Current Conditions
02/08/12 9:48 AM
St. Johnsbury, VT
Temperature: 9.2 °F
A cold start, with a small bubble of arctic high pressure over us. A storm over the Virginia's will pass well south, bringing high clouds to southern regions today. Sunny and milder tomorrow. Click Here for Full Forecast
January 30 (Lyndonville): Why are there hundreds of robins and cedar wax wings feeding on apple trees in Lyndonville, VT during the month of January? Isn't it a bit early for their migration north?
Charlie Browne replies: Birds tend to flock together in non-breeding seasons because of the uneven distribution of food; some locations may have abundant food; others may have none. Flocking also offers protection from predators and, in many cases, opportunities to actually communicate information about food sources and/or predators (just listen to the flocking crows and jays!)
Robins and Cedar Waxwings follow food and do not need to migrate because of our cold winters. Their presence means they are finding what they need, and are letting others know about it!
