Robin Red Breasts

[Spicerack]

Saw one plain as day last week.
Is this an early sighting?
If it is, is it a sign of a cold winter to come?
Do they fly north in spring?
If so where?
Asking primarily for a friend.

[Mamyalynne]

//British Robins are mostly sedentary though a few migrate to Spain and Portugal for the winter. Juveniles disperse from their natal sites in May but very rarely move further than a few kilometres (miles).

In the winter, British birds are joined by continental birds, mostly from Scandinavia.//

Source

http://www.garden-birds.co.uk/birds/robin.htm

[Old_Geezer]

Some robins don't migrate, so you could see one any time of year.

[Old_Geezer]

Also I don't believe robins have the ability to see the future ;-)

[goodgoalie]

Robins don't migrate, most of them are here all year round, but some arrive from the continent in the east of the UK in October. Seeing one not a sign of anything, really.

[Mamyalynne]

Along with many creatures there is much folklore around the Robin.

http://from-bedroom-to-study.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/the-fabled-folklore-of-robin-redbreast.html

[-Talbot-]

Redbreast is one word (better hope your mate doesn't see this)
OG is correct.

[Spicerack]

Ta folks. That's clear. Never seen one in summer though I'm not one to be looking for them either.
Don't see many sparrows, starlings or blackbirds either now. Used to see billions of then( particularly sparrows) when I was a kid.

[zebo]

We had one sitting on the fence for ages last week here, Norfolk.

[-Talbot-]

House Martins ... never see one nowadays used to see loads when I was a kid.

[jno]

ours lives here year-round. No sparrows, mainly because for years there was a sparrowhawk nearby. A few tits, parakeets, magpies and pigeons.

[Ratty2E]

I know they don't migrate as such but I never see them in my garden in the summer either. They obviously don't think my garden has any nesting potential but I'm ok for a free meal in the winter.

[ladybirder]

Well if you hear a beautiful song coming from the middle of a bush in winter it will most likely be from one of our wonderful Robins.

[Patsy33]

I love the little robin. I'm not sure why, but they mean such a lot to me. I get so moved when I see one..

[woofgang]

Mine stay around all year but stop eating from the feeders once they have raised the last brood until it gets cold again....actually all the birds in my garden do the same. The garden is full of insects, seeds and berries and the insect eaters turn up in droves if I am out there gardening but nobody wants bird feeder food while there is plenty of natural stuff around

[douglas9401]

It's mostly Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott these days, Talbot.

[Spicerack]

Old_Geezer

///Also I don't believe robins have the ability to see the future///

Very droll, og,but I do believe many creatures (not necessarily robins)
have an innate sense about many things (including the weather) that we do not/no longer have.

[Chipchopper]

I have resident robins that follow me around in the garden, that are constantly on the lookout for insects to eat, as I do my chores, often regarded as 'the gardeners friend.
In the winter they are often joined by migrant robins from colder climbs.
My little friends are always welcome here.