Time:5:29 pm CST
Location: Hilger's Gulch, Pierre SD
Temp: ~25°F
Wind:~ 5 mph
Skies: Scattered altocumulus
I took a walk through Hilger's Gulch and first heard then saw a flock of American robins. I estimate that there were several dozen. For most people in this part of the world, robins are the quintessential bird of spring, who appear on the scene after returning from their migratory trip to the south for the winter.
There are flocks of robins that overwinter around Pierre and you can usually find them in areas with dense vegetation. I don't know if these robins are local robins that just flocked up and moved to vegetation or if these are robins from farther north who decided that this was as far south as they needed to come.
I suspect the former but it could be the latter.
Despite this do they/don't they confusion around the migration of these robins, robins are still the heralds of spring as they very clearly exhibit winter and spring behaviors. Robins in winter will be in flocks and have very limited vocalizations, mainly cheeps.
Robins in the spring (actually the late winter) will start slowly spreading out from the flock to claim and defend territory through singing. Around here, this means that they will start moving into town, usually a fine February day when the temperature reaches the upper 30's. A cold snap will send them right back to the flock and silence them again except for their quiet cheeps but it won't be long till they again move out and start singing.
Robin song cheers my winter weary heart. Every year.
I like robins because they are easy to watch, gregarious, and easily habituated to human presence. I like best to watch awkward fledglings learn to fly. They often are not very good and do so with much flapping of wings.
Plus, the Latin name for robin makes my inner 3rd grader snicker. Turdus migratorius.
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