After three successive days of visits by small numbers (5,7 & 4) of robins, Tuesday afternoon saw the first significant robin incursion of the season on the home property. For a half hour beginning at 4:15 p.m., perhaps as many as fifty robins were observed. No doubt they were brought in by the substantial amount of fruit still hanging from last fall's enormous crop. They stayed on site until about 4:45 chattering as they moved in and out of the trees feeding on the wizened fruit. In the clear, low-angled light of the setting sun, their chests glowed bright orange as if lit from within.

Wednesday when I ventured out into the yard at about 6:30 a.m., 25+/- robins were on hand, again working the apple trees. They may well have been returnees from Tuesday night's flock.