Question about robins

[BillStein]

I'm lucky to live between a college campus/arboretum and a wooded creek, so I see a wide variety of birds. I'm south of Philadelphia, and grew up in the area.

I noticed recently that robins have been visible year round. I remember when I was younger that robins were a sign of spring. Have they stopped migrating? Is my memory wrong?

Just wondering....

[enough]

1. Crum Creek? Just a guess.

I don't know about the migration patterns, but I have been noticing in the past few years really large flocks of robins in late winter and early spring. Last month I saw a flock of at least 75 cavorting in the redcedars (filled w juniper berries) in the back field. That was before the storm days came upon us, and I have no idea where they are now.

I agree that these large flocks of robins are not something I remember from the old days. We're in SE PA, somewhat west of you.

[BillStein]

2. yep, Crum Creek

looking forward to spring at the arboretum!

[Curmudgeoness]

3. I have been told

that some robins spend the winter in the north, while others do migrate. I have seen them here in W PA in January, so some must stay. But I do remember that they come back very early, which is why they are a sign of spring.

[BillStein]

4. was this always the case?

I grew up in South Jersey, near Philadelphia. I don't remember seeing any robins in the winter.

I was trying to figure out whether the climate has changed, or my memory is faulty....

[Curmudgeoness]

5. I think it has always been this way.

I have an old birding book that shows their winter range all the way up to the Great Lakes. I am told that robins are usually in large flocks in the winter, and are not as widely distributed like they are in summer when they have breeding territories. So it is not as likely that you will see them in winter, but when you do, it will usually be a large flock. I doubt that it is your memory....I don't remember ever seeing robins in the middle of the winter either. But they are supposed to be here somewhere, maybe close to sources of food like lots of fruiting trees that hold fruit all winter.

[elleng]

6. Heard the same from a neighbor in nw MD yesterday,

he's noticed them at a time when, in the past they haven't been around there. (I haven't been there either much, so can't confirm.)