3 Garden Birds You’re More Likely to Spot in Autumn (and What to Feed Them)

2 min read
3 Garden Birds You’re More Likely to Spot in Autumn (and What to Feed Them)

As the leaves begin to fall and the garden opens up again, birds become easier to spot. Branches that were hidden by summer growth are suddenly bare, giving us a clearer view of who’s flitting about. Autumn is a busy time for garden birds as they build up energy for the colder months ahead, so it’s a great time to keep feeders topped up and enjoy the show.

Robin

Robins are often the first to make an appearance when the weather turns cooler. You’ll see them perched on low branches, fence posts or hopping around your feet while you’re gardening. They prefer to feed close to the ground, where they pick up soft seeds and mealworms.

Our Fall Into Winter Blend includes chopped peanuts, sunflower hearts and dried mealworms, which are exactly the kind of high-energy foods robins love. Those ingredients provide the protein and healthy fats they need to stay active and keep their bright red plumage through autumn and winter.

Goldfinch

Goldfinches bring a flash of colour to autumn gardens. As natural seed-eaters, they’re often seen on teasel heads or hanging feeders. If you spot a small group chattering together, you’ve probably found a “charm” of goldfinches.

Their fine beaks are perfect for picking out smaller seeds. The sunflower hearts and pinhead oats in the Fall Into Winter Blend are ideal for them, providing easy-to-eat energy to fuel their busy flocks through the cooler days. Keeping your feeders clean and topped up regularly helps encourage them to return each day.

Wren

Wrens are tiny but full of character. You might hear their loud song before you spot them darting through the undergrowth or along a low wall. They often stay close to cover, especially around hedges or log piles, and they like to feed on the ground or from low perches.

Wrens thrive on a mix of protein and fat as insects become scarcer in autumn. The suet pellets and dried mealworms in the Fall Into Winter Blend give them the boost they need. Scatter a little on the ground beneath a feeder or near sheltered spots to tempt them out into view.

A season to notice more

Feeding birds in autumn isn’t just about helping them through leaner months. It’s also a lovely reminder to slow down and notice what’s happening in the garden. The changing light, the falling leaves and the activity around the feeders all signal a quiet shift towards winter.

Our Fall Into Winter Blend is designed to support small garden birds like robins, goldfinches and wrens at this time of year. It’s made from sustainably sourced ingredients and packed in home-compostable packaging, so you can feed your garden birds with care and confidence.

Clare Cahill

Thank you for reading!

Clare Cahill is an bird enthusiast with a passion for observing and learning. While she definitely doesn’t have a formal degree in ornithology, Clare has dedicated hours to reading birding books and exploring nature, constantly expanding her knowledge and deepening her love for wildlife.

For Clare, birdwatching brings a sense of calm and connection to the world, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. She believes that the more we connect with nature, the more we can do to protect and conserve it. Through her writing, Clare hopes to inspire others to take a moment to pause, look up, and appreciate the calm and connection that comes from letting a little wildness into our everyday lives.

About A Little Bird Co.

The seasonal bird food brand

We're a little company, supporting little birds. Find out more about what sets us apart.

  • What to feed the birds in summer

    Seasonal

    Birds have different dietary needs throughout the year, from nesting to moulting and surviving colder months. To support these changes, we’ve created seasonal blends – order a Seasonal Bird Food bag, and we’ll adjust the blend to match the season, making it easy to do something great for the birds.

  • Child holding bag of seasonal A Little Bird Co. bird food.

    Sustainable

    Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We don't farm, process, and transport cheap filler ingredients that birds simply kick to the floor. Instead, we focus on premium ingredients they love. Our packaging is compostable, and our bird feeders and nest boxes are tested for durability and longevity.

  • Songbird

    We design our food and select our range of feeders with little birds in mind. Every ingredient in our blends is chosen because small birds love it, simplifying your bird feeding routine. Our feeders provide safe access to food while helping to keep out larger, more dominant species. Look out for robins, blue tits, wrens, finches and more visiting your garden for our food.

  • Support

    With birds in your garden, you’re never alone - they’re the friends who always visit. Feeding them supports wildlife conservation while bringing joy and calm. Whether spotting a new species or simply watching their daily routines, just ten minutes a day strengthens your connection with nature and boosts your wellbeing.

When life feels busy, the birds keep it simple.

There’s something lovely about how feeding the birds becomes part of the rhythm of your day. A scoop of seed, a clean dish of water - and then a pause, just to watch who turns up. It doesn’t have to take long, but those moments can be surprisingly grounding. A little burst of mindfulness, fresh air, a chance to notice your garden as it changes throughout the seasons, and the cheerful flutter of wings - it’s good for the soul.

Join our flock of bird enthusiasts who share a passion for sustainable and thoughtful bird feeding.

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