ON THE BACK: The robin, popular with so many of us, is in fact highly territorial and quick to drive away unwelcome visitors. Being one of only a few birds to do so, robins hold territories all year round so can be heard singing throughout the year. There are estimated to be 6,700,000 territories in the UK. Robins have evolved to be active at times of low light when most other birds are in their roosts. They are often the first to start singing at dawn and the last to stop doing so at dusk.