Nature can be cruel, particularly when it involves the struggle for survival in a harsh winter.

A young robin which became a familiar visitor to Hambledon Village Shop has died after it was attacked by a stronger bird of the same species.

The robin appeared last month and would fly out of the Christmas tree outside the shop to be fed breadcrumbs by staff. It became so tame that it would hop inside for a look around.

Philip Underwood, who oversees the community-run shop, said that the robin was attacked by another in what was probably a dispute over territory.

"We always recognised the shop robin because it was a young bird, smaller and fluffier than others," he said. 

"We have been feeding and looking after it over the last three weeks. It was so tame that it would come inside. It seemed to make a home in the shop Christmas tree."

"Suddenly this morning I watched its demise. A stronger and bolder robin suddenly appeared and pecked it several times in the neck, killing it.This bigger robin has now taken over its territory."

"But will we want to feed this one? This is a reminder of how cruel nature can be."

(Tuesday January 12th, 2010)