American robin at Palisades Park IA 116A4911
I was slightly surprised but not shocked to find about 50 American robins at Palisades Park in Decorah today. I am confident that these robins intend to spend the entire winter right here since I've found robins wintering here in previous years. This area has a very hospitable microclimate to help robins get through a rough winter in good shape - sheer limestone cliffs that face south and act like solar heaters even on very cold sunny days, lots of eastern red cedar trees loaded with nutritious berries so these tight evergreen trees provide both food and shelter, and the Upper Iowa River is right there with open water when the robins get thirsty or need a bath.
American robin at Palisades Park IA 116A4911
I was slightly surprised but not shocked to find about 50 American robins at Palisades Park in Decorah today. I am confident that these robins intend to spend the entire winter right here since I've found robins wintering here in previous years. This area has a very hospitable microclimate to help robins get through a rough winter in good shape - sheer limestone cliffs that face south and act like solar heaters even on very cold sunny days, lots of eastern red cedar trees loaded with nutritious berries so these tight evergreen trees provide both food and shelter, and the Upper Iowa River is right there with open water when the robins get thirsty or need a bath.