Finally, WAVE reports almost equal FIRST reports! Also, Florida did not lead in reports for the first time in weeks. Instead, we had a few reports from most states. People reported winter behaviors in more reports than not, with robins poking in mulch, pecking in snowless ground, feeding on berries and moving in flocks. Yet, this observer reports a big clue to changes coming:

"I have seen more individuals in the last week."
03/06/15   Leslie B. Darien, Illinois

Week	WAVE	FIRST
Feb 25 - Mar 9	44	39
Feb 24 - Mar 2	70	33

 

Migrant or Local?
Migrants passing through are normally very flighty and noisy; they move in waves. Certainly you may hear little snippets of the true song as robins start getting revved up for spring. However, mostly it'll be peek-and-tut and other vocalizations or alarm calls as robin restlessness increases with breeding season coming. When in full song, males are in a place they're claiming as their own.

Get Ready!
Stay tuned to listen for the male's true song—the surest sign that your male robins are back to claim territory, find mates and start nesting!