Robins

The forecast for today calls for heavy rain and possible flooding overnight here in South Eastern Pa. Both yesterday and today temperatures have been hanging around 60 degrees. For the past several weeks night time temps were below freezing and our days have been cold and blustery. So far no robins have been spotted in our backyard. This morning the feeder was exceptionally active. Chickadees, titmice, nuthatch, snowbirds, both red and gold finches, cardinals, a blue Jay, a few blackbirds, a cowbird, and of course "the squirrel" kept things abuzz. With no sight or sound of Robins yet, I decided to do a little checking. Notes written on last years calendar record that on March 7th we sited our first Robins in the backyard. One week later, on Tuesday the 13th, lots of them had begun appearing. The following Friday we had a major snow storm with temperatures in the twenties. Somehow my calendar for year 2006 came up missing. Data on the one for year 2005 records no robins had been spotted here until the last week of March.

We are located at a high elevation. During winter months, when areas around us get rain we often get it in the form of snow, sleet or freezing rain. Perhaps this has to do with when robins decide to visit here. But then why would they have arrived here last year just two days before a major snow storm? I guess only they know the answer to that. One thing is for certain. If not before, when the gardens finally dry out enough to pull out the tiller and begin turning the soil, like magic our good old friends will be back. Hopping and chirping all about us, they'll be eying each turn of the rich dark earth in search of a big fat juicy worm. So...perhaps although we haven't been seeing them...those robins have been spying on us from above...watching...and waiting for just the right time.