Winter can be a tough time for garden birds, especially for robins, who are known for their loyalty and bravery. These little birds can lose up to 10% of their body weight in a single cold night, and finding food and water can be hard when the ground is frozen. Luckily, you can make a big difference for these feathered friends by following some simple tips.

Robins

In this article, you will learn how to make your garden a safe haven for robins and other birds this winter. You will discover what kind of food, water, shelter, and plants they need to survive and thrive. You will also find some frequently asked questions and answers about winter bird care. By the end of this article, you will be ready to turn your garden into a winter wonderland for robins.

Introduction

Robins are one of the most beloved and recognizable garden birds in the UK. They have a distinctive red breast, a cheerful song, and a curious personality. They are also one of the few birds that stay in their territories all year round, even in the coldest months. This means that they need our help more than ever in winter, when food and water are scarce and predators are more active.

Robins are not the only birds that need our help in winter. Other native birds, such as blue tit, blackbirds, sparrows, and finches, also struggle to find enough resources to survive. By making your garden more bird-friendly, you can support a diverse and healthy bird population, and enjoy their company and beauty.

Making your garden a safe haven for robins and other birds this winter is not difficult or expensive. You just need to provide them with four essential things: food, water, shelter, and plants. Let’s take a look at each of these in more detail.

Food

Food is the most important thing that birds need in winter, as they use a lot of energy to keep warm and to fly. Robins mainly eat insects and worms, but they also like seeds, fruits, berries, nuts, cheese, cake crumbs, and suet pellets. You can offer them a variety of foods in a small tray near a shrub or a tree, or use a hanging feeder for other birds. Make sure to replenish the food regularly and avoid bread, milk, and salty foods, as they can be harmful to birds.

Here are some examples of foods that you can give to robins and other birds in winter:

– Sunflower seeds: These are rich in oil and protein, and are loved by many birds, such as robins, blue tit, sparrows, and finches.
– Suet balls or cakes: These are made of animal fat and seeds, and are a great source of energy and calories for birds. You can buy them ready-made or make your own with lard and bird seed.
– Mealworms: These are dried or live larvae of beetles, and are a favourite of robins, who prefer insects over seeds. You can buy them online or in pet shops, and store them in a cool and dry place.
– Apples: These are a good source of vitamin C and water for birds, and are especially popular with blackbirds, thrushes, and starlings. You can cut them in half and place them on the ground or on a bird table.
– Cheese: This is a good source of calcium and protein for birds, and is enjoyed by robins, wrens, and dunnocks. You can grate some mild cheese and sprinkle it on the ground or on a tray.
– Cake crumbs: These are a good source of carbohydrates and fat for birds, and are appreciated by robins, sparrows, and tit. You can use any plain cake, such as sponge or fruit cake, and break it into small pieces.

Water

Water is another essential thing that birds need in winter, both for drinking and bathing. Birds need to drink water to stay hydrated and to regulate their body temperature. They also need to bathe water to keep their feathers clean and in good condition, which helps them to fly and to insulate themselves from the cold. You can provide water for birds in a bird bath, a shallow dish, or a pond, and keep the water fresh and unfrozen. A simple trick to prevent the water from freezing is to place a ping pong ball in the container, as it will move with the breeze and stop the ice from forming.

Here are some tips on how to provide water for birds in winter:

– Choose a container that is wide and shallow, and has a rough surface that birds can grip on. You can use a bird bath, a plant saucer, a baking tray, or a plastic lid.
– Place the container in a safe and visible spot, away from cats and other predators, and near some cover, such as a bush or a fence, that birds can escape to if they feel threatened.
– Fill the container with clean water, and change it every day or every few days, depending on how dirty it gets. You can use tap water, rain water, or melted snow, but avoid using hot water, as it can damage the birds’ feathers.
– Break the ice in the container if it freezes, and remove any snow or leaves that may fall on it. You can also use a bird bath heater or a solar fountain to keep the water from freezing, but make sure they are safe and suitable for birds.
– Clean the container regularly with a brush and some mild soap, and rinse it well, to prevent the growth of algae and bacteria that can harm birds.

Shelter

Shelter is another important thing that birds need in winter, both for roosting at night and for nesting in spring. Birds need a safe and warm place to roost at night, where they can conserve their body heat and avoid predators. They also need a suitable place to nest in spring, where they can lay their eggs and raise their chicks. You can provide shelter for birds by putting up a nest box in a sheltered spot, away from predators and direct sunlight. You can also leave some natural shelter in your garden, such as hedges, bushes, ivy, and log piles, which can provide cover and food for birds and insects.

Here are some tips on how to provide shelter for birds in winter:

– Choose a nest box that is designed for the type of bird that you want to attract, and that has the right size, shape, and entrance hole. You can buy a ready-made nest box or make your own with some wood and nails, following some online instructions.
– Place the nest box in a quiet and sheltered spot, away from cats and other predators, and facing away from the prevailing wind and rain. You can attach it to a tree, a wall, a fence, or a post, at least 2 metres above the ground.
– Fill the nest box with some nesting material, such as dry grass, straw, moss, or wool, to make it more comfortable and inviting for birds. You can also leave some extra material nearby, such as twigs, feathers, or hair, for birds to use in their nests.
– Clean the nest box once a year, in late summer or early autumn, after the breeding season is over, and remove any old nests, eggs, or parasites. You can use boiling water and a brush to disinfect the nest box, and let it dry completely before putting it back.
– Leave some natural shelter in your garden, such as hedges, bushes, ivy, and log piles, which can provide cover and food for birds and insects. You can also plant some evergreen plants, such as holly, laurel, or yew, which can offer year-round shelter and berries for birds.

Plants

Plants are another beneficial thing that you can provide for birds in winter, by offering food, shelter, and nesting material. Certain plants can produce berries, seeds, nuts, or fruits that birds can eat, and have dense foliage that can protect them from the cold and predators. Some plants can also provide nesting material, such as twigs, leaves, or bark, that birds can use to build their nests. You can plant some of these plants in your garden, or leave some of them to grow naturally, and enjoy their beauty and benefits.

Here are some examples of plants that you can provide for birds in winter:

– Holly: This is an evergreen plant that produces red berries that are eaten by robins, blackbirds, thrushes, and starlings. It also has prickly leaves that can deter predators and provide shelter for birds.
– Hawthorn: This is a deciduous plant that produces white flowers in spring and red berries in autumn and winter. It is a favourite of robins, finches, sparrows, and tit, who eat the berries and nest in the branches. It also has thorny stems that can protect birds from predators.
– Rowan: This is a deciduous plant that produces clusters of orange or red berries in autumn and winter. It is a favourite of robins, blackbirds, thrushes, and waxwings, who eat the berries and perch on the branches. It also has attractive foliage that can add colour to your garden.
– Cotoneaster: This is an evergreen or semi-evergreen plant that produces small white flowers in spring and red or black berries in autumn and winter. It is a favourite of robins, blackbirds, thrushes, and starlings, who eat the berries and nest in the branches. It also has glossy leaves that can provide shelter for birds.

Some other examples of plants that you can provide for birds in winter are:

• Pyracantha: This is an evergreen plant that produces clusters of white flowers in spring and orange or red berries in autumn and winter. It is a favourite of robins, blackbirds, thrushes, and starlings, who eat the berries and nest in the branches. It also has sharp spines that can protect birds from predators.
• Sunflower: This is an annual plant that produces large yellow flowers in summer and black seeds in autumn and winter. It is a favourite of robins, finches, sparrows, and tit, who eat the seeds and perch on the stems. It also has tall and sturdy stems that can provide support for other plants.
• Ivy: This is an evergreen plant that produces small green flowers in autumn and black berries in winter. It is a favourite of robins, blackbirds, thrushes, and starlings, who eat the berries and roost in the leaves. It also has clinging stems that can cover walls, fences, or trees, and provide shelter and insulation for birds.

FAQs

Here are some common questions and answers about how to make your garden a safe haven for robins and other birds this winter:

• Why are robins so special in winter?
  • Robins are special in winter because they are one of the few birds that stay in their territories all year round, even in the coldest months. They are also one of the few birds that sing in winter, to defend their territories and to attract mates. They are also very friendly and curious, and often approach humans and other animals in search of food or company.

• How can I tell if a robin is male or female?
  • It is very difficult to tell if a robin is male or female, as they look almost identical. Both sexes have a red breast, a brown back, and a white belly. The only way to tell them apart is by their behaviour, especially during the breeding season. Male robins are more aggressive and territorial, and will chase away other males from their area. Female robins are more submissive and cooperative, and will help the male to build the nest and feed the chicks.

• How can I attract more robins to my garden?
  • You can attract more robins to your garden by providing them with food, water, shelter, and plants, as explained in this article. You can also make your garden more appealing to robins by adding some features that they like, such as a birdbath, a bird table, a log pile, or a bird song CD. You can also avoid using pesticides or herbicides in your garden, as they can harm robins and their food sources.

• How can I protect robins from predators in my garden?
  • You can protect robins from predators in your garden by placing the food, water, and shelter in safe and visible spots, away from cats and other predators, and near some cover, such as a bush or a fence, that robins can escape to if they feel threatened. You can also use some deterrents, such as bells, spikes, or nets, to keep cats and other predators away from your garden. You can also keep your dog on a leash or indoors when robins are around, and avoid feeding robins by hand, as this can make them too tame and vulnerable.

Conclusion

Robins are amazing birds that can brighten up your garden and your mood in winter. They are loyal, brave, and cheerful, and they need our help more than ever in the cold season. By following the tips in this article, you can make your garden a safe haven for robins and other birds this winter, and enjoy their company and songs. You will also help them conserve their energy and prepare for the breeding season in spring. Remember, every little helps when it comes to supporting wildlife in your garden.

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