During the winter months, robins of both sexes guard their own territories and their birdsong is the same for both sexes during this time. Robins are omnivorous, eating everything from fruit to small insects. They do have a particular fondness for mealworms!
Another species of bird often seen on the feeders around the visitor centre during the months of Autumn and Winter are the various members of the tit family.
The easily recognised combination of blue, yellow, white and green makes the blue tit one of our most attractive garden visitors. In winter, family flocks join up with other tits as they all search for food. Keep an eye out for the youngsters who tend to have yellow cheeks until they become mature and turn white.
Coal tits are not as colourful as their cousins but no less interesting. They have a more slender bill than the blue tit to enable feeding from the surrounding conifers. During the winter, they are often seen on the birdfeeders and peanuts tend to be their favourite snack.
The Jay is actually a member of the crow family although it is much more colourful than it’s cousins. Jays can be seen around the grounds of Penrhyn as they are particularly fond of acorns which are found in the surrounding oak trees. They are quite shy birds and tend to stay under cover and prefer to keep out of sight, making it a special treat when you are able to spot one in the surrounding branches. The jay is one bird that believes in preparation and will bury acorns during the Autumn in readiness for the colder Winter months.