Don't forget about your feathered friends

The winter can be a struggle for many of the nation's birds so a little food, water and shelter can go a long way to helping them through the cold snap and keep them healthy for breeding next year.

Sadly, many once-common birds such as house sparrows, starlings and song thrushes have faced steep declines in numbers over the last 30 years. Gardens are now increasingly important for these and other birds, especially as winter approaches.

To help us along the way, the RSPB has produced a simple seven-point plan to ensure their garden birds win the battle against the cold winter months:

• Introduce a bird table and high calorie seed mixes. This can also be used to put out kitchen scraps such as animal fats, grated cheese and soaked dried fruit.
• Put out hanging feeders for black sunflower seeds, sunflower hearts, sunflower-rich mixes or unsalted peanuts.
• Ensure a supply of fresh water every day. If it is very cold use tepid water but DO NOT use any antifreeze products.
• Supply apples and pears for blackbirds, song thrushes and other members of the thrush family.
• Food bars or fat hung up or rubbed into the bark of trees is a great help for treecreepers, goldcrest and many other species.
• Put up nest boxes to provide roost sites for the smaller birds. They will then be used for breeding later in the year.
• Plant berry-bearing plants in your garden, such as hawthorn, holly, cotoneaster and berberis.