A constant companion .....

No matter what time of the year it is the Robin, recently adopted as the United
Kingdoms favourite bird, that is never far away from you.

Always a willing poser, their confidence in the company of people is truly remarkable.

Very versatile birds they can be found in many habitats, in this case the margins of a reed bed.

Great little characters to be associating with.

Busy busy times .......

I don't think that I can add anything to this post that the images don't already say.

( for viewers from the USA this is our Robin in the UK and Europe ).

An intense stare ........

Over the last couple of months I have been seeing more and more Robins where ever I go, I hope that this is a strong indicator of a very successful breeding season this year.

The other thing that I have also noticed of late is that they seem to be getting more confiding, this weekend on my travels I witnessed countless instances of people being able to approach to within two, maybe three feet of Robins with the birds showing no signs of discomfort or unease, it can't be hunger because insect life is still abundant due to the mild winter conditions that prevail.

Let me give you an example, I met a very nice couple with their new baby girl in a harness around her dads chest.  I  could hardly believe it when he approached a Robin and took some shots with his mobile phone,  they were so close to each other that at first I thought the Robin was sitting on his hand ...... Incredible. 

This little chap was so close that I had to step back a few paces in order to get focus, there is a word I am told,  ( Anthropomorphism ) that covers situations where we try to apply human emotions to our avian friends.

All I can say is that in my opinion this birds expression suggests that it is giving some thought to me and my presence in a rather melancholic manner .

....... weird  ! but a great experience.  

First visit of this Autumn to the Estate woodlands at Grafton Underwood

Bad light and showers sum up the conditions, a plus side however is that wonderful autumnal smell that you get from the shed leaves beginning to gather on the woodland floor, a musty and evocative scent.

I feed up a corner of the woods in Autumn and Winter with a mix of seed and peanuts.

Yesterday I put down the first feed of the year and used the old trick of putting a mossy log down on top of the seed for the birds to land on before dropping down to feed .... it always works.

                                                    Many Marsh Tits

A confident and very territorial Robin

And a host of other birds including small parties of Long Tailed Tits, Chaffinch, Coal Tits, Blue Tits and Great Tits. 

A very  rewarding and enjoyable hour, with Red Kites overhead.

Not quite as tidy as yesterdays Blue Tit .....

This Robin has not quite finished its annual moult and is looking a  bit scruffy around its nether regions, same out building and same pan tiles as earlier in the week, they have such a lovely colour and texture.

Why do Robins seem to disappear in August ?

Many gardeners ask this question of their garden companions, quite simply they retire to undergo their annual moult reappearing again in September. 

We talk of '' confiding '' birds and on this subject the Robin has to be right up there as one of the most comfortable of British birds in and around human activity.

And what feisty characters they are, fiercely defending their territories in fights that sadly sometimes results in the death of one of the opponents. 

A few people have formed relationships with these birds to the point where they will feed on meal worms freely from the hand. All birds have a comfort zone and will take flight if approached too closely ...... the Robin doesn't appear to have read the avian rule book.

                                               Robin in a reedbed ........ not its natural habitat.