King Robin

As winter closes in we are witnesses to a series of bird battles which seem almost comical but which are, in fact, deadly serious. They are about territory, for domination within a territory, particularly a rich one like ours with its multiple feeders, offers the best chance of survival through the cold months ahead.

The main protagonist is a robin, perhaps one of the most aggressive of his species we have ever encountered. He takes on everything - house sparrows, dunnocks, grey, blue and coal tits. In the picture he's seen defending 'his' new bird feeder against a blue tit and a coal tit.

This time last year we had four robins in the garden. This year, although we have seen a second robin on a couple of occasions, this one seems to reign supreme. However, he has a long road ahead of him, one which we will watch King Robin tread with great interest - and some amusement.