Western Great Lakes: Summer 2025

Waterfowl through Rails

Continuing its increasing presence in the region, this season was the seventh straight in which Black-bellied Whistling Ducks appeared. From WI one individual was reported in Portage Co 2 Jun (Matt Wisewicz), eight individuals in Dodge Co 26 Jun (Ruth Smith) and an impressive 10 individuals in Outgamie Co 30 Jun (Nate Rynish). MN had one report in Jackson Co 21 Jul (Torrey Stewart). A Cinnamon Teal provided WI with its third summer record from Brown Co 2 Jun (Brian Reinke) and another lingered in MN’s North Ottawa Impoundment, Grant Co 19–27 Jun (m.ob.). A Eurasian Wigeon appeared briefly over the holiday in Manitowoc Co 4–5 Jul (Dana Sterner, m.ob.).

Spruce Grouse were widespread in MI’s UP where reports came from seven counties including an unusual summer record from Menominee Co 16 Jul. These included breeding records from Chippewa, Baraga and Schoolcraft Cos. The only report from the LP was from Oscoda Co. In MN they were reported from their usual range along the Canadian border from five counties and breeding records from four. Sharp-tailed Grouse had an average season with reports from three UP counties in MI, nine northern MN counties plus one west-central county, Lac Qui Parle, and breeding records from two counties. They were reported from two northern WI counties. Greater-Prairie Chickens maintained their presence in six northern MN counties along with continuing reports from Chippewa and Lac Qui Parle counties in the west-central part of the state where they are present from reintroduction efforts. In WI they maintained their presence in the areas around the Buena Vista Grasslands in Portage and Adams counties. The only Gray Partridge reports came from MN where they were typically widely scattered in three northwest and nine south counties. 

Three Eared Grebes were found in the WI counties of Brown, Dane and Outagamie where this species is rare in the summer. Barely regular in MN, White-winged Doves were documented from residential areas in Pipestone Co 26 Jun and from St. Louis Co 20 Jul. Another species that is disappearing from the region, King Rails went unreported. The last report for the region was in 2022. Common Gallinules have a limited and inconsistent distribution in MN. Surprising were reports from 12 counties, the second most in 10 years, of which eight were beyond the species typical range in the southeast part of the state, along with breeding records from seven. Yellow Rails were documented in their typical MI haunt of the Houghton Lake WMA, Roscommon Co while in MN reports came from five counties. Noteworthy was a count of 15 calling individuals from the Beltrami Island SF, Lake of the Woods Co 4 Jun (Alex Burchard) tying MN’s high count record. 

Limpkin through Ibis

After a flurry of summer Limpkin reports from 2021–2023 this species has largely retreated from the region. A lone exception was a WI individual that appeared for one day at Carthage College, Kenosha Co 25 Jun (Gary Brown). Black-necked Stilts showed well in MI at the Erie Marsh Preserve and, with a high count of 16, at Pte. Mouillee SGA, Monroe Co 24 Jul (Justin Labadie) where multiple groups of young were seen. WI had reports from seven counties with a maximum count of 28 at Horicon NWR, Dodge County 4 Jun. None were reported in MN after being recorded for five straight summers. A rare breeder in MN, American Avocets were found nesting in Big Stone and Grant counties. Piping Plovers nested well in MI with confirmed breeding from nine counties out of 15 reported, while in WI they were reported from three counties with a high count of 18 from Brown Co 2 Jul. The only MN report came from the traditional location of Morris Pt., Lake of the Woods where this species keeps a razor-thin hold. Upland Sandpipers had another strong year in MI being reported from 32 counties and confirmed breeding in two. In WI they were reported from 15 counties in line with recent averages while in MN reports from 23 counties were the lowest in 10 years with confirmed breeding from only one. The region’s only Western Sandpipers came from MI in New Buffalo, Berrien Co (Josh Duis, Julie Gidwitz) and from Pte. Mouillee, Monroe Co SGA 20–21 Jul (Justin Labadie, m.ob.).  Noteworthy from MN was an observation of nesting Solitary Sandpipers in the Pine Island SF, Koochiching Co 15 Jun (Dale Haugen). This is apparently the seventh breeding record for MN at the extreme southern edge of this species range. 

A Black-headed Gull lingered in MI at Bay City SP, Bay Co 18 Jun–10 Jul (Dan Duso, m.ob.). Little Gulls were reported in four WI counties: Brown, Kewaunee, Manitowoc and Sheboygan with a maximum of four at Two Rivers, Manitowoc Co 30 Jun (Amy and Noah Kearns). A Little Gull was also seen accompanying MI’s Black-headed Gull 18–25 Jun. A review species away from Lake Michigan, a Laughing Gull stayed in WI along Lake Superior in Ashland, Ashland Co 30–31 Jul (Nick, Paula and Charlie Anich). WI’s first summer Short-billed Gull showed at Whitefish Dunes SP, Door Co 22–30 Jul (Tom Prestby, m.ob.). WI’s truly amazing record of Kelp Gull, present the entire season, was documented breeding with a Herring Gull in Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co. The pair reared one chick which did not survive (Tom and Wendy Schultz). This is the only record of this species for the region. A lone California Gull in WI’s Fon du Lac Co 7 Jul (Shaun Putz) was the only one recorded this season. The only tern of note for the region was an Arctic Tern seen at MI’s Pointe Mouillee SGA, Monroe Co 9–22 June (Justin Labadie, m.ob). 

WI’s third summer record of Neotropic Cormorant was found on the shores of Lake Michigan in Two Rivers, Manitowoc Co 18 Jun (Joel Trick). MI’s Neotropic Cormorants at Lake St. Clair Metropark, Macomb Co were present throughout the season and have occurred here every summer since 2021. Up to four were observed at one time, including a juvenile, indicating potential breeding success. Glossy Ibis were found in WI at the Horicon NWR, Dodge Co 1–11 Jun (m.ob.), in MI, first reported in May, up to three at Pointe Mouillee SGA, Monroe Co through 7 Jun (m.ob.), six individuals at Nayanquing Point SWA, Bay Co 7 Jun (Nolan Fisher) and in MN Big Stone Co 26–27 Jun (Douglas Pierzina, Anthony Hertzel). White-faced Ibis appeared twice in MI with two individuals, continuing from May, at Pointe Mouillee SGA, Monroe Co through 5 Jun (m.ob.) and another mixed with the Glossy Ibis at Nayanquing Point SWA, Bay Co 7 Jun (Nolan Fisher). Elsewhere they were reported from five southern WI counties, with a maximum of five from Horicon NWR, Dodge Co 1–25 Jun and in MN from Big Stone and Grant Cos throughout June and into early July with a maximum of 15 from Marsh Lake, Big Stone Co 26–27 Jun. 

Herons through Flycatchers 

Little Blue Herons were unreported in the region. Snowy Egrets appeared in four MI counties. Noteworthy were two reports from the west side of the state, Muskegon Co 17–20 Jun and from Van Buren Co 14 Jun, as summer reports typically come from the marshes on Saginaw Bay and Lake Erie. WI and MN had average reports from three and four counties, respectively. Casual in MI, Yellow-crowned Night Herons turned up at the Sleeping Bear Dunes NL, Benzie Co 16–31 Jul (Scott Sneed, m.ob.) and in Bayfront Park, Petosky, Emmet Co 25 Jul (Mary Catton). Other reports in the region came from MN, Ramsey Co 5 Jul and from WI in Milwaukee Co 21 Jun–17 Jul and Dane Co 18–31. Black-crowned Night Heron reports in MI came from 21 counties. The roost at the Detroit Zoo continued to put up the best numbers in the state, maxing out near 50 individuals. Per usual, most reports were from marshes around Saginaw Bay and Lake Erie. WI provided typical numbers with reports from 24 counties. Seventeen counties reporting from MN were typical with almost half of the reports concentrated around Twin Cities. Otherwise reports were scattered across the south, west-central and northwest. Nesting was confirmed in Big Stone, Hennepin and in Otter Tail Co at Grotto Lake 12 Jul (Cindy and Dale Haugen). A high count of 34 is the highest ever at this site where nesting records go back to 2006. MI had a single Western Cattle-Egret report from the Shiawassee NWR, Saginaw Co 10 Jul while WI and MN had reports from four counties each, with a high count of 26 from Big Stone Co 9 Jul (Douglas Pierzina). 

Casual status throughout the region, three Swallow-tailed Kites appeared as follows: in MI from Sand Lake, Kent Co 13 Jul (Daniel Osborne) and from Laughing Whitefish Pt, Alger Co 27 Jul (Scott Hickman) and from WI’s Door Co 30–31 Jul (Candace and Rush Evans, m.ob.). An American Goshawk was documented nesting in MN’s Cook Co (Anthony Hertzel). This is only the eighth confirmed breeding record for the state in the past 10 years. Only one confirmed breeding report of Swainson’s Hawk came from MN in Grant Co (Paula Perdoni). This species has only been confirmed nesting in MN three times in the past 10 years. The only noteworthy owl reports came from MN where a single Burrowing Owl appeared in Stearns Co 10–24 Jun (Neil Peterson, m.ob.). Great Gray Owls were reported from five counties in their usual range in northern MN. Long-eared Owls were reported from Iron and Chippewa counties in the UP and from four northern and one southern MN county. Two individual Short-eared Owls appeared in Aitkin and Lake of the Woods counties. Northern Hawk and Boreal Owls were unreported. 

American Three-toed Woodpeckers were present in three MN counties along the Canadian border with confirmed breeding in Lake of the Woods Co. In MI Black-backed Woodpecker reports were “lackluster” coming from three counties in the UP with confirmed breeding in Marquette Co while in MN they were reported from 11 counties (well above the 10 year average of eight) in the north-central and northeast, with confirmed breeding from Lake of the Woods Co. Scissor-tailed Flycatchers made two appearances in the region: in WI at Madeline Island, Ashland Co 4 and 14 Jun (David Gumbarosa and Ashley Omah) and from MN in Duluth, St. Louis Co 19 Jun (John Lawrence, m.ob.). Say’s Phoebes appeared in MI (the state’s second summer record) at the Gitche Gumee Ecolodge, Ontonagon Co 4 Jun (Ryne Rutherford, David Pavlik) and in MN at the Big Stone NWR, Lac Qui Parle Co and in nearby Big Stone Co. The MN record carried over from spring until 18 Jul when a pair was observed but no breeding evidence was noted. 

Vireos through Grackles

Rare but regular in MN, a White-eyed Vireo continued at Murphy-Handehan PR from 31 May–19 Jul. Loggerhead Shrikes were reported from three MI counties: Iosco, Kent and Manistee while MN had significant reports from 20 counties (the ten year average is 12) including the extreme northeastern part of the state, Cook Co, but without any confirmed breeding records. WI had only one report of a single individual in June. Difficult to find in WI, Canada Jays were documented in these northern counties: Forest, Oneida and Vilas. MN documented a nesting Common Raven in Wright Co 17 Jun (Tony Lau). This is one of only a handful of nesting records for the southern half of the state. Boreal Chickadees are on a steady decline in MI with only one individual reported from Iron Co. In MN reports came from six counties in their typical range in the northeast and north-central and included an impressive new high count, including fledglings, of 17 Pine Island SF, Koochiching Co 7 Jul (Peter Mundale). In WI, where this species is increasingly difficult to find, two birds were noted in Iron Co. 

Casual in MN a single Rock Wren showed in Stearns Co 21 Jun (Herb Dingmann, m.ob.) and continued into Aug. Rare but regular in MN, single Carolina Wrens appeared in two southeast counties and Northern Mockingbird appeared in three widespread counties. Sage Thrasher generated WI’s second and third summer records: the first from Vilas Co 2 Jun (Mary Murrell) and the second from Brown Co 4 Jun (Logan Lasee). Summer records of this species are unusual as they are typically found in the fall. MN’s second documented breeding record of Eurasian Tree Sparrow occurred in Olmsted Co. In WI they were recorded in five counties and are progressing toward regular status. Evening Grosbeaks were unimpressive in the region with reports from 13, 5 and 6 counties for MI, MN and WI respectively. Overall, numbers of individuals were low. Red Crossbill reports, overall, were low in the region. MI had them from 11 counties(after the previous summer’s count of 26), MN from 12 counties (in line with the 10 year average) and WI from 10 counties. White-winged Crossbill reports were up in MI, eight counties, compared to five from last year, with several groups in the western UP having counts of up to 50 individuals. In MN there were reports from five north and two south counties with confirmed breeding in Washington Co. While WI had an “average” season with reports from five counties including a high count of 110 in Forest Co 6 Jun. 

An out-of-range Lark Sparrow in MN appeared along the Gunflint Trail, Cook Co 21 Jun (Sarah and Sharon Sobiech, Nick Kontonicolas). This is the third summer record for Cook Co. Casual in the region, two Lark Buntings appeared: one in MI at Copper Harbor, Keweenaw Co 5–7 Jun (Tim Baerwald, m.ob.) and in MN at the Belwin Conservancy, Washington Co 6 Jun (Jae Flaherty, m.ob.). LeConte’s Sparrows had a decline in reports in MI coming only from their stronghold in Chippewa Co. In MN reports from 17 north and two south counties were slightly below the 10 year average. While in WI they were reported from eight central and northern counties. Nelson’s Sparrows were only reported from MN in six counties, which is average. Yellow-breasted Chats are rare and regular in MN, so having them appear in four southern counties was unusual. Great-tailed Grackles have a “toehold” in southwestern MN, so the reports coming from four southwest and one west-central county were welcome. 

Warblers through Grosbeaks

Rare in WI a Worm-eating Warbler was located at Hemlock Draw SNA, Sauk Co 27 Jun (Aaron Holschbach). Reflecting their demise in the region, Connecticut Warbler reports were distressingly low. In WI, there were only three reports in early June of migrants in southern counties and none from their typical breeding range. MI fared little better, with one late migrant reported from the LP and only four reports from the entire UP. MN provided one confirmed breeding record for Cook Co, with reports from seven northern counties including a concentration in the Pine Island SF, Koochiching Co. Kirtland’s Warbler reports were typical from MI coming from 17 counties with Crawford Co providing the highest concentrations. Breeding was confirmed in three counties. While in WI they were reported from three counties with a high count of nine from Adam’s Co. 

Yellow-throated Warblers were present in two southeast MN counties; Olmsted and Mower. Each county had a pair of birds present but no concrete evidence of breeding was found. In WI, one was present in Door Co 25 Jun–20 Jul and another spent the bulk of the season at Wyalusing SP, Grant Co where they are regular nesters. A Prairie Warbler was present in WI’s Jackson Co 21 Jun–11 Jul. Blue Grosbeak continued its expansion into southern MN with reports from 23 counties—the most in over 20 years. Rare in WI they were found in four southern counties and, surprisingly, from MI’s Gogebic Co 11 Jul (Rowan Gibson), in the extreme western UP.

Report edited by Andrew Keaveney, 20 Mar 2026.