Bird of month - Robin

This has to be the bird of the winter for most people. It is extremely common in our gardens at this time of the year, but it is also very easy to find in the countryside and throughout the Blackwater Valley. We all know the Robin to be a confiding bird, happy to take food from our bird tables and feeders and also to keep us company in our gardens while we work, in winter as much as any other time of year. They look much fatter in winter of course as they puff up their feathers to retain warmth.

Our Robin population is boosted by a few migrants in winter although it is generally thought that these birds are on their way to warmer climes such as Spain. Falls of Robins often occur on the east coast and these birds can spread out as they work their way south on passage. However, Robins are largely sedentary and they normally breed within a few kilometres of their place of birth. It’s widely known that our Robins in the UK are more friendly towards people than their European counterparts. This is probably why they are said to be the nation’s favourite bird!

Breeding in every month of the year has been proven for this species. I have personally heard and seen Robins singing by streetlamps in deepest winter many times and this is quite common behaviour. There are many stories about where they nest. Garden sheds are often mentioned, wood piles and odd corners in the garden, even in wheelbarrows left full of rubbish over winter, roof eaves also provide them with tempting places to nest, especially if we put out food for them all the year! They will be tempted by open-fronted nest boxes in many gardens.

In the Valley in winter they can be often seen sitting on fences, on the top of bramble bushes or just flitting from one side of the path to the other making their ‘tic’ ‘tic’ sound or singing their winter song of melancholy but fluid and crystal clear notes. In spring the melancholic song changes to one of brighter notes and quicker tempo, but it’s still very recognisable. While traditionally believed to be a bird of woodland they have adapted to live anywhere in scrub, undergrowth, parks and gardens. So if you see no other bird while walking in the Valley this winter you really ought to find and recognise a Robin!

Colin Wilson

Bird Report Editor & Records Co-ordinator, Reading Ornithological Club. www.theroc.org.uk                

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