Robbie & Ruby robin update

I haven't done a robin update for a while, probably because everything was going along nicely but then of course something changes and within 24hrs it's all different.


After Robbie had paired up with Ruby I eventually realised where they had built their nest as I watched them flying in and out of an old farm building with nesting material.
Both robins were visiting me regularly, coming up to the window sill and Robbie who is the more confident one would tap sometimes at me on the glass, Robbie was also the only one who would eat from your hand.


A couple of weeks ago their visits for food became more regular and I guessed they were now feeding babies as they were taking tiny bits of food to the nest.

All seemed well until last week when Robbie & Ruby were feeding in the garden a third robin appeared and over about 2 days you could see both males fighting when food was put out. They are quite fierce little things, poor Robbie having another bird on his territory.
Well what can you do, I couldn't exactly chase this new imposter robin away so I just tried to separate 2 feeding dishes.


It's at this point I'm not sure what has happened because over the weekend only Ruby seems to be coming for food and Robbie seems to have disappeared. Ruby also seems to have a slightly poorly leg as she's stood on one most of the time and she looks a bit bedraggled.
The imposter robin is still visiting, I recognise him because he looks a bit shifty, his eyes are closer to his brow and he's not as cute as Robbie.


As far as I know I've not seen Robbie for at least 4 days so I'm puzzled as to whether the other one has driven him away, I'm sure he can't be sat on the nest or maybe he's no longer with us. 
Any further updates and I will report back.


This is one of my last pictures of him, happily eating!

Latest on the robins

Very cold and windy today, the jumpers and layers are back on but I suppose we should think ourselves lucky that no snow has appeared like further north.


The birds and the bunnies had all been doing spring things last week but now winter has made a brief return to mine and their routine.


Both Robbie & Ruby are as lovely and friendly as ever and we have reached new levels of trust and friendship, more so with Robbie, Ruby can be a bit timid.

As you may recall they appear quite regularly at meal times and when I open the curtains I can now tap on the window and Robbie flies up to my window ledge to see me and wait whilst I come down to feed him.
Here he is looking inquisitively

He looks right up at me to have his picture taken!

Robbie will go and hunter gather food for Ruby, I often see him giving her a juicy worm or fly.

Of course he takes the easy pickings of what I put out too.

Have you seen those wildlife programmes where if you sit very still and act like a tree and put some food on your arm the birds will come and feed. Well we've gradually managed that here with Robbie, obviously not wanting to make him too tame, but if you sit near the food dish and stretch out your hand with some food in and stay still, he will come and take a couple of pieces.
Excuse the poor quality photo as it came from a video I was making from my view inside the house but here he is taking a piece.

Ruby won't come this near but it's a lovely privilege to see little Robbie up close. Nice to enjoy these moments whilst they last as once the babies are here I guess we won't see them as much and then they tend to disappear over summer when food is abundant.