American Robin
What to Report
Report Your Sightings
Your observations help shed light on the many mysteries of migration.
First Robin
Report the first robin you see. Sightings reveal overwintering robins and then the leading edge of the migration.
We define a wave as three or more robins. In southern areas, waves of overwintering robins are commonly seen in large flocks during the winter. In northern areas, waves of robins are a sign of peak migration. The first robins of spring are usually seen alone; waves of robins arrive later.
First Singing Robin
Report the first robin you hear singing. Male robins sing when they arrive on the breeding territory. You'll know your neighborhood robin has arrived when it wakes you up at dawn and sings continually. The onset of song is so clear that tracking song the simplest way to track robin migration. Get ready by listening to the robin's true song.
Watch for signs such as the male or female flying with nest materials, or the female with mud on breast. Both gather nest materials but usually only the female builds. She may begin within a day or two after arrival. Nests usually take 2-6 days to build.
Even though they only travel a few feet, earthworms undergo a "vertical" migration each spring after the ground thaws. The appearance of the first earthworms is a welcome sign of spring, and is often closely tied to the arrival of the first robins.
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