A Little Flash of Red
Some birds become part of our childhood without us ever really noticing it happening.
For me, the Scarlet Robin is one of those.
I remember seeing them in Nanna's garden when I was little.
Tiny birds with bright red breasts, perched among the greenery or moving about the garden.
There was something about that little flash of red that always caught my attention.
I think gardens have a way of becoming part of our memories. Not just the flowers and trees growing in them, but the birds and other little creatures that visit.
The familiar sounds, the changing seasons, and the small things we notice while spending time outside.
Scarlet Robins will always remind me of Nanna's garden.
They're such beautiful little birds. The males have striking red breasts, black heads and wings, and little patches of white. Against the greens and browns of the bush, their colours are quite something.
I love the thought of these little birds going about their lives alongside ours.
While we're tending gardens, hanging out washing, or simply enjoying a quiet moment outside, there's a whole world of activity happening around us.
Birds searching for food, finding shelter, raising their young and moving between the places we've made our homes.
Sometimes, without knowing it, they become part of our stories too.
When I think about the birds I've painted for Feather & Perch, so many have a connection to places I've lived, places I've spent time, or people I've loved.
The Spotted Pardalotes nesting near the dairy on our family farm.
The Superb Fairy-wrens that remind me of Grandma.
Now, the Scarlet Robins in Nanna's garden.
Each one carries a little piece of a different time in my life.
With a young daughter of my own, I wonder which birds will become part of her childhood memories.
Perhaps she'll remember the birds in our garden, or the ones we spot when we're out walking together.
I hope she'll grow up with the same curiosity and affection for the natural world that has stayed with me.
Perhaps one day, a little Scarlet Robin will remind her of something too.
From the Bird Mail Clubs
This Scarlet Robin features on my December Feather & Perch postcard, created from my original gouache painting.
Receive the postcard through the Bird Postcard Club, or choose the Bird Collector’s Mail Club for the postcard, a bird letter with this story and extra bird facts, plus a matching sticker.