Robins Will Be Scared Away from Your Garden Due to Key Mistake
Robins are a familiar sight in gardens across the UK, often brightening the landscape with their tiny red breasts as winter approaches. These charming birds, however, are very selective about where they choose to settle.
If you want to increase your chances of seeing robins this winter, it’s important to consider the right conditions for placing bird boxes in your garden.
Proper Bird Box Installation for Robins
Lucy Taylor from Vine House Farm Bird Foods explains the purpose of bird boxes in gardens:
"Bird boxes installed in gardens serve two crucial purposes. The first is obviously to offer suitable nesting habitat, often replacing the increasingly scarce natural nest sites like holes in trees."
Robins have unique nesting needs compared to other garden birds. Taylor adds:
"Unlike other garden bird species, robins have two distinct requirements. Firstly, the nest box must be open-fronted, and secondly, it needs to be relatively well hidden - for example, within a climber against a wall - for the robin to consider using it."
Robins' Secretive Nesting Behaviour
Robins are very secretive about their nests and will avoid their nesting site if they feel watched. This is why, despite being common garden breeders, many people don’t know the exact locations of robin nests.
"Robins won't even approach their nest site if they suspect they're being observed."
This cautious behaviour means robins require carefully placed, discreet nesting spots to feel safe and to breed successfully in gardens.
Key Takeaway
To attract robins, use open-fronted nest boxes that are well hidden to respect their secretive nature and provide a suitable breeding environment.
Author’s summary: Robins need open-fronted, well-hidden nest boxes in gardens to feel safe and breed, as they avoid nesting sites if they suspect nearby observers.