All white Christmas

A snowy white robin has been wowing people strolling across Hampstead Heath's Parliament Hill. It's an albino.

Albino birds are quite common but rarely survive for long, they normally have weaker systems than usual and they're far too conspicuous to predators. The robins' timing couldn't be better with Christmas almost upon us. Our national bird is forver linked with the season thanks to its cheery red breast. You've got to love robins. They sing all year round, male and females look alike and mate for life. While they need to eat half their body weight each day to survive they're not mean. Robins are known to feed the hungry chicks of other birds as well as their own offspring. You've got to love 'em.

So, what of our snowy white robin? I'm told it's still putting in appearances between the tennis courts and William Ellis school. I wish I could share a photo of it with you.

This albino robin should have all it needs to survive winter on the Heath. Other birds and wildlife may not be so lucky. Extra food and maybe even new nestboxes are always welcome this time of year. Show some Christmas spirit, take a leaf out of the robin's book and be generous feeding wildlife.