Robins back in Toronto?

[gareth12468]

Just saw some at my neighbour's front yard in Scarborough.....  :wink:

[Murray]

Has anyone seen Batman?

[norman]

I'm aware of the non-migratory population of this species in Toronto (plant a few mountain ash, and you might have a few come visit in January), but hearing one singing just down the street last Friday morning was something I've been longing for since the nights got far too long. This guy's vocal efforts seemed to jump-start a couple of cardinals and a house finch, and had me thinking of May already ... The regular mockers (just the two I visited last week) in the west end of Toronto are singing their "quiet song" again, too ... even if / when (dare I type it?) Winter gives us all a nasty parting shot, I think I'll be able to handle it without stamping my feet in uncontrollable rage or breaking any furniture.

Even the lone grackle flying across Lawrence Avenue last Thursday kind of cheered me up.

Just don't like winter, s'all.

--nb

[Rob'in'To]

I love them all minus the gang of Pigeons, and them Starlings can be quite pesty too.

The last few years, hearing those familiar sounds from returning Red Wings gives me the lift I need to know winter is coming to an end.  Mind you, it was a decent winter, and I made the best of every sunny day regardless of the temperature...  but I will be happy to say "see ya winter!" and "Helloooooooooooooo Spring!"

[DebZ]

A few hours after the above post...saw 2 robins in the park down the road!  hooray, spring if officially here!

[ravynne40]

saw two Robins last night at Marie Curtis Park, Etobicoke, and thousands (i mean thousands!) of redwinged blackbirds as well on the Mississauga side of the park.

Irene

[Andreas Jonsson]

These type of reports (first observations) are better suited in the Migration Movements section.

[Raven11:11]

so how do they determine which ones stay and others leave the cold north??

[BIGFRANK]

There are now thousands and thousands of Robins leaving Toronto. They began over a week ago. Along the bluffs every morning until about 10am,we see huge numbers of Robins,Redwinged Blackbirds and Cowbirds as well as Cedar Waxwings and Chickadees. We are seeing the last of the overnight migration..songbirds fly all night long,while the raptors that eat them are sleeping.
So far as why some birds stay and some go? Its all about food supply. Temperature may effect food supply,but if there was food alot more would stay. There arent the berries,cones,seeds,bugs,small rodents,small birds left for for various birds to feed on their food of choice,so they migrate.