Robins in Ireland
When the Robin (Erithacus rubecula) is present in Ireland, when it nests, and which native Ireland plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Ireland
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- March–July
- Size
- 14 cm, 16–22 g
- Nest box
- Open-fronted box, 1–2 m high, well hidden in climbers
When to expect robins in Ireland
The Robin lives in Ireland all year round. Mild winters with little snow; Redwings and Fieldfares feed in hedges and fields.
Oceanic climate — mild, humid and consistently wet, especially in the west.
Nesting in Ireland
In Ireland the Robin usually nests March–July. Nest site: cup in a hollow, ivy or open-fronted box, usually low down. Clutches are 4–6 eggs, incubated for 13–14 days; chicks fledge after 13–14 days, and pairs raise 2–3 per year.
- Nest box: Open-fronted box, 1–2 m high, well hidden in climbers. Put boxes up by February and clean them out between September and January.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native Ireland plants for robins
Of the native plants we track for Ireland, these 8 provide food the Robin uses:
Haws feed thrushes all winter; spring blossom supports hundreds of insect species.
Orange-red berries are a magnet for Blackbirds, thrushes and Waxwings from August.
Evergreen roosting cover and winter berries on female plants.
Late-winter berries when little else is left, plus dense nesting cover.
Late-summer berries taken by Blackcaps and thrushes.
Thorny cover that protects nests; early blossom for insects.
Hips persist into winter for thrushes and finches.
Translucent red berries in autumn.
Feeding in the garden
Worms, beetles and other invertebrates; berries and seed in winter.
- Best foods: Mealworms, Suet pellets, Sunflower hearts, Grated cheese.
- Feeders: Ground tray, Open table.
- Robins are fiercely territorial; a second feeding spot out of sight of the first reduces fights.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are robins in Ireland all year?
Yes — the Robin is resident in Ireland all year.
When do robins nest in Ireland?
Typically March–July. Clutches are 4–6 eggs, incubated for 13–14 days, with 2–3 per year.
Which native plants help robins in Ireland?
Hawthorn, Rowan, Holly, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Dog rose, Guelder rose are native to Ireland and provide food or cover the Robin uses.
What nest box does the Robin use?
Open-fronted box, 1–2 m high, well hidden in climbers.
Robins in other countries
Other garden birds in Ireland
Sources
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.