hiya bucks in Bourne End, Flackwell Heath, Marlow, Wycombe, Wooburn November 2016 | Page 10

ROBINS Despite being a successful and abundant bird, many robins only survive for one year. Some battling cock robins even kill one another in truly awful fights over territory and the right to mate. In the garden I have often witnessed two males at war. First of all, they posture. This is to demonstrate that one of them is the better and fitter combatant, and that his rival ought to give up before the skirmish begins. When one of them backs down he is still capable of moving on and living elsewhere. Posturing usually takes a few minutes, and is a pre-programmed ritual that all males understand, even if it is their first dual in their first spring. Their natural instinct tells them these signs, what to judge, how to react and what they should to do. The ritual begins with hopping and prancing along in parallel lines when they carefully eye up each other’s size and shape, gauge their physical prowess and decide on their best course of action. If the posturing, threats and showmanship does not frighten off their rival, and both of them fancy their chances of victory, they will attack in earnest. So when I see two robins flapping their wings, ‘singing’ together and rising vertically towards the sky in tandem, I know they are not behaving like sweet birds in a pastoral scene. Jetting upwards in a brawling spiral is unique to robins which can result in death for one and glory for the other. Rarely does the bout end in stalemate. This is because the natural world cannot allow two males to share the prizefighter’s purse. Only one can inhabit this territory and possess all that goes with it. Fighting takes time, energy and skill, often resulting in injury. This means that both individuals can end up being worse off than before the battle. Moreover in heavier conflicts, more serious damage can be inflicted and death can follow. Therefore throughout the animal kingdom, avoidance is sensible because many species do not fight unless they really have to. Mating, build a nest and finding food for their chicks, whether it is one brood, two or even three, will prove to be taxing enough. At the end of summer many successful parents sustain shabby coats due to these stresses, proving life to have been difficult; even if we believe them to have been ‘happy’. Whilst I have witnessed these vicious life and death battles at Millstream Fork, I have only once had the pleasure of them nesting here. This has been disappointing, and I would like another pair to rear their family on the premises again. As a three or four year old, I had a soft spot for robins when I was first told that they sometimes built their homes in discarded kettles, saucepans and other kitchen ware. I was transfixed with why robins would do this and was wide-eyed at seeing actual photographs of these nests. Decades later I still want to see one of these improvised nests for the first time. Even so the important thing for the robin is the practicability of their home in terms of siting, safety and suitability to raise at least one family of chicks. Realistically I am only too aware that these romantic images and yearnings are for children and disappointed adults. Andy Mydellton, author and journalist, leads the South Buckinghamshire registered charity, the Foundation for Endangered Species. Being based in South Bucks, they are in a position to advise people in this area about wildlife. Contact Andy on 01895 520184 email [email protected] www.ffesorg.uk 10 To advertise in Hiya Bucks text or call 07947 349134