The robin is officially Britain’s favourite feathered friend - back in 2015 it topped a poll to find the nation’s most beloved bird. Easy to recognise, robins are also one of our most common birds, with a population of roughly six or seven million.

This adaptable species is one of the birds often seen in gardens. Here are some tips on how to encourage robins to visit your own patch.

What do robins eat?

The easiest way to attract a robin to your garden is to provide a source of food. Insects and invertebrates make up most of a robin’s diet, with seeds and fruit also eaten in winter.

Your garden will be even better for robins if you make it a home for their natural prey. Encourage invertebrates by allowing parts of the garden to grow wild. Planting trees and adding features like a log pile or compost heap will help too. These minibeasts will provide food for robins and a host of other wildlife.