With their plump little bodies and striking burnt-orange breast, robins are welcome guests to British gardens – especially at this time of year. In late autumn and through the winter months, when grey skies dominate the landscape, their red chests glow like tiny beacons of cheer.
If you'd like to tempt these lively little birds into your garden, it's all about serving up a menu they can't resist – and chances are you already have the ingredients at home.
"When you don’t have mealworms to offer your red-breasted garden visitor, there are some things in your kitchen cupboards that they may also like," says Charlotte Ambrose, one of the RSPB's wildlife experts.
"Items like crumbs of mild cheese, bruised fruit and dried fruits like raisins are all things that might be appreciated by a visiting robin over winter," she tells us, but warns that raisins can be toxic to dogs, so it's best to avoid them if you have pets roaming around in the garden.
Next to raisins and fruit, you can offer seeds, crushed peanuts and sunflower hearts – all of which robins enjoy as part of their natural diet of insects and wild berries. Cut apples and pears into small chunks for easy feeding and always avoid anything that's begun to grow mould.
But attracting robins isn't just about what you feed them – it's also about how you present it.
These birds are natural ground feeders, which explains why you may not spot them at hanging seed feeders. While they generally don't pass up the opportunity to nibble on a nurturing suet ball, they prefer to pick seeds and fruit from flat surfaces.
To make them feel at home, the Woodland Trust recommends scattering their food on a shallow dish or tray. Choose a sheltered spot on the ground or a raised, flat surface, such as a garden table, where they can feed in peace.
Covered bird tables are also a good choice, keeping both the food and your feathered guests dry as they dine.
It's worth noting that if you'd like to attract – and help – robins during the cold winter months, it's important to steer clear of anything that might upset their tummies, like milk. Also, avoid feeding them bread as it fills them up without providing any real nutrients.
Now all that's left is a little patience – and perhaps a pair of binoculars – to enjoy the charming sight of one of Britain's favourite garden birds up close.
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Wanda Sachs is the Multiplatform Writer for Country Living and House Beautiful, exploring the latest in gardening, wildlife and sustainable living alongside interiors and property. She is particularly interested in human-interest stories, the intersection of design and pop culture, and the evolving relationship between urban and rural life. Previously, she served as Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she reported on culture and fashion. Wanda studied English and German at the Goethe University Frankfurt and Exeter University.
