Companion

I've been spending more time in the garden these last few days, gradually taming the overgrown flower beds. This robin is becoming more confident as we get to know each other. He and the other male robins are on territories now, singing when most other birds are silent but for their contact calls.  Occasionally, he sings his quiet sub-song just above my head.

The robin's confiding nature in the garden is now thought to be an innate behaviour pattern from the days when larger herbivores grazed, browsed and rooted in our ancient woodlands.  The birds watched the aurochs, wild boars and other large beasts as they unearthed worms and other invertebrates , thus providing an easy meal.  The beasts are long gone, replaced by people who till the soil and work their gardens and allotments, and the robin is now the gardener's friend.