Wrens are one of the most well known and well liked birds in British gardensAlex Evans Deputy Audience Editor and Lucy John
14:28, 19 Sep 2025
Wrens are among the most familiar and frequently seen birds in British gardens(Image: Piotr Czajkowski via Getty Images)
It’s chilly, it’s damp and summer feels like a distant memory. As the seasons shift, this brings a tough period for various creatures that frequent our gardens, including one of Britain’s most recognised and beloved birds.
Wrens might lack the festive charm of the red-breasted robin, but they rank among the most familiar, cherished and frequently seen birds in British gardens, and like robins, they remain throughout winter. With the cold and wet conditions Britain has experienced this September, wrens are struggling more to locate food as insect populations decline and wild berries start to vanish.
As Welsh weather forecaster Derek Brockway says: “A soggy September so far! 178mm of rain in Cardiff so far this month. More than double the average (86mm) and more rain than the whole summer (111mm).”
Wildlife specialists at Ark Wildlife suggest several measures you should implement now to ensure wrens flourish in your garden during autumn and winter.
The organisation states: “The wren is easily recognised by its small, round, plump shape and its distinctive small chestnut-coloured tail which is almost continuously cocked up.
“Its brown colouration is paler on the under parts. It has dense dark bars on its wings, flanks and tail.
“The young are like the adults but have fewer bars.”, reports the Express.
“Wrens can be a joy to watch in your garden and they’re often quite easy to attract.
“Firstly, try scattering some mealworms, mealworm bird food mix or oatmeal on the floor in a safe area, such as near trees or bushes.
“Wrens will also take a trip to your garden if they think it may be a suitable nesting site.
“Try siting a wren nest box in an area that is protected by bushes and trees.
The next box can be positioned up to a height of three metres off the ground, ensuring it’s still accessible for these little birds.”
The guidance further suggests that when leaving food out for wrens, it’s best to place it on the ground rather than on bird tables, as wrens are ground feeders.
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It notes: “In the wild, wrens will eat insects such as beetles, spiders, and they’ll even eat tadpoles.
“If you want to supplement their diet, wrens will eat live foods such as live mealworms and high-quality seed mixes.
“Make sure you scatter the food low as wrens may not come to bird tables.
“You can watch the wrens darting about quickly on the ground, feeding from ground feeders.
“You can also provide a ground bird feeder cage to keep them safe from larger predators.”
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