Wrens And Robins

[sherrardk]

I have a wren (or wrens - can’t tell, they look the same, seem to spend a lot of time on the hopping around my fence) and a robin visiting regularly. What’s the best way and thing to put out for them that I can make cat proof? I’ve a window bird feeder, but apparently the wrens and robins don’t like to feed from one. Just looking for imaginative solutions

[ladybirder]

Sherr have a look this RSPB link, all sorts of feeders to choose from. Just don't put them where cats can hide nearby such as under bushes etc. High up is best, near a tree, so that the birds have a somewhere to hide quickly if they see danger.
Robins will come to window feeders but wrens won't as they usually peck around under hedges etc. Sunflower hearts will attract all sorts to your feeders as many different birds love them.
https://shopping.rspb.org.uk/bird-feeders/

[sherrardk]

Thanks LB, I’m not very good with birds but the little tiny wren and the friendly robin are to personable to ignore. Love my cat (very lazy in Winter) but don’t want to lure birds as prey for him.

[Chipchopper]

Adult robins have a red breast, both sexes look alike.
Wrens are a tad smaller with a cocked tail
Meal worms go down well with both (Put It somewhere safe away from cats)

[roopower]

Agree with chipchopper the birds will love mealworms. Live ones are best but if you can't face that dried ones are good, soak in water for a while to soften them up a bit

[ladybirder]

Sherr I'm sure you will enjoy learning the names of the different birds that will come to your garden, it's absolutely fascinating. They will bring such joy, honestly:-). And to your children.

[Barmaid]

Wrens and Robins are feisty birds. If they see my cat, they yell at him til he runs away with his ears bleeding.

[Khandro]

As far as I know, you cant feed wrens as they live on a diet of spiders.

[ladybirder]

And Robins are the ones that come closest to you when you are in the garden, especially if you are digging and they are after the worms. You can tell the male from the female Robin as on the female the red is more pointed on the brow and on the male it is rounded.

[ladybirder]

Wrens just love cheese Khandro, as do Robins:-)

[sherrardk]

I had wanted to put cheese out but unfortunately the cat loves cheese too.

[ladybirder]

Oh dear. You can buy hanging bird dishes that you could hang from the branch of a tree? Have you tried putting grated cheese in your window feeder? The Robin is the main bird that comes to my window feeder but at this time of the year there is still plenty of food in the countryside. In a few weeks and I will be surprised if you don't have one feeding at your window.

[Khandro]

Never heard of wrens eating cheese! You can help wrens by not removing spiders webs from your hedges etc.

[ladybirder]

I love to see a beautifully woven spider's web hanging in the frost or dripping with rain in my garden Khandro. It is annoying when I can't get to the shed because of one though.