By Rita Welch
Observers are hearing male robins singing their true song! As the vernal equinox approaches, what signs of spring are you seeing?
Only male robins sing the true song. It's the best sign that they are back to claim a territory.
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Arriving First
The average latitude for FIRST robins this past week was 42.23. Males return before females. Look for a white eye ring, black head, and dark rusty-red breast. Listen carefully. Are your returning male robins singing the true song to claim a territory?
"I'm seeing more and more single robins and seeing more earthworms as well. I've also seen robins in pairs, chasing each other around the neighborhood. On March 2nd, I heard singing. It was definitely the true song. Spring is springing," reported Kathleen from Cincinnati, Ohio.
When your earthworms and backyard robins return, report to Journey North.
Eric Ellingson | PhotosforClass
Tugging Up Earthworms
Observers are reporting first earthworms and noting places where they are seeing robins pecking around at patches of dirt looking for a juicy meal. Hungry robins must tug hard to get an earthworm out of the ground. The worm can grip and anchor itself by stabbing its hair-like bristles, called setae, into the surrounding soil. During this tug-of-war, the stiff bristles hold so firmly that the worm can break as the robin pulls.
"For the past few days I have observed three robins on our front lawn. They have been feeding on worms they've pulled out of the soil. Makes me feel like spring is coming at last," reported Janet from Missouri on March 2, 2016.
Earthworms and Robins Return
Here They Come! The arrival of the first robins is a welcome sign of spring, and is often closely tied to the appearance of the first earthworms.
Buried Below During winter most earthworms stay in their underground burrows. They are prisoners in frozen soil under ice and snow.
Verticle Migration In the spring, earthworms move upward after the ground thaws. Earthworms travel only a few feet during this migration.
Spring Connections "When spring comes and frost leaves the soil, the earthworms become migrants, tunneling upward. They appear at the surface, leaving the first castings of the new season, as soon as the average temperatures of the ground reaches about 36 degrees. At the same time, the robins return from the south." From North With the Spring by Edwin Way Teale.
Watch Your Backyard As temperatures rise, watch for these signs of spring in your backyard. Which will appear first, a worm or a robin? Will they appear together when the average temperature reaches 36 degrees?
Report Your Sightings! When your earthworms and backyard robins return, report to Journey North. You'll know your robin has arrived when you hear it sing.
Welcome spring by creating poems that celebrate the return of earthworms and robins. |
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| What to Report | First Seen Report | Map | List |
Waves Report | Map | List |
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| Singing Report | Map | List |
Nesting Report | Map | List |
Earthworms Report | Map | List |
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