Waterfowl

The region’s lone Black-bellied Whistling-Duck turned up in WI alternating between two small ponds near Madison, Dane Co 21 Oct–24 Nov (m.ob.). Migrant geese (Greater White-fronted, Snow, and Ross’s) were unexceptional and within their normal numbers, timing and distribution with both Greater White-fronted and Ross’s showing typical low numbers and wider distributions. Tundra Swans were widespread and most numerous along the Mississippi River with counts of 10,000 and 20,000 coming from Houston Co, MN. Two Brants appeared in MI with the first at Luna Pier, Monroe Co 31 Oct–25 Nov (John Dickson, m.ob.) followed by another in Holland, Ottawa Co 12–20 Nov (Mark Parker, m.ob.). A lone Eurasian Wigeon appeared in WI at the Sensiba SWA, Brown Co 8 Oct (Jarod Siekman-VerBoort).

Harlequin Duck reports came from only St. Louis and Lake Cos in MN while in WI they were reported in the northwest from Bayfield Co and at multiple points along Lake Michigan from Door Co south to Milwaukee Co. In MI there were 11 reports scattered along the Great Lakes. Surf Scoters were widespread with above average reports in MN and MI while in WI there were fewer reports but larger numbers with 25 in Ozaukee Co 22 Oct being the largest. White-winged Scoter reports were abundant and widespread especially along the Great Lakes but also numerous inland reports. Of the three scoters Black had the fewest reports but were still numerous and widespread being concentrated along the Great Lakes. Long-tailed Ducks had nearly double the 10 year average of reports in MN while in WI they concentrated along Lake Michigan and were widespread in MI’s LP and portions of the UP.

Grouse through Cranes

Spruce Grouse were reported in eight northern tier counties in MN, in two WI counties along the border of the UP and in MI from their normal concentrations in the eastern and west-central UP as well as Oscoda Co in the LP. Sharp-tailed Grouse were reported in 11 northwestern MN counties plus continuing encouraging reports from two west-central counties. They were unreported in WI while MI had normal reports from the usual areas in the eastern UP. Greater Prairie-Chicken reports were limited to only four northwestern counties in MN. Gray Partridge were widespread from 14 counties in the southern half of MN but only three northwestern counties.

Along with other areas of the eastern US, regional first American Flamingos appeared in both WI and MI. A group of five were first discovered along the shore of Lake Michigan at Port Washington, Ozaukee Co 22 Sep and were viewed by hundreds during their one day stay. Presumably the same group reappeared roughly 120 miles to the northwest at Petenwell Lake, Adams Co on 29 Sep and lingered to 9 Oct (m.obs.). A hunter in MI photographed the region’s second record on the shores of Lake Huron near Sebewaing, Huron Co 11 Oct (Jeff Godi). Casual in MI, a Western Grebe appeared at Whitefish Point, Chippewa Co 10 Nov (Mike McBrien).

MI added a first state record Black-chinned Hummingbird at Copper Harbor, Keweenaw Co 19 Oct–17 Nov (Brendan Leddy, m.ob.). An Anna’s Hummingbird provided MN with its fifth state record in Dakota Co 30 Oct–15 Nov (Elizabeth Tiller, m.ob.). Occurring on the same day a second Anna’s Hummingbird graced a WI residence in Wedgewood Park, Milwaukee Co 30 Oct–26 Nov (Jeremy Meyer). The only Yellow Rail report was of a heard-only individual in MN at the McGregor Marsh, Aitkin Co in August. Casual in MI, Purple Gallinule was found in Grand Haven, Ottawa Co 23 Sep (Lisa Humenick), but the documentation for this report has yet to be submitted to the state records committee. Limpkins continued throughout the region with far too many reports to list. In summary, MN had five, WI at least 14 and MI had 13 individuals from 11 counties. Noteworthy was a report in MN from northern St. Louis Co 29 Oct (James Wisnoski) that was roughly 25 miles from the Canadian border and may be the most northerly Limpkin ever recorded. Sandhill Cranes were widespread and numerous throughout all three states. MN reported 11,000 from the Sherburne NWR, Sherburne Co 28 Oct.

Shorebirds

Black-necked Stilt reports came from MN with one in Blue Earth Co 2 Aug (Chad Heins) along with several from WI centered at the Horicon NWR, Dodge Co, plus other WI reports from Jefferson, Waukesha and Green Lake Cos while three were reported from MI at Pte. Mouillee SGA, Monroe Co 4 Aug (David Riddle). Unusual was a lone, banded Piping Plover in MN Grand Marais, Cook Co 17 Aug (Thomas Nelson). Otherwise Piping Plover reports were mainly concentrated in MI along the Lake Michigan shore in the northwestern part of the LP. Single Red Knots were reported in WI from Brown, Sheboygan and Milwaukee Cos while MI had 10 reports scattered along the Great Lakes shoreline all of solo individuals except for five from Pointe LeBarbe, Mackinac Co 24 Aug. The region had two Ruff observations one from MN in Chippewa Co 22–25 Aug (Nolan Meyer, m.ob.) and the other from WI at the Horicon NWR, Dodge Co 10 Aug (Thomas Wood).

Purple Sandpipers are casual in WI so a season with three reports is unusual: North Point Park, Sheboygan Co 9 Nov (Jon Bartell), USCG Shipping Channel, Door Co 18 Nov (Candace and Rush Evans) and Manitowoc Lakefront, Manitowoc Co 25–26 Nov (Charles Sonntag). While in MI, where this species is regular, they were reported from seven counties. Buff-breasted Sandpipers were numerous and widespread throughout the region. The reports were mostly of one or two individuals, but an impressive high count of 81 was documented in MN at Cory Lake, Lac Qui Parle Co 22 Aug (Karl Bardon). Western Sandpipers appeared in MN at the Purgatory Creek Wetlands, Hennepin Co 23 Sep (Jocelyn Kuo, m.ob.) and from WI, Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co 1–2 Sep (Erich Podbielski, Mike Ellery). Wilson’s Phalaropes had widespread and scattered reports in all three states. Noteworthy from MN was a record late fall occurrence at the Albany WTP, Stearns Co 14–16 Nov (Herb Dingmann, m.ob.). MN had a 50% increase over the 10 year average of Red-necked Phalarope reports while WI and MI had them in more typical numbers and distribution. The only Red Phalarope reports came from MI at the Muskegon WTP, Muskegon Co 15 Oct and at Whitefish Point, Chippewa Co 11 Nov.

Jaegers through Gulls

Pomarine Jaegers went unreported. Parasitic Jaeger occurrences started in late August and continued through mid-October with mostly individual sightings along the Great Lakes coasts. Long-tailed Jaegers put in four appearances as follows: in MN at Lake Winnibigoshish, Cass Co 26 Aug (Nate and Joey Adams), in WI at Wisconsin Point, Douglas Co 23 Sep (Tim Hahn) and at Pensaukee, Oconto Co 25 Sep (Thomas Erdman) and in MI at Lake Erie Metropark, Wayne Co 5 Sep (Detroit River Hawkwatch, m.ob.). Ancient Murrelets appeared in MN in the Mississippi River backwaters, Houston Co 9 Nov (Connie Rose) and another was rescued from a road in Hastings, Dakota Co 18–19 Nov (Adam Prowatzke). These represent the ninth and 10th state records. In WI single Ancient Murrelets appeared in Ashland, Ashland Co 20 Nov (Nick Anich) and George Pinney Park, Door Co 21–30 Nov (Candace and Rush Evans). Casual in MN and WI Black-legged Kittiwakes appeared in WI at the Prairie du Sac Dam, Sauk Co 4–6 Nov (Alexis Sequin), in both states at the Superior Entry in Duluth/Superior 5–7 Nov (Lars Benson, m.ob.) and in MN at Taconite Harbor, Cook Co 19–22 Nov (Adriana Losey, Alex Sundvall). This species is regular in MI which had up to eight reports of one-two birds each nearly evenly split between both peninsulas.

Sabine’s Gulls had five, three and three reports for MN, WI and MI respectively. MI had the only Little Gull observations, occurring Oct-Nov, with four reports from the LP and one from Whitefish Point, Chippewa Co. The region’s lone California Gull came from MN at Garrison on Lake Mille Lacs, Crow Wing and Aitkin Cos 25 Sep (Liz Harper, Larry and Jan Kramer). Iceland Gull reports were typical occurring in MN along Lake Superior and a few interior reports scattered along major rivers and lakes. In WI reports concentrated at Wisconsin Point, Douglas Co and along the Lake Michigan shore and in MI there were 13 reports, mostly along the Great Lakes shore, from both peninsulas. Lesser Black-backed Gulls were reported in MN from 10 counties (double the 10 year average), from 11 counties in WI and MI had abundant reports in the LP and only two were reported from the UP. Glaucous Gulls generated four, five and 16 reports from MN, WI and MI respectively. The vast majority were located along the Great Lakes coast. Great Black-backed Gulls generated three reports along Lake Superior in MN, WI had numerous reports from 10 counties and in MI there were numerous coastal reports from the LP and from five locations in the UP.

Terns through Spoonbill 

An Arctic Tern was documented at MI’s Whitefish Point, Chippewa Co 23 Aug (Mike McBrien). A potential first state record Royal Tern was documented along the MN side of the St. Croix River, Washington Co 21–25 Sep (Garrett Wee, m.ob.) but was accepted at the genus level, Thalasseus by the state’s records committee. Neotropic Cormorants continued for the fifth straight year in MN at Richfield Lake, Hennepin Co (Bruce Fall, m.ob.) and for the third straight year at MI’s Lake St. Clair Metropark, Macomb Co. Both of these were carry-overs from the summer. Snowy Egrets generated three reports in MN, while in WI up to three individuals were present in Fond du Lac Co 7–17 Aug and one in Dane Co, 1 Oct and MI had three reports all in the LP mainly in August. Little Blue Herons were present in WI with up to four individuals in Racine Co 1–11 Aug and in MI, where the species is casual status, there were these reports: Pte. Mouillee SGA, Monroe Co 2 Aug (Jason Bojczyk), Saline, Washtenaw Co 7 Aug (Johanna Lentz, m.ob.) and Tiscornia Park, Berrien Co 21 Sep (Josh Druis, David Ferris).

Cattle Egrets were reported from an average of four counties in MN, in WI up to 51 individuals were reported from the fields in Fond du Lac Co 15 Aug–8 Sep plus two individuals in Winnebago Co while in MI one individual was reported from Whitefish Point, Chippewa Co plus nine reports from the LP. Black-crowned Night Heron reports continued to be below average with only eight counties reporting from MN, while WI and MI had numerous reports mostly from the eastern third for WI and southern half of the LP for MI. The only Yellow-crowned Night Heron reports came from MN from Otter Tail Co 8 Aug and in WI Milwaukee Co 3 Aug, Ozaukee Co 5–15 Aug, Winnebago Co 16–20 Aug and 26 Sep and Jefferson Co 27 Aug. A White Ibis provided WI with its fifth state record at Cove Preserve, Door Co 5 Oct (Candace and Rush Evans). White-faced Ibis were reported from nine MN counties (triple the 10 year average) with WI providing the region’s only other report from Trempealeau Co 29 Oct. The Roseate Spoonbill from summer continued at the Ken Euers Nature Area, Door Co 1–4 Aug (m.ob.).

Kites through Owls

A White-tailed Kite continued from the previous summer in WI at Potawatomie SP, Door Co 2 Aug–11 Sep (m.ob.). Swallow-tailed Kites put in numerous appearances as follows: in MN one was discovered in a residential park in Woodbury, Washington Co 6 Aug (Patrick Brewer, m.ob.); in WI four individuals were reported starting with one at Paint Farm, Columbia Co 2–6 Aug (Jonathon Krohn), another at Sheboygan, Sheboygan Co 15 Aug (Daniel Ericson), Lomira, Dodge Co 27 Aug (Bryce Robinson) and in Bayfield Co 4–5 Sep (Ben Baldwin); in MI one continued from the summer in Jonesville, Hillsdale Co through 4 Aug (m.ob.), one in Livingston Co 8 Aug (Anna Walker), another in Nunica, Ottawa Co 15–17 Aug (Matt Bennink, m.ob.), in Free Soil, Mason Co 22 Aug (Jared and Lucy Wilson) and in Holland, Allegan Co 23–27 Aug (m.ob.). A Mississippi Kite continued from the summer in WI at Sheiffer Park, Rock Co 1–2 Aug (Jeff Blatz). Casual in WI a Swainson’s Hawk wandered into Bayfield Co 5 Sep (Nick Anich, m.ob.). WI also provided a record of Ferruginous Hawk at Horicon NWR, Dodge Co 22 Oct (John Seibel).

The region’s fall hawk watch sites noted the following: at Hawk Ridge in Duluth, MN Broad-winged Hawks, historically the most numerous raptor, tallied the second lowest total ever at 10,210, while Golden Eagles recorded a record high season with 264. Otherwise total raptor numbers were below average. Bethany Hawk Watch in Mankato, MN had its highest count of 19,091 in its 15 years nearly doubling the previous high count. The Detroit River Hawk Watch in MI recorded its third highest total of 220,272, its second highest Turkey Vulture count of 94,132 and its third highest Broad-winged Hawk count of 112,473 and American Kestrel count of 1,323.

A well out-of-range Barn Owl was discovered in MI’s UP at the Dead River Marsh, Marquette Co 19 Nov (Gary Palmer, Skye Haas) while two others were recorded in MN Houston Co, where they have been recorded and occasionally seen almost annually over the past decade, and another in Isanti Co 19 Sep (Karla Bloem). Snowy Owl reports were minimal with two reported from northwestern MN in Nov, one in WI from Sheboygan Co and only two reports from MI’s LP in Nov. Northern Hawk Owls were sparse with reports only from Aitkin and St. Louis Cos in MN and from WI in Bayfield Co. Great Gray Owls were only reported from a handful of areas in northern MN. For Short-eared Owls, MN had reports from seven scattered counties from Sep-Nov while in WI they reported throughout the season from 21 counties with most reports from Calumet and Portage Cos and MI provided widespread reports from 13 locations in the LP and two in the UP. Encouraging was the banding of three Boreal Owls from MI’s Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, Chippewa Co.

Woodpeckers through Thrushes

American Three-toed Woodpeckers were only reported from four MN counties along the Canadian border. Black-backed Woodpecker reports came from nine northern MN counties and in MI from Pt. LaBarbe, Mackinac Co and also Alger, Marquette, Iron and Keweenaw Cos. The only noteworthy falcon sighting was of one Prairie Falcon in Koochiching Co, MN 3 Sep. Two Tropical Kingbirds were documented as follows: MI’s fourth state record was at Luna Pier, Monroe Co 14–25 Oct (Daniel Bernard, Isaac Polanski, m.ob.) and the second from WI in the city of Ashland, Ashland Co 18–20 Oct (Ryan Brady, m.ob.). MI also hosted a Tropical/Couch’s Kingbird in Ottawa Co 1 Nov (Kai Sterk). MN provided two Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. The first was west of Two Harbors in St. Louis Co 19–27 Oct (Roberta Tietge, m.ob.) and the other from Washington Co 20–21 Sep (John Zakelj, m.ob.). Say’s Phoebes turned up in MN for the fourth consecutive year in Odessa, Big Stone Co 2 Sep (Doug Peirzina), in WI at Chiwaukee Prairie SNA, Kenosha Co 20 Aug (Eric Howe) and in MI at Lake Erie Metropark, Wayne Co 20 Oct (Justin Labadie, m.ob.). Two Vermilion Flycatchers appeared as follows: in WI north of Forestville, Door Co 7 Oct (Carl Morrison) and in MI at the coincidentally named Vermilion Point Nature Preserve, Chippewa Co 8–11 Oct (Steve Baker, m.ob.).

Two Clark’s Nutcrackers were found, the first from MN by a chance encounter with an individual who happened to have a camera handy at Pine Point Regional Park, Washington Co 6 Oct (Thomas Weber), and from WI at Nine Springs, Madison, Dane Co 21–25 Oct (m.ob.). Two Black-billed Magpies wandered east into northwestern WI with one from Douglas Co 3 Aug (Tim Ciembronowicz) and the other from Bayfield Co 24 Sep (Brent Braga). Boreal Chickadees were reported from eight MN Cos in the northern half of the state while MI had reports from Iron and Marquette Cos. Bohemian Waxwings had typical reports in MN from 16 northern counties, WI’s distribution was limited to counties in the northern third of the state and MI reports were widely scattered throughout the UP with just two reports from the LP.

A Sage Thrasher turned up in MN at Battle Creek Park, Ramsey Co 13–16 Nov (John Zakelj, m.ob.) for the state’s 16th record. A Northern Mockingbird appeared in MN on the Western Waterfront Trail, Duluth, St. Louis Co 2–6 Aug (Jan and Larry Kramer) while in WI single birds appeared in the counties of Colombia 7 Sep, Milwaukee 9–10 Sep and Washburn 23 Oct. In MI there were over three dozen reports from the southern LP with a few scattered in the northern LP plus one very distant report from Marquette Co in the UP. Townsend’s Solitaires were reported from nine MN counties, a typical number, while in WI up to eight were seen at Devils Lake SP, Sauk Co during Oct and Nov while in MI there were reports from the UP in the Keweenaw Peninsula, in Marquette Co and from Whitefish Point, Chippewa Co while only two were reported from the LP. Three MN counties generated Varied Thrush reports, typical for this season, while MI provided the only other report from Alger Co.

Old World Sparrows through Longspurs

Eurasian Tree Sparrows were reported from three MN and six WI counties. Evening Grosbeaks were reported from seven northern MN counties. In WI they were reported from seven northern tier counties while in MI’s UP reports were widely scattered and reports from the LP were mostly limited to the north-central and one far south from Washtenaw Co. The highest total for the region was 22 from Pigeon Bridge SF, Otsego Co 21 Oct (Mike Wanger). Overall, numbers were low reflecting a long term trend. Pine Grosbeaks were reported from 12, five and nine counties from MN, WI and MI respectively. Common Redpoll reports were slightly above average in MN from 32 mainly north-central and northeast counties. In WI they were reported in 19 counties mostly along the northern tier and from the southeast. Reports were low from MI where in the UP they were mainly reported from the Keweenaw Peninsula and Whitefish Point, Chippewa Co. The few reports from the LP were widely scattered with the furthest south from Berrien Co. Hoary Redpoll reports were almost nonexistent with two from MN, one from WI and two isolated reports from MI’s UP.

Red Crossbills were well represented with 50 counties reporting in MN, double the 10 year average. In WI they were reported all across the state with the exception of the southwest. And in MI they were reported throughout the UP, with most LP reports coming from the north-central area and as far south as Kalamazoo and Washtenaw Cos. White-winged Crossbills reports were well below average in MN coming from eight counties, WI had reports from 13 northern counties and in MI reports were widely scattered across the UP, the northern half of the LP as far south as Kent Co. Smith’s Longspurs proved their elusiveness with only three reports coming from MN.

Sparrows through Grosbeaks

A cold front passing through the region on the night of October 4–5, 2023 generated significant migration movement. LeConte’s Sparrows were well represented in MN from 40 counties, while WI had them reported in 11 counties and in MI they were found in their usual haunt in eastern Chippewa Co with a few scattered reports across the UP. They were unreported from the LP. Nelson’s Sparrows were found in 19 MN counties as birders continue to succeed in finding this secretive species. In WI they were reported from 11 counties with most observations in the east and southeast. MI only had three reports from the LP. A Green-tailed Towhee appeared in MI’s Chikaming Township Park, Berrien Co 2 Nov (Josh Duis, m.ob.). A Spotted Towhee was found in WI’s Grant Park, Milwaukee Co 3–11 Nov (Steven Thompson, m.ob.).

Kirtland’s Warblers were reported throughout their nesting area in the northern LP, plus migrants were reported through early October in southeastern MI. MI’s third record Townsend’s Warbler was discovered at Hodenpyl Woods, Grand Rapids, Kent Co 9 Sep (Tim Ellens). Summer Tanagers were widespread in the region with reports in MN from the northeast, south-central and southwest, from six locations in WI and just one report from extreme southwest MI. A residential feeder in MN provided a Black-headed Grosbeak record from Otter Tail Co 19 Sep (Les Gunderson).

Report processed by Eric DeFonso, 03 Nov 2024.