If you want to attract robins to your garden, there’s one job you should do before JanuaryKetsuda Phoutinane Spare Time Content Editor and Talya Honebeek Content Editor – Spare Time
09:55, 27 Dec 2025
How to make your garden the ‘perfect’ place for robins to raise a family(Image: Wirestock via Getty Images)
Robins are among Britain’s favourite garden birds, and they will soon be scouting for nesting spots as early as January. To transform your garden into an appealing home for them, bird specialists have revealed top tips for attracting robins and persuading them to settle down.
These small birds produce two to three broods annually, with one of these cycles kicking off in the new year. Before constructing their nests in March, robins begin selecting breeding companions and hunting for suitable nesting locations come January.
Home & Roost has advised homeowners to complete one crucial garden task before Christmas – or at the very latest, before January arrives, reports the Express.
The pet supply firm recommends that bird boxes should be thoroughly cleaned and prepared by New Year’s Day.
Why bird boxes need cleaning in December
Robins are one of the first birds to nest(Image: Getty)
“Encourage them by making sure your nesting boxes are cleaned out and ready to go by Christmas,” they advised.
“It’s illegal to clean out a nest box in the summer months in the UK, so your box will only be used once each year.”
This is accurate – any remaining eggs in the box can only be cleared between September and January and must be disposed of, according to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
The Wildlife Trust explained: “It is illegal to keep them. Only remove eggs during this window and if you are absolutely sure they have been abandoned.”
How to clean a bird box
The ideal place to put a bird box for robins is near the ground(Image: Getty)
Bird boxes can become breeding grounds for parasites and disease, making it essential to give them a thorough clean once the nesting season concludes.
“After the end of each breeding season, all nestboxes should be taken down, old nesting materials removed, and the box should be scalded with boiling water to kill any parasites,” said The Wildlife Trust.
“Do not use insecticides or flea-powders – boiling water is adequate. Annual cleaning should only be carried out at the end of the breeding season, from late September to February.”
Where to position bird boxes to attract robins
How to make your garden the ‘perfect’ place for robins to raise a family(Image: Getty)
With everything now pristine and spotless, it’s time to consider where to position your box. In their natural habitat, robins will make their homes in locations such as log piles, tree trunk cavities and hedgerows.
Robins prefer to build their nests near to or at ground level, protected from harsh weather and potential threats. The British Trust for Ornithology suggests this means positioning boxes no more than six or seven feet above ground level.
Survey your garden to identify a suitable location where robins can establish their home without interference. Should you be fortunate enough to have a robin nesting in your outdoor space, there’s one crucial point to bear in mind.
“Never go looking for the busy robin’s nest – they will often abandon a nest if they feel it has been discovered,” said the Woodland Trust.
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