Sir, – Over the past fortnight, early in the morning, I’ve noticed a robin hovering like a hummingbird when he feeds on the suet-balls in my garden bird-feeder. Although he can only sustain this rapid wing motion for seconds at a time, the display lasts for a few minutes.
As soon as he starts, an admirer invariably appears on a nearby branch – and stays until the virtuoso performance is over. Then, for a brief moment, the pair appear to stare intently at each other, before flying off – together. You don’t need to be a David Attenborough to see the chemistry between them.
Observing this blossoming romance through the kitchen window brings a smile to my face – before I put on the kettle, turn on Morning Ireland, check The Irish Times headlines and the emails on my phone, and prepare for the day ahead. With the prospect of noisy chicks to come, the wonder of nature never ceases to amaze. – Yours, etc,
CHRIS FITZPATRICK,
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Dublin 6.