27/10/2026
Great Munden Recreational Garden
August 2026 Photo Competition
Thank you to everyone for taking part in the competition, either submitting some beautiful photos or helping us pick a winner.
We're happy to share Stanley's winning shot with you.
Taken by Stanley Gordon
Friday 14th August
Walkern Ford
As you may already know, the photos will be collated in our 2027 calendar which is due to be printed in December. There is also a small financial prize for the winner of the front cover, which Stanley won last year.
In August, Robins often become less visible and quieter in gardens because they are moulting their feathers and foraging for insects in the woods rather than at feeders. The RSPB notes that robins do not migrate but may be harder to spot during this period of reduced activity.
To attract them back, the RSPB advises switching from hanging feeders to open tables, as robins are natural ground feeders. Offering mealworms (soaked in water for moisture), suet, and fruit is recommended to support their high protein needs as natural insect supplies decline.
The UK's favourite bird. Thanks to its bright red breast, it's familiar throughout the year and especially at Christmas. Males and females look identical, young birds have no red breast and are spotted with golden brown. Robins sing nearly all year round and despite their cute appearance, they are aggressively territorial and are quick to drive away intruders. They will sing at night next to street lights, listen out for their tuneful song, a mix of twitters and trills with longer notes.
Robins are curious and will follow gardeners – ready to pounce on unearthed worms and grubs!
With their bright red chests, adult Robins are pretty unmistakeable, but juveniles lack these characteristic red feathers and are speckly brown all over.
Robins are currently listed as Green on the UK List of Birds of Conservation Concern. This means they are of least concern.
Robins are one of only a few birds in the UK that sing throughout the year. Take a walk in the countryside, head to your local park or into your garden and see if you can hear one.
The UK’s favourite bird is a Christmas staple. However, the brightly breasted Robin is actually here year-round. Despite their adorable appearance, these plucky little birds will aggressively defend their territory, especially around the breeding season.
The robin's song is amelodic, high-pitched whistle. Each verse is different, but most follow a similar structure: short (two to four second), gushing phrases – punctuated with abrupt pauses.
You can hear them all year round, apart from a quieter period when they’re moulting after breeding, during July – August. They’re even notorious nighttime vocalists, with the invention of streetlights increasing the regularity of their after-dark performances.
Robins like to sing from a perch, whether that be a fence post, a tree branch or the handle of your garden spade. They can be seen almost anywhere around the UK, in gardens, parks and cities.
