-16C, Fluffly white stuff and a Robin

[Napper]

Was out clearing the white fluffy snow off the cars and driveway and  during all of this I am hearing a group of Jays and at least one American Robin.
I understand some Robin's overwinter in this area, it is always a little surprise in the dead of Winter.
Earlier looking out the front window a bird of prey zoomed over the house at quick glance it appeared to be a Coopers Hawk.
Napper

[Shortsighted]

A lot of robins here in western Pickering up until mid-January and then it tapers off, but there is still a group on perches in the adjacent woodlot from time-to-time. In January they were still searching for small berries in Cedars and residual fruit in crabapple trees. By now there is not much of that stuff available.

[Napper]

Later in the afternoon a group of 10 American Robins came to rest in a tree 2 doors away.
There is a Crab apple tree behind the house still bearing fruit but I did not see them approach it.
Napper 

[Dinusaur]

Yep, they hang around as long as they can. I often hear them during my visit to Downsview Park. Yesterday morning I heard male cardinals singing in the park.

[Axeman]

yeah old Turdus migratorious seem to gather in large flocks in our area and stick to the deep cedar bush....they can get really loud if you head into their turf.

[Dinusaur]

A whole bunch of them showed up in my backyard - probably attracted by others who attended the bird feeders. Robins are not into bird seed; what can I offer them to help out in this inclement weather? Pieces of apples or raisins perhaps? I hung some grapes on tree branches; but they showed no interest.

[Axeman]

I've watched them eat berries in the fall....and seeing as they gather in the cedar bushes I'm guessing they eat those little blue berries on the cedars....you know the ones that taste terrible and give you awful cramps when you eat them? Those ones.

[Dr. John]

On a walk a week ago, we came to a bunch of trees with lots of small crabapples.  There must have been over 20 robins in the trees and surrounding perches.  It was a remarkable sight.

[Axeman]

Their behavioural change is really interesting....in the summer they're territorial....but in winter gregarious.....and they seem to ride out the diet of worms as long as they can before switching to berries....I just love the scientific name.