Raindrops & Robins: Where Do They Hide? | Tales from Inside My Nest

April showers bring May flowers, or so the saying goes. But on a particularly soggy afternoon, while the rain taps rhythmically on my window, I can’t help but wonder: Where do the robins go to shelter?

The robins, those cheery harbingers of spring, are suddenly nowhere to be seen. The lawn, once dotted with their red feathers and cheerful trills, is now an empty canvas. The trees, normally filled with their perky little heads cocked toward the sky, stand still and silent. Even the air, thick with the scent of wet earth, seems to be holding its breath. But where have the robins gone?

Of Robins & Rain: A Story Of Spring Awakening

where do robins go when it rains nature journal page example with handwritten notes and sketches

Perhaps, like us, they’re huddling under cozy blankets, sipping hot tea and waiting for the storm to pass. But, of course, they don’t need tea. Their feathers, weathered and robust, offer them the kind of warmth we can only dream of. They are creatures of the elements, masters of adapting to nature’s whims. So where, I wonder, do they take refuge when it rains?

I keep looking out of the window, hoping to unravel this little mystery. The usual places seem quieter than usual—the bush by the fence, the crook of the oak tree, the birdbath. Yet, no robin appears to be taking shelter here. Perhaps they’ve found a more secretive sanctuary.

As I sit in my chair, my thoughts meander. Could they be nestled deep within the dense underbrush, hidden beneath the protective canopy of damp leaves? I imagine them there, feathers puffed up, their little eyes darting warily at the wet world around them, waiting for the storm to pass. The undergrowth must feel like a secret kingdom, safe and dry, where only the bravest robins dare to venture.

Or maybe, just maybe, they’ve found shelter in the hollows of trees, in a snug little nook where branches intertwine, offering a natural umbrella. Can you picture it? A group of robins, snug and cozy, as they ride out the downpour with nothing more than the soft rustle of their feathers to keep them company. They’re probably sharing stories of their adventures, chirping away to each other, while the world around them is drowned in a symphony of raindrops.

And there’s another possibility. Perhaps they’ve flown to the very edges of the garden, where the shed stands, its roof a makeshift refuge from the rain. A robin might perch there, keeping a watchful eye on the world below, where the worms wiggle to the surface, tempting the bird to venture out into the damp. But not yet, not until the storm lets up. There’s no rush for a robin, is there? It knows the rain will end, just as it always does.

As I sit back on my chair, the rain slows, its frantic rhythm softening. The robins, perhaps sensing the change in the air, begin to reappear. A gentle flash of red here, a flutter of wings there. They are back, like little droplets of joy on the landscape, shaking off the last remnants of the storm. The world has come alive once again, and with it, the robins are ready to embrace the day.

Where do Robins Go When It Rains?

So, where do robins go when it rains? Perhaps they hide, yes, but not out of fear. Instead, they take shelter as any wise creature would: in quiet, hidden places, in dense shrubs or thickets, waiting for the world to right itself. When the storm passes, they emerge—undaunted, unruffled, and ready to carry on, just as we should.

And as I stand, watching them shake off the last drops of rain, I’m reminded that sometimes, the best things in life are worth waiting for.

Sadie @ InsideMyNest

Hi 👋, I’m Sadie—wife to a super supportive husband (also my business partner) and busy mum of two young children (the biggest miracles of my life). Every illustration you see here has been hand-illustrated by me (with several hours spent on some of them… yes, think I’m still a bit old-school), and all images are original photos that I have taken myself or of my own handmade creations. But I’m no expert, or have had any specialised training—just someone who is learning and would like to share that learning journey with like-minded individuals who are on the same boat as me :)

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