The first blackpolls of the season arrived at our Catonsville home May 1. 
This seems quite early; they typically arrive at least a week later and
stay through the end of the month.

What I find interesting is that I can hear blackpolls in almost every big
oak in Olde Catonsville during my mid-May bike rides.  Once in Patapsco
State Park, however, the blackpolls are virtually absent.  They seem to
like the "suburbs" more than the "wilderness".

Today (May3) I met 3 birders at Soldiers Delight who told me they had seen
a prothonotary warbler (!)  One described it accurately.  Given the
habitat, the antithesis of where I normally see prothonotaries, this seems
an extraordinary find.

Bryan MacKay
Catonsville