Cyn's Nature Notes: The Squirrel, the Robin and the Wren

Tuesday 30 October 2012

The Squirrel, the Robin and the Wren

I have often written about the magpies following the squirrels, hoping for their food. This morning I saw a robin following the squirrels for apparently the same reason as the magpies. The bird tables were full up, there was a large amount on the ground and yet the robin chose to watch the squirrel from a nearby branch as he visited the bird table and then as the squirrel left with a biscuit, the robin also left the branch and skimming across the lawn, followed the squirrel into the branches of a nearby six feet high conifer, he appeared to be in hot pursuit of the squirrel. However no sooner had he entered the conifer than he flashed out and a sight faster than he flew in, he was followed by a tiny, fiery, rocket like wren, who caught up with the robin on the woodpile and powered straight into him.

The robin, squirrel obviously forgotten, spent the next few minutes preening himself and straightening his feathers.

I can only assume that the behaviour of the wren was caused because he is nesting in the conifer and considered it his territory, I have never witnessed aggression from a wren before.

I have a feeling the robin might feel safer next time feeding from the bird table instead of following the squirrel for crumbs --- if indeed that was what he was doing.

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About this Blog

When we moved to our present home in December 1987, I was very ill and bedridden. My garden was a life-saver, although it was very different then. The first thing I did was to put up bird-feeders, and long hours were spent lying indoors in a recliner. This was when I discovered many things. Do you know the underside of every blue tit’s tail is differently marked? Gradually, over the years, the garden changed. We put in shrubs and plants that would not only enhance the garden, but would also be good for wildlife. The first rabbit we saw was so joyful for us. The deer eat the flowers, prune the apple trees, eat the marrow, and are wonderful to watch. Foxes have been a major part of our wildlife. We have fed them each night for more than 20 years. They are such a delight, especially in late summer and early autumn when there are youngsters. They behave like puppies and are great fun to watch.

I love all wildlife: the mason bees that nest in the brickwork of the bungalow, the hornets that last year made their home in the roof above our bedroom, the bees currently nesting in the roof above the bathroom. On a hot evening, if you stand quietly in the bathroom, you can hear this amazing sound: it is very rhythmic and reminds me of the waves at the seaside. It is made by the beating of the bees’ wings as they fan their nest to keep the temperature at the right level -- how many people have heard that sound? I feel so privileged.

Obviously, I feed the birds. When I open the window in the morning I call “Come on Bobby and Blackie”, and one followed swiftly by the other they fly immediately to the bird table. Each morning, on rising, I make my way to the kitchen and find the squirrels already sitting on the window ledge waiting to be fed. Winter brings the moorhens and spring time the mallards. Our pond is a poor effort from a human point of view, but wild creatures see it differently. On summer days, the grass snakes spend long hours in the pond: eating the fish, froglets, toadlings, newts, and any other living creature they can swallow. Although I hate to see the pond emptied this way, I do enjoy the snakes and feel they are an important part of the balance of nature in the garden. Watching a dragonfly nymph climbing out of the pond, up a plant stalk, and then over the next few hours gradually transforming into a beautiful dragonfly -- these are contented hours well spent.

It has been my pleasure to write and publish a nature column each month. I am always delighted to hear how much pleasure this brings to my readers. I have often been asked if I have written a book, so I am making more of my writings and photography available through this web site and blog.