Robins will keep coming back to your garden if you provide mealworms and earthworms in autumn, according to gardening expert James Ewens at Green Feathers. As food sources become scarce in the colder months, these two foods are a great place to start.
Why robins need help in autumn
Birds need help all year round, whether that means providing a bird bath or food for them to graze on. This becomes even more important in the autumn and winter months when food sources are scarce.
Robins are one of the UK’s favourite birds, and while they are a welcome sight year-round, they’re especially noticeable in gardens in the colder weather as they seek shelter and food. According to an expert, attracting them to your garden is easy.
Favourite foods for robins
Knowing what robins like to eat is essential. They love food, but their supply of insects in the winter is scarce. Providing mealworms and earthworms is a great place to start, and according to the pro, they’ll “keep coming back”.
The expert said: “Suet balls are a firm favourite, with their high-fat, high-energy content, they’re not only appealing for robins, but essential to support their physiology and carry them through the harsh winter months. Apples, pears, and dried fruit can be a great source of fibre and vitamins A, E and C for robins - supporting digestion, healthy feathers and eyes, and immunity.”
Hydration and safe bathing
Robins need water both for hydration and to bathe. Keep a shallow bird bath topped up throughout the winter, or place a small dish near shrubbery.
The expert said: “Robins prioritise safety, so positioning water by shrub shelters them from predators.
“Never underestimate how important water is for robins to bathe in. Providing a place for robins to bathe keeps their feathers clean and free of parasites, and they also make their feathers more pliable when they bathe, allowing them to take flight more efficiently, thus getting away from predators more effectively.”
Planting and nesting tips
If you're looking to attract robins back to your garden time after time, providing dense shrubs, hedges and climbing plants is the perfect solution. They offer shelter from harsh weather and protection from larger birds.
The expert noted: “A top choice for attracting robins and other songbirds is a serviceberry tree - known by many names, including juneberry, shadbush, and snowy mespilu. Serviceberries are a gardener’s dream; they flower in mid-spring, attracting pollinators and, in turn, birds. Their fruit ripens from late spring through summer, providing robins with a steady supply of soft, energy-rich berries - perfect for feeding their young.”
The expert said robins are very particular about where they settle, so if you're putting up a bird box, make sure it's somewhere quiet. It's also important to keep it away from strong winds and midday heat. The type of bird box also matters, so consider getting an open-fronted box placed about one to two metres high. This means not too close to the ground, but not too high up in the trees either.
