Robins, robins, robins

[Garvey]

Today I've watched two Robins taking it in turns to feed from my bird table. One feeds while the other waits patiently in a small apple tree four feet way. When one finishes feeding they swap places and carry on like this for around 5 minutes. One of them is Eddie - we raised him as a chick after he was blown out of his nest last year. However, I thought Robins are very territorial and what I witnessed this morning must be quite rare?

[Verinda]

I expect the other one is female, they start to put up with each other at this time of year, thinking about pairing up. How brilliant that you raised Eddie from a chick, just the fact that he lived and is still in your garden is great.

[Kirk]

I don't think they fight quite as much as is often reported, will say I have seen many disputes however. If there is enough food why take the chance on being injured.

I have had them nesting in my garden for a few years, usually with much amusement. Had 4 at one time once and watching the antic's was great fun. Garden does normally have enough food to feed all easily and that may have made things easier.

Two years ago I named one of the fledglings "golfball", he/it ate anything it could find. Cannot ever recall seeing it fly, sort of too round and heavy for flying.

One year a group of fledglings would climb a bay bush, get to the top then launch themselves flapping maddly to the maple about 10 feet away. Crash in to that, hit the ground then run back to the bay to start again. Spent a day watching this circular trip they made while sat at the back door, my job being to keep the garden cat free. Eventually they got the idea of flying.

[Glutton4...]

My Folks have one of those big 'feed station' things in their garden. It's always full of birds, and they have at least five Robins visiting it. They seem to take turns, one of a pair acts as 'look-out' on the fence, then they swap...