No geese overwintered except Canadas and one small group of Snows of uncertain wildness; even Canadas were reported in smaller numbers than usual. Tundra Swan concentrations diminished considerably by early December on the Mississippi River (Pool 8) with only a few hundred remaining, and only one was reported in the state after December (Monticello). In contrast, Trumpeter Swans were reported in normal numbers, including up to 2,000 at Monticello in January.

A very late female Blue-winged Teal, associating with captive ducks in a farm pond in Isanti, remained through late December. Unusual was an apparent male Gadwall x Mallard hybrid that was photographed in Clay. Despite the cold, typical numbers of Gadwalls overwintered in Scott and Winona, and Ring-necked Ducks in Scott. Greater Scaup were reported in midwinter from several areas in the Twin Cities and Southeast. Two separate December King Eiders (female, first-year male), both in Duluth, brought the 2013 total to three individuals. Single Harlequin Ducks were reported in Duluth and Silver Bay. Two White-winged Scoters were found at each of two locations in December (Lake Pepin, Duluth), and single Black Scoters were found in early December in Wabasha and Washington; the latter was killed by a Bald Eagle after a week-long stay. Long-tailed Ducks were found in much smaller numbers on Lake Superior than last winter, but as many as seven (all singles) were reported from south counties, in contrast to last winter when there was none. Four Barrow's Goldeneyes were reported, one from Duluth and three (all different individuals) from the Mississippi River (Wabasha and Goodhue). On Lake Superior, Red-breasted Merganser numbers were more normal, down considerably from last winter.

Minnesota's first winter record of Red-throated Loon came not from Lake Superior but from frozen Isanti County in February; the loon, grounded on a residential driveway, was rehabilitated and released on the East Coast. A small group of American White Pelicans, most of which appeared healthy and some were seen flying, overwintered on the Mississippi River in St. Paul (warm water discharge at Kaposia Landing) despite bitter and extended cold. A Virginia Rail in late January in Hennepin (Old Cedar Avenue Bridge) was unexpected; there are only a few other midwinter reports for the state. Continuing their range expansion, Wild Turkeys were reported from a record 70 counties, which is about double the number from just a decade ago.

Herring Gulls overwintered in Duluth in much smaller numbers than in most recent years, apparently a consequence of the unusually cold weather. A Thayer's Gull and Ring-billed Gull were reported from Duluth through mid January but apparently did not overwinter, and no other gull species (including Iceland, Glaucous, and Great Black-backed) were reported there after December. Away from Lake Superior, Herring Gulls vacated the state by early January, earlier than usual, and no gulls of any species were reported after 5 January. Well documented in Duluth with photos and descriptive details was a putative adult “Vega” Gull, a well-marked east Asian subspecies of Herring Gull previously unrecorded in the state that may be elevated to full species status in the future.

Building on the invasion that began in the fall, Snowy Owl numbers increased throughout the season, eventually making this the second most widespread incursion of this species ever documented in the state. Other winter owls did not follow suit, however, and were found in average numbers.

Also continuing from fall was the state's fourth Lewis's Woodpecker, as it faithfully visited a feeder on the Roseau and Lake of the Woods county line well into the spring season (The Loon 86:103). American Three-toed Woodpecker numbers irrupted during the winter of 2006–2007 when 19 individuals were found in ten counties. Their numbers almost doubled the following winter when at least 35 individuals were found in eight counties. Ever since then, however, numbers of this species have been on a slow, steady decline. This season produced only one report of four individuals in Lake of the Woods.

Six Winter Wrens were found during the season, including four in January, but none could be located in February. The four Carolina Wrens tallied this season generally would be thought of as a respectable total, but it was a far cry from the prior winter count of 31 individuals.

Twelve Townsend's Solitaires seen in ten counties was the highest tally since winter 2007. Hermit Thrush numbers were above average. Two individuals were observed in late January, and one in mid February, suggesting overwintering of these individuals. Four Varied Thrush was the lowest winter total for this species since 1990–1991. All were seen in December in the northern half of the state.

Two Gray Catbirds were found on mid December Christmas counts. This was the first winter season with multiple reports of this species since 2006–2007. Two Brown Thrashers were also located in mid December, while another visited a feeder in Hennepin for several weeks in mid January, and a fourth with an injured wing lingered in Sherburne into February.

Only one Bohemian Waxwing could be found south, and north reports from 12 counties totals were below average. Eleven Yellow-rumped Warblers were reported from sevensouth counties. This marks the 19th winter of the last 20 in which this species has been observed. No other warblers were detected.

A few Eastern Towhees are usually found each winter, and this season was no exception. In recent winters there often have been one or two reports of Chipping Sparrow. These birds are much more confusing in appearance than in their bright, spring plumage, and so we request documentation for this rare winter lingerer. For the last two winters we've had reports of this species, but without supporting details. Other unusual sparrows reported (and documented) included a record late north Field Sparrow in Cass (third consecutive winter for this species) and two Savannah Sparrows. All three regularly occurring members of the genus Zonotrichia were present in fairly typical numbers, and representatives of each species lingered into February.

An injured, female Rose-breasted Grosbeak was discovered in Ramsey in early December; it was rehabilitated and released.

Following a winter of a significant invasion by winter finches, this year they were notably absent. Pine Grosbeaks and Common Redpolls were reported from the fewest number of counties since winter 2002. The largest flock of Red Crossbills consisted of only eight birds. There were only four records of White-winged Crossbills. No Hoary Redpolls were found. Siskins were noted in about half of the expected number of counties for winter. And Evening Grosbeaks were found in fewer counties than in any other winter over the past 50 years.

Weather summary: Average monthly temperatures for each of the three months of the season were well below historical averages, finishing 6–12ºF below normal in December, 5–10º below normal in January, and 10–12º below normal in February. Some northern Minnesota communities saw average temperatures in December and January that were below zero. The statewide average temperature for this season ranked fourth coldest of the 119-year modern climate record. A major impact of these cold temperatures was the significant freezing of the Great Lakes. By the end of the season Lake Superior was over 95% frozen and Lake Michigan over 90%.

The northern two-thirds of Minnesota saw December precipitation totals above historical averages, while totals elsewhere were near to above average. Duluth experienced its third snowiest December on record with nearly 40 inches of snow during the month. This was driven in part by a major storm on 2–4 December that brought significant snowfall totals to much of Minnesota, but especially to the Northeast. January totals were near to above historical averages across Minnesota. The month was marked by the frequency of snowfall, rather than any big events, as many reporting stations saw measurable snow on 15 or more days during the month. Buoyed by a 20–21 February storm that produced heavy snow in the eastern half of the state, February totals were well above historical averages in eastern Minnesota and near to below-average in western Minnesota. Many Northeast communities saw record February monthly snowfall totals of 2 to 3 feet.

Undocumented or insufficiently documented reports: Common Loon 12/21 Washington (Point Douglas Park) (late date); Golden Eagle 1/19 Aitkin (sole post-December report away from known wintering range during this harsh winter; no supporting details); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 12/28 St. Louis (near Cook) (late date and far north); Common Raven 2/25 Hennepin (out of range); Townsend's Solitaire 2/6 Cottonwood (potential first county record, but heard-only and no details submitted); Swainson's Thrush 12/21 Mankato CBC (late date); Chipping Sparrow 12/8 Stearns (late date); Baltimore Oriole 12/4 La Crosse-La Crescent CBC (late date).

Acknowledgments: We thank Anthony Hertzel, Jeanie Joppru, and Jim Lind for compiling and providing transcripts of Minnesota's three weekly birding reports. Special thanks to Dave Cahlander for building and maintaining the seasonal reports submission and production web pages (http://moumn.org/moureports/season.php) through which most of this data is collected and organized. In addition to the data collected through this MOU website, we are grateful for the data provided for the creation of this report by eBird (http://www.ebird.org, accessed March 2014). Steve Weston, serving as Minnesota CBC coordinator, compiled vast amounts of data from 74 counts. Medians of recent arrivals and departures are based on published and unpublished seasonal report data from 1985 through 2011. Our appreciation goes out to all our contributors, especially those who respond to our requests for details and who submit observations online. Finally, this is the last winter report that Andrew Smith will co-author. Drew has been working on these Seasonal Reports since the winter of 2006–2007, and we graciously thank him for all of his efforts over these years.