Robins are stereotyped as a winter bird since they are often spotted on Christmas cards, but you are actually more likely to see them in autumn when they are searching for food. In October, the natural food sources for birds like berries and insects are declining due to the cold weather, and robins are more likely to risk going into a garden to find anything to eat. It is incredibly important for robins to get lots of nutrients now as they need to build up their fat reserves, otherwise they will struggle to stay warm and survive over the wintertime.
Placing food out in birdfeeders at this time of year is incredibly kind as it is the best way to help robins stay alive, but this can be time-consuming and most people forget to do it everyday. However, Hannah Vickers, a expert from the Woodland Trust, has shared that it is effortless way to help out birds, as long as you are growing certain plants in your garden.
What plants will encourage robins to come into a garden?
Hannah said: “Berry-rich trees and shrubs like rowan, hawthorn, guelder rose and holly are all great natural food sources and also help to provide shelter. Plants with an abundance of seeds are another great choice, such as teasels or sunflowers.”
Growing bird-friendly plants is a simple way to keep your garden active as the colder weather sets in, and make it possible to see robins every day.
Rowan trees are fantastic for birds due to their berries, but they can become extremely tall and difficult to handle, and often do not grow enough foliage for robins to nest in.
Robins will love holly trees but they often take a long time and lots of space to grow, so are not the most practical suggestion.
However, hawthorn is smaller and known for its dense foliage so will provide a safe place for robins to nest as well as feed.
Guelder roses are one of the best plants for robins since they like to feed lower to the ground and it is a bushy scrub that will give them plenty of cover to feel safe feeding in winter.
Its beautiful white flowers also tend to attract a lot of insects so can provide multiple food source for robins to help feed them.
Robins love sunflower seeds but they these flowers will be dying out now, so it might be better to sow teasel flowers as they naturally begin to grow in autumn.
If all else fails, simply plant a patch of wildflowers in October as they thrive in the cool, rainy weather and will attract beetles, worms, and caterpillars to create a natural foraging area for robins
Hannah said: “Another option is to plant some wildflowers to attract the insects that birds love to feed on. That way you can supply birds with food while filling your garden with gorgeous flower displays.”
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