SWANS have returned in droves to Ballarat's Lake Wendouree.
The Courier nature writer Roger Thomas said more than 70 swan nests were currently built around the lake.
He said that by the end of August, residents could expect to see up to 300 cygnets.
"It's a very large number for this time of year," Mr Thomas said.
He said residents should not be concerned that rising water levels in the lake would pose a threat to numbers.
"The water levels seem to be rising fairly quickly but most of the swans seem to be coping with it."
On Monday Wilhelmina Quick spotted several groups of cygnets in the area.
Having returned to the city two-and-a-half years ago, she was delighted to see evidence of the lake returning to its former state.
"I left here about 20 years ago and when I came back, the lake was like a paddock."
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