A review of my records shows that this year is the earliest that I have found a Dickcissel in Dakota County (5/27). Over the last ten years I have found them as early as 6/2 and as late as 6/13. It is possible that they arrived earlier, but I may not have been looking. The field trip that I usually find them, has typically been the weekend after Memorial Day, whereas this year it was the week before Memorial Day.
Steve Weston
