I would use a cage of chicken wire over them until they get bigger , you planted then out early ... do you get any late frost ?

Gg

Very rarely do get frosts this late, but I have another flat of seedlings inside. Good idea with the chicken wire. Thank you. It's on my shopping list.

Try an upside down wire hanging basket. We put them over Catmint to at least help them get a few leaves before being attacked.

I'm sorry to say but never mind your zinnias, I would be over the moon to wake up to find an American robin (Turdus migratorius) in my garden.

You and me both Jimmy - to heck with the plants!

Oh well, I still have another flat of zinnias to plant out. Maybe he'll leave me one or two if I'm lucky. He must be vegetarian because there are plenty of worms out there for him. Thanks everyone.

Lovely looking bird, sorry about your Zinnias tho'.

Thank you Feverfew - He's the reason I have two flats of seedlings, not just one. heh heh! :)

Bathgate I would definitely let him off. He is sooooo cute!
I'm just jealous he was in your garden and not mine! Lol
?

Well Maggie we don't get that particular robin in the UK

I know moon grow I wished we did though.....he it soooo lovely! ( our robins are lovely as well though) lol ?

always a chance one will get blown over here at some point, though less likely to be seen in Essex!

Lol

Thank you everybody for your comments & helpful ideas. I got some good ideas here for protecting my seedlings using an inverted basket & chicken wire. After two weeks, the seedlings will grow big and tough and he won't like them anymore.

LOL, He's got loads of big fat juicy worms and all sorts of bugs to eat & various kinds of berries of sorts and all the fresh cool water he can drink all summer long. He gets his own spacious bird bath with daily water changes and he can live safely in my Red Maple Tree or the Junipers, both loaded with seeds & berries. He can build a nest and raise a family of chicks.

Mag. I can't stay mad at him. He flies south for the winter yet returns to me every Spring. Birds will be birds. He sings sweet melodies & picks caterpillars & aphids off of my tomato plants & cabbages. He earned those zinnia seedlings and I hope he enjoyed them. I planted way too many anyway.

Aaaahh bless him Bathgate!
And I tell you what, no wonder he returns to your garden every spring, it sounds to lovely not to! He probly thinks it's a posh Hotel! Lol. ?

lol he's my little helper in the garden. I'll take all the help I can get. :) Lots of tasty tomatoes and veggies in the end.

Mmmhhh yum yum...... now your definetly making me jealous......homegrown produce definetly the best!!???