Gardeners are being urged to leave a specific food item out for robins in July, as the birds can struggle to forage in hot weather. While robins are often associated with winter, they remain in the UK year-round and face particular challenges during summer when their primary food source—earthworms—burrows deeper into parched soil.
Why Robins Struggle in Summer
Robins begin seeking partners in autumn, making them more visible in cooler months. However, in summer they stay close to nests to rear their young, and finding enough food for chicks becomes extremely difficult. Earthworms, their main diet, dig deeper as the soil dries, leaving robins unable to extract them. This can lead to starvation or even death from heatstroke while hunting.
Recommended Foods for Robins
Rachel Hoskins from the Woodland Trust advises: "Make a mixture of bird seed, sunflower hearts and mealworms, place it outside and wait for the robins to arrive." She emphasizes that feeding robins is one of the kindest actions a gardener can take in summer, but many people inadvertently cause harm by offering inappropriate foods.
Bread and stale leftovers are among the worst items for robins. Bread offers no nutritional value, and birds' beaks cannot process hard food, often causing chicks to choke. The best food for robins in summer is mealworms, which are packed with protein and provide energy for both adult and juvenile birds. Mealworms are available in the pet section of most supermarkets. To further assist, soak dried mealworms in water so the birds stay hydrated while eating.
Alternative Options and Tips
If you prefer not to spend money, soft fruit such as apples, pears, bananas, or raisins can be offered. Chop them into very small pieces and soak them in water to soften. Robins have delicate beaks and favor soft foods, as well as very small seeds like sunflower hearts. Suet lard balls, while loved by robins, are not recommended in summer as they melt quickly and can spread disease.
Additional Care for Robins
Providing a shallow water dish and cleaning bird feeders weekly helps prevent disease. The summer months are particularly tough for robins, and thoughtful feeding practices can genuinely help this beloved British bird thrive throughout the year.
