20th February 2007

Robins Are Surviving - What to Feed Robins in Winter

Feeding Robins In Winter:

I’m not sure if it’s a good or bad thing that when I come home, there are five to eight robins waiting in trees, and one or two perched on the side of my driveway.  One kept looking curiously at the driveway and wondering when there would be more cherries?  I’ve also got one outside my office that visits on the balcony.  The warmer weather is setting in, thankfully.  I haven’t seen the tattered robin since Sunday.  I’m thinking it doesn’t look good for him/her.   The cherries really are the way to go - I received a note back from Wildlife Division and they said robins can not eat seeds - their beaks are not built for it.  So, cherries were the way to go but need to be moistened (see below for additional suggestions updated in 2010).

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Updated Entry on 1/10/2010:  What to Feed Your Robins During Winter

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You can feed wintering robins the following, right from your kitchen or regular grocery store items:

1) frozen cherries - cook into compote or mince and then thaw somewhat but not all together - make sure that a robin’s long beak will be able to swallow or pick at whatever you make

2)  Oats, breads, leftover stuffing bread cubes that might be in your freezer from the holidays

3) Mashed up peanuts and other healthy fats

If you want to purchase from a bird feed store ; you can get earthworms, mealworms or fat balls (something I’ve seen mentioned on UK websites)

Here are some entries I found on the Web, today, to update my own entry and knowledge on this topic:

http://living.peta.org/2009/protect-furry-friends-from-winter-weather

http://gardening.yardener.com/FeedingRobins.html - suet, apples, grapes, cherries, peanuts or stale baked goods. They have been known to sample cooked spaghetti, American and cottage cheese and cornbread as well. Keep one or more birdbaths filled with fresh water year round for them.

http://www.birdola.com/faqs.htm

http://www.bracknellnews.co.uk/articles/1/8145

http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/robins.htm

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