Robins are a cherished British garden bird, and these delightful creatures will soon be seeking nesting locations as early as January. To transform your garden into an appealing home for them, bird specialists have revealed how to attract robins and encourage them to remain.
These small birds produce two to three broods annually, with one of these cycles beginning in the new year. Prior to constructing nests in March, robins will start selecting breeding partners and scouting for nesting spots in January.
Home & Roost has encouraged households to complete one crucial garden task before Christmas - or at minimum before January arrives. According to the pet supply firm, bird boxes should be cleaned and prepared by New Year's Day.
"Encourage them by making sure your nesting boxes are cleaned out and ready to go by Christmas," they recommend. "It's illegal to clean out a nest box in the summer months in the UK, so your box will only be used once each year."
To make your garden the "perfect" location for raising a family, Home & Roost suggests people can attract robins by cleaning bird boxes fairly soon. Bird boxes can become breeding grounds for parasites and disease, making it essential to clean them once the nesting season concludes.
"After the end of each breeding season, all nestboxes should be taken down, old nesting materials removed, and the box should be scalded with boiling water to kill any parasites," advise The Wildlife Trusts. "Do not use insecticides or flea-powders - boiling water is adequate. Annual cleaning should only be carried out at the end of the breeding season, from late September to February."
