The red breasted bird doesn’t have to be just for Christmas, as this one gardening hack can make them appear in your garden all year round including the summer
Christmas time can make many of us think about Christmas trees, presents and even what to eat on December 25, but there’s one bird that also spings to mind.
Robins, with their distinctive red breast feature, have been associated with the festive season for years but they don’t just appear in the colder months. In fact, depending on what’s in your garden, you can attract them to your outside space all year round.
Robins love to eat mealworms (live or soaked dried ones) during the summer but in the colder months it can be harder to find so they’ll often fly to where food is easier to access. The little birds also love suet, and fat balls, especially in winter but any garden space with food on offer can be a place they’ll happily land.
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Trees that have fruit are also a favourite with robins and horticultural enthusiast Cindy Watter, writing for the University of California, explained that the hawthorn tree in particular will attract robins because of their deep-red fruits known as “haws”.
Watter noted that the hawthorn tree’s main purpose “is to provide habitat and food for birds”, including robins.
She added, “Hawthorns do not require much care once they are established, beyond a pruning now and then.
“Mine is quite tall because I neglected that part, but the birds don’t care. The fruits (called “haws” in England) look like tiny red apples and I have seen birds swallow them whole.”
Experts at Love The Garden also agreed as they added that the “dormant season”, which is between November to March is the ideal time to plant a hawthorn tree and once it’s in bloom you can expect to see some red breasted friends frequenting your garden.
Robins can also be attracted to your garden if you maintain a safe, clean and full bird feeder.
However it’s important to be mindful of the position of your bird feeder as predators, such as cats, will take advantage if they are able to hide in shrubs nearby.
Most birds will not feel safe if a feeding station is too close to the ground or too close to any vegetation, fences, and sheds.
Once in a safe position where birds are away from potential predators, it’s best to top up the bird feeder with fruits, sunflower seeds, crushed peanuts, and mealworms.
Providing robins with a reliable food source now increases their chances of staying healthy and surviving the winter when the temperature drops and it gets colder, and having a hawthorn tree ensures your garden becomes a favourite haunt for them throughout the year.
