Yesterday I had a lot of First of Season Yard species.  Nothing uncommon (for here), but always fun to see!  Of additional note was the significant butterfly flight (6 species!).

Birds - both Yellowlegs (G-4, L-11); Bonaparte's Gull (1), Laughing Gull (385!), Caspian (2) and Forster's Terns (2); Barn Swallow (1); Ruby-crowned kinglet (2); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1).  Although not a FOS, I also had a Winter Wren singing up a storm - always a treat!

Although the level of effort has not been as much as past years due to work and travel, my yard list is now at 90 species for 2011.  I hope to pick up a loon or Glpossy Ibis this weekend!

An interesting note from yesterday was the big butterfly flight!  Prior to yesterday I had only seen 2 butterflies all year (in MD).  I had 6 species yesterday, including Cabbage White 1; Spring Azure 1; Mourning Cloak 1; Eastern Comma 3; Falcate Orangetip 5; and most shocking was Little Yellow - 6!

What is up with Little Yellow?  Last year was the first I've ever seen one here (last fall, at our house; my first for MD as well).  According to Jeffery Glassberg (Butterflies Through Binoculars, the East), this is ABSURDLY early.  The only flilght normally occuring this early in North America is the deep southeast.  The first northern flight is not until mid June at the very earliest.  In addition to our yard, I saw them in 2 other places yesterday (adjacent areas - Mt Calvert  Manor, and a neighbors farm).  If anyone out there is knowledgeable about this please reply offline!

Have a great weekend!
Jeff Shenot
Croom Md 

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