This bright bloom is a great source of food for the nation’s favourite bird
As winter continues its steady march, householders might notice an uptick in sightings of robins in their gardens. While the red-breasted birds can be spotted all year, winter is the time they will come to gardens on the hunt for food.
In the colder months their food sources wane as worms and insects retreat underground. So a great way to entice them to your garden all year round is to plant something that will provide grub for them to feast on.
One plant is perfect for this and it has the added bonus of brightening up your outdoor space come late spring time too.
Planting camassia bulbs in your garden’s border will attract aphids and pollinators which make up part of a robin’s, and other wildlife’s diet. And this month or next is the perfect time to get in in the ground.
Camassia can also be planted in long grasses or near to ponds and has a brilliant, violet-blue star-shaped bloom. It will produce tall spires of flowers and give a bold display.
Experts at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) suggest it should be planted in moist soil either in full sun or light shade. Don’t, however, plant in waterlogged soil, reports Country Living.
Another bonus is they are known as being tough and long-lived plants. And they are great cut flowers too.
In coming years, if left undisturbed, the Camassia will be a feeding ground for flocks of birds, bees and butterflies meaning robins will come back to feed.
Gardeners can also consider planting a serviceberry tree which yields fruit in the summer and is a draw for robins too.
All About Birds say that the serviceberry is a ‘four season winner’ that is a good choice for attracting birds.
They said: “Birds descend in droves to feed on ripening serviceberries… [lots of] species of birds have been documented feeding on these delicious fruits. Without question, serviceberries are one of the top plants for birds.“
Keeping a well-stocked bird feeder is also advised if you want robins to frequent your garden. But for robins, experts say to avoid feeders that sit too close to the ground or any vegetation.
Robins feel at risk when feeding next to plants and this can make them less likely to return to your garden.
Instead, be sure to pick a shady spot and ensure it’s away from plants and from fences where cats could potentially reach it.
As to what to fill the feeder with, robins are particularly fond of sunflower seeds, crushed peanuts and mealworms. These nutritious foods will help to attract them to the garden and a steady supply of these will make them want to come back again and again too.
