Petersfield Robin

The European Robin (Erithacus rubecula), known simply as the Robin or Robin Redbreast in the British Isles, is a small insectivorous passerine bird, specifically a chat, that was formerly classified as a member of the thrush family (Turdidae) but is now considered to be an Old World flycatcher.

Well known to British and Irish gardeners, it is relatively unafraid of people and drawn to human activities involving the digging of soil, in order to look out for earthworms and other food freshly turned up. Indeed, the robin is considered to be a gardener's friend and for various folklore reasons the robin would never be harmed.

The Robin in this picture was photographed in a tree close to the edge of Petersfield Pond in Hampshire - it was seemingly following us around (probably hoping to be fed some seed or mealworms, and was happy to keep posing for photographs.

Petersfield (Heath) Pond is situated a short walk from Petersfield Town Centre and is a popular local walking destination, frequented by young mothers, the elderly and photographers. At all times of year there is an abundance of a variety of waterfowl, including Mallard Ducks, Canada Geese, Egyptian Geese, Mute Swans and Crested Grebes - most of which are tolerant of people, as locals regularly take along bread or seed to feed the birds.