The Robins that arrived here in mby about 20 days ago have had it rough no doubt. First the re-plunge into full winter mode, then practically zero days warm enough for even minor insect activity let alone earth worms coming out. For the first time in my life I had one eating at my bird feeder. I watched closely and it seemed to be going after 2 items of interest - the dried fruit and the rendered beef fat on the fresh suet cake I had just set out there. They'd be doing fine from GR on south but over-shot the landing coming this far north. Been an ugly trickster pattern so far this late winter and early spring. Cheers to April's hasty approach!

Just a few more days remain of the shadow of the next door skyscraper fully blocking our windows.

Thanks! Maybe it's the weather that is headed for mid-season form early?

you're already in mid-season form..impressive

April As we approach April here is some weather history for April. All records and reports are for Grand Rapids Michigan. On April 1st the sun is up for 12 hours and 44 minutes by Apri 30th the sun is up for 14hours and 4 minutes. For the month the average mean temperature is 47.6° the H/L starts out at 52/32 on the 1st and by the 30th it is 64/43. The average rainfall is 3.99” and the average snowfall is 2.0” Here are some of the top 5 for April at Grand Rapids. Keep in mind that the official weather reporting location has moved several times over the years. In the early years up to 1910 the official weather station was at the Evening News office and that newspaper later became the Grand Rapids Press in 1913. In 1910 the official weather station moved to the post office, it stayed at the post office until March 29th 1930 when it moved once again to the National Bank Building. In July 1939 it moved to the old airport on what is now Roger B. Chaffee Drive. And in 1963 it moved to the current airport location. So now to the top 5 over the years. Warmest mean 1. 53.8 in 1915 2. 53.7 in 2010 3. 53.7 in 1896 4. 52.8 in 1955 5. 52.7 in 1921 Coldest mean 1. 37.6 in 1907 2. 39.6 in 1950 3. 39.8 in 1975 4. 40.1 in 2018 5. 40.4 in 1904 Wettest 1. 11.10” in 2013 2. 8.29” in 1909 3. 7.19” in 2011 4. 6.39” in 1999 5. 6.33” in 1947 Dryest 1. 0.39” in 1942 2. 0.77” in 2005 3. 0.77” in 1899 4. 0.85” in 1915 5. 0.98” in 1932 Snowest 1. 15.6” in 1961 2. 12.4” in 1982 3. 11.2” in 1926 4. 10.5” in 1952 5. 10.0” in 1975 Most snow on the ground 1. 10” in 1975 2. 9” in 1970 3. 7” in 1982 4. 7” in 1961 5. 6” in several years The record high for any April day is 90 on April 29th 1899, In 2nd place is 88 Also on the 29th in 1970, in 1942 it reached 87 for 3rd place and there are several years when it reached 86 in April. The record low for any April day is 3 on April 7th 1982. It got down to 10 on April 3rd 1965 down to 12 on April 5th 1995, 13 on April 1st and 3rd 1954 and down to 14 on April 11th in 1973. We now will have to wait and see how April 2026 will play out.