Everyone loves the Robin, the harbinger of spring. A hardy member of the Thrush family, Robins can be seen foraging for worms and grubs on suburban lawns and urban parks all over North America. They also eat berries. Robins build a mud and grass nest, usually on tree branches, but they also will nest on window sills, under decks, and even on ladders. Adult males are territorial in breeding season, and will attack their reflection in windows (see Myths & Misconceptions for more information about this phenomenon and what to do about it).

The American Robin is frequently predated by cats and poisoned by lawn chemicals. More Robins than any other species come to us for help.

Did you know that those white grubs that might be eating up your lawn are a staple in the diet of baby Robins? While a couple of commercial pesticides are designed to target only the grubs in your lawn, they can still be very harmful when ingested by birds, especially egg-laying mothers and developing babies. Remember, an adult Robin cannot tell if a grub or earthworm has been contaminated with a pesticide before swallowing it or feeding it to a baby.

We understand that nobody likes dead, brown patches of lawn. However, there are highly effective alternatives to the nasty pesticides often used to save the grass at the expense of wildlife. Alternatives include beneficial nematodes and milky spore. You can find them at many nurseries which cater to organic gardeners. Here are some links to start you off:

American Natural Products Co.: http://www.americanatural.com
Arbico: http://www.arbico.com
Extremely Green: http://www.extremelygreen.com
Gardener's Supply Company: http://www.gardeners.com
Home Harvest: http://homeharvest.com