Robin mystery
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Knot Merrill, Southern Indiana
Posts: 5,781
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.
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.
#2
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Knot Merrill, Southern Indiana
Posts: 5,781
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!!
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!!
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 678
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.
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.
#4
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
And fresh warm water so it won't freeze too quickly
#9
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 211
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.
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.
#10
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!!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
cacarte
Links and Resources
9
03-11-2011 06:35 PM
PurpleBecca
Member Swaps and Round/Row Robins
12
05-04-2010 12:52 PM
cacarte
Links and Resources
0
03-05-2010 06:40 PM
cacarte
Links and Resources
5
02-21-2010 03:10 PM
Cordelia
Main
125
09-13-2008 06:56 AM