Well at least by the calender, spring has finally arrived. The weather here in Ohio has yet to really prove that, but some signs are starting to occur.
The robins have finally started showing up in the yard. I saw my first one in probably the second week of March. Since then we have had a couple snow storms that really have made it seem more like mid January. However there is a break in temperatures this week.
One thing I did do was help the early arriving robins by going to Gander Mountain sporting goods and getting some night crawlers. I would put about 3 at a time in a pie plate and sit it in the snow. With in minutes 2 robins would fly down and feast on the easy meal. I still see the same two every day looking for a hand out even though the snow is now gone.
Robins are not really attracted by food sources such as seed. I did however see them in my fly though feeder from time to time while the ground was covered in snow. They will occasionally come to fruit such as apples or berries. The would prefer earthworms and insects.
You can try attracting them to your yard by placing a platform or shelf on the side of a barn or garage especially if they are located under an eave or overhang where they are protected from rain. My mom always has robins nesting in a decorative wooden frame hanging on the side of their house. It's always fun to watch them feed the babies while sitting on the back porch.
Robins can be heard singing all night long in the spring. It's really easy to tell a female from a male robin. The male has a dark head, nearly black and a brick red breast. The female has almost a grey head and a dull red breast. Robins are not listening for worms when they cock their heads to one side. They are looking with eyes placed far back on their heads.
So that is the start of the migration. My sister has informed me that she is seeing bluebirds in southern Indiana. My aunt which also lives here in Ohio told me on Easter that she saw the first bluebirds of the season on Valentine's day. I do not see them here in my yard but often see them while walking in parks. So I will try to cover cover bluebirds on my next post. I'm sorry for not posting in so long but I've had other business eating up my time. Hopefully this WILL be the start of getting back to posting regularly.
3 comments:
I'm so glad you're back!
Robins are a common sight in my neck of the woods, year 'round. I can see upwards of a dozen in my yard at anytime of the day.
My husband and I rehabbed a baby orphan one spring/summer. In order to try and teach it to feed on it's own when it got big enough, we purchased meal worms at a local pet store. They were rather costly, but a necessity at the time. That Robin never did warm up to us, which is just as well since he had to learn to survive in the wild.
I never knew before how to tell a male from a female. I'm glad to learn that!
Great post, Bro. So glad you're back to the bird blog. You really present interesting and useful info. I wish others could see how well suited your backyard is for birding. Maybe some photos in a future post?
Love to you,
~Pone!
I'd thought the difference between male and female Robins were about the same as Cardinals.
Haven't marked it on the calendar, but the first Robins have been here a few weeks, maybe the end of February or very early March.
Good to see your post. Have never made suet before...looks like a good recipe. Thanks for sharing it.
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