Ivy berries become an important winter food source from December onwards for robins, wrens, sparrows and blackbirds during the colder monthsKetsuda Phoutinane Spare Time Content Editor and Sam Johnson
18:27, 23 Nov 2025
Even during the depths of winter, spotting birds in the garden brings a welcome burst of cheer(Image: Cris Cantón via Getty Images)
Even during the depths of winter, spotting birds in the garden brings a welcome burst of cheer. Whilst much of the natural world will be in hibernation, robins, wrens, sparrows and blackbirds are amongst the British garden birds still flying about throughout the colder months.
Gardens can provide vital sanctuary for birds requiring food and shelter. The good news is that homeowners can lend a hand without necessarily purchasing or planting anything new – wildlife experts say the humble ivy plant proves incredibly valuable to robins and other feathered visitors.
The Woodland Trust states: “Ivy and honeysuckle are also popular with birds – they provide dense cover, fruits and attract insects for birds to feast on.
“It may not be fashionable to grow ivy on walls and fences, but it’s an absolutely excellent plant for providing nest sites for colonies of house sparrows as well as robins and wrens,” the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) observes.
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Canal & River Trust describes holly and ivy as a “winter haven” for birds. The organisation highlights ivy berries as an excellent winter food source, pointing out: “It’s estimated that these berries have the same number of calories as a chocolate bar, gram for gram. Darkly coloured and rich in fat, they grow in abundance along our canals and rivers.”, reports the Express.
Whilst ivy flowers in November, they clarify that birds will consume shorter-lived fruit such as holly berries initially and turn to the more durable ivy berries from December onwards. Another gardening task you can relax about is meticulous lawn mowing.
For instance, the RHS points out that dandelion seedheads provide food for goldfinches, while short grass enables blackbirds, thrushes and starlings to find worms and other invertebrates.
Generally speaking, a bird-friendly garden incorporates a variety of plants, trees and shrubs that offer food or shelter.
Berry-producing shrubs like hawthorn and elder trees are a valuable asset to birds. By May, the latter will blossom with large clusters of creamy coloured and highly fragrant elderflowers, which are adored by both humans and wildlife.
Crab apple trees and rowans may draw in waxwings, while bullfinches are “particularly keen” on guelder rose berries, according to the RHS.
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