To worry about 'my robin'?

[InAPickle12345]

I know I am really!

But I've had a robin who's been visiting for 3 months minimum (maybe the same one previous years too? 😂) ... minute I open the patio door, he or she is straight down to me. I feed her/him every day, buy little worms and treats. But we've had a cold spell, -7 at its worst and consistently at least -4 every morning for the last 10ish days and no sign of them. It's warmed up yesterday. No sign yesterday, hoping to see them today... but what happens to robins in this cold weather? Tell me they survive it?

I'm irrationally concerned about 'my robin' 🙈

My Robin is happily bashing away at the fat balls! And the blackbirds and various tits are too. They have to work a bit harder, but seem to be gradually demolishing them. I can't put stuff on the ground or a bird table due to rats! The Dunnock lives under the fat ball feeder picking up the bits that get dropped.

@InAPickle12345
PP have mentioned that Robins have a short life. Whilst the average age is believed to be around 2 years, some get quite a bit older. The oldest recorded was 12. I recaptured a robin last month that was at least 6 years old ( I'm a trainee bird ringer licensed to capture and ring garden birds).
This morning I was out on my usual walk where one of the local robins sat on my hand eating mealworms. He was lovely! Best thing to encourage Themis live mealworms held out Ona flat palm as your first offering of the day. Initially they will have a good look. If they aren't keen leave the food nearby so they get their treat. After a few mornings you should get lucky.

The European longevity record is much longer (19 years 4 months + - https://euring.org/data-and-codes/longevity-list?page=4) V impressive for a little passerine, though House Sparrow is even longer (19 years 9 months+).

@GerundTheBehemoth
Amazing isn't it!

Yessss!!! My worry is over - look who's back 🥰 He was obviously just hiding away the last week from the frosty weather

Thanks for all the interesting insights on my little robin buddy! Going to try and get him to start coming into my palm... that would honestly brighten every single day 😭

Wonderful news, @InAPickle12345 - thanks for updating us!

They are particularly friendly with humans especially gardeners aren’t they. Apparently not so in other countries which is supposed to be because they were hunted elsewhere.

Yes!
A couple of years ago I read an article about a medium, the difference being it wasn’t a middle aged woman with long hair and flowing clothes, it was a young man with muscles and tattoos.
In the article he said if you believe they will send you a sign. My first reaction was scepticism, not sure my dead grandmother was going to visit me at any time.

Ten minutes later I went outside to check on the washing and a robin flew straight towards me and at the very last minute flew over my head missing me by inches.
Yes you’ve guessed it my grandmother always fed robins and had several over the years who are from her hand.

Hope your robin returns op; fingers crossed.

I'm delighted! I've been opening and closing the door constantly for days in the hope he'd hear it and pop back to me... I think I need to get out of the house more 🙈😂

I put some nuts out for the squirrel, because it was looking quite think, but I see the birds have been at them as well.

Oh, this was such a lovely thread to stumble across. I'm so happy he's home, OP!

Pleased he’s back OP.

The birds in my garden are getting a bit frisky already. Filling nest boxes and flirting with each other. Maybe he’s been looking for a mate.

Awwww, what a lovely update @InAPickle12345 ! Robins are so cute and friendly aren't they?! One took some mealworms out of my palm last winter and was sat there for a good 20 seconds. I was so pissed off that there was no-one with me to film it or photograph it. 😆

p.s. although they are friendly towards humans, they are hostile and quite aggressive towards other birds! I see crows, pigeons, sparrows, rooks, starlings, wagtails, thrush, bluetits, finches, and magpies pootling along on my garage roof, all in harmony, bouncing around together, getting mealworms, peanuts, and suet pellets, all trotting around each other.

The robins though... nope. They wait til they have all gone and go alone to grab what's left. They don't like other birds much! 😆

Yay, glad little robin is back.

I have a couple of robins in the garden now.

Off the brush the dogs.

You sound great OP.