We always await the return of the robins … a sure sign that spring is on the way. Spring arrived on March 20, 2014 this year but we all know that the first day of spring isn’t always the first spring day. We long for the warmth of the sun, the growth in the garden and the chirping of the robins.
The American robin belongs to the thrush family. This migrating bird is named after the European robin because of its orange tummy however the European robin belongs to the flycatcher family. The male robin returns to the area first and the female a week or so later. They pair up and mate but only till the young ones are raised.
The male and female look almost the same but the male has brighter colours.
During the day the robin can be seen hopping over the lawns looking for grubs, beetles and worms which make up most of its diet. It does also eat berries. Robins come back to the same area year after year and frequently use the same nest. The female picks out the nesting spot and busily makes the nest.
This nest is above our garage door (on top of the light fixture) and each year there is a nest with 2 or 3 babies. They nest early before all the leaves are out on the trees and the first one is usually in an evergreen tree for protection. Each robin usually builds 2 nests a year and only the female incubates the eggs, though both parents help with the constant feeding.
Robins are one of the first birds to sing in the morning and one of the last to sing at night. Males are the more vocal ones.
The robins are singing loudly around here, and have been sighted in the trees.
Have you seen or heard the robins around your garden this year?
The letter this week at Alphabe-Thursday is R. R for robins.
lots more lens friends
