Gardeners risk robins in their garden by doing one job this month

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has urged UK gardeners to protect garden birds by avoiding hedge trimming during summer to safeguard nesting robins

Gardeners should be careful(Image: Getty Images)

Gardeners are being encouraged to leave one particular element of their outdoor space untouched in order to help safeguard and support the robins visiting their plots.

While springtime presents an ideal opportunity for green-fingered enthusiasts to don their gloves and bring their lawns up to scratch, they’re being reminded that the RHS has declared birds “are in trouble, and they need our help”.

A 2023 State of Nature report revealed 43% of all British bird species are at risk of vanishing within the next few decades.

Robin populations are also experiencing rapid decline. Gardener’s World suggests refraining from hedge trimming as it can disrupt nesting robins during a vital period in their lives.

As an alternative, opt for manual implements rather than motorised equipment until the breeding season concludes.

Specialists advise postponing any hedge maintenance until the end of September, reports the Express.

Make sure you look after the robins in your garden(Image: Getty)

This advice extends beyond the winter period, when refuge, sustenance and water become progressively harder for birds to find.

The summer months prove equally vital for cherished garden visitors like robins and blackbirds as they rear their offspring and need to maintain their strength.

The RHS recommends postponing hedge-cutting activities even into late summer, saying: “Delay hedge cutting until late August when nesting season is safely out of the way.

With berrying hedges, try cutting one side this year and the other side next year to ensure there are always berries on offer to birds.” Thick hedgerows offer secure nesting sites and essential shelter for young birds as they mature.

Avian experts at Haiths maintain that hedge cutting should be avoided entirely during the summer months.

They said: “August is a great time for birdwatching in our gardens. As summer matures and hints of autumn begin to appear, a diverse array of birds can be observed, each bringing a unique charm and activity to your garden.

“In August, these territorial birds [robins] can often be seen foraging for insects and worms. [Blackbirds] are ground feeders, so keep an eye on the lawn or under shrubs where they search for insects and worms.”