Robins Now Seen From Alaska in U.S. to Newfoundland in Canada
Spring brings a flurry of robin sightings across North America, from Alaska to Alberta and beyond. As reports of these iconic birds increase, observers share fascinating tales of their arrivals and territorial claims. From the bold male robin spotted by Angie in Thunder Bay, ON, to nesting activities observed by Ken in Lethbridge, Alberta, the signs of spring are unmistakable. Join the journey and contribute your own observations to deepen our understanding of the American robin's behavior this season!
More First Arrivals
Robin sightings have increased throughout March and April. In Alaska and beyond, reports initially noted the arrival of sizable flocks of robins, followed by sightings of individual birds as they spread out to claim breeding territories.
On March 15, Linda in Anchorage, Alaska reported a large group, writing: “About 9:30 AM, a huge wave of robins flocked to my small bird feeding stations. I have never seen more than 3-4 robins at a time, and never at this time of year. The small birds scattered and the robins attacked the feeders. They stayed 4-5 minutes and left.”
Later in March, Gwen reported seeing one robin in Juneau, Alaska (03/21/2024) and Dan spotted two in Petersburg, Alaska (03/24/2024).
In Winnipeg, Manitoba, Ian reported one on April 7 with a close-up photo: “10.00.am this morning. Heard the chirping in the garden. They're baaaccckkk!!..:-)”
Further north in inland Canada, Margot in Grand Prairie, Alberta, reported a first sighting on April 12 and Peter in Colinton, Alberta, just north of Edmonton, wrote the following on April 10: “First sighting, at the top of a poplar tree, chirping away. So good to see.”
From Thunder Bay, ON, Angie was rewarded with the sight of a bold male robin beside a heated bird bath, signaling the onset of spring. Yet, nature had a surprise in store just two days later, as snowflakes blanketed the landscape. Undeterred, Angie spotted the same robin seeking shelter in a crab apple tree seeming to “have decided this is his territory as he waits for the females to arrive.” (03/23/2024) A few days later, Angie snapped a photo of a robin on the day of the Solar Eclipse looking “towards the sun shortly after sunrise.” (04/08/2024)
Nesting and First Eggs
Nesting reports have started to pop up across the breeding range of the American robin.
Ken in Lethbridge, Alberta, not far north of the U.S. border, wrote on April 10 with a photo: “While birding at Sunridge Park in Lethbridge, I noticed a male robin collecting nesting material. Then I saw it fly under someone's deck where it was starting to build a nest.”
Brenda in Kenora, Ontario, counted one robin. (04/25/2024)
Phil in Muncy, Pennsylvania, used an overhead mirror to take a photo of three blue eggs on April 23.
Learn more about the nest-building behavior of American robins by reading this Journey North article: How to Build a Robin's Nest
Keep Reporting With Photos
Want to share your robin observations? Click here to report your waves of robins in large flocks, nesting behaviors like collecting materials or nest-building, and other observations such as courtship, feeding young or fledging robins. Through the collective efforts of volunteers, we gain a deeper understanding of the movement, dietary shifts, and breeding behavior of the American robin.
Thank you as always for your reports!
