We had a BLACKPOLL yesterday at Patuxent River Park (i.e.. Jug Bay). Seen by
Laura and also by Barbara Ricciardi. The rest of us just heard it.

Now flash forward in time to a few minutes ago when I was sitting here
looking over today's posts. Could have sworn I heard one outside. So I
grabbed the binocs and went out onto the patio. He was singing from near the
top of a white pine at the north edge of the property. Yes, I got a brief
glimpse before he flew. This is probably the earliest I've ever had one
here. I get a wave of them about the 3rd week of May but seldom this early.
Bob Ringler can tell me if I set some sort of Carroll County record.

Also had a nice look at a Baltimore Oriole in the Maple out front.

And for some great turn-of-events news, I will be taking Saturday off from
my job in Essex (didn't think I could get it). This means I will be taking
part in the May count for about the 20th straight year.

Laura and I always do Hashawa in case anybody wants to show up and help
and/or check my math. Sometimes when I add my list with hers I get strange
numbers with decimals in them.

Jerry Tarbell
Blackpolling in Carroll County