Robin redbreast

There are some really fearless robins at Harlow Carr.  This one came and perched right beside me on a bench, checking out, I suppose, whether I was munching something that might make crumbs. (Sadly, I wasn't.) It reminded me of being a little girl and 'helping' my grandpa in his garden. There, he was on such friendly terms with a robin that it would come and perch on his spade handle. There's little wonder that they are one of our nation's favourite birds. 

I think our robins are quite a lot different from those found in America. There is a poem by Louisa May Alcott that goes: 

Welcome, welcome, little stranger,

Fear no harm, and fear no danger;

We are glad to see you here,

For you sing, "Sweet Spring is near."

Now the white snow melts away;

Now the flowers blossom gay:

Come, dear bird, and build your nest,

For we love our robin best.

Nice sentiments but British robins are mostly not migratory and stay with us all year round, which is why they often feature on Christmas cards. So they are not heralds of spring, but always welcome to see.