I saw a few new species at Jug Bay for the year on April 1 and 2.  On April 1, 
while looking briefly for Rusty Blackbirds in the evening, I watched an American 
Coot that flew in and made one of the most ungraceful avian landings I've 
ever seen!  It came in fast and crashed on top of the water with no apparent 
coordination of wings and feet.  It made a huge splash for the bird's size, and 
then began swimming about as if it always landed that way.  Made me wonder 
if it was trying to be noticed or make a statement with its landing?  I saw 6 
Rusty's and reported them to eBird; it was my first time ever to use the eBird 
system.  I will probably try to do this more often.

On April 2 (yesterday), I saw my FOY Barn Swallow (1), and Purple Martin (1), 
flying around the fields at Mt Calvert with a few Tree Swallows in the late 
afternoon.  But the best bird of the day (maybe this week!) was a pair of 
Eastern Meadowlarks!

Although the meadowlark habitat here is good, and they are present as 
breeders in a (very) few nearby locations (within 10 miles), they are oddly 
uncommon here.  I have only seen them at Mt Calvert twice before, and it 
was the first time I have ever seen one from my yard.  They flew around 
circling about 150-200 feet up for a minute or two, then perched in a tall tree, 
apparently to rest.  They were perched there at least ten minutes (silent), 
then I had to go.  One was very drab with only a hint of yellow that was only 
visible in the scope, and I think may have been a female; the other (probable 
male) had a beautifully bright yellow breast with prominent brown streaking on 
its sides, back and head.  A wonderful pair!

I also noticed a hatch (flight?) of orange sulphurs (butterflies) in the 
afternoon, I saw ~16-18 flying around (at one time!) over the fields.

Regards-
Jeff Shenot
Croom MD