I have a next with four baby robins in it - how can I prevent neighbours' cats from getting them?

[sandyballs]

The nest is in our ivy, about 4ft from the ground, so easy target for a cat or fox. I've just been reading that they don't fly from the nest, the parents lead them away and spend a couple of days on the ground learning to fly . Surely not many survive if they do that. I can just imagine next door's cat jumping on them. My DDs will be devastated.

That should read "nest".

good luck - cats are nocturnal so you will have to stay up all night

Oh no!
RSPB wildlife enquiries: 01767 693 690 (office hours)

Can you circulate a note to neighbours asking them to keep their cats indoors while the nest is there? In know its a vain hope but you never know, they might be willing to in the circumstances.

Could the neighbours not at least put a collar with a bell on the cat?

Mind you I guess that wouldn't help the babies if they can't fly...

don't you get an electric dog and cat repellent thing? Or I think I've read somewhere that some cayenne pepper in the beddings might keep them out (that might be to stop them weeing in your plants though)

here

Thanks, wonder if that would work for foxes too?

Put that cat-off stuff you can get in garden centres (the blue jelly like stuff is best) on the ground round nest- say in over a couple of square metres. Or lion poo (my cat hates that). Ask neighbours to bell cat and keep it in nights and early mornings especially. I have heard that coiled up toy rubber snakes also work but haven't tried that. If you spot the time they leave the nest could you ask your neighbour to keep cat in completely for 2 or 2 days? I have a cat and wouldn't mind that request, in fact I would be very glad to be warned.

Thanks for replies. I think I will have a word with neighbours. They should be ready to leave the nest within the next couple of days and if I was a cat owner I'd rather have the chance to keep my cat in for a short time than hear that they'd eaten an entire robin family.