Robins will keep coming back to your garden if you feed them 1 food in September

September can be a quiet month for garden birds for many reasons. As the vibrant flurry of spring and summer gives way to the mellow hues of autumn, many nature lovers in the UK notice a peculiar silence descending upon their gardens.

The dawn chorus is more like a whisper and the birds may seem to have all but vanished. If you've found yourself wondering "Where did all the birds go?" you're not alone.

You may assume they have left for sunnier climes. And while some will have done that, it's also a combination of natural phenomena and seasonal changes that means many familiar species are simply going through a quieter, less visible phase. But those that remain can still benefit from your help, particularly when it comes to food.

The RSPB says we should still put out bird food and water "on a regular basis" through autumn and winter. And there's one food in particular that it suggests: "Birds need high-energy, high-fat foods during cold weather."

High-energy and high-fat foods include the following, which birds love:

• Suet
• Peanuts
• Sunflower seeds
• Mealworms

Mixed seed and nut blends, as well as fruit and berries, also work well. Mealworms, in particular, are said to be a robin's favourite food.

"Mealworms are a key for robins, they absolutely love them," explains Sue Morgan, CEO of SongBird Survival. "But I think if you went with sunflower hearts and mealworms... robins would really like those."

There are a couple of things to bear in mind when feeding birds in your garden, especially when it comes to hygiene and avoiding disease: "Always adjust the quantity given to the demand, and never allow uneaten foods to build up," says the RSPB.

Clean up old feed and check for signs of disease. If you have a bird bath, make sure you clean it regularly. Earlier this year, the RSPB stopped the sale of its flat bird tables following warnings that they could be contributing to the spread of deadly diseases to finches.

The annual moult: After the demanding breeding season, adult birds are exhausted. Their feathers, vital for flight and insulation, are worn and tattered. To prepare for the rigours of autumn and winter, birds undergo a complete feather replacement. This process is incredibly energy-intensive, making birds more vulnerable and less inclined to spend time out in the open.

"Moulting is a physically demanding time for birds," explains the RSPB. "They need to conserve energy, so they become much quieter and spend more time hidden amongst vegetation, making them less conspicuous."

Nature's larder is full: During spring and summer, birds are highly visible at feeders because natural food sources can be scarce, and they need a constant supply of energy to feed their young. However, September sees an explosion of natural food. Berries are ripe, seeds are abundant on plants, and insects are still plentiful. With a natural buffet available, birds spend less time queueing at your feeders. They disperse into hedgerows, woodlands, and garden shrubs, where they can forage for a diverse diet.

"Wild food sources like berries, nuts, and fallen fruits are at their peak in autumn," says the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). "Meaning birds don't have to rely as heavily on supplementary feeding."

Birds are growing and preparing to migrate: Young birds, born in the spring, are also finding their feet. They're no longer dependent on their parents and are beginning to explore new territories. This "dispersal" means they might move away from their birth garden, contributing to a lower overall count of familiar faces.

Furthermore, some of our summer visitors, such as swallows and housemartins, are indeed preparing for their long migration south. While their departure is often quite noticeable, it's part of the broader seasonal shift. Many of our resident birds, however, are simply hunkering down and focusing on survival.

While your garden may seem quieter, the birds are still there, just being more discreet. You can help them through this demanding period by:

• Providing water: Fresh, clean water for drinking and bathing is crucial, especially as natural puddles may dry up.

• Leaving wild areas: Resist the urge for a perfectly tidy garden. Piles of leaves, seed heads, and undisturbed shrubs provide vital shelter and food sources.

• Offering high-energy foods: Continue to put out quality bird seed, suet and fat balls, as these provide essential energy for moulting and winter preparation, especially when natural food supplies begin to dwindle later in autumn.