People are being encouraged to do their bit by helping wildlife this summer
You should leave sunflower seeds out this summer to help robins in your garden(Image: Getty Images)
UK households are being told to leave sunflower seeds out in their gardens this August in an effort to support wildlife during the hot summer months.
People are being encouraged to help robins this summer, who are known for being one of the most popular birds in the UK.
Feeding robins is important all year round, but the food you should leave out changes as the weather shifts.
Although robins require help throughout the year due to their non-migratory nature, feeding them is just as crucial in the summer as it is in winter, say garden food specialists.
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During the chilly season, robins rely on fat balls, suet and other high-fat foods to maintain their energy levels.
However, such foods tend to melt and spoil in the intense heat of summer, making them unsuitable for bird feeding as they could potentially cause illness if robins consume rancid suet.
Bird food website Ark Wildlife suggests leaving out sunflower seeds for robins, along with berries and fruits, reports the Express.
“In many ways a robin’s diet is the same all year round. In the summer, however, they may be less focused on the kinds of foods that will keep them warm during the colder weather – so berries and other fruits as well as sunflower seeds for birds and other seeds are often on the menu,” the site explains.
“Leaving fat balls out in warmer weather can cause them to go bad more quickly, so it’s important to keep a close eye on what you put out during the summer.
“In addition, your garden is likely to be at its busiest during the warmer months – so making sure the robins and their food are protected from other creatures is especially important.”
Robins need help finding food all year round, but their diet requirements change in summer(Image: Getty Images)
You can also leave out mealworms, dried fruit such as raisins, mild grated cheese and crushed or shredded peanuts.
To safeguard food for robins, consider using cages or mesh around feeders with gaps large enough for robins to enter, but too small for pigeons or squirrels to squeeze through and steal the food.
As autumn approaches, mealworms may become a better option.
This is due to the fact that when temperatures begin to drop and evenings grow longer, robins must begin preparing for Britain’s harsh winter months, during which they won’t migrate south like numerous other bird species.
“As the colder months approach, you should turn your focus when feeding robins to the kinds of foods they’ll need during the winter,” Ark Wildlife explains.
“The sooner they can start stocking up on fats and mealworms, the better, so at this time of year you should get a good supply in and make sure there is food in your garden every day – a robin’s health can change drastically from one day to the next.”
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