A MILKMAN has taken a tiny bird under his wing in the bitter winter weather.

This little robin has become so close to Terry Aconley that it regularly flies onto his hand to collect seeds.

The pair are now such firm friends they whistle each other when they say hello and goodbye.

"About six weeks ago I went down to the stables at my home to feed the horses," said Terry, who lives at West Knapton.

"I noticed there was this robin sitting in a bush looking at me - I held out my hand as I was holding some seeds and to my great surprise it came up and took them," he said.

"Usually they are very timid creatures but this one has become so confident it sits on my hand for several minutes at a time.

"Perhaps he decided to come so close to me out of hunger and soon realised I wasn't going to hurt him.

"Sometimes he'll be a bit wary, then he'll grab a couple of seeds before flying into the bush."

Robin - the bird's new name - has now started whistling to greet Terry each day as he goes to feed the horses.

"I'll go down there each day at lunchtime and give a whistle - it whistles back before flying up to greet me," said Terry.

"I took my wife Elizabeth down to see him and he even flew onto her hand. It was amazing."

Updated: 10:29 Friday, January 04, 2002