Signs of Spring: American Robins

I have been tidying up my work room today and found some sketches that I made last week.  I had been to Leu and sketched these birds, then had got sidetracked by bee stuff and forgot all about them. Also I had no idea what they were. 

It was a nice sunny day after all the cold weather and I heard the birds before I saw them. Flocks, of what seemed like hundreds, were wheeling round and round, screeching and chattering, something that I haven’t seen here at the Gardens before. The action appeared to be centered around the huge camphor trees which line one of the walkways and as I came closer I could see the birds were busy eating the little black berries. They then flew off to the nearby path to drink from a puddle of water and then rushed back to the tree again for more berries.

You can hardly see the Robin sitting on the branch, but you can see all the camphor berries!

The ones on the ground were quite distracted while drinking so I was able to do a few sketches and could see they had reddish breasts and a white ring around the eye…

I know that my USA readers will probably be aghast at my ignorance, but please don’t forget that I am a Brit, so the word “Robin” to me means a little chirpy little bird  that comes and  sits on your wheel barrow in the garden. These American Robins are big! and I now know they are members of the Thrush family  

Gathering for migration

But what is most interesting to me is that I realise now I was probably seeing these nice little birds getting ready for a northerly migration, stocking up and getting fit and fat, although some do seem to stay in their own neigbourhood over the winter. While I was researching I found this website: American Robin,Journey North where you can track the Robins’ journey north and participate in recording their progress. 

So, three little Heralds of Spring especially for my northerly, ice and snow bound, blog readers. I want you to know that the Florida Robins are looking well and will soon be on their way!!