are being urged to put tabasco or chilli flakes on their bird tables as soon as possible this winter.
During freezing cold December days, there are several popular British bird species that are non-migratory – they do not fly somewhere warmer in .
Instead, they choose to stay and fight to find whatever they can to eat here in the UK, even though food supplies can often be scarce and temperatures freezing.
Between the , the heavy rain and the howling winds as well as icy temperatures, finding food can be really difficult.
Birds do need a hand with finding food. Thanks to a huge reduction in insect populations, which are down as much as 80% in the past 20 years according to studies, birds have far less to eat than they used to, putting them at real risk of starvation.
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Tabasco can help feed the birds in your garden (Image: Getty)
That’s why are being asked to do what they can to make a difference and leave food out for birds during the cold weather.
Birds such as blackbirds, magpies, starlings and robins – a favourite in particular – all stay in the UK over winter and will all be hunting for food.
Birds love all sorts of food left out for them, including custom bird food mixes like mealworms, as well as household items like sultanas, raisins, oats, sunflower seeds and various other nuts and seeds.
The problem with putting food out on bird tables, though, is that squirrels and even rats will try to steal it.
So, if you have a bird table or bird bath, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds suggests that gardeners use something spicy, like Tabasco or chilli powder flakes, to flavour the food.
The RSPB says: “Fruit, especially bruised apples and pears, will be popular with thrushes and blackbirds.
“Household scraps like pastry, cooked rice and breadcrumbs should only be offered in small amounts occasionally.
“Strong chilli powder or pepper sauce (like Tabasco) can be shaken onto bird food.
“Birds aren’t bothered by the chilli, but most squirrels can’t put up with the burning sensation and will leave the food alone.”