This Robin gets around
A VERY special visitor has returned to RSPB nature reserves this winter and she’s inviting families to join her for their own ‘sneak adventure’.
Robin is the star of the Aardman film, Robin Robin – currently being shown on Netflix. She grows up with a family of mice who go on ‘sneaks’ to find food.
And now you can join her on the Great RSPB Sneak after the charity created a series of themed Robin Robin adventure trails at more than 30 of its wildlife sanctuaries across the UK.
The trails will run until January 8 and young people and their families will be able to pick up their own activity pack with ideas on how to make the most of their ‘sneak’ visits to RSPB nature reserves and discover more about the nature that lives there.
At some reserves there will be audio trails with Bronte Carmichael, the actor who voices Robin Robin, and there’ll be other activities too, like storytelling events and robinthemed crafts.
Kate Struthers, RSPB Visitor Experience and Events Manager, says: “We are so excited to be working with Aardman and Netflix to celebrate the festive magic of Robin Robin.
“Our trails will allow families to go on their own sneak adventure and immerse young adventurers in the story and bring it to life among nature.
“And we hope the film and our trails can inspire everyone to discover robins and other wildlife near them and get outside.”
There’s no need to book ahead for the trail, just visit rspb.org.uk/robinrobin to find a Robin Robin trail near you, as well as more information about the popular festive bird, crafts, and a colour-in picture to download.
ROBIN-SPOTTING TIPS
With their bright red breasts, robins are probably the UK’S most recognisable garden birds and can be very tame, following gardeners around in the hope of finding worms and bugs that have been unearthed.
The robin is one of the few birds to sing all year, and both male and female robins have a red breast – but young birds are brown and speckly and can be confused for
other birds.
ATTRACT ROBINS TO YOUR GARDEN
The RSPB says the easiest way to attract robins to visit your garden is with food: they love mealworms and fat balls, along with any kitchen scraps, like uncooked porridge oats and cheese, and prefer to eat on the ground or from a bird table, rather than a hanging feeder. Growing berry-bearing trees and bushes, like holly and hawthorn, is a great way to provide natural food, and you can try creating a log pile or allowing a patch of your garden to go wild to create the ideal habitat for the minibeasts robins love to eat.