To counter the grumpy ramble:
I saw the first barn swallows checking out my barn today! And the Purple Martin house is nearly full as of yesterday. And it's so nice to have all the native sparrows back, rather than just the invasive house sparrows. And there is a Canada goose nesting on the closest pond to the barn, which I'm sure will result in hilarious situations once those goslings hatch. And! I've heard a grouse thumping away in the woods several times this week. Yay, birds!