Birds might be less noticeable in the colder months, but there are still ways you can support our feathered friends — and one food is particularly popular with robinsSteffan Rhys Deputy Content Hub Director and Vita Molyneux Travel reporter
12:34, 29 Oct 2025
Robins need to be eating high-energy and high-fat foods(Image: Getty)
During the autumn months, many wildlife enthusiasts across the UK notice a peculiar silence settling over their gardens. The morning chorus of birds becomes faint and our feathered friends seem to have almost vanished entirely.
If you’ve been pondering “where have all the birds gone?”, you’re certainly not alone. While some will have migrated, the change in season means that many familiar species are simply less visible.
However, those that remain can still benefit from your help, particularly when it comes to food, reports the Express. The RSPB (The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) suggests we should continue to provide bird food and water “on a regular basis” throughout autumn and winter.
And there’s one specific food it recommends: “Birds need high-energy, high-fat foods during cold weather.”
These charming birds need our help in the colder months(Image: Gary Mayes via Getty Images)High-energy and high-fat foods birds adoreSuetPeanutsSunflower seedsMealworms
“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.”
There are several factors to bear in mind when feeding birds in your garden, especially regarding cleanliness and preventing disease.
“Always adjust the quantity given to the demand, and never allow uneaten foods to build up,” advises the RSPB. It’s also crucial to clear away old feed and check for signs of illness.
If you have a bird bath, make sure you clean it regularly. After the breeding season, adult birds can become exhausted. Their plumage, crucial for flying and keeping warm, may be worn and tattered.
To gear up for winter’s trials ahead, birds go through a total feather renewal.
This procedure is exceptionally demanding on energy, leaving birds more exposed and reluctant to venture into open spaces.
“Moulting is a physically demanding time for birds,” explains the RSPB. “They need to conserve energy, so they become much quieter and spend more time hidden amongst vegetation, making them less conspicuous.”
Throughout spring and summer, birds are highly noticeable at feeding stations because natural food can be limited, and they require a steady energy supply to nourish their offspring.
But autumn brings a boom in wild food sources. Fruits have ripened, seeds cover plants abundantly, and bugs remain plentiful.
Robins are gorgeous birds(Image: Catherine Falls Commercial via Getty Images)
With nature’s feast on offer, birds spend less time queuing at garden feeders. They scatter into hedges, forests, and garden bushes, where they can hunt for varied meals.
Additionally, young birds born in spring are also gaining independence. They no longer depend on their parents and are beginning to explore fresh territories. This “dispersal” means they might move away from their birth garden, resulting in fewer familiar faces visiting.
While your garden may seem quieter, the birds are still around, simply being more careful. You can help them through this difficult period by: Supplying water: fresh, clean water for drinking and bathing is essential.
Leaving wild areas: resist the temptation for a perfectly tidy garden. Piles of leaves, seed heads, and undisturbed shrubs provide crucial shelter and food sources.
Offering high-energy foods: continue to put out quality bird seed, suet and fat balls, as these provide vital energy for moulting and winter preparation, especially when natural food supplies start to dwindle later in autumn.
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