In the heart of Surrey's stunning Winkworth Arboretum, a magical wildlife encounter unfolded that perfectly captured the gentle transition into autumn. As leaves turned to shades of maroon, crimson, copper, amber and gold, one small bird created an unforgettable moment of connection.
A Landscape in Transition
The arboretum presented a picture of slow, beautiful change. With every breath of wind, leaves detached from their branches and floated gracefully to the ground. The spongy bark of a coastal redwood yielded under careful fingertips, while a single downy feather caught in a crevice marked where a tree creeper had roosted overnight.
The usual birdlife had quietened significantly, leaving only the cawing of carrion crows from treetops and the occasional croak from a ring-necked pheasant hiding in the bracken. High above, the wispy voices of a pair of goldcrests could be heard as they probed for insects in the canopy of a weeping Japanese maple.
An Intimate Avian Encounter
At the wetland viewpoint, something extraordinary occurred. A robin alighted on a fence beside a visitor and began to sing through its closed bill – producing a soft, breathy echo of its full-throated spring melody. After a few phrases, the bird flitted over to settle within touching distance of another observer.
His throat trembled as he delivered a quiet, intimate melody – a performance that felt intensely personal. Each time the robin paused, the observer responded by murmuring compliments about his handsome appearance and lovely song, expressing gratitude for sharing such a special moment. The robin cocked its head, seemingly responding to these gentle words, transforming the interaction into a conversation of sorts.
Understanding the Robin's Whisper Song
This behaviour represents what ornithologists call the robin's whisper song – a muted version of their familiar tune used in close company. This structured, deliberate performance serves to court a female or signal presence to a nearby rival without provoking aggression.
This whisper song differs significantly from subsong, which consists of quiet, rambling warbles typical of rehearsal. Subsong is often performed from the dense cover of a hedge or bush by adults maintaining their vocal skills through autumn and winter, or by juveniles learning their repertoire – much like toddler babbling in human terms.
When other visitors strolled past, the robin companion fluttered to a mossy stump and resumed his quiet recital. In a landscape gradually easing into winter dormancy, his gentle whisper song provided the perfect soundtrack to this precious autumn moment.
This heartwarming encounter at Winkworth Arboretum serves as a beautiful reminder of the intimate connections still possible with our wildlife, even as nature prepares for its winter rest.
