 |
Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon | |
|
The 1981-Winter Season 1 December 1981 through 28 February 1982 Kenneth J. La Fond |
After two relatively mild seasons,
the harsh reality of a Minnesota winter
was brought home to the writer on
January 9 at the Duluth dump. Gull
watching with the wind chill index at
-84 °F. and a 30-40 mile per hour wind
moving considerable debris across the
landscape was an experience that will
not soon be forgotten. Obviously, this
season's weather was in sharp contrast
to the preceding two years. In early
December, from 5" to as much as 14"
of snow fell in south and southwestern
Minnesota. Temperatures in the southwest
dropped as low as -25°F. at Pipestone
in mid-December. December 21
saw a warming with highs in the 30's,
even in the north. Cold and snow returned
shortly thereafter and in early
January, low temperatures of -25°F. in
the south and -40°F. in the north were
not uncommon. On the ninth and
tenth, wind chills of -80° to -100°F.
were recorded. The Twin Cities set
an all-time snowfall record with 17"
on January 20 and then again set a
new record two days later with an additional
181/2 ". The latter storm was
accompanied by thunder and lightning
with wind gusts to 60 miles per hour.
Temperatures dropped as low as -52°F. at Tower. The latter part of January saw some warmer weather with highs in the 30° to 40°F. range but high winds resulted in blizzard-like conditions.
January in Minnesota averaged at least 10 degrees below average.
February started out cold with lows of -15°F. in the south and -35°F. in the north. By mid-February, normal temperatures had returned and a warming trend set in by February 15, which resulted in temperatures as high as 70° in the southwestern corner of the state on February 22. The balance of the month was about average.
In spite of the weather, the number of seasonal reports submitted (74) and the total number of species (138) were virtually identical with last year's totals.
Reports were reasonably well distributed throughout the state with, of course, concentrations from the Duluth and Twin Cities areas.
Weather notwithstanding, Duluth was again the "hot spot" in the state.
Three Gyrfalcons were present in the harbor area, up to six species of gulls, two Varied Thrushes, Townsend's Solitaire and up to a thousand Bohemian Waxwings were some of the more unusual reports. Minnesota's first winter record of a Lincoln's Sparrow was obtained in the southwest region and a Yellow-rumped Warbler again attempted to over-winter in the Twin Cities area.
Taking a cue from Jan Green's summer
reports, this year I have plotted
all reports for each species on a state
map with the county as the basis for
the record. Also, more use has been
made of the nine geographic regions
illustrated in Minnesota Birds, 1975
by Green and Janssen. The following
report is essentially a summarization
of all of these records with virtually
all records reported for rare or uncommon
species or species that were
reported only a few times. Of necessity,
the reports are abbreviated and
summ
Inasmuch as Cottonwood is in Lyon
rather than Cottonwood County, Becker
is in Sherburne rather than Becker
County, etc., etc., etc., it would be
appreciated if future records are reported
on a county basis as much as
possible.
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|
Species |
Information |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks | |||||
| Ross's Goose (Anser rossii) | What was most probably an intermediate Ross'/ Snow hybrid was reported at Black Dog, Dakota County from 12-12 to 12-14 (mob). Details in the Loon 54:105-111. | ||||
| Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) | Two northeast reports: 12-19 Duluth CBC and Lake Co., Two Harbors, 12-14, 4 (SWMS). In the northwest a late migrant was noted in Clay on 12-1 (LCF). In the west central Lac qui Parle reported "fewer than normal" (CMB) while Fergus Falls had a sharp increase to 6100 overwintering individuals (SDM). Southwest reports from Lincoln and Redwood 12-7, 223 (LJF). Also reported from Stearns, Nicollet and Martin in the central area, all five Twin Cities counties and Olmsted; 11,000 (FL), Winona and Houston in the southeast. | ||||
| Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) | Late north migrants in Bemidji on 12-5 (30) (JP) and 12-6 (AS). In the south migrants were present on the river in Wabasha, Winona and Houston until 12-16 (Mob). | ||||
| Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) | Overwintered in Otter Tail (GMO). December reports from Anoka 12-24 (OJ) and Nicollet 12-4 (JEF). February reports from Scott 2-14 (ETC) and 2-27 (RBJ), Anoka 2-28 (KL) and Benton 2-20 (RBJ). | ||||
| Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) | Two reports: Mower 12-27 (RJ) and 12-30, 1-2 (RRK) and Hennepin 2-26 (RBA). | ||||
| Gadwall (Mareca strepera) | Reported only from its usual wintering area at the Mill Pond, Scott Co. (mob) with up to 50 in late Feb. (RBJ). | ||||
| Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) | Overwintered in the northeast at Grand Marais, Cook Co. (KMH) and Carlton, Moose Lake 20 (JP). Reported in Lake until 12-14 (SWMS) and at Duluth until 1-12 (KE). Late migrants in the northwest and north central as follows: Pennington 12-6 (SKS), Beltrami 12-5 (JP), 12-6 (AS) and Hubbard 12-4 (HJF). The only other report was of overwintering at Fergus Falls, Otter Tail Co. Also reported from 21 south counties. | ||||
| American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) | Two north reports: overwintered in Cook (KMH) and present in Duluth until 12-13 (KE). Also reported from 12 counties in the southeast quarter of the state. | ||||
| Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) | Two reports: Dakota 12-6 (ETS) and Hennepin 2-21 (RBA). | ||||
| Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) | A late migrant in the west central area; Otter Tail 12-9 (SDM) and the southeast; Wabasha 12-2 (WDM) and Houston 12-12 (JPAM). Early migrants also in the southeast; Olmsted 2-28 (3) (BE). | ||||
| Redhead (Aythya americana) | Two reports of December migrants: Otter Tail 12-9 (SM) and Wabasha 1221 (WDM). | ||||
| Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) | Late migrants reported in the north from Beltrami 12-6 (AS), 12-12 (JP) and Crow Wing 12-6 (TS). East central reports from Anoka until 12-25, (OJ) (KL), Ramsey 1-1 (RMH) and Dakota 12-4 (MW). One southeast report from Houston 12-12 (JPAM). | ||||
| Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) | Four December reports: Beltrami until 12-6 (AS) and Cook until 12-19 (KMH) in the north and Waseca 12-13 (RBJ) and Houston 12-6 (JPAM) in the south. | ||||
| Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) | The preceding five winters have produced an average of about four reports of this species. This year there were 14. December migrants were recorded in the north from Lower Red Lake, Clearwater 12-4 (KL), Itasca 1216 fide (TL), Cook until 12-19 (KMH), Duluth until 12-30 (KE) and Mille Lacs 12-2 (RBJ). Late south migrants were noted in Dakota 12-6 (KE), Nicollet 12-4 (JCF) and Wabasha 12-21 (3) (WDM). Three individuals overwintered at Bemidji, Beltrami Co. (AS) (SY) and two Scaup Sp? overwintering at Fergus Falls, Otter Tail were probably of this species. A south report from Olmsted 1-26 (DE) is hard to categorize. Returning migrants were recorded in the southeast and east central in Winona 2-28 (FL), Olmsted (overwintered?) | ||||
| Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) | Two reports: Duluth 12-11 a female and an immature male M. Carr and Lake 1-11 an adult male (SWMS). | ||||
| Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) | Three Lake Superior reports: Cook, Good Harbor Bay 12-19 (55) (KMH); Lake, Stewart River 1-11 (3) (SWMS) and Duluth 12-3 (1) (KE). | ||||
| Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) | More reports than usual: late north migrants in Beltrami 12/5 (AS), 12/6 (JP) and Crow Wing 12/6 (TS); south Dec. reports from Dakota 12/6 (KE) (KG), 12/26 (MW) and Houston 12/12 (JPAM). Two overwintered in Otter Tail (GMO) and a female overwintered on the Rum River in Anoka (KL). Three Feb. reports of an early migrant or an undiscovered overwintering female in Dakota from 2/19 to 2/27 (mob). | ||||
| Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) | Reported from 22 counties throughout the state with the exception of the northwest and southwest regions. Peak numbers included 835 in Dakota on 12-26 MW) and up to 400 at Harriet Island in St. Paul in late Dec. (KL). At Hastings, Dakota Co. (JD) reported numbers down substantially. | ||||
| Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) | Four December reports: Beltrami 12-5 (JP), 12-6 (AS) in the north and Dakota 12-6 (ETS), Wabasha 12-23 (WOM) and Houston 12-12 (JPAM) in the south. | ||||
| Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) | An interesting series of reports from Read's Landing, Wabasha Co.: 12-12 1,000 (WDM); 12-13 35,000 (ETS); 1214 10,000 (KL); 12-16 200 with the open water area greatly reduced (KL). In the north Dec. migrants reported from Itasca 12-16 fide (TL), Hubbard 12-11 100, 12-14 (2) (HJF), Otter Tail 12-13 (SDM) and Crow Wing 12-2 (RBJ). Overwintered at Duluth (JG). Reported from nine additional south counties. February migrants in Houston 2-28 FL), Lac qui Parle 2-28 (CMB) and Sherburne 2-15 (EH). In the north- east, Feb. migrants(?) in Cook 2-17 (KMH). | ||||
| Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) | Four Lake Superior reports: Cook 12-23 (KMH), Lake 1-11 (SWMS) and Duluth 1-3 (DB) and until 1-6 (KE). | ||||
| Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) | A late December migrant at Reno, Houston Co. on 12-12 (JPAM). | ||||
| Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys | |||||
| Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) | Reported from Whitewater and Reno, Houston Co., in the southeast. | ||||
| Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) | Reported from 18 counties throughout its range. Numbers reported down in Itasca (MS) and up in Winona and Houston (FL). | ||||
| Spruce Grouse (Canachites canadensis) | Only report: Cook, Lima Mountain Road, four on 2-16, T and H Hallett. | ||||
| Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) | Five reports from Beltrami, Aitkin and Carlton. | ||||
| Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido) | Two reports: Marshall 12-30 (SKS) and Clay 12-13 (GO) (SDM). | ||||
| Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix) | Reported from 20 counties from the west, central, south central and southeast regions including a first ever report from the Sand Prairies in Wabasha (DWM). | ||||
| Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) | Reported from 36 counties throughout the state except the northeast region. The north central report was from near Bemidji (SY) and the northeast report from Duluth. After the record snow falls, late January brought concentrations of 200+ near the Anoka County Airport. By midFebruary they were hard to find. | ||||
| Grebes | |||||
| Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) | Three reports: an overwintering individual at Fergus Falls, Otter Tail Co., (SDM) (GMO); one in Sibley Park, Mankato on 12-15 (JCF) and an early migrant in Dakota, 2-25 (RBA). | ||||
| Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) | Two reports: a late migrant in Mille Lacs on 12-2 (RBJ) and a January report from Duluth, 1-3 (TS). | ||||
| Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) | Only report: Duluth, 2-22 (JG). | ||||
| Pigeons, Doves | |||||
| Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) | Reported from 53 counties throughout the state including an Anoka report of one on nest 12-20 and one young out of nest 1-3 (SC). | ||||
| Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) | Late migrants ('?) in the northwest from Kittson 12-3 (KL). The north central Beltrami 12-4 (KL) and Itasca no date (TL). Other north reports from Duluth 31 on CBC and Otter Tail overwintered (SDM). Also reported from 16 counties throughout the south half of the state including an overwintering flock of 160 at the Carpenter Nature Center in Washington Co. (mob). | ||||
| Rails, Gallinules, Coots | |||||
| American Coot (Fulica americana) | Eighteen overwintered in the west central at Fergus Falls, Otter Tail (GMO), and December report from Anoka 12-6 (KL), Scott 12-29 (KL) and Dakota 12-6 (KE) (TL). A February report on 2-27 from Dakota (KG). | ||||
| Cranes | |||||
| Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) | A report from Polk, sec. 23, T149N, on 12-17 constitutes one of the very few winter records for this species (MH). | ||||
| Plovers | |||||
| Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) | Reported only from Houston on 2-28 (FL) with the notation "may have overwintered." | ||||
| Sandpipers | |||||
| Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) | December reports from Dakota 1221 (MW) and Le Sueur 12-4 (HFO). A January report from Houston 1-11 (EMF). | ||||
| Gulls, Terns | |||||
| Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) | Very late migrants from Mille Lacs Lake; 12-2 Crow Wing (60) and Mille Lacs (10) (RBJ) and Mille Lacs 12-6 (21) (TS). Latest dates on record. | ||||
| Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) | Four north reports: late migrants from the north central region in Beltrami 12-6 (AS) and Crow Wing 12-2 (RBJ), Otter Tail 12-12 (GMO) in the west central and Duluth, one remained until1-7 (mob). Five December reports in the east central and southeast from Anoka, Ramsey, Dakota and Goodhue with the latest on 12-20. | ||||
| Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) | Late inland north migrants in Itasca 12-16 fide (TL) and Mille Lacs 12-5 (KL). Lake Superior reports from Grand Marais, Cook County until 1-27 and 2-17 on (KMH); Lake 1-11 and 2-20 (SWMS) and Duluth where there were 552 on the CBC, 300 at the dump until 1-9 and returning showed up on 2-23 (KE). migrants | ||||
| Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) | Two in the Duluth area until 1-9, details in the Loon 54:3-4. | ||||
| Iceland Gull (Thayer's) (Larus g. thayeri) | Duluth reports of up to viduals until 1-9 (mob) and from Black Dog, Dakota on 12-11 (RBA). six india report 12-2 and | ||||
| Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) | In the northeast; Lake Superior re- ports from Cook until 12-9 (KMH), Lake 12-23 (KL) and Duluth up to 10 until 1-9 (KE) (mob). In the east central up to three at Black Dog, Dakota from 12-13 until 12-20 (mob). | ||||
| Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) | Minnesota's third state record: an individual at the Duluth dump from 1-3 until1-9 (mob); details in the Loon 54:66-67. | ||||
| Loons | |||||
| Common Loon (Gavia immer) | Three north reports of December migrants: Duluth, until 12-13, M. Carr; Crow Wing, 12-16 (TS); Otter Tail, Star Lake until 12-13 (SDM). Also, an injured individual was found by a roadside in Beltrami on 12-16 (JC). No south reports. | ||||
| Cormorants | |||||
| Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) | Two individuals remained at Black Dog until 12-19 (Mob). | ||||
| Pelicans | |||||
| American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) | Three reports: Black Dog, Dakota County until12-16 (mob), Hastings, Dakota County 12-13 (JD) (same individual?) and one on the Faribault CBC, Rice County. (see Notes of Interest page 181). | ||||
| Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons | |||||
| Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) | Four December reports: Otter Tail 12-26 (GMO) in the north and Redwood; 12-26 (LJF); Le Sueur 12-4 (HFC) and Mower; 12-20 (RJ) and 1221 (RRK). | ||||
| Kites, Accipiters, Hawks, Eagles | |||||
| Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) | Eight reports: Marshall, fide (SKS) and Becker (TNWR) in the north and Wabasha, Winona and Houston in the southeast (mob). | ||||
| Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) | Only report: Nicollet 12-6 (LAF). | ||||
| Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) | Four Duluth reports fide (KE) and reports from ten counties in the central, east central, south central and southeast regions. | ||||
| Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) | Eleven reports: Becker 1-8 (DAJ) and Hubbard 12-27 (HJF) in the north. South reports from Isanti, Anoka, Washington, Hennepin, Blue Earth, Waseca and Winona. | ||||
| American Goshawk (Accipiter atricapillus) | Reported from six north and five south counties including Martin 2-27 (RBJ). | ||||
| Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) | Reports from 19 counties throughout the state with the exception of the northwest and southwest regions. This is about normal countywise but the number of individuals was up sharply, undoubtedly a reflection of this fall's record Hawk Ridge count of 149. De pendent on the amount of multiple counting and/ or reporting, it appears there may have been about 150-200 individuals in the state at some time during the period. A significant December migration was noted in the Lower Mississippi Valley on 12-14, 15 and 16 when upwards of 75 individuals were counted moving southward (mob). Overwintered in Mankato, Blue Earth Co. January reports in the north from Becker, Hubbard and Duluth. Many reports of February migrants including | ||||
| Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) | Four reports: Crow Wing 12-19 (TS) in the north and Dakota, Goodhue and Waseca in the south. | ||||
| Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) | Reported in 27 counties north to Clay, Otter Tail and Duluth. | ||||
| Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) | Twenty-five reports from six north and 15 south counties. | ||||
| FERRUGINOUS HAWK (Buteo regalis) | This species, which may well be regular in the western regions was reported from Clay 12-12 (LCF). | ||||
| Screech-Owls, Owls | |||||
| Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) | Reported from Scott in the central zone and Redwood, Cottonwood, Martin, Fillmore and Houston in the south zones. Also, a verbal report from J. Gislason that the species was present along East River Road, St. Paul, Ramsey Co. throughout the season and has been continuously observed in the area for the past several years. | ||||
| Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) | Reported from 28 counties throughout the state. | ||||
| Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) | Reported from ten counties in the north and central zones south to Big Stone, Wright and Washington. In Duluth about 15 overwintered and a peak of 23 was noted in mid-February, all of which were banded by Dave Evans, fide (KE). | ||||
| Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) | Two reports: Itasca 12-18 until 1228 (TL) and Carlton 1-3 (DB). | ||||
| Barred Owl (Strix varia) | Reported from 23 counties throughout the state except the southwest region. | ||||
| Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa) | Eleven north reports from Becker, Beltrami, Itasca, Aitkin, St. Louis, Lake and Cook. One south report from Stillwater, Washington Co. 2-16 (RBA). | ||||
| Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) | One in Washington on 2-8 (DS). Barred Owl, Excelsior, Hennepin County, February 1982. Photo by Sam Wakefield. | ||||
| Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) | One in Aitkin on 2-9, fide (WN). | ||||
| Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus) | Four winter reports: Hubbard 12-30 (DAJ), Tofte, Cook Co 2-13 (dead), T. Biebighauser, Duluth 2-14 (dead). K. Sundquist and near Lutsen, Cook Co, 2-25, 2-27, T. Biebighauser. | ||||
| Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) | Four north reports from Marshall 1-15 (KSS), Hubbard 1-26, 2-20 (DAJ), Cook 1-1 (SL) and Proctor, St. Louis Co. 1-31, injured, K. Sundquist. East central reports from Ramsey, Carver and Dakota (RBA) and a southeast report from Houston (JPAM). | ||||
| Kingfishers | |||||
| Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) | North reports from Otter Tail, overwintered (SDM) (GMO) and Duluth 1222, fide (JG). A southwest report from Redwood; until 12-26 (LJF) and 10 reports from the Twin Cities area southeastward. | ||||
| Woodpeckers | |||||
| Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) | Reports from Anoka, Nicollet, Blue Earth and five southeast region counties. | ||||
| Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) | Reported from 13 counties throughout the south half of the state. Five north reports: Pennington 12-6 (KSS), Clay 12-7 until 2-22 (LCF), Aitkin 1219 (WN), Duluth 12-20 (LE) and Pine no date (TP). | ||||
| American Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis) | Reported from Cook 12-14, Poplar Lake (KMH) and a most unusual report of one from 12-29 on the Carpenter Nature Center in Washington Co. (mob). This represents the most southerly occurrence recorded in the state. | ||||
| Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) | Reported from Cook, Lake and St. Louis in the northeast and Anoka 1212, Bunker Hills Park (SC), and Carlos Avery 1-17 (KL) in the east central. | ||||
| Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) | Reported from 40 counties throughout the state. | ||||
| Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus) | Reported from 41 counties throughout the state. | ||||
| Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) | Three north reports: Otter Tail, overwintered (GMO), Polk 12-17 (MH) and Duluth until 12-30, fide (KE). Reported from 13 counties throughout the south. | ||||
| Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) | Reported from 31 counties throughout the state. | ||||
| Caracaras, Falcons | |||||
| American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) | Reported from 34 counties throughout the south, Pennington and Clay in the northwest, Beltrami in the north central and Pine in the east central. | ||||
| Merlin (Falco columbarius) | Three northwest and one northeast reports this season: Marshall 2-13 D. Warner; Pennington 2-6 (SKS); Clay 1-27, 2-7 (LCF) and Duluth until 12-10, M. Kohlbry, D. Evans. | ||||
| GYRFALCON (Falco rusticolus) | One in Wadena 2-21, D. Oehlenschlager; details in the Loon 54:132 and present in Duluth for the fifth year in a row, this time three individuals. Two were banded by Dave Evans on 1-28 with at least one remaining into early March and one was trapped by a falconer in Dec., all fide (KE). | ||||
| Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) | Reported from Rothsay, Wilkin Co. 12-9 (SDM). | ||||
| Shrikes | |||||
| Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis) | Reports of about 135 individuals from 37 counties throughout the state. Starling Reported from 51 counties throughout the state including an overwintering record from Cook (KMH). | ||||
| Jays, Nutcrackers, Magpies, Crows | |||||
| Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) | Reported from eight counties south to Aitkin and west to Roseau. | ||||
| Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) | Reported from 52 counties throughout the state. | ||||
| Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) | Reported from Kittson, Marshall, Red Lake, Polk and Becker. | ||||
| American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) | This year's most widely reported species: 59 counties throughout the state. Overwintered in Marshall (KSS) and Grand Marais (KMH) but missing in Duluth from 1-11 until 2-21 (JG). | ||||
| Common Raven (Corvus corax) | Reported from 12 counties south to Pine and west to Becker and Pennington. | ||||
| Chickadees, Titmice | |||||
| Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) | Reported from 52 counties throughout the state. The Duluth CBC recorded 1202. | ||||
| Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) | Reported from Cook, Lake, St. Louis, Itasca, Beltrami and Roseau. | ||||
| Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) | Four reports from Houston County. | ||||
| Larks | |||||
| Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) | Reported from 47 counties throughout the state. Overwintered in Clay, Sherburne, Cottonwood, Olmsted, and Martin. Early migrants on 1-31 in Anoka in the south and Polk in the north. | ||||
| Kinglets | |||||
| Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) | Only five reports: Becker and Duluth in the north and Anoka, Hennepin and Wabasha in the south. | ||||
| Waxwings | |||||
| Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) | Thirteen reports from Polk, 100's (REA), Beltrami, Clay, Otter Tail, Crow Wing, Duluth, peak of 1000 on 1-3, scarce by mid Feb. (KE), Lac qui Parle 12-18 (CMB) and Washington. | ||||
| Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) | Reported from 14 counties north to Polk, Beltrami and Duluth. | ||||
| Nuthatches | |||||
| Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) | Reported from 22 counties throughout the state except for the northwest and central regions. | ||||
| White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) | Reported from 46 counties throughout the state. | ||||
| Creepers | |||||
| Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) | Reported from 19 counties north to Beltrami. | ||||
| Thrashers, Mockingbirds | |||||
| Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) | Two feeder reports: Finland, Lake Co. until1-10 (SWMS) and a December report from Bloomington, Hennepin Co. (RBA). | ||||
| Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) | One reported on the Duluth CBC. | ||||
| Thrushes | |||||
| Townsend's Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi) | Present in Duluth from 12-30 until 1-6 (KE) (mob); details in the Loon 54:67. | ||||
| American Robin (Turdus migratorius) | Eighteen reports from 15 counties. December reports from Pennington, Polk, Otter Tail, Duluth, Lac qui Parle, Nicollet and Le Sueur. Overwintered in Hennepin. January reports from Itasca, Hubbard, Crow Wing and Otter Tail. February reports from Ramsey, Dakota, Redwood and Fillmore. | ||||
| Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius) | One or two individuals in Duluth from about 12-19 until 1-1 (mob). Four RBA reports: Isanti, no date; Anoka, mid Dec.; Hennepin, five days in Dec. and Kandiyohi, January. | ||||
| Old World Sparrows | |||||
| House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) | Reports from 51 counties throughout the state; absent from Cook after 12-31 (KMH). | ||||
| Finches | |||||
| Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) | Reported from 13 north and 12 south counties, including Swift, Lac qui Parle, Cottonwod and Martin. | ||||
| Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) | Reported from 19 counties northeast of a line from Kittson to Dakota. | ||||
| Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) | Reported from 21 counties north to Pennington and Duluth. | ||||
| Redpoll (Common) (Acanthis f. flammea) | Widespread and numerous reports from 48 counties throughout the state, including Pipestone where the species was last recorded in 1974, Johanna Pals. | ||||
| Redpoll (Hoary) (Acanthis f. exilipes) | A major invasion year. Forty-one reports from 11 north and 11 south counties throughout. Distributionwise, this season was about on par with the invasion of 1977-1978; however, this year seemed to have more individuals with several reports of up to five at once. , Hoary Redpoll, Aitkin, Aitkin County. Photo by Warren Nelson. | ||||
| White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera) | A slight increase over last year; 23 reports from 13 counties south to Mower, Blue Earth and Martin. | ||||
| Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) | About average with reports from 29 counties throughout the state. | ||||
| American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) | Reported from seven north and 26 south counties. Red Crosbill Reported from five northwest counties; Beltrami in the north central and Duluth and Lake in the northeast. South reports from Hennepin, Dakota and Le Sueur. | ||||
| Longspurs and Snow Buntings | |||||
| Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) | Reported from Lac qui Parle, Redwood, Cottonwood, Nicollet, Anoka, Olmsted and Mower in the south. Nort~ reports from Clay 12-6 (LCF); Penmngton, abundant from first week of January until last week of February (SKS) and Beltrami 2-24 (DAJ). | ||||
| Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) | Reported from 41 counties throughout the state including 1500 in Aitkin 1-26 (SKS). | ||||
| Towhees, Sparrows | |||||
| Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) | One at a Duluth feeder on 12-1 and 12-2 (L~) and another at an Edina, Hennepm County feeder on 2-23 (RBA). | ||||
| Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) | Reported from eight north and 29 south counties. Tree Sparrow Reported from 23 south counties and Clay, Otter Tail and Duluth in the north. | ||||
| White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) | One report: Ramsey 12-12 (BL). | ||||
| Harris's Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula) | Reported from Swift, Lac qui Parle, overwintered (AFE), Murray and Cottonwood in the southwest quarter of the state. Also, a northeast report at a Duluth feeder, 12-27 until 1-5 fide (KE). A south central report from Le Sueur, 1-9, 1-11 and 2-4 (HFC). | ||||
| White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) | One at a Duluth feeder 12-30, fide (KE) and a Nicollet report on 12-4 (JCF). | ||||
| Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) | A report from Otter Tail; 12-13 (SDM); very few winter records for this species. | ||||
| Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) | December reports from Renville 124 (FKS); Redwood 12-26 (LJF); Goodhue 12-5 (DS) and Wabasha 12-23 (DWM). A January report from Otter Tail 1-9 (GMO) and an overwintering report from Edina, Hennepin Co. (RBA). A Mower Co. report with no date given (RRK). | ||||
| Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) | Minnesota's first winter record was found on the Cottonwood CBC. Details in the Loon 54:66. | ||||
| Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) | One report of an injured individual, at a Mower Co. feeder in December (RRK). | ||||
| Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) | Three feeder reports: Duluth 1-9, fide (KE); Ramsey, mid January and Hennepin, mid February, fide (OJ). | ||||
| Blackbirds, Orioles | |||||
| Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) | A Dakota REA report and an individual overwintered at a HennepinCounty feeder, details in the Loon 54:135. | ||||
| Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) | Individuals that undoubtedly represent this species were reported in Red Lake 12/18 (SKS), Polk 12/17, D. Svdarsky, and Swift 12/19 (RBJ). | ||||
| Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) | Reported from 13 south counties including 1,552 in Houston on 12-19 (JPAM). One December report in the north, Crow Wing 12-2 (RBJ) and three north February reports; Becker 2-2 (TNWR), Hubbard 2-23 (HJF) and Beltrami 2-18 (JP). | ||||
| Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) | December reports from Dakota and Blue Earth. February reports from Redwood, Murray and Houston. | ||||
| Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) | December reports from Swift, Lyon and Redwood. February reports from Houston, Mower, Nicollet and Pennington 2-27 (SKS). | ||||
| Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) | Only report: Blue Earth 12-17 (MJF). | ||||
| Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) | Overwintered in Cottonwood and Murray. December and January reports from 16 additional south counties. In the north, an individual remained in Cook until 12-19 (KMH), Otter Tail on 12-27 (SDM) and migrants (?) in Pennington on 2-15, 2-21 (SKS). | ||||
| Warblers | |||||
| Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) | An Audubon's race individual at a Hennepin County feeder from 12-26 until1-16, details in the Loon 54:133. | ||||
| Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks | |||||
| Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) | Reports from 22 counties north to Otter Tail 1-11 until 1-26 (GMO); Duluth, three December reports; and Lake, a female at Finland until 12-12 (SWMS). | ||||
| Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) | One reported at a Crookston feeder, Polk County, in December, T. and S. Wolfe, fide (KE). | ||||