The American Robin

The American Robin is also known as "Robin Red Breast" or just plain "Robin."

We have American Robins year round in Raymondale. You will see the year round Robins in small numbers, of no more than a few, walking through your lawn, cocking its head, listening for worms or insects. In early spring you may see large flocks of sometimes, scrawnier Robins, in your lawn. These Robins are migratory heading north to Canada.

The Robins will come to your yard but not to your feeder. They feed from the insects, grubs, and worms in your lawn. If you have a birdbath (a heated one in winter is a nice touch) the Robin will use it.

You can also find the American Robins roosting in trees as well as scampering across your lawn.

The Robin, for many, is a sign of spring but they stay here all winter. When you see a large flock of them, these fellows are sure to be heading for their summer homes north of the border in Canada. The migrating flock of Robins is a sign that spring is coming, for certain!

 (All photographs taken in Raymondale.)

 Why a Raymondale bird blog? Dan and Beth Fedorko have been inventorying birds for Cornell University's Backyard Bird Count (www.feederwatch.org) which runs November through April each year. This inventory keeps track of migratory patterns, possible diseases, and decline and increase in bird populations. In response to the Raymondale Environmental Stewardship Task Force, we have started this blog which is separate from the general Raymondale news blog and more personal, to share our finds and photographs. If you see any birds in the neighborhood and surrounding parkland, please send us a photo! We'll help you identify it and might even post it on the blog!