Return of robins marks the first sign of spring

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on April 03, 2009 at 9:57 AM, updated April 03, 2009 at 10:00 AM

Imagine what a robin must be thinking when he arrives in Michigan after a long flight northward. Tired and hungry from his journey, surely he's a little miffed when he finds frozen tundra, frigid temperatures and snow still on the ground.

To those of us who are ready to leave winter behind, the first robin we spy serves as a beacon of hope -- he's the ambassador of warmer weather and happier times. Certainly, it can only mean that spring is right around the corner.

Like many migratory birds, male robins return to their summer feeding grounds well before the females. By the time the women flock back to town, the guys have been busy competing for real estate and finding top-notch materials to construct state-of-the art nests for their future broods. Female robins select "Mr. Right" based on how well the nest is built, where the nest is situated and how well her male interest croons songs of love.

The ladies make their northward flight a little later in the season to ensure that proper food supplies are available. Since the female's main purpose is to lay the eggs, it's a lot easier when she well-nourished.

Colder temperatures won't hurt the robin as long as he's getting enough to eat. Because robins stay warm by shivering, having enough food to produce the energy to shiver is imperative.

You may be tempted to try and help the early birds by putting out some birdseed in the colder days of March and April, but don't bother. From a very early age, a robin knows that it can find fruit on trees and shrubs, and that's what they'll try to find when worms and other bugs aren't available.

If you're dead set on helping our frigid feathered friends, get to the bait shop and purchase a container of wax worms. Sprinkle them on a sidewalk or in your driveway on a sunny day and watch as the robins zero in on their wiggly movement. Once they find the worms, they'll keep on returning, even when the temperature is colder and the worms are frozen solid.

You can also try spreading around a few frozen blueberries, raspberries or strawberries -- fruits that are among their favorites and since it's still frozen outside anyway, they won't mind that they're a little crunchy.

Let's hope that April's showers are that of rain and not snow, and that the robins are here to stay.