Ilkley North West Trail #7: Robin - Cute but Deadly!
This is the 7th of a 13-cache series which takes you on a 4.3km trail around some of the lovely countryside between Middleton and Austby immediately to the northwest of Ilkley above the north bank of the Wharfe. Allowing for an easy pace, stopping for caches | to admire the view | spot birds the trail should take you about 3 hours or so.
See GC8Q381 Ilkley NorthWest Trail #1: Intro & Start for background info on the trail and parking waypoints. See Gallery for a map of the trail showing parking spots and approximate cache locations.
From #6 continue to the corner opposite High Austby entrance and turn right (east) heading down the access road and on to the cache location by the next corner.
The cache, a camo-taped preform tube, is hidden at the start of this scenic lane which leads from the corner of Owler Park Road past Tivoli, #8, #9 and Calvary to a T-junction with a lane coming north from Myddelton Lodge. There are fine views to the south along much of its length where this is not hidden by woods.
As I was placing the cache, this common, small but feisty red-breasted bird was singing strongly from a tree over the wall of the adjacent property . . .
The (European) robin (Erithacus rubecula) - UK's favourite bird (see BBC article here) and one of the most filmed (see links below), painted (see Gallery and video link below) and recorded - it is familiar throughout the year and especially at Christmas! (see here for a video of one singing in the snow). It is a member of the thrush family and so related to the blackbird and the nightingale.
Some QI facts about robins . . .
1. Males and females look identical. Juveniles are spotted golden brown and grow red feathers after the 1st moult.
2. They sing nearly all year round (listen here and here - with an extraordinary slowed down audio) and will sometimes sing at night next to street lights.
3. Despite their cute appearance male robins are noted for their highly aggressive (territorial) behaviour (see here). They will fiercely attack other males and competitors that stray into their territories and have been observed attacking other small birds without apparent provocation. There are cases of robins attacking their own reflection. Territorial disputes (see here ) may lead to fatalities - up to 10% of adult deaths in some areas.
4. The robin became the iconic bird of Christmas in the Victorian era, when postmen were nicknamed robins 
or redbreasts due to their red waistcoats. Robins then appeared on Christmas cards representing the postmen who delivered them.
5. The UK population has increased 45% since the 1970s and continues to rise.
6. Their biggest threat is prolonged, severe winter weather. During cold nights they use up to 10% of body weight to stay warm. If they cannot replenish these fat reserves, it can be fatal. Providing food on bird tables during cold weather can make a big difference to their survival.
7. They eat seeds, fruits, insects, worms and other invertebrates and visit garden bird tables and feeders to feed on scraps and mealworms. Relatively unafraid of people, robins often follow gardeners around to take advantage of freshly dug-up worms - and even feed from people's hands.
8. Both males and females hold territories - as a pair in summer and as individuals in winter. These they defend with surprising ferocity, driving off intruders and making their presence known by singing loudly from conspicuous perches.
9. At the end of the Victorian era robin skins became popular adornments for ladies’ hats.
10. It was declared Britain’s National Bird on December 15th, 1960.
11. They are short-lived with an average life span of only 1.1 years. However once past the 1 year hurdle 
they can live much longer with one reaching 19 years!
12. Recoveries of ringed robins show cats are the commonest cause of death.
13. Most robin pairs raise up to 3 broods/year, but some reach 5.
14. Each robin has a unique breast pattern which can (with difficulty) be recognised individually.
15. They are omnivorous, eating everything from fruit to spiders but their favourite food is mealworms.
16. They will not enter nest boxes with round entrance holes, but do like open-fronted boxes.
17. British robins are famous for their tameness (see here), but on the Continent they are shy and generally unapproachable.
See here for more information on this vicious cutey.
See here for a fascinating short video of an artist explaining how she produced a superb watercolour painting of a robin.
See here for a superb, relaxing hour long video on robins with numerous other woodland bird songs in the background (a lockdown special!). How many other species can you recognise?