Gardeners urged to leave out one food item for robins in August
Garden enthusiasts are being encouraged to provide one particular type of sustenance for robins throughout the summer months, helping to support these beloved British birds during the warmer period.
Whilst robins require assistance throughout the entire year since they don't journey south for winter like many other species, nourishing robins proves just as crucial during summer as it does in the colder months, wildlife feeding specialists confirm.
During chillier conditions, robins depend on fat balls, suet and additional high-fat provisions to maintain their energy levels through winter, yet these food types have a tendency to deteriorate and spoil in intense summer temperatures, rendering them unsuitable for bird feeding as consuming rotten suet could potentially cause illness in robins.
Alternatively, bird nutrition experts at Ark Wildlife recommend concentrating on sunflower seeds for robins, alongside berries and various fruits.
The organisation explains: "In many ways a robin's diet is the same all year round. In the summer, however, they may be less focused on the kinds of foods that will keep them warm during the colder weather - so berries and other fruits as well as sunflower seeds for birds and other seeds are often on the menu.", reports the Express.
"Leaving fat balls out in warmer weather can cause them to go bad more quickly, so it's important to keep a close eye on what you put out during the summer. In addition, your garden is likely to be at its busiest during the warmer months - so making sure the robins and their food are protected from other creatures is especially important."
You can also put out mealworms, dried fruit such as raisins, mild grated cheese and crushed or shredded peanuts.
To safeguard food for robins, consider using cages or mesh around feeders with gaps large enough for robins to enter, but too small for pigeons or squirrels to squeeze through and steal the food.
As we move into autumn, mealworms become a superior option.
This is because when temperatures begin to drop and evenings grow longer, robins must start preparing for Britain's harsh winter months, unlike many other bird species that migrate south.
Ark Wildlife explains: "As the colder months approach, you should turn your focus when feeding robins to the kinds of foods they'll need during the winter. The sooner they can start stocking up on fats and mealworms, the better, so at this time of year you should get a good supply in and make sure there is food in your garden every day - a robin's health can change drastically from one day to the next."
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