Anyone who has common birds in their garden including robins and sparrows in the cold January weather is being urged to do something to help them out during the ongoing freezing conditions.
UK are home to all sorts of wildlife, but not just in the summer – even during the colder months.
Several common birds stay in British over the winter, choosing to fight it out for dwindling food supplies rather than fly south to warmer climes.
Robins, a Christmas favourite, are one bird which will stay in our gardens over winter, fighting with other feathered rivals to keep their territory and find enough to eat.
Robins and sparrows need help in winter (Image: Getty)
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Garden experts Richard Jackson said: “Robins are one of our charismatic winter birds. Easily recognisable, the friendly robin is a great asset in our winter gardens and has been hailed as the UK’s favourite bird.
“In the bleak midwinter, our garden friend the robin shadows our every move in the garden. His tomato red breast shines like a beacon in the cold winter light as he hops and chirrups around as we potter around the winter garden.
“These pretty little birds are hugely territorial. In order to survive they need to protect and retain their patch, especially if there’s a garden rich in bird food or a friendly human providing some sustenance.”
Sparrows, too, will stay in British gardens, but struggle to find food and a virus has hurt numbers in England in particular.
Bird feeding experts GardenBird said: “The house sparrow is an endearing, friendly little bird whose almost consistent year-round presence is always welcome. However, despite its notoriety as being one of the most sociable and gregarious birds in existence, it’s an understatement to say the sparrow has had a very tough time throughout history.
Despite the recent return of sightings in gardens across the UK, house sparrows are still classified as being in decline. According to RSPB research, between 1977 and 2008 house sparrows declined by as much as 71 percent.”
The experts put the decline, specifically in England, down to less availability of food, climate change and pollution, the loss of nesting sites and even the introduction of unleaded petrol which they say ‘produces toxic compounds such as methyl nitrate’.
Sparrows in winter need extra support (Image: Getty)
Gardeners are being urged to help these classic British birds out by feeding them over the colder, tougher winter months.
Each of these birds needs a different approach if you want to help them out. Both robins and sparrows will eat from bird feeders, and any mix of nuts, seeds, suet or dedicated bird food mix like mealworms will work.
Sparrows aren’t fussy and will eat just about anything, including peanuts, seeds, suet and even various kitchen scraps.
The downside of this is that squirrels will steal their food – sprinkle something spicy across it and the birds will still love it but squirrels will leave well alone.
The RSPB urges: “Put out bird food and water on a regular basis through autumn and winter. In severe weather, you may find you need to feed twice daily. Birds need high-energy, high-fat foods during cold weather.
“Always adjust the quantity given to the demand, and never allow uneaten foods to build up. Once you have a feeding routine, try not to change it as birds will become used to it.”