The festive period conjures images of decorated firs, wrapped gifts and sumptuous feasts, yet one particular bird has become synonymous with the season. The robin, recognisable by its striking crimson chest, has long been linked with Christmas, though these feathered friends aren’t exclusive to winter months. With the right provisions in your outdoor area, you can welcome them throughout the entire year.
During warmer weather, robins favour mealworms (either live or rehydrated dried varieties), but as temperatures drop and natural food sources become scarce, they’ll seek out gardens where sustenance is readily available. These charming creatures are particularly fond of suet and fat balls, especially when winter sets in, making any well-stocked garden an appealing destination. Fruit-bearing trees also prove irresistible to robins, with horticultural expert Cindy Watter, writing for the University of California, highlighting the hawthorn tree as particularly attractive due to its crimson fruits called “haws”.
Watter observed that the hawthorn’s primary function “is to provide habitat and food for birds”, including robins.
She continued: “Hawthorns do not require much care once they are established, beyond a pruning now and then.
“Mine is quite tall because I neglected that part, but the birds don’t care. The fruits (called “haws” in England) look like tiny red apples, and I have seen birds swallow them whole.”
Specialists at Love The Garden have confirmed that the “dormant season”, running from November through to March, represents the optimal period for planting a hawthorn tree, and once it flourishes, you can anticipate visits from red-breasted companions to your outdoor space.
Robins can additionally be enticed to your garden by keeping a bird feeder that is safe, hygienic and consistently stocked.
Nevertheless, it’s crucial to consider the placement of your bird feeder carefully, as predators such as cats will exploit opportunities if they can conceal themselves in nearby shrubbery.
Most birds won’t feel secure if a feeding station is positioned too low to the ground or in close proximity to vegetation, fencing, or garden sheds.
Once situated in a protected spot where birds are shielded from potential threats, it’s advisable to replenish the bird feeder with fruit, sunflower seeds, crushed peanuts, and mealworms.
Offering robins a dependable food supply now enhances their prospects of remaining fit and making it through winter when temperatures plummet, and conditions become harsher, whilst having a hawthorn tree guarantees your garden becomes a preferred destination for them all year round.
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