Robins are in danger of not finding enough food at this time of year, but there is one simple way to naturally encourage more of them in your garden without spending a penny
Katherine McPhillips and Isobel Pankhurst Audience Writer
04:25, 15 Nov 2025
Robins urgently need to collect lots of food in November to survive winter (Image: Marshall Bruce via Getty Images)
Spotting a robin singing its sweet tune or perched on a branch in your garden is one of winter’s simple pleasures, and there’s a cost-free way to ensure they keep returning.
Robins must consume substantial amounts of food in November to build up fat reserves that will sustain them through the cold months ahead, but their natural food supplies are running low at this time of year.
When robins struggle to find sufficient insects before the first frosts arrive, their survival can be at risk, and they may relocate elsewhere in search of sustenance, meaning you might not spot one again until next year.
Fortunately, wildlife specialists at Bird Spot have shared a straightforward technique to naturally boost food sources for robins by simply distributing a few items throughout your garden.
A natural way to feed robins is to pile leaves and sticks into a corner of your garden(Image: wholden via Getty Images)
They explained: “Avoid cutting your lawn too short to provide shelter for insects and allow grass to grow seeds for them to feed on.
“Create an insect-friendly habitat by piling up logs, leaves, twigs, and rocks. Alternatively, build a bug hotel by stacking bricks or wooden pallets and filling the spaces with bamboo, dry leaves, bark, straw, cardboard, stones, and tiles.”
Many gardeners have already stopped mowing their lawns since continuing to cut grass in November can cause harm and stop it from recovering properly when spring arrives.
Allowing grass to grow longer before winter enables it to offer protection for insects such as worms, which makes it considerably easier for robins to find them.
However, you can also create a wild patch in your garden, also known as a bug hotel, by piling logs, sticks, leaves or other natural material in that area that will mimic a forest floor.
This helps give insects shelter and encourages them to breed to make an ecosystem that will easily sustain robins, so they will not struggle to find food at a time when it is crucial for them to store fat.
Creating a wild patch or bug hotel takes only a few minutes but will keep robins fed throughout winter(Image: imageBROKER/Wilfried Martin via Getty Images)How to naturally encourage robins in your garden
All you need to do is find a sheltered spot in your garden that is protected from wind and heavy rain. It tends to be best to pick a sunny area near plants and flowers to help give insects a source of food to encourage more of them.
Then, simply stack materials on top of each other. Beatles and spiders tend to be attracted to dry leaves, bark pieces and cardboard while worms like wet leaves, grass clippings and shredded paper.
Robins tend to feed on the ground so creating a wild area that encourages insects will also naturally invite more of these beloved birds to keep coming into your garden.
However, if you wish you can also buy mealworms for robins or feed them certain leftovers, but be careful to not give them anything salty or hard otherwise it could harm them.
The expert advised: “Protein-rich kitchen scraps are another great option. Robins will gladly eat mild grated cheese, pieces of unsmoked bacon, or meaty pet food. Avoid offering leftover fat from roasting tins, as it can stick to their feathers, hindering their ability to fly and escape predators.”
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