Robins are a common sight in UK gardens during the winter months and there’s a simple way to attract them to your outdoor space
08:26, 11 Nov 2025Updated 08:26, 11 Nov 2025
Robins are more common in the UK during November and December(Image: BrianAJackson via Getty Images)
Most Britons love seeing robins in their gardens, and there’s actually a simple method you can use to make sure they continue visiting your outdoor space. They’re abundant at this time of year and, with most folk associating them with Christmas, it’s wonderful to see them popping by during November and December.
According to Kingsyard Official, a company that produces bird feeders, adding one basic fruit to your feeder will make sure they keep coming back to your garden this winter. What’s even better is that you likely already have this common fruit at home, making it straightforward.
After all, it’s essential to look after wildlife and support them as much as we can. This is exactly why you should play your part in helping robins this winter, and placing certain items outside can help.
However, if you want to lure them in, there’s a simple approach you can take.
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Kingsyard Official shared on Instagram: “How to attract robins to your feeders? American robins aren’t typical feeder visitors, but they love open ground and platform feeders.
“Try adding apple slices, raisins, suet, mealworms or peanut hearts to draw them in. As winter approaches, robins will be looking for fresh water.
“Consider setting up a heated bird bath to welcome these beautiful birds during the colder months”.
Robins become much more noticeable throughout the winter months because natural food sources become scarcer, meaning they’re far more likely to pop up in gardens and at bird tables whilst hunting for grub, reports the Mirror.
The lack of dense leaves on trees and shrubs also makes these small creatures much easier to spot.
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Certain robins from mainland Europe also travel to Britain for the winter, which increases local populations.
Throughout autumn, their natural food supplies start to dwindle and they begin establishing winter territories.
This is why they’re already starting to reappear and you might even notice them singing their characteristic “autumn song”.
What many people don’t know is that these charming birds became linked with Christmas due to Victorian postmen.
During that era, mail carriers wore bright red uniforms and were called “robins”.
Since then, these delightful creatures have been associated with the festive season. Today, countless people are keen to see them in their gardens during the winter period. It turns out there’s a simple way to attract them with ease.
Do robins really like apple?
Many people may not be aware that robins are particularly fond of apples, especially during the autumn and winter months when their diet shifts from insects to fruits and berries. To attract them, you can offer small slices of fresh apple or place them on a bird platform feeder.
Robins naturally gravitate towards berries and fruits from trees and shrubs, which explains their attraction to fruit. As the weather cools and insects become less abundant, fruit becomes a crucial part of their diet.
The key is to ensure the fruit remains in prime condition and doesn’t develop mould. If it does, discard it and replace it with fresh fruit.
Some experts advise against offering them high-sugar fruits like grapes. However, if you’re short on apples, there are other options you can provide.
Dried fruits such as raisins can also be left out for them. They’re also fond of pears and peanuts, as long as they’re chopped into small pieces.
There are a few bits and bobs you can leave out for them to help the birds through the winter.
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