Telegraphic address

There's a telegraph pole where I wait for the bus and every fine day recently there's been a cock robin perched at the top singing. It's an excellent position to survey the territory and advertise your presence to any passing hen robin.

Robins are sensitive to light and start singing as soon as dawn breaks.  Researchers have discovered that in illuminated urban settings where robins may sing all night their energy is reduced and they are less able to compete with robins from dimmer surroundings who get a good night's rest. It's one of the many ways that environmental changes have compromised the natural order of things.

Although it's a distant shot I was pleased to catch the robin at full throttle. This is the song that emerged.