Earlier this week, I saw my first American Robins (Turdus migratorius) of the year, a traditional harbinger of spring. I remember my parents telling me when I was young that robins are a sign of the imminent arrival of spring and that association remains strong in my mind to this day. That association also gives me the change to use the word “harbinger” at least once a year.
The snow from our recent big snowstorm is almost gone and I will soon be seeing more signs of spring, like crocuses and daffodils and increasing numbers of birds, signs of new life and new energy and new color after a cold, gray winter.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
I heard a robin singing one early morning this week. The weather is still horrible, but that birdsong was literally music to my ears. Just the right thing to lift my spirits!
My wife saw a Robin yesterday while freezing rain was falling. Part of the advance unit I guess.
I was always told the same thing. I’ve seen several here.
I think that it is regionally specific. I grew up just outside of Boston and it may be the case that there are no Robins in New England during the winter. I think we have them year-round here in Virginia.
Really, Mike? We have robins all year round up here in Gaithersburg. I remember them as a sign of spring from my New Jersey childhood.
We have them here year round too, but somehow my childhood association of robins with spring comes to mind when I see them at this time of the year (or maybe I am so desperate for spring to come that I will create my own signs to reassure myself).