope, Swift, Stearns, Morrison, Wright, Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, Dakota, Rice, Goodhue, Wabasha, Olmsted, Winona. Largest counts: 12/ 23 (1500), Morrison, LSR; 1/ 15 (1000), Dakota, EMB; 2/ 6 (2000), Dakota, RG; total of 5000+ on Xmas counts, greatest Xmas count total. Also reported in Nobles (1/ 16) ana Jackson 2/ 1, 50), HSH; plus Xmas in Lyon (44) and Kandiyohi (42). Northeast: quite scarce; reported by 4 people in Cook, Lake, St. Louis (Duluth); none from 12/ 7, Lake, JCG, until 2/ 11, Cook, JP. Northwest: flocks reported through Dec. | ||||
| Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) | North: reported only in Cook (1/ 15, 12, HH), Aitkin (2/ 10, 15, CEP), Clay (12/22, 4, Xmas), Duluth (1/2, 2, Xmas). Central: reported by 13 people, usually only 1-4 but a few flocks of 20 present in Twin Cities (Ramsey, Hennepin); also seen in Anoka, Washington, Stearns. South: reported in Goodhue (12/ 5, MHM), Winona (1/ 2, 9, Xmas), Olmsted (1/ 2 20, Xmas). | ||||
| American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) | North: all winter, a few, Crow Wing, JB. South: all winter, reported by 19 people in groups up to 10-30 in Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, Dakota, Rice, Wabasha, Olmsted, Winona plus Lyon Xmas. Red CrossbilL 12/ 11-24, 1/ 12, Wadena, RO. White-winged Crossbill. 12/ 1, Rice, OAR. 12/ 8 (2-3), Stearns, RPR. 12/ 18-26 (4-8), Stevens, RAG, JAR. 1/ 1 (6), Ramsey, WL. Xmas count period, Lyon. 1/ 5, Rice, GNR. 2/ 1-3 (5-6), Washington, Mrs. WWL. | ||||
| Towhees, Sparrows | |||||
| Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) | North: present, Polk, G&SM; 12/ 30 (64), Ottertail, Xmas; 1/ 2 (2), Duluth, Xmas; 1/ 2, Cass, Xmas. Central and South: all winter, reported by 28 people, usually in small groups (1-10) from Morrison and Mille Lacs Counties southward. Migrants?: 2/ 6 (55), 2/ 15 (100), Sherburne, NMH. Dark-eyed Junco. A few (1-2) reported by 16 people wintering with the Slate-colored Juncos. Since observers differ as to exactly what to call an Dark-eyed Junco, no actual count of the number of observations can be given. Descriptions would be welcomed. Tree Sparrow. South: all winter, sp1all groups (1-10) in Stevens, Stearns, Wright, Chisago, Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington. Dakota plus Lyon, Xmas; more common | ||||
| Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks | |||||
| Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) | North: 12/ 1, Polk, CCE; 12/ 28 Duluth, E. Davidson. South: reported by 26 people in Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, Wright, Dakota, Rice, Winona, Olmsted, Wabasha, Cottonwood, Murray plus Xmas, Lyon, Kandiyohi. Evening Grosbeak. Local groups (up to 50) reported but generally uncommon and irregular, although reported throughout the state with the notable exception of the Twin Cities area where the only observations were Xmas count period, Excelsior and 1/ 1 (23), St. Paul NE. Xmas. Also not reported from Pope, Wright, Hennepin (except above), Ramsey, Washington, (except above), Dakota, Cottonwood, Nobles. | ||||