They're back! An amazing number of species returned from warmer climates this week.
 
I got to watch a pair of trumpeter swans raise their families for the past two summers. Last weekend they returned to the pond that they have been nesting in and they put on quite the show. There was a lot of showing off and preening. As I watched, they rolled in the water so their feet were sticking up in the air. They stretched and flapped their huge wings and called to each other. It was great to watch the two of them in action.

While the swans were putting on a show, so were the Greater Yellowlegs. They balanced carefully on the floating logs as they reached into the water for food with their long bills. When the hunting was done, they playfully chased each other. I didn't know which birds to watch; both were very entertaining.

The sandhill cranes were still migrating as were the White fronted geese. I hadn't heard of them before but they came over my backyard. It wasn't until I got a clear photo of them that matched my bird ID book, that I found out what they were. That was a first for me!

Today a purple finch showed up at the tray feeder. The tree swallows returned to the nesting boxes. I heard a small song bird that I could not recognize. I hope it returns so I can get a look to identify it. It's song was beautiful.

This was a very eventful week in my yard and at the ponds. It was filled with lots of opportunities to watch the antics of the returning birds. 

Have you had a chance to get to a local pond or a neighborhood lake to see who has returned near you?