It’s that time of year when good birds are few and far between, but each day brings the promise of new arrivals from the north.

I started out  at Jonas Green Park, in the pond adjacent to the entrance. After spotting a few Gadwalls and Hoodies, I suddenly realized there two huge Trumpeter Swans in the rear of the pond. They haven’t been in this pond since Spring, as far as I know. They had three cygnets up in Woolchurch Pond, so I wonder if they’re preparing to leave for the season.

In any event, I’ve been here before, so I suspected what was coming. In just a few minutes they had gathered on the West end of the pond to get the most room, then they pattered noisily across the water until they were airborne, and I was in position to get most of it. A great way to start the day.

Several Mallards were foraging the pond also.

A small flock of Hooded Mergansers was feeding early this morning.

Gadwalls often forage in this pond.

This is part of the takeoff sequence, A noisy and dramatic affair.