COLUMN: Robins in the snow

THE NATURE OF THINGS COLUMN
By: 
Michele Olson
Jones County Naturalist

     With this latest snowfall, many people are wondering about the survival of the early arriving migratory birds like the American Robin.

     Many Iowans are surprised to hear that some of our resident robins “stick it out” here in Iowa all winter. They survive on fruits and berries left on trees and shrubs, and open water provided by streams, rivers, springs or bird baths in our woodlands and urban backyards. Warm down feathers, when fluffed up, help to keep them toasty warm. Robins are surprisingly resilient.

     Migrating robins, returning from the golf states, have been flocking back to Iowa the past three weeks as early spring weather tempted them with greening grass and buds about to burst on area trees. These early returning flocks of robins have been unpleasantly reminded that the cold of winter isn’t gone quite yet. Five to nine inches of snow falling in our local area created some intense foraging behavior as robins searched for available food sources.

     Those Iowans wondering what they can do to help are in luck. Robins, although not interested in normal bird feeder offerings of bird seed, will readily eat meal worms, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, and diced apple pieces. Anyone wishing to help out robin flocks stressed by ice or snow can simply scatter these fruits on deck railings, tree stumps, shoveled sidewalks, or under bushes and trees where the robins prefer to sit. Only put enough out that will be eaten during the day to avoid unwanted nocturnal mammalian visitors.

     Once spring arrives, purchase and plant several native fruit and berry producing trees and shrubs in your yard or on your property. Natural food sources are always best and will provide food throughout the year for a variety of wildlife. A few native Iowa trees and shrubs to plant include wild plum, black cherry, hackberry, choke cherry, prairie crabapple, red cedar, hawthorns, dogwoods, and highbush cranberry.

     See the “Iowa Guide to Common Trees and Shrubs” for more detailed information on each species: https://secure.iowadot.gov/lrtf/docs/GuidetoCommonTreesShrubs.pdf.

 

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