Western Great Lakes: Spring 2025

Waterfowl through Rails

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks made three appearances in the region: the first from MN’s Lake Rebecca RP in both Dakota and Washington Cos 5 May (Liz Harper, m.ob.) and two reports from MI with the first from Kingswood Lake, Bloomfield Hills, Oakland Co 16 May (Meredith May, m.ob.) and Lake St. Clair Metropark, Mt. Clemens, Macomb Co 22–24 May (Dward Lewandowski, m.ob.). This is the eighth consecutive spring where BBWD were recorded in the region. Snow and Ross’s Geese were reported in their typical arrival and departure times. Only MN had unusual numbers with the state’s second highest spring count of Snows at 140,600 and highest Ross’s spring count of 11,500 both on 19 Mar in Traverse Co (Karl Bardon). Note that incredible numbers were moving through South and North Dakota at the same time with an estimated 2.75 million Snow Geese at Tewaukon NWR about an hour’s drive west. In MI Greater White-fronted Geese were reported from 26 counties, as opposed to 34 the previous spring, but provided respectable numbers for the state especially in the southwest with a notable count of 400 from Berrien Co 5 Mar. Both WI and MN reports were in line with recent averages and distribution. In MI two Brant flew past Whitefish Point, Chippewa Co 21 May (Sean McLaughlin). This is only the fifth spring record for the region in the past 10 years. Tundra Swans were also reported in typical numbers and distribution for all three states.

Cinnamon Teal made appearances in all three states as follows: in MI at the Musketawa Trail, Ravenna, Muskegon Co 17 Mar (Jason Carlson, m.ob.), in WI at the Cottonville Court Marsh, Waushara Co 22 Apr–7 May (Thomas Schultz, T. Mathewson) and at Bark Bay Slough SNA, Bayfield Co 1 May (Ryan Brady, John Mundahl) and lastly in MN from LeSueur Co 21–31 Mar (Craig Zimprich, m.ob.). MN generated three Eurasian Wigeon reports: at Yaeger Lake WMA, Wadena Co 1–14 Apr (Chris Hockema, m.ob.), at McDonald WPA, Clay Co 18 Apr–3 May (Frank Fabbro, m.ob.) and in Beltrami Co 14 May (Alex Burchard, m.ob.). MN’s second recorded Mottled Duck lingered from the previous winter in Hennepin Co through 3 Mar. A potential MI state high count for Northern Pintail was 7,406 at the Shiawassee SWA, Saginaw Co 28 Mar. The previous winter’s Tufted Duck at MI’s Holland State Park, Holland, Ottawa Co lingered through 5 Mar. WI’s fifth recorded Tufted Duck appeared around the city of Green Bay, Brown Co 5–13 Apr.

MI Harlequin Duck reports came from only three counties compared to the previous spring’s seven. In WI they were reported from four counties along Lake Michigan and in MN from two counties along Lake Superior. As is typical, most reports were from harbors with breakwalls. The following numbers are in the order of MI, WI and MN respectively: Surf Scoter reports came from 11, four and four counties. There were only four reports inland, away from the Great Lakes. White-winged Scoters were reported in 22, eight and three counties with only two inland records. A season high count of 1,086 was documented from MI’s Whitefish Pt., Chippewa Co 12 May. Black Scoters were reported in 12, seven and two counties with only one inland record. Overall scoter reports and numbers had some, but not significant, variations from previous springs. Long-tailed Ducks were found in 45, 10 and four counties with numerous inland records from MI and only one other from MN. As is typical, they were found in just about every county in the region that borders one of the Great Lakes. Barrow’s Goldeneyes were found as follows: in WI along the north shore of Lake Winnebago, Winnebago Co 1–2 Mar; in MN an over-wintering individual in Duluth, St. Louis Co through 4 Apr (m.ob.), at the Pine City WTP, Pine Co 6 Apr (John Hockema, Aiden Safari, m.ob.) and at the Hill City WTP, Aitkin Co 9–10 May (Brandon Lentz).

In MI Spruce Grouse were reported from six counties including reports from Ogemaw and Oscoda counties in the LP. A nice high count of 13 came from Baraga Plains, Baraga Co 13 Mar. WI had only one report from Forest Co in the northeast region of the state. This is typical for the Badger State where this species maintains a minimal presence. MN provided the usual number of reports from six counties along the Canadian border. Sharp-tailed Grouse maintained their usual range in MI’s eastern UP and in 16 northern MN counties including Swift Co in the west-central region. They were also reported from their usual range in northwest and north-central WI. Greater Prairie-Chickens were consistent in central WI around the Buena Vista Grasslands, Portage Co with a high count of 73 at Leola Marsh SWA, Adam’s Co 11 Apr (Ann Swengel). While in MN they were in their usual range in the northwest part of the state plus Swift Co in the west-central region. Gray Partridge were only reported from MN, as is typical, and were widespread but scattered across the southern half of the state (19 counties) plus eight northern counties mostly along the North Dakota border.

Casual in MI, a Western Grebe was discovered at Sleeping Bear Point, Glen Arbor, Leelanau Co and generously lingered from 10 Apr–3 May (Alice Van Zoeren, m.ob.). Barely regular in MI and MN, White-winged Doves came to residential areas as follows: in MN Center City, Chicago Co 5–12 Apr (Garrett Wee, m.ob.) and in the UP, Houghton Co 4 May (Jessica and Miranda Rich). Casual in MI, a Chuck-will’s-widow was discovered along Waterworks Road, Detroit Beach, Monroe Co 15–27 Apr (Sarah Romero, m.ob.). The only rare hummingbird record came from MN with the state’s second record of Broad-billed Hummingbird from a residential feeder in Aitkin Co (Tyrel Little). Outside of a photograph and brief discussion on social media not much else is known about the dates of this bird’s appearance. The region’s only King Rail report came from MN along the Clearwater River, Wright Co 8 May (Morgan Rodenborg). The bird was observed for about five minutes, photographed and was never relocated. Yellow Rail reports were, typically, minimal for this secretive species. In MI reports were noted of 1–2 individuals at the Houghton Lake WRA, Roscommon Co continuing into the summer. In WI they were reported from four eastern counties: Dane, Marquette, Green Lake, and Vilas. In MN there was one noteworthy early report from the Armstrong Wetlands, Steele Co 20 Apr plus records from four other northern counties.

Shorebirds through Jaegers

Black-necked Stilts were lackluster in MI, but not out of the ordinary. Reports came from Berrien, Monroe, and Jackson Cos with most from known locations like Pointe Mouillee SGA and Erie Marsh SGA both in Monroe Co. WI hosted them in 14 counties and MN in eight, both typical. Piping Plover reports were also typical coming from 16 MI counties with an unusual inland report from Genesee Co 3 May; in MN there were the following inland reports: Nicollet WTP, Nicollet Co 29 Apr, Artichoke WPA, Big Stone Co 17 May and Big Stone NWR, Lac Qui Parle Co 17 May plus four reports from the Duluth, St. Louis Co vicinity. Upland Sandpiper reports were typical for all three states with concentrations in the “tip-of-the-mitt” (specifically the northwest of the LP), and in MN’s western and south-central counties.

Whimbrels produced an excellent spring in MI. An impressive high count of 2,780 migrated past the Detroit River IWR, Wayne Co 24 May while reports from 30 counties was 50% more than previous spring’s total. The vast majority of MI Whimbrels, per usual, were seen in Monroe and Wayne counties as they made their way north. In WI they were reported from 13 counties, which is near average, while MN had expected reports in late May along Lake Superior in Cook, Lake and St. Louis Cos plus reports from the northwest region in Kittson, Roseau, and Lake of the Woods counties. Inland reports came from Stearns Co 5 May and Wright Co 31 May. Preceding the Whimbrels, MI’s fourth recorded Long-billed Curlew was found at the Erie Marsh Preserve, Monroe Co 22 Apr (Jared Matthews, m.ob.). Most Red Knot reports were scattered on various beaches/mudflats along the Great Lakes. Reports came from eight, seven and four counties respectively for MI, WI and MN. The WI total represents the highest number of counties this species has been reported from in the last ten years. Each state hosted an individual Ruff as follows: in MI at Three Oaks Sewage Ponds, Three Oaks, Berrien Co 19–27 Apr (Amy Kearns, m.ob.), in WI along the Root River, Franklin, Milwaukee Co 13 May (m.ob.) and in MN at the Big Stone NWR, Lac Qui Parle Co 18 May (Ezra and Marie Hosch). A spring rarity in the region, one Buff-breasted Sandpiper was discovered in WI’s Ken Euers Wetland Preserve, Brown Co 13 May (m.ob.). This rare spring migrant has only been reported in the season five times in the past 10 years. The region’s lone Western Sandpiper was found in MN at Lake Byllesby, Dakota Co 2–3 May (Cole Bauer, m.ob.). The only Jaeger sightings were of two Parasitic from MI at McGulpin Pt., Emmet Co 29 Apr and Whitefish Pt, Chippewa Co 25 May.

Gulls through Loons

Two Little Gull reports came from MI: one at Bay City SP, Bay Co, 4–5 May and the other nearby Pinconning, 15 May. WI had one report in Fond du Lac County 14 May. In MN, where this species was recently assigned casual status, one was found at both the McIntosh & Erskine WTPs, Polk Co 24 Apr (Kim Eckert, Brad Abendroth, m.ob.) and another along the St Louis River, St Louis Co 29 Apr (Peder Svingen, Jamie Tigges). WI reported Laughing Gulls from six counties tying the highest number of counties reporting in the past 10 years: individuals from Racine Co 30 Apr, 3 and 27 May; from Kenosha Co 30 Apr; Ozaukee Co 2 and 10 May; Dane Co 3 and 19 May; Brown Co 13 May, and Manitowoc Co 18 May. California Gulls appeared as follows: in MI at the Muskegon Wastewater System, Muskegon, Muskegon Co 3–4 Mar (David Pavlik, m.ob.) and in WI along Lake Waubesa, Dane Co 17–27 Mar (Jeremy Nance, Caleb Frome, m.ob.) and at Coal Dock Park, Port Washington, Ozaukee Co (Cicero Stewart).

Iceland Gull reports were consistent with previous years. The vast majority of reports for the region were along the Great Lakes shoreline and interior areas of the Twin Cities, MN and near Madison, WI. The region’s Lesser Black-backed Gulls were mostly concentrated in MI, especially in the southeast and southwest parts of the state. A season high count of 161 was recorded from the Woodtick Peninsula, Wayne Co 20 Mar. In WI, they were mainly concentrated in the southeast part of the state along the Lake Michigan shoreline, while in MN, they were reported in 16 widespread counties with no real concentrations. Reports of Glaucous Gulls were unremarkable and consistent with past springs. As usual, they were mostly concentrated along the shoreline of the Great Lakes. Great Black-backed Gull reports were also unremarkable for the season. They also were mainly concentrated at hotpots along the Great Lakes, especially Lake Michigan, and in areas near Detroit.

MI’s third record White-winged Tern, all occurring in the past three years, showed up at Bay City SP, Kawkawlin, Bay Co 19 May (Talus Rutger, m.ob.). This is almost exactly one year to the date from the previous record that was just a few miles away leading to the suspicion that both records were the same individual. Red-throated Loons were reported in typical numbers and locations. Reports were concentrated along Lake Michigan and at various hotspots along the Great Lakes including in MI’s Whitefish Point, Chippewa Co and the Duluth/Superior area in MN/WI respectively. Pacific Loons were reported in typical, minimal numbers: MI had two reports, both from Whitefish Pt., Chippewa Co 28 and 30 May; WI had one inland report from Lake Menomin Park, Dunn Co 10 May and MN led with three reports from Duluth, St. Louis Co and one from Cook Co.

Cormorants through Ibis

Neotropic Cormorants returned to MI’s Lake St. Clair Metropark, Mt. Clemens, Macomb Co 4 Apr (Mary Trombley, m.ob.) where they have been occurring since 2021. In WI they were reported from Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co 16 Apr (Sam Corbo, m.ob.), Port Washington, Ozaukee Co 3 May (Joseph Phipps) and from Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, Brown Co 10–22 May (m.ob.). MI’s 13th record Brown Pelican was discovered at the Saginaw River, Bay City, Bay Co 2–4 May (Andrew Monson, m.ob.). The same individual was relocated at Lake Lansing, Haslett, Ingham Co 4–14 May (Ryan LaRuffa, m.ob.). This determination was made by photo reviews and lack of any simultaneous sightings from either locations.

The only Little Blue Heron reported for the region came from WI’s L.H. Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve, Brown Co 25 Apr (m.ob.). Snowy Egrets were well represented this spring. MI had them in seven counties with areas around Saginaw Bay being most productive. WI had Snowies in seven eastern counties representing the highest total of counties reporting for the Badger state in over 10 years. In MN they were found in nine counties following a typical distribution in the west-central and southwest areas of the state. WI also provided the region’s only Yellow-crowned Night Heron report coming from Estabrook Park, Milwaukee Co 29 Apr (Judith Huf). Black-crowned Night Herons experienced a solid spring in MI with reports from 25 counties. Marshy areas around Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay were the most productive. Noteworthy was the roost at the Detroit Zoo, Oakland Co as the most productive hotspot with a high count of 98 individuals on 1 May. In WI they occurred in 23 mostly eastern counties which is in line with recent averages. In MN they had a typical distribution with mostly scattered reports from 15 southern counties and limited to six northern counties. Western Cattle Egret reports were somewhat lackluster for MI and WI coming from two and four counties respectively. MN reported them from 15 counties, above the 10 year average, scattered throughout the southern two-thirds of the state.

Glossy Ibis were busy in the region starting with WI at the Horicon NWR, in both Fon du Lac and Dodge Cos 26 Apr and 10 May and from MN, where this species is approaching regular status, at the Peterson WMA, Nobles Co 22–23 and 17 May, Big Stone NWR, Lac Qui Parle Co 29 Apr and 5 May, Frontenac SP, Goodhue Co May 2–10 and Getchell Lake, Stearns Co 12 May and in MI from Shiawassee NWR, Saginaw Co 11–16 May and Pte. Mouillee SGA 23–30. White-faced Ibis continue to provide impressive reports and numbers in the region. In MI, they were reported from five counties while WI had reports from 11 counties which is the highest number of counties reported from in the past 10 years. In MN their spring presence has noticeably increased since 2020 with this year having reports from 28 counties and the state’s second highest count of 67 at the Big Stone NWR, Lac Qui Parle 5 May (Scott Kelly).

Hawks through Owls

The region’s lone Black Vulture came from WI, the state’s 17th, in Racine Co 30 Apr (Johnathan Fisher). WI also provided a Swallow-tailed Kite from Waukesha Co 2 May (Riley Morris). Three Mississippi Kites appeared as follows: in MI from Whitefish Pt. Chippewa Co 12 May (Sean McLaughlin), a specimen found in MN, Brewster, Jackson Co 22 May (Stephanie Leckband) and from WI in Buffalo Co 22 May (Lizz Bartlett Hall). Casual in WI, two Swainson’s Hawks appeared: one in Jefferson Co 22 Apr (Aaron Stutz) and the other in Vilas Co 24 Apr (James Baughman, Sarah Besadny).

A quick summary of the region’s three main spring hawk watch sites (Whitefish Pt, Chippewa Co, and Mackinaw City, Emmet Co both in MI and West Skyline Hawk Count, St. Louis Co in MN) follows. Season total counts of raptors for both WSHC (26,402) and Whitefish Pt. (25,485) were well above the 10 year avg. The Mackinaw City (58,746) count was nearly identical to the 10 yr average. Turkey Vultures continue their long term increasing trend at all three sites. Bald Eagles provided impressive numbers with 6,451 at WSHC (the second highest ever spring total), 1,025 at Whitefish Pt. (the highest total recorded) and 931 for Mackinaw City (the second highest total recorded). 173 Golden Eagles at WSHC and 98 at Whitefish Pt. were the second highest total for both sites. Peregrine Falcons also showed well with 39 at WSHC (the most ever recorded) and 75 from Whitefish Pt, the most in 12 years. American Goshawk was only reliable at Whitefish Pt. This species is practically non-existent in spring at the other two sites. Red-tailed Hawk numbers continue to be depressed at WSHC with 2,034 the lowest in eight years compared to counts regularly over 5,000 in the early 2000s. At Whitefish Pt. a tally of 608 Red-taileds were the lowest since 2014.

Five nocturnal recordings during Mar revealed the likely presence of two American Barn Owls in MN’s Winona Co (Karla Bloem). Snowy Owls experienced a solid season in MI with reports from 21 counties. Areas in Chippewa Co, especially around Rudyard, were the top spot for Snowies. In WI, reflecting the irruption year, they were reported from nine counties while MN also had them scattered from nine counties with the last being reported 5 May. An individual Northern Hawk Owl in MI’s Houghton Co continued from the winter through 4 Apr. The last MI spring to record a Northern Hawk Owl was in 2019. MN had three records: Lake Co 2 Mar, Roseau Co 22 Mar and a surprisingly late and out-of-range individual found in a light industrial area just south of the Twin Cities, Savage, Scott Co 14 Mar–1 May. Two Burrowing Owls made appearances. The first from MN’s Lac Qui Parle Co 5–6 May (Walt Gessler, m.ob.) and the second from WI’s rural Bayfield Co 14 May (Tim Ciembronowicz, m.ob.).

Great Gray Owls provided two reports from MI this spring, unsurprisingly, both from the UP. One was seen in Chippewa Co 28–29 Mar and a second in Marquette Co 5 May. WI provided two records with the first from Bayfield Co 14 Mar and the other from Douglas Co 5 May. In MN, reflecting the winter season numbers, Great Grays were reported in 11 counties, almost double the 10-year average. Long-eared Owls had a “solid” spring in MI with a noteworthy evening count of 45 near Whitefish Pt, Chippewa Co 26 Apr. WI had reports from eight scattered counties. MN had them reported in nine south and one north county with a typically scattered, widespread distribution. Short-eared Owls also did well this season with reports from 37 MI counties that were well-scattered around the state in both the UP and LP. WI had reports from 31 counties, the highest number of counties reported in the last ten years and MN had its fifth straight year of higher than average reports, from 31 counties. MN had a nice high count of eight from Keystone Woods WMA, Washington Co 17–22 Mar. MI’s WPBO banded 9 Boreal Owls this spring. Away from Whitefish Point, a Boreal Owl was, surprisingly, heard calling in MI’s LP at Cheboygan SP, Cheboygan Co 14 Apr. MN only had three Boreal Owl reports from the northern half of the state, all in March, while one was found deceased in WI, Bayfield Co 5 Mar.

Woodpeckers through Old World Sparrows

American Three-toed Woodpeckers were only reported from MN with four reports from three counties along the Canadian border. Black-backed Woodpeckers were found in five MI UP counties with their typical concentration around the Peshekee Grade, Marquette Co, while MN had them in a respectable 11 counties, almost double the 10-year average, all from the northern third of state. WI’s third and fourth state record Crested Caracaras, respectively, were as follows: in Green Co 1–4 Apr (Mikayla DeBoer) and in Walworth 18 May (Mike Davis).

MN provided the region’s two Scissor-tailed Flycatcher records: in Ramsey Co 9 May (Joey Reichhoff, Tate Putman) and from Park Point Recreation Park Area, Duluth, St. Louis Co 13 May (Scott Wolff, m.ob.). WI had a Say’s Phoebe at Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, Lake Mendota, Dane Co 26–27 Apr (Brian Schneider, m.ob.) while in MN they were reported from 11 counties, the most ever in 20 years. Especially noteworthy were five individuals recorded from the Twin Cities area, well east of the normal distribution. This species continues to increase in the state. MN had reports of four White-eyed Vireos in the southern half of the state, the most spring reports in over 20 years. In MI, Loggerhead Shrike reports came from 8 counties with all reports consisting of individual birds. Reports were scattered between both the UP and LP, mostly in counties bordering the Great Lakes. MN had reports from 40 counties, the most in over 20 years. This is the second straight spring of unprecedented numbers for MN Loggerhead Shrikes.

Boreal Chickadee continues to be difficult to find outside of MN. In MI there were only two reports from the UP counties of Houghton and Marquette. They were unreported in WI while MN provided reports from five counties in their typical range. The region’s highlight of the season came from MN where its second recorded Pygmy Nuthatch was at Como Regional Park, Ramsey Co 8–15 Mar (Anya Auerbach, m.ob.). A Mountain Bluebird showed briefly in MN’s Jackson Co 25 Apr (Luke Hollander, Joshua Watson). Townsend’s Solitaire reports were unremarkable coming from two, three and four counties respectively for MI, WI, and MN. Each state provided one report each of Varied Thrush. In MN, Eurasian Tree Sparrows were reported from 14 counties, the most ever, as far north as Cook Co on the Canadian border.

Wagtails through Chat

WI’s first state record White Wagtail continued from winter at Portage Park, Door Co and was last reported Mar 7. In MI, Evening Grosbeaks were reported from 21 counties mostly from the entire UP and the north central area of the LP, but there was an outlier in the southeastern part of the state of one individual in Sanilac Co 11–12 May. Otherwise, reports from WI and MN were unimpressive coming from five and seven counties, respectively. Spring Pine Grosbeaks typically do not generate much activity in the region as they have largely departed by the end of winter. This season was no exception with minimal reports coming from five, three and eight counties, respectively, for MI, WI, and MN. Redpoll reports were respectable in the region. Regionally, counts were on the high side, especially from MI’s Whitefish Pt, Chippewa Co which tallied 1,390 on 12 Apr. Counties reporting were 21, 26, and 39, respectively, for MI, WI and MN. Red Crossbills had a mixed showing in the region with MI only generating reports from 13 counties. Chippewa Co, specifically, hosted a majority of the records in MI. While WI and MN both reported above average sightings from 32 and 27 counties, respectively. In MI, White-winged Crossbills had a solid spring with reports from 29 counties, as opposed to 20 counties last spring. An outlier was one individual from far south in Lenawee Co, but most reports were scattered throughout the UP, with a smattering of records in the northwestern LP. In WI they were found in 39 counties but largely unreported from the southern portion of the state. The majority of MN’s reports from 37 counties came through mid-April and were largely concentrated in the north-central and east-central areas of the state.

Casual in both MI and WI, Smith’s Longspur appeared as follows: at Buffalo Road, Three Oaks, Berrien Co 18–20 Apr (Talus Rutgers, m.ob), an area that has produced previous historical records, and from WI in Dane Co 23 Apr (Steve Thiessen) and in Outagamie Co 28 Apr (Jeff Brinkman). In MN they were reported from 10 counties. Outside of an early record from the Cleveland WTP, LeSueur Co 15 Mar (Beatrix Pond), their timing and distribution was normal. Casual in MN, Lark Buntings made three documented appearances: at McDonald WPA, Clay Co 16 May (Frank Fabbro), Big Falls, in Koochiching Co 21 May (Steve Kolbe, Stephen Nelson, David Rudolph), and Grand Portage WTP, Cook Co 24 May (Joshua G. Watson). LeConte’s Sparrows had a poor showing with one record from MI and reports from only four WI counties. MN reports at 23 counties were slightly lower than the 10 year spring average. MN also provided the region’s only Nelson’s Sparrows, in five northern and one southern county for this difficult to find spring migrant. Following the usual pattern of attending residential feeders, Spotted Towhees appeared in: MI at Gladstone, Delta Co 27 Apr (Carol Schiltz)—continuing from the previous fall; WI in Manitowoc Co—continuing from the winter through 5 Mar (Joel and Patti Trick); and MN had reports from four counties. Individual Yellow-breasted Chats appeared in MN’s Washington and Le Sueur counties.

Orioles through Buntings

MI’s fourth Hooded Oriole appeared just long enough to be photographed at a residential feeder in Oceana Co 30 Apr (Christine Shlagor). Bullock’s Orioles were found in: MI at Lawton, Van Buren Co 18 Apr, in Lapeer, Lapeer Co 1–2 May (James Johnson); WI’s 11th state record in Racine Co 28 May (Heidi Uick); MN at Forest Lake, Washington Co 2 May (Christina Traner). Great-tailed Grackles maintained their presence in the region with reports from four western MN counties. Casual in MN, a Kentucky Warbler showed for one day at Murphy-Hanrehan PR, Scott Co 31 May (Brandon Casewell). Kirtland’s Warblers were reported from 18 MI counties including four from the UP, all within their normal range. Barely regular in MN, Yellow-throated Warblers appeared in four southeastern counties. A Black-throated Gray Warbler, MN’s 12th, appeared just a few hundred yards from the North Dakota border in residential Moorhead, Clay Co 18 Apr (Dennis and Diane Wiesenborn, Matthew Jacobson). WI’s 14th state record was found in Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co 29 Apr (Jeremy Meyer).

Summer Tanagers were reported from 21 MN counties, the highest spring total in over 20 years. Western Tanagers showed in all three states: in MI, the rarest for the region, at a residence in Holland, Ottawa Co 30 Apr (David Pavlick) plus four reports from WI and three from MN. A Black-headed Grosbeak was discovered in MN’s Itasca Co 17–19 May (Shelly Miller, m.ob.). Lazuli Buntings pushed furthest east in the region to WI, the 12th state record, in Brown Co 16–17 May (C. Westy) and made four appearances in MN: in Pipestone, Pipestone Co 9 May (Valerie Klemperer), near Willmar, Kandiyohi Co 15 May (Josh Wallestad), in Clay Co 21 May (Patrick Beauzay), and at the Carpenter Nature Center, Washington Co 31 May (m.ob.). Lastly, casual in both WI and MN, Painted Buntings appeared at private residences: Hennepin Co, MN 2 May (Kari Hitchcock) and Waushara Co, WI 7 May (Nancy Anderson).

Report edited by Andrew Keaveney, 4 Dec 2025.