Up and down the country, and indeed across the whole world, robins have been recently flying through letter boxes and landing on doormats. It is no surprise that these little birds are a favourite on our Christmas cards. At this time of year when the days continue to shrink and the temperatures drop, what other bird still sings like it was spring? Then there’s that welcome flash of colour – as the robin forages through the garden, its red breast shines like a light that refuses to go out. Perhaps it is the robin’s tameness that makes it such a poster bird – you cannot go to the compost heap without being accompanied by a robin. Large eyes brimming with curiosity, the bird watches, waiting for the heap to be disturbed and a worm or juicy grub exposed. Usually keepin