Reports of the recently split Cackling Goose included birds lingering as late as 1 January in Dakota and Washington counties, and possibly overwintering in Hennepin at the Coon Rapids Dam. Unfortunately, none were documented. Observers are encouraged to document this “new” species to help provide a clearer picture of its migration and distribution in the state. A single, possibly overwintering Snow Goose in Dakota (Black Dog Lake) was one of very few migrant geese lingering into January. Trumpeter Swan counts in Otter Tail County reflected the continuing expansion of this species in northern Minnesota.

Lingering ducks of note in St. Louis County included a Gadwall in January and a record-late Northern Shoveler 12/21 in Virginia. Dakota County hosted Green-winged Teal and Canvasback into late December. A fall record of 3000 Greater Scaup was established 12/11 in Houston County. Two immature Harlequin Ducks overwintered in Two Harbors where many enjoyed witnessing the progression of their molt. Long-tailed Ducks away from Lake Superior were found in Dakota (2) and Scott (1) counties in mid to late December. An adult male Barrow's Goldeneye in Dakota County remained long enough to be counted on the Hastings-Etter CBC.

Despite increasing numbers of Greater Prairie-Chickens in the Northwest, few were reported there. Several reports of Wild Turkeys, including a high count of 105 in Douglas County, were submitted from western Minnesota where they are now well established due to introductions by the Minnesota DNR and possibly supplemented by individuals wandering from eastern North and South Dakota.

The only reports of Common Loon were of individuals in Wabasha (Lake Pepin), Washington, and Kandiyohi counties. The state's 6^th Yellow-billed Loon made frustratingly sporadic appearances in early January in Two Harbors. As many as nine American White Pelicans overwintered at Black Dog L. in Dakota County. Surprising was a record-late Green Heron found on the Excelsior CBC in Scott County that lingered through at least 20 December.
An adult gray-morph Gyrfalcon provided Dakota County's 4^th record while remaining for 2½ months beginning in early February. Birders had spectacular opportunities to witness the hunting prowess of this predator as it powered through erupting flocks of field-feeding Mallards. In contrast, sightings of Gyrs in Lake and Aitkin counties were relatively brief. A Sandhill Crane in Chisago County in mid-January broke the record-late date by 23 days.
Thayer's Gulls and Glaucous Gulls were again present in good number in the Twin Cities, especially at Black Dog L.. Other highlights included a first-winter Iceland Gull in Cook (Grand Marais) and an overwintering first-winter Great Black-backed Gull seen throughout most of the period in Hennepin, Dakota and Washington counties (presumably the same individual based on plumage).

The highlight of the season was the irruption of Great Gray, Northern Hawk and Boreal owls, eclipsing all previous irruptions and attracting hundreds of out-of-state birders. Sadly, hundreds of Great Grays died, many from collisions as they hunted along roadsides. Others apparently starved and several were found shot. Boreal Owls also suffered high mortality.

Only ten Black-backed Woodpeckers were reported following several years of higher than average numbers (e.g., over 40 individuals in 2002–2004). Reports of “south” birds north include a Tufted Titmouse briefly visiting a Dakota County feeder in February and Carolina Wrens overwintering in Hennepin (Old Cedar Avenue) and Washington (also recorded on the St. Paul Northeast Suburban CBC).

Townsend's Solitaires made a good showing this season, including individuals reported from unusual locations in Chippewa and Kandiyohi counties. Varied Thrush numbers also were up and overwintering was recorded in St. Louis, Kandiyohi, and Hennepin counties. It was a good winter for Bohemian Waxwings with reports from 23 counties including southerly locations in Rice and Kandiyohi.

Surprise lingering sparrows included a Chipping Sparrow (1/2) in Mower County and an even more surprising record-late Lincoln's Sparrow (1/15) in Otter Tail County. Northern Cardinals continued to live up to their name as overwintering individuals were found in Lake and Hubbard. An apparently injured male Baltimore Oriole survived at a Ramsey County feeder until the record-late date of 1/16 when it was found dead.

A Gray-crowned Rosy Finch frequented a feeder in Pine County beginning late December, thus providing the state's 12^th record for this western montane species. Deferring to the wishes of the homeowner, the presence of the bird was not made public. “Winter finch” numbers were again moderate to low, with notable increases in the south for Common Redpolls, which were reported in flocks of 100+ in several locations, and to a lesser extent, Pine Siskins.
Weather Summary: The warm trend that characterized much of 2004 continued into the winter period. Extending a period of autumn warmth that began in September, December monthly mean temperatures exceeded historical averages by three to six degrees in most locations throughout the state. The temperature extremes for December ranged from 59º F at Lamberton (Redwood County) on the 30^th, to -45º F at Embarrass (St. Louis County) on the 24^th. Temperatures on the 30^th were record-warm in some areas. The first taste of winter came in the form of a powerful Alberta Clipper on the 12^th. Snow fell over northeast Minnesota while the rest of the state had very gusty winds, peaking at 71 mph near Welch in Goodhue County. December precipitation totals fell short of the historical average by approximately ½ inch in the southern two-thirds of Minnesota. December precipitation in the northern third exceeded the norm by up to one inch.
January 2005 mean temperatures were slightly below average in the northern third of Minnesota, and somewhat above average in the southern two-thirds. The temperature extremes for January ranged from 49º F at Lamberton and Worthington on the 25^th, to -54º F at Embarrass on the 17^th. Cold minimum temperatures on January 16 and 17 were record-breaking in some northern Minnesota communities. January precipitation totals were near to above historical averages in most Minnesota communities. Duluth reported its second snowiest January on record (45.7 inches), and many northeastern Minnesota locations received more than 40 inches of snow for the month. In contrast, snowfall at the Twin Cities International Airport finally exceeded one inch on 21 January, making this the latest occurrence of the first one inch snowfall in the modern record.
Temperatures during February were quite warm throughout Minnesota, finishing three to seven degrees F above the historical average. Many southern communities did not report a below-zero temperature in February. In fact, many high temperature records were set on 3, 4, 5, and 12 February across Minnesota. Precipitation totals were near to somewhat below average across the northern two-thirds of the state, whereas many communities in the southern one-third reported above average February precipitation.

Undocumented reports: Cooper's Hawk 1/31, 2/6 Norman; Gyrfalcon 1/19 Duluth (airport), 2/4 Duluth (High Bridge), 2/5 Lake of the Woods, mid-February Pennington; Brewer's Blackbird (2) 1/13 Mower (previous late date 12/19).

Acknowledgments: This report (and the authors!) is the first to benefit from observer data submitted electronically via the MOU's new on-line seasonal report form. Kudos to Dave Cahlander and all who helped develop this system. About 40 percent of reports received this season were electronic. We thank Paul Budde who provided a summary of all electronic reports as well as a database of early and late fall records. Thanks again to Roger Schroeder for coordinating and compiling the CBCs. Anthony Hertzel, Jim Lind, and Jeanie Joppru provided transcripts from the state's three rare bird reports. A special thank you to all who contributed reports for the 2004–2005 winter season.