A break of more than a year, actually, so this post will be brief. Wouldn’t want to strain any under-used writing parts.

Birds

Common Yellowthroats are back in the yard—and some newcomers, all this past week:

• Swainson’s Thrush (on the wire over the garage)
• Black-throated Green Warbler, adult male
• Palm Warbler

The Black-throated Green and Palm bring the warbler list to nine:

1. Tennessee Warbler
2. Orange-crowned Warbler
3. Nashville Warbler
4. Magnolia Warbler
5. Black-throated Green Warbler
6. Palm Warbler
7. Mourning Warbler
8. Common Yellowthroat
9. Wilson’s Warbler

Lepidoptera

Newcomers this year:

• Giant Swallowtail
• White-lined Sphinx

In bloom

The short list includes:

• Rose Turtlehead
• White Turtlehead
• Sweet Coneflower
• Long-headed Coneflower (just barely)
• Heath Aster (finally!)

I expect the New England Asters to have a few open blooms by the end of the day.