The North Wind doth blow and we shall have snow,
And what will poor robin do then poor thing?
He'll sit in the barn and keep himself warm
and hide his head under his wing, poor thing.
~16th Century British nursery rhyme using
the old English word 'doth'~
The American Robin is a member of the thrush family. "Thrush" means wanderer. Robins are the largest thrushes. This female (grey colored head, wings and tail feathers - male has black) was drinking at my fountain yesterday morning after I melted the ice covering. Robins migrate in large flocks in Autumn and can winter anywhere from Southern Canada to Guatemala. They return to their Summer homes in late Winter and begin to sing in April when they begin to pair. I've seen several robins in the garden and at the park this week. The good news, for those of you in the icy grip of Winter, is that it's already late Winter for Robins so Spring can't be far away!
Male Robin scratching through leaves at the curb.
Also at my fountain yesterday.......several Chickadees
...........and House Finches, this one above is a female. Later, a beautiful Eastern Bluebird arrived and I didn't have the camera handy.......I've been kicking myself ever since!
Edited: Today - Wednesday. Just caught Mr. House Finch visiting for a drink - looks like the slightly warmer day means the fountain needs topping up!
All images at the fountain were taken through the dining room window.Please remember to feed your backyard birds during this cold weather, and supply fresh water if possible. Birds cannot keep up their body weight to fly and will die if they do not have food and water available.
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I think all of those birds must have cell phones to let them all know that your home is the place to go for refreshments.
ReplyDeleteMary, fantastic pictures!! Those had to be hard to get, Love them. Two days left and I will be on my new job venture! The new place will have heat and air. I just realized I did not email you back. I have been in a whirlwind trying to wrap up and begin this new job, Hugs, Janna
ReplyDeleteI am counting the days until I hear the robins singing up in my neck of the woods! I love your photos.
ReplyDeletexo
Claudia
Mary, Your bird photos are gorgeous. Mine have a camera phobia. The feeders are full, more waiting in the trees, I run for the camera, return to the window and NOTHING! Enjoy one more cold day!
ReplyDeleteAnna
Your photos are wonderful. I don't know if someone who hasn't seen an American robin can imagine just how large they are. They're pretty amazing.
ReplyDeleteWe have a flock that visits my neighbor's oak trees here in Seattle and is usually accompanied by a large flock of starlings. A cheerful and noisy sight.
My Mum would recite the poem to us when we were small, and add "The English Robin is the REAL one". It's nice to see where our Michigan robins go in winter.
ReplyDeleteBirds make me happy. My mother loved to watch the birds in her yard and feeders. She had them placed outside her kitchen window. I always think of her when I see cardinals and hummingbirds.
ReplyDeleteHi, Mary,
ReplyDeleteThe Bismarck Tribune posted a picture of a couple of robins a few days ago. The caption said they were returning robins, arriving just in time for our cold snap. But my question is, how do they know the robins weren't ones that just stayed here in ND for the winter? Anyway, I was glad to see them. We have those lovely chickadees all through the winter and they love our elm tree.
How exciting to see the robin's returning. That is definitely a sure sign spring is on it's way. Your birds are just lovely. We have several bird feeders and two bird baths, which the birds visit regularly. The squirrels like them too.
ReplyDeleteI saw a flock of robins just the other day. I have all the same birds you have except I also have cardinals, goldfinches and the dreaded blue jays at my feeders. No bluebirds though ( I have only seen a bluebird once, many years ago, and it was a beauty).
ReplyDelete