The 125th Christmas Bird Count in Minnesota

The 125th annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count was successfully run in 90 circles across Minnesota in the winter of 2024/2025, down one from last year’s record of 91 circles. While the count two years ago was characterized as snowy, cold, and white and last year’s was wet, warm and brown, this year’s count was proceeded by an unseasonably warm late fall, but then the weather became arctic, and the lakes froze. That short deep freeze was followed by reasonable, though cold birding weather across a mostly snow free state. With the lakes frozen Canada Geese numbers were 57% below the ten-year average. Since Canada Geese account for about 97% of the variability in the total bird count results, the total bird count was down. The total species count for the state (132) was down from last year’s 142.

Data in this summary is only for Minnesota and does not include participation and birds from outside the state in border counts. One active count did not report data. Additional review was required of 139 uncommon and rare bird reports (vs. 178 and 164 in the previous two years). Twenty-six sightings were not accepted because of inadequate or no documentation.  Three other sightings were withdrawn, as obvious identification errors or data-entry errors.

Total participation was 2103, a 6.6% decrease from last year’s record and lower than two years ago. Six counts had more than 60 total participants, which was the same as three of the previous four years. The St. Paul North count had 112, the most.

Species that are almost annually setting records as their population grow (Trumpeter Swans, Bald Eagles, and Wild Turkeys) did well. Trumpeter numbers hit a record as they have spread across the state. Wild Turkeys and Bald Eagles were at near record numbers. Waterfowl numbers were mostly down with only Trumpeter Swans, Mallards and Comon Goldeneye recorded above their ten-year average. 

In addition to turkeys, Ruffed Grouse also set a record and Sharp-tailed Grouse were near a record. Pheasants and Prairie Chicken numbers were down, and Spruce Grouse were not reported at all. A Sandhill Crane was found on the Henderson count. 

Bald Eagle, though at near record numbers, may have been undercounted because they were not concentrated as usual at only a few open river locations. They were showing up in dry locations across the state in local record numbers. One surveyor on the Iron Range in northern Minnesota reported an astonishing 150 eagles, that he admitted was probably a gross undercount at the local landfill. Cooper Hawks and Red-shouldered Hawks were reported in record numbers. Golden Eagles were reported on several counts in North Central Minnesota and continue from Camp Ripley to Sax/Zim after the count. A Turkey Vulture was photographed above the Mississippi River at Frontenac State Park. 

While Short-eared Owl and Long-eared Owl numbers were up and Barred Owls were counted in record numbers, the count did not foretell the irruption of Great Gray Owls and Boreal Owls in the northeast later in the winter. A Barn Owl was reported on the LaCrosse count just over the border in Wisconsin.

Passerine numbers were mixed with Red-headed Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse,  and Eastern Bluebirds reported in record numbers. The 164 Red-headed Woodpeckers counted at Cedar Creek in Anoka County, were almost 90% of all those woodpeckers in the state. This number probably exceeds the total count in any state across the northern border states. Corvid numbers were about average with the exception of Gray Jays, which were at one of their lowest levels in recent years. Thrush numbers were strong, while waxwing numbers were down. Winter field birds were mixed with Horned Larks at their second lowest numbers in the last ten years, Lapland Longspurs at their second highest peak ever, and Snow Buntings slightly above average.

Sparrows mostly had strong numbers with White-crowned Sparrows achieving a record. A Field Sparrow and a Spotted Towhee were documented on the St. Paul counts. With the exception of the low numbers of Pine and Evening Grosbeaks, finches had a strong  irruption year with record numbers of White-winged Crossbills, Red Crossbills at their second highest ever were found remarkable as far south as the Metro Area. Purple Finches their highest numbers in 20 years. 

Remarkable finds include a beautiful immature Harlan’s Hawk on the Fairmont count and another photographed for a second year on the Bloomington count. Five Eurasian Tree Sparrows in various locations on the Hastings Count. The five Eurasian Tree Sparrows exceeded the total expected number of sightings in the state in ten years just a few years ago. Other passerines reported that are usually not found in the state included a Northern Mockingbird at St. Cloud, a Gray Catbird at Rochester, an Eastern Phoebe at St. Paul, and a Marsh Wren at Redwood Falls.

A complete table of the results of the 125th Christmas Bird Count in Minnesota (includes data from outside of Minnesota from border counts) is available at: https://moumn.org/CBC/coordinator_yearend_table.php?main&year=2024 
 

For Minnesota data only, which was used in this summary: https://moumn.org/CBC/coordinator_yearend_table.php?main&year=2024&mn 
 

A table showing what sightings were reviewed, what documentation was received, eBird postings, and whether reports were accepted is available for download at: https://moumn.org/CBC/documents/MN%20CBC%20125%20Birds%20for%20Review.htm 
 

Images of birds submitted for documentation (and not on eBird) are available at: https://moumn.org/CBC/recent.php?count_year=125&op=