Robins will flock to your garden this Christmas if you leave one food out

They are the archetypal British Christmas card creature. A snow covered field, a twinkling Christmas tree, and a lovely red-breasted robin - is there anything more classically Christmas? But this festive fantasy can become a reality in your garden in time for the big day, say garden experts. Much like with Christmas for us humans, for robins, the key is laying on an indulgent spread.

According to garden expert James Ewens at Green Feathers, there are some foods you can leave out for robins in the run up to Christmas which will bring their cheerful song and vibrant colours to your back yard in time for the festive season. He told the Express: "Robins are a favourite of mine, and it's always a pleasure when one pays you a visit, especially to brighten up a winter's day!

"People think luring robins is an impossible task, and while they can be a rare sighting, when you know, you know. Considering their basic needs and comfort - food and drink, nesting opportunities, shelter, and their most-loved plants and shrubs, goes a long way."

He then urged gardeners to pick mealworms (either live, or mercifully, dried) as a top offering. Alternatively, you can offer suet. But if you can't plump for fancy specialist bird feed, a simple slice of apple or pear will do.

He said: "Knowing what robins like to eat, and need to survive, is essential. Robins love live food, but as the cooler months draw in, their supply of insects is scarce. If you provide mealworms and earthworms, robins will love you forever, and keep coming back.

"Suet balls are a firm favourite, with their high-fat, high-energy content, they're not only appealing for robins, but essential to support their physiology and carry them through the harsh winter months."

He added: "Apples, pears, and dried fruit can be a great source of fibre and vitamins A, E and C for robins - supporting digestion, healthy feathers and eyes, and immunity."

But make sure you place feed close to the ground, such as a low table, or even directly on the soil: "Believe it or not, where you position a robins' feast really matters. Robins prefer to forage closer to the ground, so scatter some food on a low table or directly onto soil to mimic their natural feeding habits."