You know, that whole butter wouldn't melt in their beaks, cover of kindergartners' coloring books thing and all? Yeah, that is fake news. Robins are the most combative, aggressive, battle-loving birds you can imagine. It's a wonder they don't wear kilts and clan tartan, so fiercely do they make war every day. Right now it's time for them to work out who gets the best spots on the Northview Farm eaves, branches, porches etc. and they are going at it hammer and tongs...or should I say beaks and feathers? I was standing in the driveway at just about dawn, trying to get a photo of a large bird in the distant hedgerow (crow, alas) when something brushed right past my leg with a whoop and a flutter. I mean they were THAT close! Two male American Robins, so engrossed in fighting that they didn't even notice me. They went INSIDE the upturned lawn fertilizer spreader (!!!) to continue the fight. What a clatter. I could hear them in there right at my feet and wondered if I should tip it up so they could escape. But no, after a few more curses and mutters they emerged, the victor spitting feathers and acting like he was all that and a bucket of rice. I had to laugh.