| By Nola Thorpe AT THIS time of the year some people are lucky enough to notice small black and red birds sitting on fences or in low shrubbery around the outer edges of the built-up area. These could be either scarlet robins or flame robins and they come back to our area at this time of the year after having spent the breeding season (spring and summer) in the rainforests. The gorgeous little male flame robin has a bright flame-red colour that extends from its belly right up to its beak. The female is a uniform light brown with a small white spot over the bill. The scarlet robin is not seen as often but has the same visiting routine. It has a scarlet breast and a black throat with a white spot on the head and some white feathers on its wing. The female is brown with a pale red wash on its breast. Another robin that is occasionally seen in ferny gullies is the pink robin. Where the scarlet robin is red, this one is pink. I have seen them at Walkerville and Tarra Valley. Rose robins can also be seen in these forested areas. |  Flame robins. Above, the flamboyant male. Below, the much plainer female. Photos: Pauline Wilkinson  |
But then again we do have a robin that is here all year around and that is the eastern yellow robin. Its name describes it, a beautiful golden breasted bird that can be seen in any of the local bushlands, eg. Tank Hill, Wonthaggi Wetlands, Rifle Range, Baxter's Wetlands and the Campbell Street Bush.
A walk along the rail trail will usually find you a yellow robin, a most obliging little fellow who loves to have his photo taken.
A walk along the rail trail will usually find you a yellow robin, a most obliging little fellow who loves to have his photo taken.