BOLD CHARACTER: The robin is one of Britain’s favourite birds, but they need a little supports as winter sets in (Image: Getty)
Robins — the small red-breasted visitor to many a British garden — remain a familiar sight even through the colder seasons. Bold in nature, they can often be found sitting close by as gardeners dig over soil, waiting for the opportunity to snatch a worm or two.
Robins are omnivores, and they eat a mix of insects, worms, berries, and fruits. In warmer months, they mainly feed on insects and earthworms, but in autumn and winter, berries and fruits become an important part of their diet when other food sources are scarce.
Though known for their melodic birdsong and fiercely territorial nature, robins can struggle in winter and benefit from a little support. Helping them is easy — and rewarding for anyone who enjoys seeing wildlife thrive in their garden.
MORE ON GARDENS
Bushes and shrubs that bear fruit offer vital energy sources to help them endure the cold, according to The Express. According to the Woodland Trust, a robin can lose up to 10% of its body weight just keeping warm on a single frosty night. That’s why offering food and shelter during winter months can make a real difference.
For those hoping to help (and enjoy a bit of birdwatching), three common berries can boost a robin’s diet and keep them returning to your garden. These include sloe, holly, and hawthorn berries — all abundant and bird-friendly.
Sloe Berries
Sloe berries come from the blackthorn bush, and although tart and astringent when eaten raw by humans, for wildlife, especially robins, they are a valuable food source in the colder months. They’re packed with energy and nutrients, helping birds survive when other food is scarce.
Holly Berries
These small, round, red berries are definitely ones to avoid if you’re human; they are toxic if eaten and cause nausea and other digestive issues. If you’re a robin, however, holly berries are an important food source during autumn and winter. Along with thrushes and blackbirds, robins can safely eat the berries, which provide essential calories and nutrients during colder months when other food is scarce.
WAYS TO FEED THE BIRDS
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Seed mix: The Happy Wings NO GROW Seed Mix for Wild Birds costs £12.49 on Amazon. The 1.8kg bag contains a high-energy mix that’s rich in essential fats and proteins.
Domed roof feeder: The Birdie Fat Snax Feeder cost £24.99 at Crocus. It has a domed roof and overhanging brim to keep food dry and birds sheltered in all weathers.
Squirrel deterrent: The Squirrel Buster Mini Seed Feeder is £35 from the RSPB. The weight-activated mechanism covers feeding ports to keep rodents at bay.
AI technology: The Birdfy Feeder has an integrated camera and currently costs £123.49. You are notified when birds perch to feed and can stream live video.
Prices correct at the time of publication.
Hawthorn berries
Hawthorn berries from the hawthorn tree or shrub (Crataegus). Hawthorn is a native plant and, along with the blackthorn, can be found in hedgerows. The berries are small, usually bright red, and grow in dense clusters.
They typically ripen in late autumn and can persist into winter, making them an important food source for wildlife during colder months. For birds like robins, hawthorn berries are a valuable source of lipids (fats) and antioxidants, which help them maintain energy and health through the winter.
How can you help?
To make your garden a true haven for these birds, consider installing nesting boxes and keeping berry-bearing shrubs well-maintained. You can also place food in small dishes, or use bird tables and feeders to protect it from predators.
Beyond berries, robins benefit from mealworms, suet pellets, calcium worms, and fat balls — all of which help them build the fat reserves needed to survive winter’s harsh conditions.
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