With the days getting shorter and the cold weather approaching it is once again time to think of the survival of many of our small birds.

These small birds burn up most of their body fat and weight in their constant search for food. So although they cannot show their appreciation for the help we can give them through the winter they can amuse us with their antics at the feeders. There is no need to overfeed, this only leads to waste and will encourage vermin such as rats and mice.

When feeding, think of the species of birds that visit your garden, some do not easily mix.

Two hanging feeders, one for nuts and one for a mix of grain and seeds, prepared mixes of wild bird food are preferable, some of which will spill on the ground, this can be supplemented by a handful scattered around for the ground feeders.

Some pieces of apple, especially if the apples are going rotten, are enjoyed by Blackbirds. Remember this is how they feed in orchards and you are feeding birds not people. Try to hang the feeders near or under trees, bushes or even the eaves of your house to deter predators such as hawks and also out of reach of cats.

Bird tables are not a good idea as they will encourage Magpies and other members of the Crow family to take the food and they do a great deal of damage to the small birds you are trying help through the winter, by destroying nests and taking the eggs and chicks to feed their own young.

Don't forget water. Bread is best fed if dried and crumbled up as this also helps to deter large birds especially Sea Gulls.

This year we have had a good crop of Hawthorn berries, which members of the Thrush family such as Redwings, Fieldfares and Blackbirds gather to feed on. At the present time we have a large surplus of Blackbirds, yesterday I counted over 50 from my lounge window, but as yet only a few Redwings and one or two Fieldfares. They migrate from Scandinavia, with the arrival of the very cold weather which is experienced nearer the Arctic Circle.

On a sad note a pair of Tree Creepers had settled here, unfortunately one was killed, when it flew into the kitchen window. We are visited, almost daily by the other one, which has obviously not found a mate, so they must be few and far between, bearing in mind the short life span of most small birds, it seems unlikely that the one left will be able to add to their numbers.

The 2001 breeding season was quite good with 5 Blackbird nests found. Also Great Tits, Blue Tits, Pigeons, Turtle Doves and a pair of Robins nested in the upturned honey toilet bucket, which I had placed over my Rhubarb. The Robins may have enjoyed the security they found, unfortunately I had to buy the Rhubarb to go with my custard. Lovely grub.

Brian Bell