Robin

Robin ~ Erithacus rubecula

Robin Redbreast ~ Cock Robin

Happily, Robins are a still common species and are unofficially seen as Britain's national bird. They have been living on and around Newington Green for many years. Most robins remain in the UK all year but some migrate into the UK during winter from Scandinavian countries and some migrate away to Spain and Portugal to escape the cold weather here.

This robin was photographed near to Newington Green, where it is nesting deep in amongst some old ivy (Hedera helix) which grows up against a wall.  Interestingly, the robins chose the ivy rather than a man-made nestbox which was put up a few inches away! This adult bird is visiting some newly-hatched nestlings - and is keeping a wary eye on the camera.

Robins are friendly to humans and can even be trained to eat from a hand. They like to eat insects, worms, fruits and some seeds in winter. However, they are very aggressive to other birds and will defend their territory, sometimes to the death. 

Robins and Folklore

Robins have been included in many poems and there are myths associated with this little bird.  It has always been seen as very unlucky to harm a robin or its eggs and, at a time when people used to capture song birds to keep in cages, it was also unlucky to cage robins for their beautiful song. William Blake

(who illustrated one of Mary Wollstonecraft's books 'Original Stories') wrote in his 'Auguries of Innocence':

A robin redbreast in a cage

Puts all heaven in a rage.

Robins are associated with Christmas, possibly because their song is one of the few to be heard in the winter. The English nursery rhyme, which was first recorded in the sixteenth century, describes the plight of robins during the long cold winter months (when we can help them survive by providing food for them):

The north wind shall blow and we shall have snow

And what will the robin do then, poor thing?

He'll sit in the barn and keep himself warm

With his head tucked under his wing

Poor thing!

July 2011