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DogHouseMom 10-03-2011 06:41 AM

I noticed about 4 weeks ago that the Robins are gone, migrated away. I usually have quite a few Robins in my immediate area - each holding their own few yards as their territory. I even asked friends at work if they've seen any Robins. Nope. Not a single Robin sighting for several weeks by anyone.

Last night hubby and I went for a walk around the neighborhood and lo and behold at one house ... SEVEN Robins in their tiny front lawn!!

What the heck?? Not a single Robin sighting for weeks by several people then all of a sudden two blocks from house there is a small flock - all within a few feet of each other which is odd as well because Robins are so territorial.

We had a cicada "bloom" this year, not a major one. Now that I think of it, the Robins were gone BEFORE the Cicada's came. I wonder if that has something to do with it - perhaps there were not "enough" Cicada's at my house so they went somewhere else to enjoy the feast.

I'm really kind of stumped.

DogHouseMom 10-03-2011 07:03 AM

Update. I just read up a bit on their migration habits and found that some Robin's will indeed overwinter in the Northern Climes, and if they do they switch to a fruit diet. They will also "flock" together and are less territorial.

I personally have never seen a Robin "overwinter" up here. I'm going to have to that house again and see if he's got something special growing that is keeping a small flock of Robins in my town!!

Feather3 10-03-2011 07:11 AM

When it gets dry they move to the forests. After allot of rain you'll see a few back in town. Some do winter over.

One year my husband was deer hunting in late November early December & got surrounded by a whole flock of them in the woods.

If they overwinter they switch their diet to seeds & berries.

mim 10-03-2011 07:19 AM

yes the robins from Canada migrate down here to Maine. The same is true of chickadees and other winter birds. There are enough berries left on the wild roses and autumn olives to keep them happy for winter. Altho along about Feb, after deep snows, I used to put out currents after I soaked them in water to plump them up.

And fresh warm water so it won't freeze too quickly

Peckish 10-03-2011 07:28 AM

I'm in Washington state, and we have robins AND hummingbirds here year-round. Seems like the only things that migrate around here are geese - and they are always flying east or west when I see them!

ptquilts 10-03-2011 08:00 AM

I looked outside the other day and there were over 20 robins in my yard. Wish I knew what they were all doing...

blueangel 10-03-2011 08:05 AM

Sometimes I have Robins in the winter.

Kitsie 10-03-2011 08:07 AM

Many used to overwinter in Victoria BC, Canada and it was fun to watch them eat the fermented apples in the side yard! Luckily no big dogs or cats around because they couldn't get off the ground!

sewn3w 10-03-2011 08:18 AM

I am in NE Ohio. Robins winter over in the woods behind my house and come to my yard all fall/winter and early spring for the left over fruit and nuts I grow. I always leave some in the yard for them. It's a really perk-up on a drab winter day to see robins, cardinals, blue jays and juncos in the trees and shrubs.
Another way to entice them to come out in the winter is to supply fresh warm water. There are water warmers sold just for that purpose.

JeannieT 10-03-2011 08:40 AM

our robins have been gone for a long time.....but the Canadian Geese don't seem to know if they are coming or going.....we stood outside yesterday and watched flocks of them fly one way, then a few minutes later, a flock (maybe the same one) would fly the other way !!Can't make up their mind!!

np3 10-03-2011 08:41 AM


Originally Posted by ptquilts
I looked outside the other day and there were over 20 robins in my yard. Wish I knew what they were all doing...

Maybe you don't want to know!

DogHouseMom 10-03-2011 08:59 AM

I debating with myself.

On one hand I would love to see Robins all year round, I like them. So debated if I should grow things they would like and provide fresh warm water for them.

On the other hand, every Spring I get such a thrill out of seeing and/or hearing the first Robin arrive. Do I want to give that up?

Granny Quilter 10-03-2011 09:23 AM

There were several in front of my house this morning.

Peckish 10-03-2011 11:20 AM

Slightly off-topic, but in the vein of being grateful for what we have...

My sister-in-law is hosting a foreign exchange student, a very sweet girl from Austria. She ran into the house, calling for my SIL, very excited and bubbling over because she had seen the MOST BEAUTIFUL BIRD in the world and wanted to know what it was - turns out it was an ordinary blue jay.

mim 10-03-2011 11:48 AM

they really are stunning aren't they -- west coast jays are sort of gray -- not the brilliant blue and white striping.

And they are so perky and smart -- there is no feeder they can't master.
Mim

Originally Posted by Peckish
Slightly off-topic, but in the vein of being grateful for what we have...

My sister-in-law is hosting a foreign exchange student, a very sweet girl from Austria. She ran into the house, calling for my SIL, very excited and bubbling over because she had seen the MOST BEAUTIFUL BIRD in the world and wanted to know what it was - turns out it was an ordinary blue jay.


quiltmouse 10-03-2011 03:48 PM


Originally Posted by Kitsie
Many used to overwinter in Victoria BC, Canada and it was fun to watch them eat the fermented apples in the side yard! Luckily no big dogs or cats around because they couldn't get off the ground!

Hi, my name is Robin (and I have no idea why I'm alcoholic)

:mrgreen:

ube quilting 10-03-2011 03:59 PM

It really is an urban ledgend about robins migrating. Yes they do, but not all. What usually happens is, people don't recongnize them after they loose the bright russet breast color of spring and summer. They also move into more protected areas like woods rather than yards for more protection and better winter foraging. I have robins all year and I know they love holly berries! Just FYI
Love robins song


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