With the inclement weather came great flocks of robins feeding on two main plants in my yard– a Virginia Cedar and Nelly R. Stevens Holly. They were all over adjacent trees, waiting their turn and by the time the feeding frenzy had finished, both plants were denuded of their “hard times” berries. Palatability usually increases after multiple freeze/thaw events.
Here’s a video link: Robin Flock in Cedar
Robins travel in sexed groups. From their appearance, these were likely the males who arrive a few days to two weeks ahead of the females. Their main plumage is darker and the red coloration much brighter than the duller females. Flocks often move ahead of warm fronts or rain events.
This landing in my yard doesn’t occur every year, so sometimes nothing eats the holly berries. But, here they were by the hundreds on the day before the Backyard Bird Count–Valentine’s Day. They came, ate copiously and then were gone. I suppose I should be glad I didn’t have to include them in a count because their sheer presence drove off the regular population.
