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Better forecasters than groundhogs? I'm seeing large numbers of robins, heading north since I'm on their migration route. Just seems to me that unlike groundhogs they have some skin in the game, they don't want to show up on their northern feeding grounds too early.

Buttercup 8 Feb 12
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It turns out that not all robins migrate. As it says at that link, "They have been observed in every U.S. state (except Hawai'i) and all southern Canadian provinces in January." Those that stay behind for the winter gather in flocks and forage more widely for food, so you tend to see either none or a lot at once. In any case, it makes them less useful as harbingers of spring.

The first birds I consider to be a sign of spring here in Massachusetts are phoebes and red-winged blackbirds. Even before migratory birds show up, though, I listen for spring mating/territorial songs from winter residents like cardinals.

We have resident robins too, usually mated pairs. During migration there are many more and in flocks. I think our red winged black birds are all residents, small numbers and always in marshes. Basically any where you see them is also where there are stands of cattails.

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Waaaaaay too early to see them here.

Seems earlier than usual here, that's why I'm wondering if they're anticipating an early spring.

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