MOURC Proceedings Archive - Towhees, Sparrows Accepted
Duplicates
This is the 1981 to present Records Committee Proceedings archive for
The Loon, journal of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union.
The last 2 years are available to MOU members.
Families
Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks
New World Quail
Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys
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Cuckoos
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Wrens
Thrashers, Mockingbirds
Dippers
Thrushes
Old World Flycatchers
Old World Sparrows
Pipits
Finches
Longspurs and Snow Buntings
Towhees, Sparrows
Yellow-breasted Chat
Blackbirds, Orioles
Warblers
Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks

Proceedings
Species: Towhees, Sparrows
Cassin's Sparrow
Black-throated Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Lark Bunting
Chipping Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow
[Black-chinned Sparrow]
Brewer's Sparrow
American Tree Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Harris's Sparrow
Nelson's Sparrow
Baird's Sparrow
Henslow's Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Abert's Towhee
Green-tailed Towhee
Spotted Towhee

American Tree Sparrow (R) (Spizelloides arborea)Start Date 1936-01-01
RefFirstLastLocationCounty23CommentStatus
avian
information
1995-06-03Crow Wing6/3 Crow Wing (first summer record)
First summer record for the state. Single late migrant observed on 6/3 at L. Hubert in Crow Wing Co. KR; latest date in previous years was 5/29.
12:191940indexWinter Records of Golden-crowned Kinglet and Eastern Tree Sparrow
172:401999-06-01DuluthSt. Louis(record #99-33, vote 6-1). Accepted
74:1612002-06-06Flandrau State ParkBrown(record #2002-31, vote 3-4). This was yet another difficult 3-4 vote, with this sparrow quite possibly correctly identified. The observer knew this was an unusually late date for this species, but the spring had been unusually late and cold. The identification of this rustycrowned sparrow was only based on the “dark central spot on its breast.” However, sparrows which normally have an unmarked underparts can sometimes show a real or apparent breast spot due to a variety of factors. Since no other markings were described to preclude a Field or other sparrows (the bill color and presence or absence of an eye ring were not seen), the majority was unable to accept this record. Not Accepted
avian
information
2017-02-21Grant2/21 Grant (first winter record)
Reported throughout state from highest number of counties in past twenty winters. High counts 12/18 Blue Earth (125) APi, 12/19 Olmsted (50) LAV, 1/5 Wilkin (50) SBE, LiH, 1/14 Goodhue (50) JuW. CBC high counts 12/18 Mankato (248), 12/23 Northern Meeker County (246), 12/17 Faribault (232).
avian
information
2018-02-01Grant2/1 Grant (second winter record)
Reported from somewhat fewer than last winter's record 72 counties, but still well above 10-year average of 59. No reports from Northwest and very few reports from North-central or Northeast regions. High counts 1/2 Dakota (150) CDg, 12/26 Otter Tail (100) JsS, 1/1 Freeborn (82) SHo. CBC high counts 1/1 Albert Lea (364), 12/27 Northern Meeker (255), 12/17 Austin (145).
avian
information
2019-02-15Mahnomen2/15 Mahnomen (first winter record)
Reported from 71 counties, similar to totals from prior two years and above ten-year average of 61. Unusual winter record 2/15 Mahnomen SAu. High counts 1/24 Houston (150) SHo, 2/2 Kanabec (135) SPS, 1/27 Dakota (120) MiT, MwT. CBC high counts 12/28 Northern Meeker County (281), 12/15 Rochester (142), 12/29 Albert Lea (115).
avian
information
2020-02-15Grant2/15 Grant (third winter record)
 Observed in 68 counties, including all south counties except Waseca (ten-year average 63). High counts 12/18 Dakota (66, Vermillion Twp.) KDS, 12/1 Fillmore (55, Richard J. Dorer S.F.) ToM, 1/4 Goodhue (53, Frontenac S.P.) AJF. CBC high counts 12/22 Albert Lea (168), 12/28 Hastings-Etter (135), 12/23 Northern Meeker County (113).
avian
information
2021-12-16Pennington12/16 Pennington (first winter record)
 Reported from 70 counties, including all south counties except Big Stone, although few observations from Northwest or North-central. Notable winter record 12/16 Pennington AAz. High counts 2/6 Renville (243, Flora Twp.) GWe, 2/16 Steele (200, Armstrong Wetland Restoration) ebd, 12/11 Washington (160, by 10s, Belwin Trailhead) JuW. CBC high counts 1/2 Zitkada? Wa?yakapi (333), 1/1 Wabasha (314), 1/2 Redwood Falls (172).
avian
information
2022-01-15Grant1/15 Grant (fourth winter record)
 Reported from 70 counties, including all south counties except Big Stone, although few observations from Northwest or North-central. Notable winter record 12/16 Pennington AAz. High counts 2/6 Renville (243, Flora Twp.) GWe, 2/16 Steele (200, Armstrong Wetland Restoration) ebd, 12/11 Washington (160, by 10s, Belwin Trailhead) JuW. CBC high counts 1/2 Zitkada? Wa?yakapi (333), 1/1 Wabasha (314), 1/2 Redwood Falls (172).
avian
information
2023-01-02Roseau1/2 Roseau (first winter record)
Observed in 75 counties, including all south counties except Pope (ten-year average 66). New winter record: 1/2 Roseau (Jadis Twp.) DvH. High counts 12/20 Martin (100, Pierce Lake W.P.A.) KEm, 1/2 Scott (96, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel) ebd. CBC high counts 12/17 La Crosse / La Crescent (413), 12/17 Rochester (340), 12/17 Faribault (221).
avian
information
2023-01-14Grant1/14 Grant (fifth winter record)
Observed in 75 counties, including all south counties except Pope (ten-year average 66). New winter record: 1/2 Roseau (Jadis Twp.) DvH. High counts 12/20 Martin (100, Pierce Lake W.P.A.) KEm, 1/2 Scott (96, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel) ebd. CBC high counts 12/17 La Crosse / La Crescent (413), 12/17 Rochester (340), 12/17 Faribault (221).
 
 Migrant throughout. Winter visitant south and central.

Notes:

The information in the above table comes from several different sources. The count in column 1 indicates which of the sources is considered the primary source.
'Accepted' MOURC entries from The MOURC Proceedings
'Not Accepted' or 'Rejected' MOURC entry from The MOURC Proceedings
Accepted MOU records assembled by David Cahlander
Sighting records for ()
Avian information from the occurrence maps, in dark red, assembled by Robert Janssen. Seasonal report for the species/season published in The Loon or The Flicker has been added.
Information from The Loon index assembled by Anthony Hertzel and David Cahlander