Spring Signals

Even though it doesn't seem like it, Spring is just around the corner. The weather doesn't know it, but Robins do. The arrival of the American Robin en masse is one of our first signals that Spring is coming. They don't overwinter here because they are omnivorous- eating earthworms and grubs but also berries. Obviously the ground is too frozen all winter for them to collect worms, and berries can be abundant, but they can't thrive on just berries for too long. So, in the fall, they travel to points South- from Virginia to Florida and Texas, and some go as far as South and Central America.

When Spring is on its way, male robins begin to arrive back up here. They show up about the time that the average daily temperature is 37 degrees (following the 37 degree isotherm). Most likely the Robins we are just seeing now are males. Females show up a few days to a couple of weeks later, when both worms and mud are easy to find. After the girls arrive, Spring is really close- they will start building nests and we can look forward to at least a few days of warmer air. Look for the ladies- they are the ones with lighter colored-chests and the look of Spring in their eyes!