Despite the “lackluster” winter for many observers, a record number of species was reported this season. Apparently the mild December weather allowed many half-hardy species to linger in the state, with some even in record numbers, and the continent-wide phenomena of western strays showing up east of their normal range was well represented in Minnesota, including the state's third Black-throated Sparrow. Temperatures in the latter half of February were below average and probably as a result, very few early migrants were noted returning before the end of the period.

The first three weeks of December were mild with weekly high temperatures in the 30s throughout the state, which is as much as 10° above normal. Cold weather arrived just in time for the beginning of the Christmas Bird Count season, with the many counts done on 19 December reporting dropping temperatures and severe wind chills. Following this cold front, low temperatures ranged from -9° at Worthington to -36° at International Falls. This cold weather lasted until early January when the coldest temperature for the season (-38°) was recorded at International Falls. The second week in January was the snowiest week of the winter with 6” of snow falling in the Twin Cities on 11–12 January, and as much as 16” in Faribault. Otherwise, moderate snow depths were reported throughout the state, and few winter storms were noted during the season. Above average temperatures in mid-January (usually the coldest time of the year) lasted through the first two weeks in February, with a peak of high temperatures during the first week in February when 40s were reported all across the state, and the highest recorded temperature for the winter of 48° was reached at Grand Marais (!). An unusual cold spell set in during the latter half of February, with weekly low temperatures throughout the state ranging from -9° to -29°, which is 10–20° below normal. There was a slight warming trend in late February.

Many lingering water birds were found in December and early January, including three species of grebes, both Double-crested Cormorant and American White Pelican, 28 species of waterfowl, and numerous American Coots. The most noteworthy observation was thousands of geese seen migrating south in Lyon County on 14 December — mostly Canadas, but also Snow Geese, and even a few flocks of up to 100 Greater White-fronted Geese, providing the latest migration date on record for White-fronteds in the state. Also noteworthy was the estimate of 53,000 Common Mergansers at Lake Pepin along the lower Mississippi River Valley in early December. Because of Lake Pepin's large size (over 20 miles long), the difficulty of observing from widely spaced locations on shore, and continuous movement of birds up and down the lake, this and other recent counts are probably underestimating the numbers of mergansers actually on the lake. Concentrations in excess of 100,000 birds are potentially regular here (see The Loon 64:10–12).

Eight species of gulls were recorded this season, a tie for the record set in the winter of 1988–1989. Rarities included a Great Black-backed Gull observed in Duluth, an Iceland Gull seen with the Common Mergansers at Lake Pepin in Goodhue and Wabasha counties, and a Lesser Black-backed Gull seen with the large gathering of gulls in the Twin Cities area that roost on Lakes Calhoun and Harriet in Hennepin County, and feed near Black Dog Lake in Dakota County. Five record late Bonaparte's Gulls were seen at Black Dog Lake on 15 December (one wonders from where these birds came!). Several Ring-billed, Thayer's, and Herring Gulls lingered at Black Dog Lake through at least late January, which is a month later than normal, and at least two of the Ring-billed Gulls even overwintered, providing one of the few such records for the state. These observations, and the adult Great Black-backed Gull that overwintered at this location last winter (and apparently had no trouble finding food), bring to mind the obvious question: why don't more gulls overwinter in the Twin Cities area?

After last year's record northern owl influx, only average numbers of Great Gray and Northern Hawk Owls were reported, but it was still an excellent year for Snowy Owls, especially in the northwest, which received few reports during last year's invasion. Surprisingly, and despite the lower than expected flight at Hawk Ridge last fall, Northern Goshawks were more widespread than ever before. Perhaps as a reflection of this movement, all grouse species were down in numbers, especially Ruffed Grouse. Interestingly, Red-tailed Hawks were very widespread, but the number of Rough-legged Hawks were perhaps at their lowest ever with few reports in the north, and none in the west.

Although many areas of the state may have had a poor winter for birds, including the Twin Cities and Duluth areas, a few other locations reported one of their best years ever. The temperatures in Grand Marais were consistently higher than anywhere else in the state throughout most of the winter, and possibly as a result, the Grand Marais Christmas Bird Count (CBC) tallied a record number of species for its count. The highlight of this count was northern Minnesota's first winter record of a Turkey Vulture —seen flying with a flock of gulls, and possibly feeding on a deer carcass found nearby. At least six (and possibly eight) Townsend's Solitaires were seen during the winter in Grand Marais, including a flock of four individuals seen by Molly and Ken Hoffman — certainly the most ever seen at one time in Minnesota. Other species seen in Grand Marais included an overwintering Fox Sparrow at a local feeder, a Harlequin Duck seen well into January, plus Ruddy Duck, Surf Scoter, Eastern Bluebird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and White-throated and Song Sparrows, all of which lingered much later and farther north than normal.

In the Fergus Falls area, Steve and Diane Millard reported their greatest variety of overwintering waterfowl ever along the open portions of the Otter Tail River, including a Harlequin Duck for the second consecutive winter. Also overwintering at this location were Wood Duck, Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Redhead, and Lesser Scaup, most of which have seldom overwintered in the north. Other noteworthy species reported in Wilkin and Otter Tail counties included a Gray Catbird eating raisins in December, Varied Thrush and Winter Wren on the Fergus Falls CBC, a Merlin overwintering in Fergus Falls, two Golden Eagles, and numerous Snowy Owls moving through Wilkin County in late February.

There were also excellent numbers of birds in the juniper hillsides of the Minnesota River Valley in Renville, Redwood and Yellow Medicine counties, originally found by statewide travelers Bob Janssen and Ray Glassel. Species seen here included large numbers of Northern Flickers, American Robins, Cedar Waxwings, Blue Jays and Purple Finches, plus Townsend's Solitaire, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Golden Eagle.

Among the passerines, some half-hardy species were reported in record numbers this season, with no fewer than four mid-winter reports of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, at least four Winter Wrens, five Hermit Thrushes, as many as seven Yellow-rumped Warblers, and a high of 19 Eastern Bluebirds at Faribault. Besides the unexpected reports of Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Field Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, and Yellow-headed and Brewer's Blackbirds (all of which are accidental in winter), the state's first winter record of a Savannah Sparrow was seen at a feeder in Rice County.

One of the most exciting birds of the winter was the state's third Black-throated Sparrow that lingered at a feeder in Doran, Wilkin County, until it disappeared following severe weather in late December. This bird was apparently one of the many Black-throated Sparrows and other western strays which wandered eastward (American Birds 47:230–31) in North America during the winter of 1992–1993. Minnesota was also treated to the highest number of Varied Thrushes and Townsend's Solitaires ever reported for the winter in the state, with exceptional numbers of solitaires at Duluth and Grand Marais.

The number of other winter visitants from the north seemed low this season, except for Snow Buntings, which were particularly widespread. Bohemian Waxwings and most winter finches were notably scarce. Exceptions included unprecedented numbers of American Goldfinches in the northeast where they are seldom reported in winter, and very large numbers of Pine Siskins were seen in at least the northern regions. Common Redpolls and crossbills were scarce statewide, although intriguing numbers of White-winged Crossbills were found in the extensive spruce bogs of Koochiching County in late February, including many singing adult males.

This report summarizes the observations of 78 seasonal contributors and 50 Christmas Bird Counts. Coverage was excellent, thanks in large part to former winter season compiler Ken LaFond who sent in observations from a total of 83 counties. The only counties lacking reports were Big Stone, Traverse, Stevens, and Red Lake (unless you count the House Sparrows reported there!). A record total of 149 species was reported (previous record was 146 in 1987–1988). Reports of additional (and possibly correct) species were received, including Chipping Sparrow and Ruby-crowned Kinglet, but without substantiating details these could not be included. All reports of species which are accidental in winter must be accompanied by details, and details for species which are casual in winter would have been desirable as indicated in the text.

As always, such a report is not possible without the contributions of many individuals, but I would like to give special thanks to Peder Svingen who continues to provide invaluable editorial assistance, to Parker Backstrom who provided a list of observations reported to the Minnesota Rare Bird Alert, and to all the observers who sent in reports this season, even those who did not send in a seasonal report, but took the time to send in even the briefest list of sightings. As the beginning of another winter will soon be upon us, observers are encouraged to remember that there is always something interesting to watch — even in winter in Minnesota, perhaps our state's most fascinating season.