Gardeners across Wales are being encouraged to put out one particular food to help robins through the colder months, as the RSPB says mealworms are irresistible to the birds during autumn and winter when natural supplies dwindle.
As autumn arrives, wildlife enthusiasts throughout the UK may notice an unusual stillness in their gardens. The dawn chorus grows faint and feathered visitors seem to vanish. While some birds fly south, the change of season means many familiar species are simply less visible.
High-Energy Foods for Cold Weather
The RSPB recommends keeping up a regular supply of bird food and water throughout autumn and winter. It highlights that birds need high-energy, high-fat foods during cold weather, including suet, peanuts, sunflower seeds and mealworms.
"Mealworms are key for robins; they absolutely love them," says Sue Morgan, CEO of SongBird Survival. "But I think if you went with sunflower hearts and mealworms... robins would really like those."
Feeding Advice and Hygiene
The RSPB advises adjusting the quantity of food given to demand and never allowing uneaten food to build up. It is also essential to remove old feed and check for signs of illness. Bird baths should be cleaned regularly.
After the breeding season, adult birds may feel exhausted, and their feathers can become damaged and worn. To prepare for winter, birds go through a full feather renewal, a process that is exceptionally energy-demanding and leaves them more exposed and less willing to spend time in open areas.
Why Gardens Seem Quieter
"Moulting is a physically demanding time for birds," states the RSPB. "They need to conserve energy, so they become much quieter and spend more time hidden amongst vegetation, making them less conspicuous."
Autumn also brings an abundance of natural food, with ripened berries, plentiful seeds and numerous insects. Birds scatter into hedgerows, woodlands and garden bushes, spending less time at feeders. Young birds hatched during spring are also gaining independence and moving away from their birth gardens, a process known as dispersal.
To help birds during this period, the RSPB suggests supplying fresh, clean water for drinking and bathing, maintaining wild patches with leaf heaps and undisturbed shrubs, and putting out quality bird seed, suet and fat balls to provide crucial energy for moulting and winter preparation as natural food sources diminish later in the autumn.
