Newcomer
The newcomer was a Magnolia Warbler (female), which flew into the backyard at 7:20 this morning. That’s the yard’s fourth warbler species (the others are Tennessee, Mourning, and Common Yellowthroat). She flew from the yard on the north into the stand of pokeweed that lines the fence, then to the stand surrounding the dead redbud, and then back.
Update
I went out at 6:00 a.m. to check on the argiope, who hadn’t come out yet from wherever she shelters herself for the night. Checked again at 7:00; no spider. When I checked at 7:40 she was in the web, which is still in tatters. Surely she’ll repair it.
Tomorrow morning I’ll check every 10 minutes, beginning at 6:30.