With the weather getting colder, more wildlife will be struggling to find enough food
As the chill of winter intensifies over the coming weeks, our local wildlife will face increasing difficulties in finding food. The plummeting temperatures, both during the night and day, will cause the ground to harden, making it particularly challenging for birds to source enough sustenance – this is especially true for smaller species like robins.
Robins, often associated with the festive season and featured on everything from Christmas cards to tree decorations and wrapping paper, are a year-round presence in our gardens. Despite their delicate appearance, robins are surprisingly territorial and can display aggression towards other birds that dare to invade their space.
These seemingly gentle creatures feel a strong bond to their territory – which could very well be your garden – hence, it’s crucial to lend them a helping hand during the harsh winter months when their usual food sources may be scarce, according to the Mirror.
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The Royal Horticultural Society experts have cautioned that if your garden is a haven for robins, you might need to consider providing additional food sources.
They said: “Help birds in winter by placing fat blocks in wire cages. Balls in plastic nets are not recommended as birds such as woodpeckers can get their tongues caught.”
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has highlighted the importance of feeding birds throughout the year, with winter being a critical time due to their need for high-fat food sources to maintain warmth. They added: “Garden birds, in particular, benefit from feeding year-round, but winter is a time to provide foodstuffs with a high-fat content to help keep them warm. Feed regularly so that birds will not waste vital energy visiting your garden when there is no food.”
For those looking to save money, the RHS suggests making your own fat blocks by using suet and moulds like coconut shells or logs with holes. The RSPB notes that a robin’s diet typically consists of “Worms, seeds, fruits, insects and other invertebrates.”
