Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s facts and advice on how to help the Robin this winter

It’s supposed to be the season of good will, but our much-loved robins seem reluctant to enter the festive spirit when it comes to their own kind.

As the words of the traditional Christmas carol spell out, ‘tis the season of ‘peace on earth and good will to men’, but our much-loved robin, one of our most enduring seasonal icons, seems reluctant to enter the festive spirit when it comes to their own kind, says Erin McDaid of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.

Various polls have marked out the robin as the nation’s favourite bird. The species is also a mainstay of seasonal imagery at this time of year, featured on all manner of merchandise, from cards and wrapping paper to the much-maligned Christmas jumper.

While it is inextricably associated with a time of hospitality and charity, the robin red breast seems to be in the mood for anything but sharing. Despite being one of the few birds to delight us with beautiful birdsong all year round; their sweet sounds belie a temperament not entirely compatible with their seasonal association.

While at their most territorial in spring when looking to hold on to breeding territory, their largely insect-based diet makes defending their dominion important in winter too, to ensure they have access to their preferred insect prey when numbers are in short supply.

As well as seeing off other robins, these troublesome tunesters will also attack other small birds such as dunnocks and tits. Such is their determination to defend their patch at all costs and state of aggressive alert that they have even been known to attack their own reflection.

While many bird species are territorial; few are as fiercely stubborn as the robin. Territorial disputes which might start with a bout of competitive singing and robust posturing, can escalate into prolonged fights.

Some fights are even to the death and staggeringly, as many as one in ten robins meet their demise this way — not very Christmassy prospect at all.

While these truculent troubadours are fiercely territorial and most rarely move more than 5km; at this time of year, when they are regularly depicted surrounded by snow – a proportion of our resident robins head over the channel to catch some winter sun- heading as far south as Spain and Portugal.

So, far from being the regular feathered friend you’ve seen and enjoyed hopping around the garden all summer searching for worms, the robins that brighten your winter days could well be migrants from Scandinavia, Europe or Russia seeking refuge from the harsher winters there.

Given the challenge of finding food in winter and the fact that most robins do not make it through their first year, it is perhaps unsurprising that they are so territorial. So, during the season of goodwill, spare a thought for our red-breasted friends.

While largely insectivorous, they will take seeds and other foodstuffs put out for them. Fruit such as raisins or bruised apples will be appreciated as well as energy packed treats such as sunflower hearts, crushed peanuts, and suet.

You could even make your own version of a robin energy bar by mixing some of these dry ingredients with some melted suet to bind them together.

While robins will come to bird tables, they are naturally ground feeders and may be more comfortable using a ground feeding tray – which helps keep food off the ground.

If you’re keen to help robins and other birds this winter – but can’t think what to ask Santa for – why not put a range of robin treats on your list ready for Santa and Rudolph to deliver when they pass through.

That way, hopefully, your local robin won’t take Umbridge at the incursion into their airspace!