Robin

Though gardeners become attached to what they recognise as one particular robin, or ruddock, this is unlikely as in winter, there is a large influx from further north. Fiercely territorial, the apparently sweet robin frequently has heated skirmishes ending in death. Robins sing year-round and at night. One pair nested in a bag of shavings in our sheep trailer, putting it out of action while they happily raised two broods. In the 6th century, St Serf of Culross had a robin that sat on his shoulder as he prayed. Accidentally killed, it was miraculously resurrected by his pupil Kentigern, later St Mungo, founder of Glasgow Cathedral. A robin appears on the city’s coat of arms.