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| The sight of your first American Robin hopping on the lawn is always a sure sign spring is on it's way! |
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| What to look for: |
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We are watching for the first robin to return from the south. Most robins fly south to the Gulf States and Mexico, but a few stay the winter in Minnesota. Returning migratory robins are more active than the lone robins who have been hanging quietly around all winter. They also tend to sing more and let their presence be known as they begin to establish a territory. The American Robin is a medium sized bird of about 10 inches from beak to tail. Robins are grey-brown backed with an orange breast and yellow beak. Males are brighter colored than females. Watch in your neighborhood and around school. If you think you are the first person to see this event, ask your teacher to submit your name to the Wolf Ridge website (see table below.) |
| Where do American Robins live? |
| American Robins live in all of North America and Mexico. They like forest edges, gardens, and parks because there is often plenty of food next to good nesting sites. |
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| Why are returning American Robins a sign of spring? |
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When Robins return, they are arriving at about the same time as their favorite foods start to show up. Birds, like many small animals, need to eat often to keep up their energy and to stay warm. In winter, it is just too cold for Robins, and food is scarce. Once the soil warms up, the earthworms and insects that robins love to eat begin to move around, and the Robins can find and eat them If Robins arrive too early, they can usually survive for a while on sumac and virginia creeper berries, or seeds left over from last fall. When the Robins return, warm soil can't be far behind. Soon, you should see more bugs and worms, and the arrival of spring flowers. |
| Cool Facts |
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We tend to see lots of robins arriving soon after the first spring rain or after a big snow melt. Studies have shown that robins will arrive when the average daily temperature is about 37F. |
155! |
155 different kinds of birds come to Minnesota each the summer to breed and raise their young. That's more than any other state in the USA! |
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Birds play important roles in earth's ecosystems. They pollinate plants, spread seeds, eat insects, and serve as an important link in the food web. Without birds, we might have less plants, and more insects on the planet. |
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Robins who are returning from the south sing more at this time of year than robins who have stayed all winter. |
| Think About It! |
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 Explore the Web
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| Lots of fun stuff about Robins. Songs, current migration maps, ask the expert, FAQs . . . If you only visit one site to learn more about Robins, go here! | |
| Open until March 23. Ask Duluth's Laura Erickson your Robin questions. | |
| Listen and learn the many ways Robins communicate. | |
| What to look for when you look for birds. | |
| Read about the natural history of robins and other birds. | |
| Live views into the nests of several birds once they start nesting. (Not robins, but cool!) | |
| On this site you can find maps and information about what birds other folks around the country are seeing, or you can add your own bird information. For older students. |
| Learn more about birds in these Wolf Ridge classes: |
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You can study more about the Robin and other birds in the Wolf Ridge Birds class. You will look at feathers through a microscope, discover how wings keep a bird in the air, compare bird bones with those of other animals, see why eggs are so strong, and sharpen your observation skills as you hike and look for birds living at Wolf Ridge. Depending on the season, you might also feed birds from your hand at "Chickadee Landing" in winter, witness hawks soaring above the ridge in fall, release a banded bird, or visit with our live raptors. |
| Date | School | Town | Observer | Comments |
| 03/25/2010 | Wolf Ridge | Finland | Andrea and David's Superior View Hike class | The robins are back! |
| 03/07/2010 | Two Harbors Area | Carol | Bright, Sunny and Warm day for the spring Robin! |