Robins will keep returning to gardens throughout autumn when soft fruits such as apples, pears, blueberries, and strawberries are left outside for them. Bird feeding specialists Birdify recommend placing these fruits, along with soaked raisins, to attract robins to outdoor spaces.
Why Soft Fruits Attract Robins
Unlike many other species, robins do not migrate south during the winter, so they must endure the harsh British weather. With suitable sheltered habitats in short supply across the UK during the colder months, providing food helps protect these birds.
Bruised or soft fruits such as apples and pears are 'food you should put out' for garden birds, according to the RSPB. Birdify also highlights that autumn and winter are the optimum times to offer these fruits.
Feeding Robins Is Simple
Ark Wildlife explained why feeding robins is so easy: "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."
Naturally growing fruits are also appealing. The bird food experts reveal: "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."
Safe Feeding Practices
Food can be placed directly on the ground, a flat tray or small dish, or on a low bird table near shrubs or trees, allowing robins a quick getaway from danger. Ground-level feeders and height-adjustable feeders are effective if placed a safe distance from cats and other predators.
RSPB guidance warns against giving robins salted foods, cooked food, loose peanuts, dry or hard foods, and bread. Milk is off-limits according to the Woodland Trust, as it can lead to serious health complications. Unsalted peanuts should be free from aflatoxin and obtained from a reputable supplier.
The RSPB advises pausing bird feeders with seeds and peanuts between the beginning of May and end of October due to disease risk. It also recommends cleaning and moving feeders weekly and changing bird bath water daily to halt disease spread.
