Robin, a friend and a fierce foe

THE robin is the commonest bird recorded in Irish gardens, according to BirdWatch Ireland’s garden bird survey.

It’s also the most popular bird in Ireland, according to a poll carried out on RTÉ Radio some years ago. And I’ve noticed when I visit primary schools it is one of a tiny handful of Irish wild birds that all children can identify correctly.

Perhaps the only other species with equal brand recognition is the swan, and that isn’t a fair comparison because there are three species of swan in Ireland and only one species of robin.