Robin

Gin for Robin and his drinking buddies, Starling and Cedar Waxwing.

An American Robin visiting Canada out of season. It is like “snowbirds” in reverse.

Look who shows up in the last week of January with some friends. The American Robin, usually only seen in summer and usually just one at a time hunting for their favorite food, earth worms.

Here we see them in a small group and arriving in January rather than on their regular schedule, showing up in March to build nests, lay eggs and raise young.

They are here for the “gin berries” which are actually pine cones from the juniper tree. They look like blue berries but taste like a Christmas tree. Chase down this link to learn more about Gin Berries. Why Gin Tastes Like Christmas Trees (And More Weird Gin Facts) | HuffPost Canada Food & Drink (huffingtonpost.ca)

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I often see a flock of Cedar Waxwing birds arrive in the spring and strip the tree of “berries”.

That may be why the cedar waxwing is travelling with this flock of Robins. I am not sure if he is leading the robins to his favorite bars or if he has been cast off by his community and linked up with this band of lost fliers. They are also travelling with a starling. It seems unlikely for these three to be together. They usually migrate in flocks of their own species. These are all visitors which usually nest here in the summer but they do not usually arrive until March.  We will have snow on the ground until then.

I made a video for you to show the action up in the juniper tree and the cleanup crew at the bottom picking up the “gin berries” that have dropped to the ground.

What next? Groundhogs?

It is only mid-winter and guess what, tomorrow is Groundhog day!

Please leave a comment below to tell me what you think. https://youtu.be/GBlIdczfklQ