Gardeners who want robins to keep visiting this autumn should put out mealworms, a food the birds "absolutely love," according to Sue Morgan, CEO of SongBird Survival.
Autumn can be a quiet time for garden birds, as the dawn chorus fades and many species become less conspicuous. While some birds migrate, others are simply entering a quieter phase, but they can still benefit from help with food.
RSPB Seasonal Feeding Guidance
The RSPB recommends that "birds need high-energy, high-fat foods during cold weather." However, the charity has revised its bird-feeding guidance, encouraging people to "feed seasonally." It advises scaling back feeding from May 1 to October 31 and restricting feeding during these months to "small amounts of mealworms, fat balls or suet."
The rationale is that during summer and autumn there is an increased risk of disease transmission, placing already declining bird populations under additional threat. Overcrowded bird feeders can become "hotspots for disease," it cautions.
From November 1 through to the end of April, gardeners can return to offering a complete selection of bird foods.
Mealworms: A Robin Favourite
High-energy and high-fat foods that birds adore include suet, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and mealworms.
"Mealworms are a favourite for robins, they absolutely love them," says Sue Morgan, CEO of SongBird Survival. "But I reckon if you offered sunflower hearts and mealworms... robins would really enjoy those."
When feeding birds, hygiene is crucial. Heed the RSPB's guidance on feeding before the end of October and never permit uneaten food to build up. Remove old feed swiftly, stay alert for signs of illness, and keep bird baths thoroughly clean on a regular basis.
Last year, the RSPB suspended sales of its flat bird tables over fears that they could be facilitating the spread of fatal diseases amongst finches.
Why Fewer Birds in Autumn?
There are several reasons why gardens seem quieter in autumn. After the breeding season, adult birds undergo a complete moult, which requires extraordinary energy, making them more vulnerable and reluctant to emerge into open areas.
"Moulting is a physically demanding time for birds," the RSPB explains. "They need to conserve energy, so they become much quieter and spend more time hidden amongst vegetation, making them less conspicuous."
Autumn also brings a bounty of natural food. Berries ripen, plants are laden with seeds, and insects remain plentiful, so birds spend less time at feeders. "Wild food sources like berries, nuts, and fallen fruits are at their peak in autumn," explains the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), "meaning birds don't have to rely as heavily on supplementary feeding."
Young birds hatched in spring are now becoming self-sufficient and dispersing to new areas, while summer migrants like swallows and house martins prepare for their journey south. Resident birds, however, are settling in for the colder months.
Safe Feeding Tips
Feed seasonally and safely: stop filling feeders with seeds or peanuts from May 1 to October 31 but continue to provide "small amounts" of high-energy foods like mealworms, fatballs or suet. For the rest of the year, feed a full range of bird foods.
Minimise disease risk by cleaning feeders and water baths at least once a week, avoiding flat feeders, and changing water in bird baths every day. Help birds find their own food by planting bird-friendly plants like sunflowers, teasels and ivy. Resist the urge for a perfectly tidy garden: piles of leaves, seed heads, and undisturbed shrubs provide vital shelter and food sources.
