Birds often practice singing like this during Autumn/Winter - first year birds particularly and most commonly Robin, Dunnock, Blackbird. It's called subsong.
CJ
Hi CJ,
Thanks for clearing it up for me, I had no idea it was called that!
Though I guessed he might be practising :) Thanks!
Here's a video clip from 2012 of one of my Robins doing the exact same thing. You will often find Robins twittering away like this. Over the years I have heard several juveniles doing this as their early attempts at song. Young Male Blackbirds do the same thing and to a point they also sound like Robins. It's nice to see that Gary is ok with you approaching him with the camera. More clips please...
Unicum arbustum haud alit duos erithacos
(One bush does not shelter two Robins)
Zenodotus (3rd Century B.C.)
I love hearing the birds churp!!