Leaving out bruised or overripe apples and pears is a simple way to attract robins to your garden throughout autumn, according to the RSPB. These fruits are among the favourites of Britain's most cherished bird, which stays in the UK throughout the winter rather than migrating south.
Why Robins Need Extra Food
Unlike many other species, robins do not migrate during the winter months, meaning they must endure the harsh British climate. With suitable, sheltered habitats in short supply across the UK during winter, gardeners can play a role in protecting these much-treasured creatures.
Providing robins with specific fruits enriches their diet and supplements whatever they manage to forage from the ground, ensuring the UK's unofficial national bird receives the nourishment it needs while enjoying foods it finds genuinely appealing.
Fruits That Attract Robins
Bird feeding specialists Birdify suggest leaving out soft fruits including apple slices, blueberries, strawberries, or soaked raisins to attract robins, noting that autumn and winter are the optimum times of year to offer these foods.
Ark Wildlife explains why feeding robins is straightforward: "They are omnivores so will eat a wide range of food, giving you plenty of options when it comes to feeding them. Robins can lose up to 10% of their body weight just staying warm on a single winter's night, so making sure its fat reserves are sufficiently topped up really can save a robin's life."
Berries and Natural Fruits
For naturally growing fruits, the bird food specialists note: "Robins enjoy eating various small fruits that they find on garden trees and bushes. Berries such as sloes, hawthorn and holly are particular favourites of robins - along with other tree fruits including cherries and grapes from vines."
Food can be placed directly on the ground, on a flat tray or small dish, or on a low bird table positioned near shrubs or trees. This allows robins to make a quick escape if they detect danger, making the offering more attractive by ensuring their security. Ground-level feeders and height-adjustable feeders are particularly effective, provided they are placed at a safe distance from cats and other predators.
Feeding Safety Guidelines
RSPB guidance warns against giving robins salted foods, cooked food, loose peanuts, dry or hard foods, and bread. Milk is strictly off-limits according to the Woodland Trust, as it can lead to serious illness, and should be avoided when feeding all bird species.
When providing unsalted peanuts, ensure they are aflatoxin-free and obtained from a reputable supplier, as poor-quality peanuts can contain the aflatoxin fungus, which is deadly to birds if ingested.
Current RSPB guidance advises: "Between beginning of May and end of October, pause filling your bird feeders with seeds and peanuts. There's an increased risk of the disease spreading in the summer and autumn months." The RSPB also recommends cleaning and moving bird feeders on a weekly basis, and changing the water in bird baths every day, to prevent the rapid spread of disease.
