Western Great Lakes: Winter 2024–2025

Waterfowl through Grouse

Mottled Duck provided MN and the region with its second record. Two reports occurred over the season of presumably the same individual. The first discovery was from the Black Dog power plant, Dakota Co 11–31 Jan (Frank Fabbro, m.ob.). It was relocated about 10 miles away in Edina, Hennepin Co from 26 Feb–3 Mar (Alec Karcz, m.ob.) and was seen in various residential ponds during this period. Accidental in MI, a Tufted Duck appeared at Holland SP, Ottawa Co 28 Feb and lingered into early March (Craig Kingma, m.ob.). Harlequin Duck reports were on par with an unusual find of one in MN that overwintered in Goodhue Co along the Mississippi River 8 Jan–25 Feb (Paul Jantscher, m.ob.). WI and MI had reports from five and seven counties respectively, with all observations dotting the Great Lakes coastline. Pier heads and harbors seem to be their preferred locations.

Scoter reports were down from the previous winter in which the Great Lakes had record low ice cover. This may have contributed to the decrease in this season’s numbers. The following numbers are in the order of MN, WI and MI respectively: Surf Scoters were reported from one, six and seven counties; White-winged Scoters from four, nine and 25 counties and Black Scoters from one, four and 12 counties. The majority of scoter reports come from the Lake Michigan coastline. Long-tailed Ducks provided ordinary reports from five, 16 and 41 counties. Rare but regular in MN, Barrow’s Goldeneye was reported from Lake Pepin, Goodhue Co 8 Dec and 30 Jan (Paul Jantscher) and from Duluth, St. Louis Co 23 Jan–24 Feb (Peter Mundale, Aiden Saari, m.ob.). In WI, where Barrow’s Goldeneye are casual, they were reported from Sheboygan Co 8–9 Jan (Derek Sallmann, Jacob Collison, Braden Ribbens) and from Winnebago Co 24–27 Feb (Alex O’Brien, Dan Abel, Mike Ellery). Also from MI were the following reports: near Douglas Beach Park, Allegan Co 21 Dec–3 Feb (m.ob.) and along the Indian River, Schoolcraft Co 2–28 Feb (m.ob.).

Grouse through Gulls

In MN and MI Spruce Grouse were represented in their typical ranges, reported from seven north and north-central MN counties and from three MI counties, all in the UP and mostly concentrated in Baraga County. Notable are continuing reports of individuals in WI’s Forest Co, where this species maintains a toehold. Sharp-tailed Grouse were reported in their typical ranges: in MN from 14 north and north-central counties; from MI in the eastern UP with a high count of 64 near Pickford, Mackinac/Chippewa Co, 31 Jan; and in northwest WI from Burnett and Douglas Co. Greater Prairie-Chickens were reported from only three counties in northwest MN and from their usual stronghold in central WI: Adams, Wood and Portage Cos. MN provided the only Gray Partridge reports, which were widely scattered across six northern and seven southern counties.

MN reported its fourth and fifth winter records of Eared Grebe. The first was from Lake Phalen, Ramsey Co 6–8 Dec (Joey Reichoff, m.ob.), followed by the state’s only recorded January sighting from the American Crystal Sugar plant, Moorhead, Clay Co 4 Jan (Chris Merkord). Casual in MI, a Common Ground Dove appeared for one day at a private residence in Marquette, Marquette Co 1 Dec (Anna Dorr). Interestingly, this record was only a few blocks from where reports of other Common Ground Doves occurred in 2015. MI’s second recorded Anna’s Hummingbird showed at a private residence in Arcadia, Manistee Co 12–19 Jan (m.ob.). This was initially discovered in the fall, but it didn’t become public knowledge until mid-January. The region’s other rare hummingbird report was of a Rufous Hummingbird in Door Co 1 Dec (Cynthia Bridge).

Two Dunlin appeared in WI in Sauk County 4 Dec and in Door Co 9 Dec, both of which were late records. Presumably taking advantage of the mild winter weather, Dunlin appeared in numbers in southeast MI from St. Clair to Monroe Cos, with a conservative estimate of 100 near Pte. Mouillee SGA 1 Dec (Justin Labadie). The region’s Purple Sandpiper reports came from WI near Sturgeon Bay, Door Co 9 Dec (Rush and Candace Evans) and two birds from MI, New Buffalo, Berrien Co 20 Dec (Josh Duis, m.ob.). Surprisingly, jaegers went unreported this season.

The region’s only Little Gull report came from an individual in MI’s Wayne Co that continued from the fall and lingered through 5 Dec. A MI Short-billed Gull appeared in Ludington Harbor, Ludington, Mason Co 13–16 Jan (Sawyer Dawe, m.ob.). California Gulls were reported twice. The first from MI was found at the Rotary Park, Trenton, Wayne Co 3 Dec–4 Jan (Robert Irwin, m.ob.) and continued at several locations along the Detroit River. The second was from WI in Jefferson Co 26 Feb (Jeremy Nance). Iceland Gull reports were typical from MN, coming from four north and three south counties and concentrated along the Lake Superior coast and in the Twin Cities. WI had average Iceland Gull reports from 16 counties, while MI’s reports from 19 counties amounted to less than half of the gulls reported during the winter 2023–2024 season.

Lesser Black-backed Gulls were reported from MNs Wabasha Co 2 Dec and Kandiyohi Co 5 Dec; WI had an average season with reports from 10 counties, while MI, where this species is most numerous in the region, provided reports from 19 counties. A Slaty-backed Gull appeared in MI at the Muskegon WTP, Muskegon Co 23 Dec–8 Jan (Bence Kokay, m.ob.). Glaucous Gull reports were unimpressive in MN, coming from just five counties from the Twin Cities and the northeast; WI had average reports from 17 counties, while MI’s reports dropped from the previous winter’s 36 down to 22 counties. Great Black-backed Gull reports were typical for each state: MN saw up to five individuals, mostly from late January through February in St. Louis and Lake Cos; WI had reports from 17 counties, and MI reported them in 23 counties.

Terns through Owls

An Arctic Tern showed well in MI’s Bayfront Park, Petsokey, Emmet Co 8–20 Dec (Emily Leegwater, m.ob.). Rare in WI, a Pacific Loon showed in Lake Mendota, Madison, Dane Co 2 Dec. The only other report came from MI‘s UP in and around Presque Isle Park, Marquette Co, 13–27 Dec (Alec and Morgan Olivier, Ivan Wiljanen). MN’s fourth December American Bittern turned up in Falcon Heights Community Park, Ramsey Co 7 Dec (Dan Ries, m.ob.). An out-of-season Black-crowned Night Heron appeared at WI’s Campbell Creek Marsh, Oshkosh, Winnebago Co 21–31 Dec (Ton Ziebell). Another out-of-season straggler for WI was an Osprey at Estabrook Park, Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co 9 Dec (Andrew Dressel). Golden Eagles were well represented over the region, with MN reporting them from 18 counties (almost double the average from the past decade), mainly concentrated in the southeast part of the state; WI had reports from an above average 30 counties, while MI had reports from an above average 38 counties with six of them coming from the UP (compared to none the previous year).

MN had two American Barn Owl reports, with the first from Otter Tail Co approximately 1–7 Dec (Landon Ohe). The owl was first observed in a pole barn under a wagon. It was found dead on December 7 after a couple nights of temperatures reaching -5 F. Ongoing nightly audio monitoring recorded another in Houston Co 26 Feb (Karla Bloem). In WI, one was discovered on 17 Dec in LaCrosse Co. Snowy Owls provided average reports in MN and WI with reports from 30 and 35 counties respectively. However, MI had a solid irruption year with Snowies found in 43 counties compared to the previous winter’s 16. Northern Hawk Owls provided MN with individuals from four northern counties; WI had individuals in Bayfield Co in Dec and Oconto Co in January, each for one day. MI’s UP had two Northern Hawk Owls in Houghton Co that were present from mid-December through the end of the winter season, as well as an individual reported on 24 Dec in Mackinac Co.

This was an irruption season for Great Gray Owls. The region’s reports were almost exclusively from MN, with the Gopher State reporting Great Grays from 13 north counties, and two counties as far south as Hennepin Co. WI had them in four counties, each for only one day, while MI had a single observation from Chippewa Co 19 Jan. This was the region’s second irruption of Great Grays in the past decade, the previous being winter 2020–2021. Long-eared Owl reports were in line with averages, with 16 MN counties reporting—all in the southern half of the state; WI had reports from 11 counties, while MI generated reports from nine counties. Short-eared Owls provided MN with the most winter reports in over 20 years, coming from 34 counties with a high count of 16 from the Keystone WMA, Washington Co 25 Feb (Richard Gotz). In WI reports came from an above average 31 counties, with a high count of 37 at the Leola Marsh, Adam’s Co 7 Feb (Ann Swengel). MI’s reports were from 33 counties. Following autumn’s irruption in MN, Boreal Owl numbers continued, with multiple reports from early January through late February. Reports were concentrated in the Duluth and Sax-Zim Bog areas of St. Louis Co and around Two Harbors in Lake Co. Outside of MN, the only other Boreal Owl to turn up was a single individual in MI’s Marquette Co 19 Feb (Ellen Michels).

Woodpeckers through Chickadees

American Three-toed Woodpeckers were found in MN throughout the season in their usual range from four counties along the Canadian border. The Manistique CBC in MI provided a single record from Schoolcraft Co 21 Dec (Ron Annelin). This species was last recorded in the winter season in Michigan in December 2022. MN reports of Black-backed Woodpecker were from nine counties in their usual range in the northern part of the state. In Michigan, they were reported from their usual haunts in Marquette and Baraga Cos. Unexpected was a report further west from Ontonagon Co.

WI’s Crested Caracara continued from the fall and lingered in Clark Co through 22 Dec. The region’s lone Prairie Falcon report came from MN, in Jackson Co 22 Feb (Scott Buss). An Ash-throated Flycatcher provided Michiganders with a nice Christmas present at a private residence in Battle Creek, Calhoun Co 25 Dec–1 Jan (Phillip Careless, m.ob.). Eastern Phoebes took advantage of the mild conditions with one lingering in MN, Ramsey Co 14 Dec and others reported from three WI counties 4–24 Dec. The MN record is approximately the 12th MN winter record, seven of which have occurred in the past five years. WI managed Canada Jays from only three counties this season, which is down from historical reporting levels. A Black-billed Magpie, casual in WI, appeared in Iron Co 22 Dec (Bailey Kraemer, Cindy Wills). Boreal Chickadees were found in MN with typical distribution and numbers from the northeast and north-central parts of the state. There were no reports from MI and none from WI, where this species is increasingly difficult to find.

Wrens through Finches

A Marsh Wren provided WI with its latest January date ever recorded from Waukesha Co 30 Jan (Brady Weston). WI’s fifth record Sage Thrasher continued from the fall season in Door Co and was last recorded 3 Dec. Townsend’s Solitaire reports were low with nine, four and just one county reporting from MN, WI and MI respectively. The same held true for Varied Thrush, with all three states providing reports from only three counties each.

Recently elevated to “regular” status in MN, Eurasian Tree Sparrows were documented in eight counties. In WI they were reported from nine counties. Also from the Badger State, its first record White Wagtail was discovered at Portage Park, Sturgeon Bay, Door Co 28 Dec (Rush and Candace Evans, m.ob.) and generously lingered through the end of the season. American Pipits leveraged the mild winter with increased reports from both WI and MI.

Evening Grosbeak reports were unremarkable, coming from eight, seven and 14 counties respectively for MN, WI and MI. Reports were concentrated in the northern half of each state. All three states experienced well below average reports of Pine Grosbeak. A noteworthy out-of-range report came from the University of Minnesota’s Landscape Arboretum, Carver Co 29 Dec (Will and Jenah Black, Karen Sowizral). This was the second record for the “Arb”. Redpoll numbers were below traditional averages and most reports were limited to the northern half of each state. White-winged Crossbills were down from past winters with reports from 26, 25, and 14 counties respectively for MN, WI and MI. Red Crossbills experienced an irruption year in MN and WI (57 and 56 counties respectively). MN had a new season high total count of 420 from the Lost River SNA, Roseau Co 19 Feb (Bob Chapman). MI’s reports from 30 counties were down from the previous season and were concentrated in the UP and northern LP. MI had a high count of 175 in Houghton Co 9 Feb.

Sparrows through Dickcissel

There were numerous late/out-of-season records from this past winter, most likely due to the mild conditions. A Grasshopper Sparrow appeared in MN, Stoney Point, St. Louis Co 1 Dec (Mike Hendrickson, m.ob.). Minnesota’s only previous winter record occurred in 2011, roughly 5 miles away. A Clay-colored Sparrow in WI, Sheboygan Co 25 Dec (Jim Frank) was the state’s fifth winter record. From WI a Harris’s Sparrow lingered in Wood Co throughout the season (Keith Merkel) and from Dunn Co 12 Jan–14 Feb (Mark Leach). Two Lincoln’s Sparrows were reported from WI, Milwaukee Co 7–15 Dec (Jeremy Meyer) and from Door Co 5 Jan (Rush and Candace Evans). Casual in WI, a Spotted Towhee appeared in Marinette Co 4 Dec–17 Jan (Kelly McGuire). In MI a Spotted Towhee continued from Nov and overwintered into spring in Delta Co. While in MN, where the species is rare-regular, towhees were recorded from six counties—well above the typical winter average of two.

Other late season records are listed as follows:

Both MN and WI had Western Meadowlarks in increased numbers. The following are from WI except as noted: a fifth January record Baltimore Oriole, Kenosha Co 3 Jan (Aaron Haycraft, Quentin Yoerger); Common Yellowthroat in Racine Co 15 Dec (Eric Howe), a first winter season Bay-breasted Warbler in Dane Co 2 Dec (Mary Ann Bondurant), an over-wintering Pine Warbler in Marquette Co (Daryl Christensen) and one in Richland Co 29 Dec (Elise Christensen), MN’s 10th winter Summer Tanager in Olmsted Co 1 Dec (Nolan Kerr, m.ob.), a third winter record Western Tanager in Shawano Co 28 Dec–12 Jan (Carson Evich), an Indigo Bunting in Dane Co 6 Dec and, lastly, a fifth winter season Dickcissel in Dane Co 5–6 Dec (both by Jeff Steele).

Report edited by Randi Minetor, 23 July 2025.