December: Wandering in Winter

December 6, 2021 by Team Journey North

In December, American Robins face diminishing food supplies and harsh weather. Finding food is essential for winter survival. This month and throughout winter, report your observations of American Robins to Journey North.

Photo by: Mary in Alamogordo, NM

December is Here

In December, American Robins face diminishing food supplies and harsh weather. Finding food is essential for winter survival. Robins take wandering flights to search for fruits and become more common farther south. Be on the lookout for large flocks!

Petrina in Hector, AR: "We live in a densely wooded area and it is not uncommon for us to see hundreds in the spring. However this is the first time we have seen a flock of this size in the late fall." (11/28/2021)

Judith in Westminster, MD: "We were a little surprised to see a robin at one of our bird baths this morning. Our bird baths are heated, so they may be the only source of water around right now. After taking a long drink, it stayed in the yard for over an hour." (11/30/2021)

Sondra in Prescott, AZ: "Looked out my bedroom window into the large acreage back of my home, in an old cherry tree and saw a flock of 6 or more robins roosting in the tree. I have never seen more than one or two robins in this area ever in 16 years. They flew away before I could get a picture but I told my husband about the strange sight. The bird population in this area has been reducing significantly this year so this was pretty amazing to see, especially this time of year, when there are normally no robins in the area." (12/03/2021)

Marcia in Bear, DE: "30+ Robins in my backyard. They are on ground pecking grass and gardens, turning over leaves in the yard and under trees, as well in picking fruit on my Pear and Crabapple trees. This is largest flock I’ve seen recently. I have bird feeders close to house. They seem to ignore the Brown-headed Cowbird flock currently decimating seed in the feeders. The weather is overcast, “feels like” temp is 39 degrees. Latitude 39.572971, Longitude -75.759651 in Delaware. The Robins are being civil to each other. Cool sight to see!" (12/04/2021)

Report Your Observations

This December and throughout the winter months, report your observations of American Robins. Don’t forget to share photos!