Robins often fly past standard bird seed mixtures because the seeds are too large for their small beaks. A simpler way to attract these sociable birds to your garden is to plant a spindle shrub, which provides natural food sources.
Why Robins Skip Bird Seed
Robins are sociable birds that often perch on fences and venture close to people, but encouraging them to keep returning can be difficult if you simply put out seeds. Their small beaks mean the seeds in standard bird feed mixes are too large for them to manage. They typically turn their beaks up at birdseed, preferring an easier food source, and many gardeners are reluctant to leave it out in autumn because it is known to attract rats.
Andy from Turf Express has revealed that robins are much more likely to visit if you grow a plant called spindle. Andy said: "By planting some spindle you are providing robins with natural food sources from both the berries and the insects and invertebrates that are attracted to spindle."
How Spindle Attracts Robins
Spindle is a hardy shrub that grows naturally across the UK and is particularly stunning in autumn, when its leaves turn a vivid red and its fruit splits open to reveal bright orange seeds. It ranks among the finest plants for robins, who love pecking at its small pink fruit to get to the seeds. It also draws in insects such as worms and caterpillars, which robins enjoy feasting on.
Having a spindle in your garden gives robins a convenient place to perch, and they also like to nest within them, as the plant retains dense growth even during winter when other shrubs are bare. It provides robins with a natural food source and a safe haven to shelter in during the colder months.
Spindle is a fairly undemanding plant that is relatively easy to maintain, provided it is planted in well-drained soil in an open, sunny spot. It is also affordable, typically costing under £20. Right now, in late autumn, is an ideal time to plant it while the ground remains warm enough for it to take root and establish itself.
Other Ways to Help Robins
Robins require a great deal of calories in autumn as they need to build up significant body weight to keep warm once the temperature really plummets. You can help them by putting out suet cakes, which are fat balls blended with grains and fruit that are packed with energy. Autumn is the perfect time to put them out in the garden as they won't melt in the cooler temperatures.
You can usually pick up suet balls at your local supermarket or pet shop, but it is also worth considering mealworms, as they are rich in protein that provides robins with the energy they require. Robins prefer to feed in open-front boxes tucked away in a secluded corner of the garden, so it is a good idea to cover a bird feeder with a climbing plant to keep it out of sight.
It is also worth leaving some fallen leaves on the ground, as dead foliage can draw in more insects, which will further encourage robins to keep returning to your garden throughout the autumn months.
