Placing apple slices outdoors in November can help keep robins visiting your garden, according to advice from Kingsyard Official, a company that produces bird feeders.
How to attract robins to feeders
Kingsyard Official shared on Instagram: "How to attract robins to your feeders?" The company suggested adding apple slices, raisins, suet, mealworms or peanut hearts to draw them in. It also noted that as winter approaches, robins will be looking for fresh water, and recommended setting up a heated bird bath to welcome the birds during the colder months.
Robins become much more visible throughout the winter months because natural food sources grow scarcer, making them significantly more likely to turn up in gardens and at bird feeders while searching for food. The absence of dense foliage on trees and shrubs also makes the birds easier to spot. In addition, some robins from mainland Europe migrate to Britain over the winter months, boosting local populations considerably.
Why robins appear in autumn
As autumn sets in, robins' natural food sources begin to deplete and they start staking out their winter territories. This explains why they are already beginning to reappear, and they may even be heard singing their distinctive "autumn song".
The birds became associated with Christmas thanks to Victorian-era postmen, who wore bright red uniforms and were given the nickname "robins". Ever since, the birds have been linked with the festive season, and many people are eager to spot them visiting their gardens throughout the winter months.
The appeal of apples
Robins are particularly fond of apples, especially during the autumn and winter months when their diet shifts away from insects towards fruits and berries. To tempt them into a garden, small, fresh apple slices can be offered, or they can be placed on a bird platform feeder. Robins have a natural preference for berries and fruits from trees and shrubs, and as temperatures drop and insects become increasingly difficult to find, fruit makes up a considerable portion of their diet.
The crucial thing is to ensure the fruit is in tip-top condition and doesn't turn mouldy. Should it begin to spoil, it should be thrown away and swapped out for fresh fruit. Some experts recommend steering clear of high-sugar fruits such as grapes. Dried fruits like raisins can also be left out, and robins are equally fond of pears and peanuts, provided they are chopped up into small pieces. These options can help keep the birds going throughout the winter months.
