Hundreds of robins make a rare stop in Whitehorse

An unusual number of robins have descended on Whitehorse after a recent snowstorm interrupted their fall migration.

"It's normal for the big numbers to be passing through but it's fairly unusual for them to get grounded in such high numbers," said Cameron Eckert, president of the Yukon Bird Club. "It's what birders call a migration fall-out." 

"It's been incredibly exciting, there's been hundreds, you can see 50 or 70 robins in a tree, and in the Yukon that's a pretty unusual sight." 

On Wheeler Street, Dave Paquet has noticed them.

"In that tree mostly every time I come near it there's a flock of birds that takes off. There are robins everywhere."

The birds migrate from northern Alaska to B.C. at this time of year, but usually do not stop in the Whitehorse area. 

But it won't last.

"They're just out there foraging on people's lawns, bathing in the puddles on the street and feeding on berries," said Eckert.

As soon as the skies clear, the birds will get back on track, heading south.