The river walk
Here are a few familiar faces from my social distancing walk. This Mute Swan is one of the aggressive pair which have …
Return to Daisy Nook
In a time before the lockdown I visited Daisy Nook Country Park. It’s in Failsworth, which is a great place to have …
The Madeira outtakes
On the way to Madeira I sit next to a couple and they chat. I say ‘they’ chat, when I mean ‘the …
Fire and water
I’m off on a trip to the far west of Madeira. There’s a lighthouse at Ponto do Pargo which sounds great. Firstly …
When Robin and Blackbird meet
Within bird species there’s a strict pecking order. It’s played out in battles over territory, food and mates. Robins are some of …
Robins – a classic gateway drug to hardcore nature appreciation
It’s lovely light in South Devon today and there are Robins galore: This one appears possessive over its stash of seeds. The …
Sorrowful Robin
Robins are quite different from the common public perception. Here’s one with an injury after a rival had drawn blood. The poor …
10 things I wish I didn’t know about Robins
1. One and a half million Robins are killed by cats in the UK every year That’s a statistic based upon a …
Bird portraits at Stover Country Park
It’s cold and I fancy a walk. There are Black Headed Gulls at Stover Country Park. I love the way their toes …
Appearances can be deceptive
There’s a Robin in beautiful weather at Crime Lake. If anyone wants to start or renew a connection with nature I always …
Marilyn
It’s not 1am. It’s not New York. It’s not 1954. I’m not Billy Wilder. There aren’t 100 male photographers here. There aren’t …
Robin of the day
It wasn’t known that female Robins sing until less than 100 years ago. Male scientists seem to have assumed that they didn’t. …
Pettirosso
European Robins are fascinating. This one is the forest in Italy looks like a youngster, as it has a pale band on …
One bauble left
It appears I haven’t managed to take all the Christmas decorations down in time. There’s one bauble still left: A Robin’s life …
Robins, Robins everywhere
We’re at a nature reserve in Italy, a WWF Oasi called the Lago di Alviano. There are European Robins here and they’re …
Robin Orangebreast
Robins. Humans love them. We’ve developed a whole mythology around them and they form an essential part of our mid-winter iconography. We …
Robin Orange-Breast
Robins don’t have red breasts; they are orange, surely? Maybe they are called red because it’s alliterative with Robin. Maybe they’re called …
Seaton Wetlands
Sunshine; warmth; the feel of spring in the air. It’s a while since I’ve felt that; and that’s also true for wildlife. …
The First Ladybird Book of British Birds – #3 The Robin
I’m leafing through this 1950s Ladybird book when I come across the page for the Robin: Everyone knows the Robin Redbreast At …
Birds in the park
I’ve got a few hours spare this afternoon and the weather is bright. The forecasts are for dull weather for days, so …
Feathered friends
There’s time to visit Stover Country park and see some wildlife today. I’m taking my dad along so he can experience one …
A walk on Orley Common
Orley Common is a true common – absolutely no-one owns it or has ever owned it – it belongs to us all. …
Robbing Robin
This Robin is screaming a song of dominance and intimidation, proclaiming its territory and its swaggering intention to repel any strangers daring …
Robin
There’s a routered Robin portrait at the park which I’m admiring for its child-like simplicity. An then there’s the real thing. Utterly …
Bitter cold
It was bitterly cold out on the Exminster Marshes this morning.
Robins – forty years ago in my nature notebooks
As a twelve year old boy, seeing any wild bird was a thrill. Seeing a Robin was a particularly special occasion, especially …