During the winter, native birds throughout the UK need extra help, and it's something we can all provide, whether you have an enormous country garden or a terrace or window box in the city.
In cold snaps like the current one, snowfall covers wild bird's usual sources of food and water, and the ground is too hard for foraging.
Keeping a daily supply of water outside (un frozen!) along with suitable feed and food scraps, could ensure more birds survive the winter.
The Wiltshire Ornithology Society have some great advice on their website, from what to feed to when to do it.
Some simple tips from the RSPB should get you started:
1. Put out feed regularly, especially in severe weather. Set up a bird table and use high calorie seed mixes. This can also be used to put out kitchen scraps such as animal fats, grated cheese and porridge oats
2. Put out hanging feeders for black sunflower seeds, sunflower hearts, sunflower-rich mixes or unsalted peanuts
3. Ensure a supply of fresh water every day. If it is very cold use tepid water but DO NOT use any antifreeze products
4. Put out fruit, such as apples and pears, for blackbirds, song thrushes and other members of the thrush family
5. Food bars or fat hung up or rubbed into the bark of trees is a great help for treecreepers, goldcrests and many other species
6. Put up nest boxes to provide roost sites for the smaller birds. They will then be used for breeding later in the year
It doesn't take much or a big part of your day to put something out for birds, and gives them the best boost for breeding in spring. Plus you never know what will end up outside your window!
Jessica
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Jessica Duncan is a freelance writer and photographer with The Little White Studio