Robins need to eat lots of food in November to store enough fat, and there is a simple way to naturally encourage even more food for them in your garden
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: AngelPietro via Getty Images)
Spotting a robin singing or perched in your garden is a delightful way to begin winter, and there’s a simple method to encourage them to return without spending any money.
Robins must consume plenty of food in November to build up fat reserves and keep warm during the cold months, but during this period, most of their natural food supplies are becoming scarce.
Should robins struggle to locate sufficient insects before the initial frosts arrive, it could prove fatal, and they’ll probably relocate elsewhere seeking sustenance, meaning you may not spot one again until the following year.
Fortunately, wildlife specialists at Bird Spot have shared that there’s a straightforward approach to naturally attract abundant food for robins by simply distributing a few materials throughout your garden.
A natural way to feed robins is to pile leaves and sticks into a corner of your garden(Image: Catherine Falls Commercial 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.”
Most gardeners have already ceased mowing their lawns since continuing to cut grass in November can harm it and stop proper regrowth in spring.
Allowing grass to grow lengthy before winter enables it to offer refuge for insects like worms, making it far easier for robins to forage for them. However, you can also establish a wild patch in your garden, often referred to as a bug hotel.
This involves piling up logs, sticks, leaves or other natural materials to mimic a forest floor. This provides shelter for insects and encourages them to breed, creating an ecosystem that can easily sustain robins. This ensures they won’t struggle to find food when it’s 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: Getty Images)How to naturally encourage robins in your garden
Firstly, find a sheltered spot in your garden that is protected from wind and heavy rain. It’s usually best to choose a sunny area near plants and flowers to provide insects with a food source and encourage their numbers.
Next, simply stack materials on top of each other. Beetles and spiders are typically attracted to dry leaves, bark pieces and cardboard, while worms prefer wet leaves, grass clippings and shredded paper.
Robins usually feed on the ground, so creating a wild area that attracts insects will naturally invite more of these cherished birds into your garden.
If you wish, you can also purchase mealworms for robins or feed them certain leftovers. However, be careful not to give them anything salty or hard, as this 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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