Specialists say that after a little time, robins can quickly become confident in our presence – here’s what you can do
You can take certain steps to attract robins to your garden(Image: iStock/PA)
If you have spotted robins in your garden, it might be useful to take certain steps to help protect them over the coming months. There are three changes in particular that you can make straight away, according to experts.
They say that, during a cold winter, robins are particularly susceptible to being lost. These birds remain faithful to their gardens no matter what the weather.
So carrying out three tasks – putting out food, water and shelter – is crucial. The advice comes as garden bird populations all over the UK have fallen by up to 50 per cent in the last few decades. Recently, ChronicleLive explained how one particular food item could help to bring robins to your garden.
The best foods to put out include mealworms, calcium worms, which are especially beneficial because they are insectivores, fatty foods like suet pellets, special high protein robin blends, meaty kitchen scraps, mild cheese and cake and biscuit crumbs. Dried fruit and peanuts (shredded or crushed) could also work.
PTES said: “Robins prefer to forage and feed off the ground. By placing a small food tray full of their favourite food close to a shrub tree or preferred perch, you can encourage them to make your garden home and spend more time with you day by day.
“Ark Wildlife have a robin feeder pack which could get you started. If you’re lucky, after a little time robins can quickly become confident in our presence and feeding from the hand is not unknown.”
The Woodland Trust says “feeding trays are ideal” for the species. You can buy these with cages to prevent other critters from getting to the feed, or make your own with an unused hanging basket and a saucer, reports BirminghamLive.
“Robins are not likely to visit a hanging feeder unless there is a platform next to it,” the Trust said. Meanwhile, bird experts at Peckish, a bird food and accessories seller, say there is one thing you can do immediately to help.
They say: “Water is the most valuable commodity for birds in summer. Be sure to leave shallow trays of water out for birds, particularly during dry spells.
“Even better are ponds, which won’t need to be topped up as often, and will also provide insects for birds to eat.” And the experts at BBC Gardeners’ World say: “Feeding birds used to be a winter activity, but birds need our help in the summer months too, to ensure they have energy enough to survive leaner times ahead.
“Just as in winter, high-energy food is the key to summer feeding. Live food is also recommended, to supplement the food they can find in the wild.”
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