FIRST HEARD reports more than doubled this past week. It's a great time to be outside, listening as males sing their claim to territories. What do robins need in a territory?

"This morning a robin stopped by my water fountain for a drink," reported Ken Orich from Alberta on March 10th.

Claiming Territory
When male robins arrive in the spring, the first thing they do is claim a territory. Look around your outdoor spaces. Would a robin find water for bathing and drinking, earthworms and insects for eating, shelter from predators, and a safe place for the family's nest? As you enjoy spring temperatures and habitat changes, watch for robins perched in tall trees surveying the area. Listen for territorial songs.

"I heard the unmistakable sounds of the male robin's morning territorial calls and songs. It put a big smile on my face just knowing that they've returned and that warmer days are near," said Michael from Dyer, Indiana on March 8, 2016.

 

This robin found a fat worm in Ottawa, Ontario on March 13th.

Foraging for Worms
As the ground thaws, more observers are watching robins hopping across grassy areas in search of earthworms. In spring and summer, robins find places where the soil is rich and moist. That's where earthworms and insects thrive.

"I saw two robins foraging on newly-exposed lawns, catching earthworms," reported Gordon Johnston from Ottawa, Ontario on March 13, 2016.