Robin Sightings in the middle of January

[Porshaah]

Hi All

My sister, who lives in St. Catharines claims (i.e. and I believe she knows a Robin when she sees one) she and her husband seen a flock of Robin's this morning, not just once but a couple of times. What's up with that? Are they confused due to weird weather (i.e. global warming effects) conditions? I could see maybe if it was unusually warm, but we've been in a deep freeze with the polar vortex's and all! I also understand it has been unusually cold down south too, so maybe they just didn't know to go further south!

All responses welcome

[thouc]

There are plenty of Robins around this winter, probably a good crop of berries so they have enough to eat.

[Brian Bailey]

In December I thought it was a low year for robins, but I've seen a lot so far this month.  Finding them is just a matter of location and timing.

BB

Sent from my birdroid using Tapatalk.

[Axeman]

Robins came up in a thread a few years back. I found my cedar bush was home to a great many robins in the winter. Someone on the board was able to review Toronto area bird counts from the 50s and robins showed up in the winter counts.

Apparently their behaviour changes -- they are a lot shyer and obviously eat something other than worms. last fall I watched a robin eating berries.

I was able to watch hundreds of robins congregate and fly into the bush this fall. It was neat to see.

Turdus migratorious apparently doesn't migrate...just goes deep into the bush in winter.

[Porshaah]

In all my years (i.e. and there have been quite a few of them) I don't remember (i.e. although my memory may not be as good as it use to be) seeing a Robin in the middle of winter. In fact, I always thought that seeing the first Robin after or at the end of winter was a sign that summer was just around the corner. I'll have to  pay closer attention and not just assume its a Starling or similar bird in the future.

Thank you for the responses

[Leslie]

It's not seeing the robin that's the sign of spring, it's seeing the robin pulling the worm out of the ground that's the sign of spring, because it means the ground is no longer frozen.
I saw a pair of robins in a small tree on Glenlake yesterday, about 205 Glenlake.

[Axeman]

@porshaah

I was under the same impression...that the robin was the first bird back in spring but as it turns out, they don't leave. They just go deep into bush. It really shook up my world when I discovered this fact.

[Pat Hodgson]

Let's not take this too far.  Most robins (that breed here) do leave.  But others come in from further north and overwinter here in small numbers, but mostly in flocks and not spread out in territorial fashion.  They cannot survive on worms and mostly rely on fruit.  A robin on the grass in March is still a sign of spring and it probably migrated in from somewhere to the south.

[Axeman]

hmmm that's curious....why spend all that energy migrating and the risk of travel if you can survive the climate....

[Pat Hodgson]

hmmm that's curious....why spend all that energy migrating and the risk of travel if you can survive the climate....

Well, there may not be enough resources in the wintering area for the whole population.  There are some indications that it is mainly males who stay north, possibly to facilitate early arrival to breeding territories.  They are clearly taking a risk on surviving the winter, in exchange for possible gain on getting territory.  Not all individuals will take this risk to the same degree, as there is variation within the population.

[Napper]

Four Robins crossed Trafalgar rd over us on the way home yesterday
Near Piper's Heath Golf Course. It looked like the bushes they entered
could have been Junipers. Robins love the Juniper fruit/seeds.

We used to see groups of Robin's in the neighbours Junipers during winter.
Unfortunately, the trees were severely damaged last year during a snow
storm and were removed.



Napper:)

[Porshaah]

FYI
This year's 1st sighting was  a more typical March 20th.

[Axeman]

I saw a pair of robins having a domestic dispute on my lawn today....I think they were fighting about the weather.

[Napper]

lol! Axeman you never disappoint.

I was getting a little concerned earlier this week that I might have to go out find some feedworms for all these Robins hanging around with no food sources. (snow and no berries etc.)
They seem to be doing ok..

Napper

[Porshaah]

1st sighting of the year  and a bit early, but in light of the mild weather I can understand.