April Arrivals

April 5, 2017 by Rita Welch

While many robins are still en route to their breeding grounds, those on territory have begun the nesting cycle.

Robins often build their first nest of spring in an evergreen. Deciduous trees don't offer as much shelter before leafout. Mike Ward from Paducah, Kentucky on April 2, 2017

Arrivals in Alaska

Robins have been reported from Alaska, but people at our northernmost observation posts are still waiting. Watch the red stars on the map and predict when interior Alaska will welcome their first arrivals.

Juneau, Alaska: "Incomplete warbling from one robin early this am. Cloudy, 34° and snow line at 300-400 feet. Not too spring-like yet," reported Deborah Rudis on April 2nd.

Nest Building

As more robins — male and female — are on territory, signs of nesting are being reported:

Brook, Indiana: "Two robins are nesting on our property. One is in a white pine and has built a nest in that same tree for years. The other has established a nest in a different white pine. The two robins often compete for nest-building materials and are still engaging in territorial behavior," reported Peter Salciunas on April 2nd.

If your robins are singing, look for signs of nest building. Both males and females gather materials but usually only the female builds the nest. Let us know if you see a robin with a beak-full of dried grasses or mud on her breast feathers.