Eliza Waters

Most American robins (Turdus migratorius) migrate southward in the fall, however many stick around New England for the winter. As they were among the first birds to return in spring, early settlers nicknamed them ‘harbingers of spring.’ For the past couple of decades, I’ve seen robins regularly throughout the winter, I’m guessing due to our milder winters and ease of foraging fruit from shrubs and vines.

A flock of about four dozen descended upon my yard Tuesday and proceeded to gobble up all the crabapples and holly berries in a flurry of wings. It was delightful to see so many!