Surprises logged overnight

9 a.m. We're just about to inch past the 500 mark on the species count, surpassing the previous inventory at this site of 466 species.

The first birding group back this morning reported an interesting find: a rare butterfly. The 2" Silvery Checkerspot will likely be "one of the better butterflies" reported today.

Actual birds of note: a juvenile sandhill crane (an endangered species in Illinois), king rail, and least bittern are happy finds. Two birding groups are just returning with data.