first sightings

[Ernest Williams]

Lep folks,

Finally, first butterfly sightings in central New York (Clinton, Oneida
Co., NY, USA), March 24, 2000, early afternoon.  Sunny and about 70F (21C).
  1 Mourning Cloak  (Nymphalis antiopa)
  1 Eastern Comma  (Polygonia comma)
Yes, we're later than most of you, but this is a cold region.  We still
have some snow piles that haven't finished melting!

I have good records for about 10 years of first appearances, and Mourning
Cloak has been first in all years but one.

Ernest Williams
Hamilton College