Why You Might Want To Start Attracting Robins To Your Garden

You may already know that having birds as frequent visitors to your garden is great for helping you maintain a yard that is not only robust, but flourishing as well. As a result, many gardeners find themselves researching which species will be most beneficial for their land. Each type of bird provides its own unique addition, from their coloring to their singing and their food or shelter preferences — and robins are no different. These delightful, brightly colored birds are a wonderful addition if you're hoping to develop a garden that is balanced, resilient, and varied.

One key reason for this is because of their pollination abilities. Though they may not be quite as good as bees or butterflies at spreading pollen from flower to flower, robins are wonderful if you're looking to start a pollinator garden because they like to partake in the nectar of different buds and can help pollinate them as a result. In addition, they can help fruiting plants to flourish as they love to munch on berries and different fruits — especially in autumn and winter when there are less worms available. The robins then essentially plant the seeds in different locations as they defecate. 

Robins can also benefit your garden because they are the natural predators of many insects and spiders you may not want overtaking your outdoor space. Like some other birds, their preference for worms and burrowing insects also means that they can provide a free lawn aeration service by poking their beaks into the soil, stopping it from becoming too dense and packed down. But your yard isn't the only thing that is helped by the visits of this sweet little bird. You can actually reap their benefits for your own positive mental health and enjoyment, too.

If you've ever looked out into your yard in the depths of winter and felt the dull, colorless view to be a drain on your morale, then you may not be surprised to hear that inviting a bright, singing friend into your space can make a world of difference. The cheerful song of the robin is yet another beneficial reason you want to attract birds into your garden, and bird-watching has been shown to improve mental health because it allows time to rest from the focused activities of the day. Robins in particular are known for becoming familiar with humans by identifying their mannerisms and features, even to the point of following them around the yard. This means that you not only gain colorful visitors in your yard by attracting robins, you also get friendly ones.

To attract these merry birds into your garden, it is important to provide them with plenty of spots where they can feel sheltered and safe from predators. In addition, they appreciate having a clean birdbath or pond where they can take a quick dip or stop for a drink. You can also attract robins to your garden by encouraging insects to exist within fallen logs, bug hotels, compost, or leaf litter. Alternatively, you can install a mealworm bird feeder and fill it with their favorite snacks. Just make sure to place it near shelter so they feel safe enough to eat from it. These small changes are certainly worth doing to take advantage of the many benefits which robins offer to both your garden and your own mental health.