In a message dated 2/8/2007 5:23:03 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
As the number of Robins begins to decline keep an eye
on any berry bushes that have retained their berries.  Typically, a
resident male will try to last through the winter and defend one of
these bushes from other over-wintering frugivores like mockingbirds and
Robins from further north.  It's thought that these males are trying to
protect a food source for their own use during the winter,
Casey is right on the money with the above statement.  I was trying to
photograph a winter Hermit Thrush at Maumee Bay St Park last week.  It was not easy
as a male Robin was beating the daylights out of every bird that came close to
his patch of sumac.  I watched the Robin chase off the Hermit Thrush, two
White-throated Sparrows, a Cardinal and he really throttled a Mourning Dove that
landed too close.  What a bully!

I did finally get a nice shot of the Hermit despite the Robin's
aggressiveness.

Good Birding!

Brian Zwiebel

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