It was a significant week for garden bird lovers as the RSPB published updated feeding guidance alongside some concerning findings from this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch.
On the final weekend of January, hundreds of thousands of participants across the country recorded the birds visiting their gardens.
The results revealed a sharp decline in greenfinch sightings in British gardens.
According to the UK’s largest bird charity, it is largely due to trichomonosis, a fatal disease linked to flat tray feeders, where birds congregate and linger, increasing the risk of transmission.
To help tackle the issue, the RSPB is now urging homeowners to stop using all kinds of flat bird feeders. However, one particularly popular garden visitor is especially fond of them.
HUGO MARQUES//Getty Images
Robins are ground feeders, foraging lawns, leaf litter and soil for worms and seeds, so they naturally favour tray feeders over hanging varieties.
So, with the updated guidance, how can homeowners continue to attract these much-loved, red-breasted birds? We asked the RSPB.
The good news is that food choice makes the biggest difference to whether birds visit your garden – and there’s one type robins find hard to resist.
“Robins are partial to mealworms, which we advise is ok to feed all year round in small amounts,” says RSPB wildlife expert Charlotte Ambrose.
“Mealworms can be provided either scattered on the floor or in a mealworm feeder – robins will happily eat from both places.
carlp778//Getty Images
“Additionally, if you don’t have dogs or cats, another food item you can put out is dried fruits.” This is important, as certain dehydrated fruits, such as raisins, can be toxic to pets.
You can also consider planting certain fruit bushes and shrubs to provide a natural source of food in your garden. “Robins will eat the berries of a number of plants, including Spindle and Wild Privet,” Charlotte adds.
Follow these simple steps and you’ll create a safer, more welcoming space, where robins can continue to thrive without putting their health at risk.
bird box gallery
Painted Oak Bird BoxCredit: Country Living Marketplace
Open Front NestboxCredit: RSPB
Wanda Sachs is the Daily Writer for House Beautiful and Country Living, exploring the latest in interior design, home trends, property news, wellbeing and sustainable living. With a keen eye for style and a passion for storytelling, she previously served as an Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she launched and led the magazine’s monthly style vertical, covering emerging fashion trends. Wanda holds a combined BA in English and German from Goethe University Frankfurt.
Comments are closed.