Robins will love your garden in spring if you plant pretty shrub

Robins are one of the UK’s favourite birds and are often spotted in gardens across the country. They can be more noticeable in spring, and there are certain plants, foods and shrubs that could help attract them to your garden

Birds need help throughout the year, whether that means offering them nutritious food to feed on or water for bathing. This becomes crucial during the spring months when British birds are building nests, laying eggs and nurturing their young.

Robins are one of Britain’s most beloved birds, and while they’re a delightful presence all year, they tend to be more visible during spring. This occurs because their dietary habits change and they depend more heavily on insects, worms and spiders, typically discovered in lawns. According to one expert, enticing them into your garden is straightforward.

James Ewen, gardening specialist at Green Feathers, explained: “Robins are a favourite of mine, and it’s always a pleasure when one pays you a visit.

“People think luring robins is an impossible task, and while they can be a rare sighting, when you know, you know.

“Considering their basic needs and comfort- food, drink, nesting opportunities, shelter and their most-loved plants and shrubs can go a long way.”

Shrubs

If you’re hoping to attract robins, supplying dense shrubs, hedges and climbing plants is ideal. They provide refuge from severe weather and safety from larger birds.

The gardening specialist noted: “A top choice for attracting robins and other songbirds is a serviceberry tree, known by many names, including juneberry.”

Their fruit matures from late spring through summer, supplying robins with a consistent source of soft, energy-rich berries, reports the Express.

Food

Understanding what robins enjoy eating is vital. They are enthusiastic feeders, and offering mealworms and earthworms is an excellent starting point. According to the expert, providing these will have robins “keep coming back”.

Fruits such as apples and pears can also be a brilliant source of fibre and vitamins for robins, helping to support digestion as well as healthy feathers and eyesight.

Water

Much like other birds, robins need water for both hydration and bathing. Keep a shallow bird bath topped up throughout the year, or position a small dish close to some shrubs.

The expert said: “Robins prioritise safety, so positioning water by shrub shelters them from predators. Never underestimate how important water is for robins to bathe in.

“Providing a place for robins to bathe keeps their feathers clean and free from parasites, and they also make their feathers more pliable when they bathe, allowing them to fight more efficiently, thus getting away from predators more effectively.”