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Emilieu

Emilieu

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Deano and I had company for breakfast today.

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My friend says that a visiting robin is said to be the soul of a departed friend come to reassure you that they are ok. I'd never heard that before but it is only two weeks to the one year anniversary of losing milieu - it would have been his thirteenth birthday this week.

:)
 
I hope that is true, I've been wondering about it as since I lost my old mare last summer, there has been a robin who seems to live in or around the stables and comes and helps me muck out every morning. :)

Here he is.

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If it's true what they say about departed spirits - my lot must be a raw bunch because I had four Robins outside one of my sheds Thursday neatly divided into two pairs punching each other up the beak!

They are notoriously territorial - some people say spiteful but they're not! At this time of year ( even in snow ) any pair that tolerates each other are male and female already an item - it's in the male's interest to see that the female he's chosen is well fed on his patch - he will fight and attack anything else - even a stuffed toy if you paint a red breast on it! The size of the red patch is fundamental in the female's choice of bloke - I also reckon the shape is important - if you notice you can tell one from another by red patch shape.

Strangely for a bird - all male Robins defend a territory from all comers throughout the winter - most birds only do this once the urge kicks in with warmer weather and far more importantly - longer daylight hours.

See if you can find the nest later on - they start very early - there will be some that have already begun. It will be usually be about 4 - 5ft off the ground though can be lower or higher but no more than 8ft say - they like to be under cover but open so overturned pots, bins - even in the tractor engine compartment - I've learned to leave the bonnets up in the breeding season. You can watch them safely from 10ft - they won't mind a bit - and get this - the male finds food and brings it back to the female when she's sitting until the chicks are born - both are usually very good parents.
 
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Aww I did not know that thing about departed souls, how nice! I have a robin chum I call Robert who comes to meet me when I'm doing the muck heap so I can disturb some worms for him (her?) Maybe its my late grandma I did buy my horse with my inheritance from her :-)

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We have two at the yard :) The always come over for a look and are reay very tame, mine you I do end up popping out some cereals for them or a bit of my piece :D

Maybe one is dezi as its aways perched on his od stabe door which is now sandy's stable :)
 
mandwhy said:
.....I have a robin chum I call Robert who comes to meet me when I'm doing the muck heap so I can disturb some worms for him (her?)
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If you happen to see him building a nest - it's a her - and if she's singing loudly especially in a regular spot - it's a him! There are many confusing issues - you really need Robin's eyes which are more adapted to seeing in certain wavelengths - (Blue Tit sexes look very different in ultra violet ) thankfully they can all tell which is which very easily!
 
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