Brits urged to put cheese in gardens from November 13

Brits should place cheese in the gardens if they want to help one welcome creature during the winter months when snow becomes more likely and temperatures drop significantly. The latest weather maps show several cities being hit with snow between November 13 and November 16. Gardens can look lovely under a blanket of white snow, but some creatures that we enjoy seeing in our outdoor space might find it harder when snow falls and temperatures drop to freezing or below.

One of the animals that might need some extra support is the robin, which British homeowners love seeing in their gardens. There are many ways to attract robins to your garden, especially in autumn and winter. These beautiful little birds are a treat to watch and listen to. Brits can do things like provide shelter, food and water. One of the foods that robins benefit greatly from, to the surprise of many people, is cheese. So, you can put cheese in your garden when it starts to snow, as robins will be seeking it out in these conditions.

The RSPB shared several tips for attracting robins to your garden and caring for them in winter. As well as providing things like logs and leaves for these birds, you can leave out cheese.

The experts at Bird Spot say that cheese is a "great source of energy for garden birds, thanks to its high fat content". They explain: "It also provides calcium, which is vital for strong, healthy bones. Mild, grated hard cheeses like Cheddar are ideal and are particularly enjoyed by robins, blackbirds, and thrushes."

However, you should avoid giving them cheeses like Stilton or any cheese flavoured with onion, chives, or garlic. This could cause quite bad digestive issues for robins.

Other foods that robins benefit from include potatoes, peas and sweetcorn. They will also flock to your garden if you provide them with the correct seeds and mealworms.

Additionally, they seek shelter during cold and snowy conditions. This is something you can give to them in the form of a nest box placed on a wall, shed or tree.

Make sure any shelter you provide for them makes it easy for them to escape the wind and rain. A sheltered corner might be the best place to put it.