Robins feeding from seed feeder.

I'm new to this forum (but not to DG). My DH and I have had an assembly of bird feeders for over 25 yrs. For the first time we have a pair of robins eating sunflower hearts and chips from a pole feeder. They are at the feeder all day and have been for about a week. We find this very unusual. I'm going to try to get a pic. It is really that unusual?

That is different! I've never seen that!

Here is a photo I just shot. He/she is still at the feeder. Has been off and on all day for over a week.

Is that snow on the ground? If so than thats probably why because berries are scarce in March and they probably can't get earth worms in frozen ground.

There is snow cover melting from a recent storm. We have had a record total snowfall this winter. The ground isn't frozen though. I just put a raingage on a stake in the yard and there was no resistance. But, the ground is super saturated with water and has been for weeks. Very unusual for these rapid draining sandy soils we have here to be this saturated. You shoes leave impressions on the lawn which puddle up with water. Lack of normally available food makes good sense.

I have the same thing happening here, not on the feeders, but eating the food I put down for my ground feeders.

I noticed it yesterday. I thought Robins would not eat regular bird food. The are really chomping up the sunflower hearts.

I'll try to get a picture of them later today or tomorrow to post.

Glad you asked that question Snapple45. I am new to birding this year and did not want to appear any more stupid than I am!

GG

Well GrannyGrunt - I've been feeding birds in this yard with about 10 feeders since 1978. And I still know next to nothing - except what seeds they like the best and if you have water available year round they come a plenty. How interesting that this Robin seed eating thing is a broad regional phenomena. There are no dumb questions. Just nice people at DG who will so gladly share information.

They'll eat that sort of food readily, it's just that (usually!) they are not agile enough to take it from hanging feeders. But needs must.

Resin

Yes, snapple45, the folks on the forum are fantastic. I have learned so much from them and have so much to learn.

I hope I can get a picture of the Robins eating the food on the ground. There was one out there a bit ago, but a Grackle came roaring in for a landing and the Robin flew off.