Robins?

[ladybirder]

Any about near you?

Every morning when I opened my blinds there would be between 1 - 3 Robins sitting on the fence watching and waiting for me to put some sunflower hearts out for them. Now there are none, not for quite a few days.

Do you think the cold has killed them? Are you still seeing any in your garden, coming to your feeders perhaps?

[ladybirder]

Oh bless him Togo. I hope he survives. The majority have a very short life. One of mine is so brave and will come and sit on top of the feeder as I fill it up.

[jourdain2]

We still have a visiting robin and I saw a new youngster on a hedge when we were dog-walking today.

[Togo]

Survive? He eats like a horse and has already stamped authority over the suet block. First there in the morning and puts me on twitter when I go out to top up. There is also a very tatty and decidedly unpretty Bluetit that is there daily. Feathers that look like they have been half plucked,( was very careful there) colouring that looks like an accident in the bleach factory but another that stands up for himself. We call him scruffy. Costing me a fortune in meal worms and sunflower hearts.

[ladybirder]

They're worth every penny though aren't they Togo;-) I've got my feeder about 2ft from my patio doors which gives me a brilliant view.
Are you feeding Live mealworms Togo or Dried? I don't switch to Live Mealworms until Spring/breeding time but am seriously thinking of getting some now.

Gosh that's early Jourdain. I hope it survives this winter.

[woofgang]

I have got two robins who come to my feeders together....but maintain a careful distance when feeding. Several others live around the garden and come later and one by one. This year for the first time, I have got dunnocks visiting the feeders plus my usual others.

[melv16]

The numbers are swelled by migrants from Europe. This ends up in territorial fights. Both sexes sing and keep territories throughout the year. I get 2 in my garden occasionally and they always end up squabbling.

[bhg481]

Ladybirder - thanks for the information on sexing robins. Using your criteria I think I have a male and a female here:
https://ibb.co/gvk8D4Q

https://ibb.co/P9XLbT9

[burlyshirley]

Amazing ! Whilst putting food out earlier, the robin was sat on a branch watching me, so I had a good look at him - yes, he's male. Thanks for your description lb ....

[Togo]

Didn't go awol. Went to bed early after a tiring drive and my annual CT Scan. Dried mealworms only Lady. Did you know that the EU has designated them fit for human consumption? Welcome to the future for the zero asset citizen.

[ladybirder]

Glad to have been of help identifying your Robins guys and gals. I think the V thing is the best and easiest way. Well done BS.
bhg what a stunning picture of the female in your photo showing off her" beautiful elegant" legs. GK Chesterton got that right. Fab picture I shall keep it.
Woofy how nice, I haven't seen a Dunnock in my garden for several years. Feeling jealous here.
Togo I may attempt a very nutritious cheese pasta & mealworm bake;-) The birds so love the live mealworms but my first order wasn't until April last year but after Jourdain says she saw a baby Robin out and about I might reconsider. It's an expensive game because once they spy live worms every bird in the neighbourhood is at them. Blackbirds can get 30+ in their bills at one go whereas the Bluetits take one at a time.

[diddlydo]

Nobody has told me how I can stop robins from landing a few inches away from me when I'm gardening. Few people understand the extent of my bird phobia!

[ladybirder]

It must be very frightening Diddly and of course as you know it will keep following you if you are digging, saves the Robin digging the worms up itself.
You can get treatment for your Ornithophobia. All phobias are treated through the NHS, I know someone who was terrified of spiders and would run out into the road if she saw one in her house. She wouldn't go back in until either a neighbour went in and removed it or her husband came home from work. A therapist cured her eventually. Any idea why you are scared of them, did something happen to bring this about?

[Googlewerenohelp]

Do a bit of digging and weeding and I bet at least one will appear.
I've seen quite a few in the last couple of weeks.

[ladybirder]

I'm sure you're right google but I am no longer able enough to look after my garden. I wouldn't be surprised if one were to appear any day soon. I shall keep watching.

[Googlewerenohelp]

Sorry to hear that Ladybirder.
For me though, all it takes sometimes is my presence and poking at some soil a few times with a trowel, shoving some wet leaves, or flipping over a brick or bit of wood to attract the attention of one of our red-breasted friends!

[ladybirder]

Yes I've had that time myself google, enjoy and treasure it while you can. When the weather gets warmer I'll be able to sit in the garden and I bet it won't be long before there's a Robin on the fence watching to see what I'm up to. Nice talking to you.

[Togo]

If anyone looks back in on this thread. have a look for "Land of the Wild" which is on BBC2 Wales now. It started at 6pm and goes off at 7pm. There are some tremendous slo mo shots of a bird feeder station and red squirrels at a feeder. You can find it on ch802 on Sky and it may be worth a record, or catch up. It is good.

[ladybirder]

Thanks for that would love to have seen it but only this minute read your post.

[Togo]

If you have Sky, Lady, you can do catch up on channel 802 (BBC2 Wales) or record. It is, I think, a new series over here in the principality and tonights episode was terrific to sit and watch.

[ladybirder]

Thank you Togo but I don't have Sky. In fact I didn't have Netflix until I joined yesterday afternoon.
I'll keep my eyes open to see if it gets repeated anywhere else.