Wild swans are beautiful, aren't they? Thanks for sharing the pic.

We've been having Sand Hill Cranes here for the past few years. I'd like to get close enough to get a good picture but they strut around the back 30 acres, right in the middle of the plowed field so I can't even sneak up on them. Nice to see them tho. You are so lucky to have the Swans there, they are so beautiful. Marg

I seen a red-winged black bird at the feeders the last couple days. It really does seem spring like when you hear them singing. Swans stay year around here in a few places where there is open water but we rarely see them flying in the winter.More swans are coming into the area now as they are migrating and we are seeing big flocks of them.A few years ago we were excited about 3 sandhill cranes near our place, now we see big flocks of them. They fly extremely high in the sky and make a sound kind of like a bicycle horn.

We never got into birdhouses because we always had a cat. And i seldom feed birds in the summer for the same reason. Of course, i don't have a cat now, but you never know what's going to happen.

The robins were back here on Sunday - the absolute earliest they've ever been!

We get cranes too, I often see them when I'm working up in the Interlake. I love their funny call. Apparently the populations of both swans and sandhill cranes are doing well in recent years. It's good to hear.

I am so envious of you guys in the country! I think I shall have to go set up a tent in Terry's yard and hang out by the lake a bit in the summer!

We had 17 maggies out here these last few mornings. Last years babies and their whole extended family have come to think of this place as home. They are just so darned amuzing to watch and interact with; I can't stop feeding them. They are building their nests now (or repairing their old ones)and are so ravenously hungry! This morning the big black pair was certainly making their presence known to the maggies and cawing away from the fence. That pair has nested in my neighbours spruce tree for about 4 years now. We still get tons of songbirds even with the black king and queen on watch! :) Spring is fast coming! :)

Ginny