Where is the Robin in Your Yard Headed on Migration?

In late August, some bird species will begin to migrate south including warblers, shorebirds, and nighthawks. The first of the American robins will leave too, though peak migration occurs in October or November.

American robins are very specific to their breeding territory. In other words, there is a good chance the same robin has been waking you up each morning for years. But, where will this individual go on migration?

Where will the robin in your yard migrate to?

A. Georgia

B. Texas

C. Florida

D. Mexico

E. All of the above

The answer is E! Although American robins return to the same breeding territory year after year, when they migrate south it’s anyone’s guess where they’ll go.

Robins gather in large flocks and are “nomadic” during migration, even traveling between those destinations in winter. Their comfort with a “nomadic” lifestyle is probably why we see robins sticking around Wisconsin during mild winters.