What do the robins in my yard want most from me? Apparently WATER!
American Robin and American Goldfinch
share a bath in my front yard
American Robins are occasional visitors to my yard, and they may visit your yard frequently. They aren't here for the plentiful seed or nuts or suet or nectar offered in feeders around 3 sides of my house. When they're here, they're checking for their favored earthworms in my yard, but the less-than-fertile sandy soil yields little in the form of earthworms. There are other insects to find in my chemical-free habitat, but what my robins seem to relish the most in my yard is the birdbath.
I have 3-4 birdbaths in my yard during the summer (one is very shallow and evaporates to empty quickly) and 1 heated bath during the winter. Robins are at their birdbathing best during the summer, relishing in the two birdbaths on the sunny side of the house, both which have solar-powered fountains in them.
They're bigger birds and aren't afraid to "go in the deep end", so to speak. They emerge soaked, looking quite a mess!
After their bath, they preen, finishing the cleaning-up process by cleaning and realigning feathers with their beak.
This hot summer has been especially busy at my birdbaths. I hope you've enjoyed seeing a nice variety of birds at your birdbaths as well.
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Barbara, I'd love to have a pond in my yard habitat! Thanks again for your very kind comments.
Renee, I hope you get over to Peoria soon to get your new birdbath before winter (the solar won't work in winter). You and your birds will love it! And don't worry too much about the poop.
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | August 03, 2011 at 09:37 AM
Nancy, Your pictures look just like the robin that comes to my "birdbath"! Haven't gotten your gift yet, but am sure the robins and goldfinches in my Iowa yard are going to love it.
Beautiful pictures (as usual)! I am a proud sister every time I see one of them.
Posted by: Renee | August 02, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Lovely shots Nancy - my birds seem to prefer the little pond I have in the back yard, getting down into the water where the stones line the ledge just under the water. Some are braver than others, the big birds of course, and robins are a favourite...
Your photographs are sensational... such fun to see... thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Barbara | August 02, 2011 at 08:40 AM