Robin Spotted In Chuathbaluk

Observation by Patricia Yaska:

A robin was spotted in Chuathbaluk during a warm weather spell. The robin flew in front of the window and back in to the spruce trees. We weren't able to get a photo.

Comments from LEO Editors:

This is the second observation of a robin sighting we have received during January 2018. Pictured below is a chart documenting temperatures for Chuathbaluk this month, showing an increase in temperatures between January 13-16th. Also pictured is historical temperature information for January 16th, going back to 2003. Temperatures have fluctuated over the years. The temperature range during 2018 is the warmest since 2009.

Earlier this month, an American Robin was seen in Haines, Alaska, on a day with below-zero temperatures. In January of 2017, Port Graham residents also reported seeing a robin during the winter. According to an Alaska Public Media Article, "Bethel Receives an Unusual Winter Visitor – A Robin," Bethel residents observed robins in the community during December 2014, following one of the warmest November months on record. LEO recommends that members also post their bird observations to e-bird.

Resources:

Alaska Department of Fish & Game – Bird Viewing: American Robin - Alaskan children like to keep a lookout for that “first robin” of spring. While some scientists say robin’s spring migration follows the northward creep of 36ºF average temperatures, others believe the availability of food plays a greater role than temperature. Indeed, some Alaskan communities find robins sticking around for the winter foraging for left-over berries. While most robins do migrate south, some also stay, usually during milder winters. Source: ADF&G Alaska's Backyard Birds — American Robin

iNaturalist – American Robin, The American robin begins to breed shortly after returning to its summer range. It is one of the first North American bird species to lay eggs, and normally has two to three broods per breeding season, which lasts from April to July. Source: iNaturalist.org, taxa Turdus migratorius, Typical Thrushes

American Robin Turdus migratorius Jan-Apr, 2014 to 2018. eBird Range Map