Familiar songster

I have seen a number of robins at the marsh lately, mostly on the stretch of the trail that comes out at the old train station.  There are quite a few hawthorn trees and multiflower rose bushes along here, now sporting their red hips, which probably explains their presence.  I suspect these birds are from the pairs that nested in the area this year.  Apparently thousands of robins overwinter in the province, although we don't commonly see them until later in the winter when food sources are getting scarce, and they move closer to human habitation.  Some of the foods they may be fed at this time are raw apples, raisins, grapes and bread crumbs.

There were three robins feeding in this multiflower rose bush on the trail this morning.

Berry picking

As I mentioned earlier, the robins are loving the service berries which are fast ripening. I found this juvenile robin at the top of a tree this morning, and with luck happened to catch it as it picked a berry.

Berry picker

There are many service berry shrubs around the marsh, and the berries have started to ripen, making the robins very happy. Although we picture robins searching for earthworms, they are primarily fruit eaters. The earthworms are used to feed their young, who need the protein to thrive. I caught this juvenile robin this morning, probably from a first brood.

Well-hidden nest

I have been noticing a pair of robins near the spot where a pair nested last year, but there was no nest in the old location. This morning I discovered their new nesting site, and got this quick shot when mother robin slipped onto the nest. You can just make her out behind all the branches.

Robin red-breast at dusk

I walked the trail twice yesterday, my usual walk in the morning, and then again in the evening. I was nearing the end of the trail - the sun had already set and the sky was a lovely blend of pink, lavender and blue - when this robin landed in a tree ahead of me. It turned out to be my favorite shot of the week.

The early bird catches the worm

Yesterday at the marsh, the last day of winter (phew!), I saw my first robin of the season. It was hopping along the side of the trail, cocking its head as if listening for worms in the soil. Apparently they don't hunt by listening, but by sight. Since their eyes are on the sides of their heads, they tilt them and use one eye to look for worm castings in the grass, or the tunnels made by the worms.

Feeling their oats

Again today, as was the case on Thursday, the wooded section of the trail was alive with robins, swooping through the trees and criss-crossing the trail. It was a fair-sized flock of birds. Even a couple of blue jays were in on their antics. (I added a watercolor filter to my photo as the quality wasn't to my liking.)

Berry picking

A couple of times recently, I've seen a flock of robins in this large Shadbush at the marsh (or Indian Pear or Serviceberry as it is also known). The berries seem to be favorites of the robins. We can eat them too; although fairly seedy, they are quite sweet.