Susanna's Wildlife Watch - January
In November and December, I was quite worried about what had happened to the Robins in St John’s Garden. For about six weeks, I didn’t see any. In previous years, these gorgeous little birds have been seen regularly on our patch right through the dark months of the year - and heard too, being one of the few species that sing all year round. I checked eBird, and noone else had seen any Robins either. It was worrying. And made me think how great it is to have several of us recording on eBird these days, and how useful it is to upload “complete lists” - ie recording every species seen when out watching birds - because for conservation, knowing where wild, living things aren't is as important as knowing where they are.
Anyway, like the proverbial bus, in the New Year, I saw not just one Robin, but two. It was January 2nd, and our street was empty, and the park was actually locked, so I had been birdwatching through the park railings. I had seen a female Blackbird foraging, which was nice, and a Magpie carrying a stick to an old nest, which was lovely, because carrying sticks means nest building! and made me think how spring is just around the corner…
After about 20 minutes, I was cold and about to head home when suddenly there was a flutter by the top beds. Two Robins were clashing at each other in a flashing kerfuffle of brown wings. They then zoomed off together to the big cherry tree, following each other like fighter pilots, looped-the-loop chasing each other round its trunk, and then disappeared into the sunken garden. Wow. I had never seen a Robin fight before! So of course despite the cold, I hung around. And a few minutes later the two birds reappeared and chased each other back up through the park, swooped over the railings, and zoomed out into Britton Street. And I legged it after them! They both dived under the Tesla outside nr 31, then faced each other in a standoff on the road until one finally withdrew to a first floor windowsill opposite. The other stood his ground. The winner had claimed his street! In winter, this kind of chasing apparently happens around prime foraging spots. It was great to see.
Urban birdwatching is a very pleasing thing to do. To spend a couple of minutes watching a Blackbird rootle or hearing a Robin sing right here in our busy, noisy city (or to catch two Robins having a fight!) is a lovely way to enjoy a peaceful moment doing pretty much nothing, as Sarah says, in our precious little patch of green.