Little Robin, Loyal Friend

The skies over Wattlebury have periodically been filled with swallows over the last two weeks. Diving and soaring - practising for their epic journey once more. The hedgerow where the dainty Chiffchaff uttered his rather monotonous and incessant tones is now silent. There will of course be our winter visitors - we look forward to that - but of our resident birds we all love the Thrush family. The Blackbird with its beautiful song,  the loud and rather harsh song of the Mistle Thrush and the clear and tuneful Song Thrush.
Mum, undecided even as she reached Wattlebury Village Hall where the EU referendum was taking place in June,  says she made her mind up about which way to vote  in the car park.
​"The Song Thrush said 'Vote Leave, Vote Leave' Gordon" she told me. "And so that's what I did"
But our favourite of the family is the Robin. With his clear, high and very varied sweet notes and twitters, he brightens the darkest of winter days. Who can be miserable with such unrivalled enthusiasm for life and with such a bright and cheery redbreast! No wonder everyone loves the Robin. Mum once told me that her favourite Christmas card has snow, a postbox , a robin and a liberal scattering of glitter on the front of it.

As others leave, you still remain
With cheery song, come sun or rain
​Hopping, bopping, flitting through
​Dear Friend Robin, loyal and true.

Gordon xxx