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RobinErithacus rubecula
Scandinavia to Britain
Nimble. Quick to climb, quick to tire.
1The North Sea2The wind farm3The lit coast4The burning moor5Home wood
Distance300 to 400 miles
TimeOne night
Weight16 to 22 g
StatusLeast Concern
Every autumn Scandinavian robins cross the North Sea at night to winter in Britain, 300 to 400 miles of open water on a body that weighs less than a AA battery.
How they do it
Robins migrate at night and steer by the Earth’s magnetic field. The magnetic compass in birds was first proved in this species, in experiments published in 1972.
What is getting harder
Night migrants are drawn to light. In fog and rain they circle lit platforms, ships and coastlines until they are exhausted. Autumn storms over the North Sea do the rest.
Sources: Wiltschko & Wiltschko, Science (1972); BTO
Field notes · locked
Reach Eastern England in the game to unlock the real story of this journey and add the robin to your life list.
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