Leaving soft fruit, grated cheese, or mealworms in your garden this August can help robins survive the summer heat and prepare for autumn.
Many gardeners put away bird feeders in warmer months, but August is a critical time for robins. The prolonged dry spell has driven worms deeper into the soil, making them unreachable, while berries and other natural food sources wither due to lack of rainfall.
Robins are also raising multiple broods and molting, expending significant energy. Providing food now can greatly improve their chances of survival.
Kitchen Leftovers Robins Love
Wildlife specialists at Home & Roost suggest feeding robins soft fruits like apples, pears, or bananas, cut into small pieces to prevent choking. Grated cheddar cheese and chopped grapes are also suitable as occasional treats due to their high fat and fructose content.
They said: "There are lots of things in your kitchen that robins will love, and adding these to your feeding routine adds variety, saves money and saves food waste."
Foods to Avoid
Never give robins bread, cakes, or leftover baked goods. These fill them up without providing essential nutrients, preventing them from building fat reserves for winter.
Best Bird Food for Robins
Crushed peanuts are suitable if unsalted and unflavored, as birds cannot process salt and it can be toxic. The ideal food is mealworms, which mirror their natural diet. Sunflower hearts, nyjer seeds, and suet balls are also rich in fat, but suet balls melt in warm weather and can soil feathers, so avoid them during hot periods.
