Robins by the Thousands!
special drop-in event at the Jenni & Kyle Preserve on the Madison/Fitchburg border
Update from Maggie and Bob (10/20/23): We’ve continued to scout the American Robins’ west-to-east evening flight. As sunset gets earlier, it seems the movement of robins to roost does as well. On October 18, robins were moving to roost starting shortly after 5pm (whereas a week earlier it was closer to 6pm). On the 18th we counted approximately 2,200 robins moving past us on the west leg of the trail loop and dropping into the brush west of where we would see them from the shelter (note: this is not our meeting place at the shelter – we can point out where it is). But we’ve still been seeing movement in the hundreds (over 600 on the 14th) from our viewpoint at the shelter. We’ve also still been seeing lots of grackles and starlings, potentially in the thousands.
We’ll be there starting at 5:00pm, and we expect the show will be over by about 6:30pm. So come out for a great time to watch any birds that come by, and to enjoy each other’s company. We’ll be able to tell you about where the robins are coming from as the sun sets and where they seem to be settling down for the night.
--Maggie and Bob
The natural world is full of hidden phenomena, secrets that only those who take the time to observe get to see. One of these phenomena has been occurring in autumn at the Jenni & Kyle Preserve where up to several thousand American Robins, a beloved and abundant species, stream into an overnight roost in groups of several to dozens. Peak numbers observed in 2022 were over 3000!
Join Maggie and Bob Honig, Master Naturalists and volunteers with Badgerland Bird Alliance and the Friends of Capitol Springs Recreation Area, as they reveal this occurrence. In this informal, drop-in event, Maggie and Bob will orient you to the movements of the robins as we all observe them and answer any questions that you may have. You will be able to see these large numbers of robins fly by and melt into the trees and brush for the night, while meeting fellow bird enthusiasts and learning more about the natural history of American Robins.
Important Details:
Between 5-7pm, Maggie and Bob will be at the preserve shelter next to the parking lot to orient you to the movements of the robins, their annual migrations, and why they roost here (no formal presentation). No need to stay for the entire event, though you are welcome to stay the full two hours.
Feel free to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit in the small lawn area near the shelter. There also are some picnic tables at the shelter near the parking lot where we’ll be observing.
In the days leading up to the event, we will update this page with the time that robins are being seen coming into roost so you can plan your evening accordingly.
Parking is available in the small lot attached to the preserve, and along Post Road.
Bathrooms will likely be locked at this site, so plan ahead for bathroom needs.
This event is held during Birdability Week, a national week-long event that celebrates birders with disabilities and brings awareness around the need to make birding as a hobby more accessible. This event is similar to a “Sit” which accommodates folks with mobility challenges (but open to all!), with minimal walking.
Questions? Contact Brenna at bmarsicek@madisonaudubon.org or 608-255-2473
Co-hosted by Badgerland Bird Alliance and Friends of Capital Springs Recreation Area
FIELD TRIP LEADERS: Maggie and Bob Honig
ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES:
Little to no walking
Field trip leader is adept at birding by ear and able to accommodate those with visual impairments
APPROXIMATE DISTANCE FOR WALKING: 0-.1 mile
RSVP REQUIRED? No
American Robin photo by Todd Petit FCC
