Gardeners urged to do 3 things now to attract robins before December

Why not invite robins to your garden instead of just featuring them on a Christmas card? By carrying out a few specific tasks in your garden during October and November, you could attract flocks of robins by December.

Although these tiny birds are commonly seen throughout the year, their popularity soars during winter and in the run-up to Christmas. Their association with the festive season dates back to the Victorian era, when postal workers were referred to as robins, leading to the bird's appearance on the cards we still create and send today.

Mature adult robins, recognisable by their distinctive red breast, are known to sing nearly all year round. With the right conditions, you could create your own living Christmas card scene by attracting robins to your garden and making it a welcoming place for them to call home.

You can start doing certain things now to set the wheels in motion and have these festive-looking birds visiting by December. The best way to attract these little birds is to cater to their most significant need: food.

Providing a reliable source of their favourite foods will keep them returning day after day - they might even decide to settle down to reduce their commute to the garden.

Foods that robins love to eat the most include peanuts (unsalted and crushed), and soft fruits like berries, raisins or chopped apples.

Robins don't typically use hanging feeders as they favour perching whilst eating - so bear this in mind when gathering your supplies. Robins are ground feeders, so a low tray or a covered bird table positioned away from areas where other animals, such as cats, can easily access it is ideal.

Whilst it might clash with your garden's clean aesthetic, it's a good idea to leave some areas where insects can flourish. This will provide the robins with a regular spot where they naturally like to hunt, marking your garden on their internal maps as the perfect foraging spot to visit regularly.

To entice robins to make a permanent home in the garden rather than just visiting, invest in a place for them to build a nest. Although robins are not known to be scared of peculiar spots, it's best to select an open-fronted bird box and position it near some ivy or climbing plants to provide safe places for them to nest.

As crucial as food is, nothing can survive without water. Consider installing a birdbath with clean, fresh water suitable for both drinking and bathing.

You can purchase heated versions that won't freeze over in the winter like most natural water sources that birds rely on.