Journey North American Robin Spring 2004

News from the NOPs (Northern Observation Posts)

for the March 30, 2004 Robin Report.

Here's the news from NOPs who have seen their first robin already and those who are still waiting. Which NOPs have seen their first robins since our March 16 report?

Dominique Cloutier, PQ, Canada
Finally, at 7 am March 28 I heard and saw my first Robin this Spring :) A lonely guy at the very top of our birch tree :)A lot of birds have come back this week, Spring's on the way :)

Pam Randles, Haines, AK

A robin was sighted in Haines on March 1. This year has been a
"real" winter in Haines. Lots of snow. The previous two had been mild. On 03/21/04 I checked my records. In the five years I have been keeping track, robins have always arrived between March 24 and April 30. Two of those years, they overwintered. But March 1 is early indeed.

Shirley Bell, Pinawa, MB, Canada
The rains came March 28, 40mm, along with the thunder. It was something with all the snow still around. I though I heard a bird, but alas it was only a blackbird, but even they are a sign of spring to this winter-weary town. The geese are back, stomping around the edges of the golf course looking for nest sites. They are almost as frantic for spring as the golfers. Hope I have good news for you soon.

Ken Moore, Stirling, AB
On 3/22 The weather was 12C with the sun beating down and no appreciable wind where six robins were having a bath at one time in my garden pool. As they refreshed themselves House Finches sang to them from the bare Green Ash trees. Our (tame) crocuses are poking through the soil and our tulips are up
a few inches. Hopefully, it will be a great spring.

Nancy Seamans, Quispamsis, NB
3/26/04: I have not seen a robin yet. I'm sort of expecting too soon though. . .Of course we always get snow around St. Patrick's Day and we were true to form this year as usual. Today it is milder and I can hear the water dripping off the roof... a welcome sound at this time of year.

Susan Flewelling, Calgary, AB
I've been watching for robins and hopefully will have something to report
from Calgary soon. I had heard on the radio on March 8, however, that a robin
has been seen in the City but as I have not seen it myself, did not report
it. What the announcer was saying was that the robins follow the frost line
as it retreats north. This I had not known before but it does seem logical.
I'm really looking forward to being able to report spotting that robin!!

Ute Keitsch, Ajax, ON

Ute's robin in a Corkscrew Hazel.

After seeing her first Robin March 13, Ute didn't see many for a several days. "Today (March 22, 2004) the "real" Robins arrived, in full color and a fighting mood! The one in the front is sitting already on his piece of territory after winning the fight this morning. He's right in the Corkscrew Hazel (Snow Picture ), waiting for the females. He acts like he knows the place. Just looks at me on my way in and out. Not afraid at all. We had -10 Celsius and a very cold wind all day. It looks like awhile before the frogs sing.

Wayne Dwornik, Lethbridge AB
Lovely spring here in Lethbridge! and YES.. I just heard my First Robin Song of this Spring, Monday evening (March 22/04) while out for a walk with our daughter. It was just lovely. We also saw a pair of robins flying real low and fast thru a neighbour's
yard, followed quickly by yet another robin! One was also in our back yard. I hope he was out spying out our robin nesting box. We've had this box for at least 8 years now and never a nest, ... yet. Any suggestions on its placement? We've tried a couple .. along side our house,a bout 10 feet off the ground. I moved it this week to the west side, alongside our fireplace chimney, on a stucco wall, where it will be in the shade of our staghorn sumac trees. Here's hoping, once again. or do you have other suggestions?

Vi and Richard, Nipawin, Saskatchewan

3/23/04: Still much snow (about 2 feet) here. The sunny days are taking the snow and ice away each day. Looking and listening for ROBINS.

John Nagy, Inuvik, NT
3/23/04: For the first week of spring, we are still entrenched in winter. We have had a raging blizzard blowing for the past 2 days--30 to 40 mile north winds, blowing snow, and white out conditions. Yesterday we warmed to -3 C and this morning were back at -31 C. Days are getting longer though. I wish I was down south where the robins are!!!!!

Margot Hervieux, Grande Prairie
3/23/04: Spring is certainly starting to appear but no robins yet. We have Canada Geese back and a friend heard a crow on the weekend. We are getting very typical March weather with highs of 3-8 degrees on sunny days but also days with flurries and wind. I have heard reports from Calgary of robins, geese, swans and ring-billed gulls. Happy spring watching!

Marc Landry, Beresford, NB
March 24: Since I last reported the robin, we have been swamped in snow. We have
received over 50 cm of snow in the past three weeks. The temperature is still cold at night (still have -20oC) and under seasonal during the day. The ice is starting to move in the Bay and the icy rivers are starting to crack. I guess we are still in winter mode! At least the forecast is for warmer temperatures for the next few days. But we still have at least until the end of April before we can really appreciate spring.

Kris Owens, Fireweed Academy, Homer, Alaska

Here is a definite sign of spring... We're on "Spring Break." Haven't seen any robins
yet-- we'll let you know as soon as we do.

Try This! Journaling Question/Activity

What are your predictions for dates when NOPs will (1) SEE and (2) HEAR their first robins this spring? Keep track of your predictions and results with these download-and-print worksheets for the 2004 season:
NOPs First Seen Robins, 2004

NOPs First Robin Song, 2004