Another nature exploration today! Robins are such a sign of spring, and this one has been frequenting my backyard for a week or two. The incessant hoeing I’ve been doing to rid the perimeter area of the yard of a blanket of weeds has unearthed great food sources for this creature, and I am sure that is part of the attraction. The Oregon grape I have in the yard is evidently also a good food source.

I wondered whether the robin also has a nearby nest, since when it flies, it doesn’t go far. But, no! Robins only lay their first clutch of eggs in late April or early May, even here in the temperate Pacific Northwest. So, this visitor is evidently just enjoying the peace of the ‘hood. Well, other than for the redtail hawk that roosts in a nearby tree!

Not surprisingly, pesticides can kill or harm robins. Not only directly, but also in the harm/death that occurs among some of their favorite food sources, worms and bugs.