Rockin’ Robin!
WE don’t often talk about robins outside of winter but this is one bird that delights us all year round.
And I have had the pleasure of receiving a number of pictures of a young robin growing up on one of our nature reserves.
Of course robins are courageous birds and this little fellow definitely was not camera shy.
It posed for a number of photographers charting the first six months of its life
n one or two of the shots it definitely hadn’t combed its feathers and was looking dishevelled after coping with the wet and windy spring and summer we have suffered in the north west.
Robins are a territorial bird and this is why we see them so often.
They will approach humans and other birds informing us in no uncertain terms that: “This is my territory, now hop it!”
They will even fight with other robins to defend their manor and this would explain why you will only see one or two birds in your garden at any one time.
In fact, if a robin comes to your bird table it is probably going to be the same one or one of a pair, with a nest nearby.
During the breeding season a male will allow a female into its territory to build a nest but usually they are hopping around on their own.
Other ways to know a robin is in the area is by its loud territorial song.
It will sit on a prominent perch and let fly with clear and varied song.
I have been told that a robin’s repertoire of song increases as it gets older. There are also subtle differences between different robins of different ages.
The male robin also sings with more passion in the morning and during the mating season, when he is keeping rivals away from his lady friend. The robin is the UK’s most popular bird and one of the most widespread.
They will nest in odd places like plant pots, old wellies and shelves – ivy and other shrubs are their natural choice.
For those of you who don’t know, robins are brown above with a white belly and a famously red breast.
Our young robin went from a mottled, spotty, golden brown to a red breast which gradually appeared by the end of summer.
We must all appreciate robins in our gardens, they will sit on your spade awaiting your labour as you dig up worms for their lunch.
They will jump into a ruckus of sparrows and starlings, standing their ground as they feed on bird tables. I have always loved robins but watching one grow up week by week will stay in my thoughts for a long time..
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