Nearly half of Britons say spotting a robin lifts their spirits. This winter, UK charity SongBird Survival is urging everyone with a garden - or even a balcony - to give local birds a vital winter boost. ‍

Ahead of National Robin Day on 21 December, charity SongBird Survival is calling on the public to put out a high-energy, high fat, meal for birds - like a seed cake or fat ball. as temperatures drop. Robins can lose up to 10% of their body weight in just one cold winter night, so providing food that is high in fat is a big help during the colder months.   It gives garden birds the energy to stay warm when natural food sources run low.

A new YouGov poll reveals how deeply the nation loves its robins:
   - Nearly half (48%) of UK adults say spotting a robin makes them “cheerful or happy”
   - 16% say robins remind them of a loved one - adding to the bird’s status as Britain’s most sentimental species
   - 12% say they have named a robin or another garden bird they see regularly.

SongBird Survival runs the popular National Robin Day to celebrate the UK’s love of songbirds, but more than half of all UK songbird species are under threat, and 80% of adults say they are worried about the decline. Shockingly, 45% of people only learned of the crisis through this new polling.

Sue Morgan, Chief Executive of SongBird Survival said: “‘Many of us enjoy watching garden birds outside our windows, and now is the time to help them through the cold winter. Giving songbirds a boost of high-energy, high-fat foods like fat balls can make a real difference, but avoid feeding them bread, salted foods, or foods that are too processed. This is also the perfect time for gardeners to start thinking ahead to spring, planning how to create a wildlife haven by providing native plants, water sources and shelter and stopping their use of pesticides in the garden.”  

The charity is also urging people to leave out fresh water every day during winter, a simple step that can be lifesaving for small birds when ice forms, and to consider how their garden can provide birds shelter from harsh winds, rain and predators.

SongBird Survival has created an easy DIY recipe for seed cakes, costing 36p each, which provides enough energy to feed a pair of robins for 22 days. You can also sign up for free tips on low-cost ways to help, regardless of the size of your garden. The charity hopes millions will join in this winter and help Britain’s treasured songbirds survive the cold.

Notes to Editors:

   1. Polling was conducted by YouGov on behalf of SongBird Survival with fieldwork 6th - 7th November 2025. The total sample size was 2124 adults. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
   2. Charity’s ‘Thank you for the music’ films and robin photos available on request.
   3. Information on why songbirds need help in winter, and how to help, can be found at: https://www.songbird-survival.org.uk/what-we-do/campaigns/national-robin-day/national-robin-day    4. LINK to seedcake recipe
   5. Contact Tracey Spensley at pr@songbird-survival.org.uk for interviews. Spokespeople are:
      - Sue Morgan, Chief Executive officer
      - Emma Phipps, Scientific Research and Impact Manager
   6. SongBird Survival is the only charity in the UK dedicated solely to halting and reversing the alarming population decline of songbirds and other small birds. It does this by supporting research carried out by experts at top universities and conservation organisations in the UK into the cause of the decline, and the solutions. More information is available at: https://www.songbird-survival.org.uk/