Is maestro here? Bird question inside....

[femmocrat]

I saw a robin today! Dec. 30 in southwestern PA. Just wondering -- is it an 2007 robin who "forgot" to fly south, or is it a 2008 robin who flew in early?

I don't remember ever seeing one this late (or early). Does it have any relevance to what kind of winter we will have?

:shrug:

[XemaSab]

1. He probably didn't "forget" to fly south

Often, species such as robins are pushed south by hard weather. If it can find enough bugs, worms, and fruit in the area it may overwinter. They don't "know" what kind of weather there will be ahead of time, but if it gets colder or storms start coming in, it will leave.

It looks like there are still some flocks of robins lurking around the state, so it's not alone.

Does that answer your question? :shrug: :hi:

[femmocrat]

3. I don't recall ever seeing one this late in the year, even in mild winters.

They usually just "disappear" around the end of October and return around the beginning/middle of March. I was hoping it meant a mild winter this year.

Interesting! Thanks for the information. :hi:

[billyskank]

2. I didn't think robins were migratory.

Over here the robin is symbolic of winter. We put them on Christmas cards and stuff.

[femmocrat]

4. I didn't know they were symbolic of winter in the UK!

I always learn something new at DU! :hi:

[XemaSab]

5. It's a different species here

Our robins are more like your blackbirds, song thrushes, or fieldfares. :)

[pitohui]

6. migratory but not much bothered by the cold

american robins migrate it seems because there are a great many of them and they must follow the food supply, they can tolerate cold and occasionally there are a few that get "left behind," as the OP observed



european robin i guess they are so bossy that everybody else can durn well migrate and leave all the food to them!



it always amazes me that such a tiny bird won't back down, they sure aren't bashful, are they?

[TZ]

7. certain populations of robins don't migrate. I heard

Supposedly there are a few year round robins in the Maryland area.