We’ve dipped into the News Shopper Camera Club archives to bring you a selection of our favourite photos of birds.
To accompany these great images we have some expert tips from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds on how to help our feathered friends this winter.
WHAT THE RSPB SAYS:
Feed little and often - the cold and damp conditions can mean food gets frozen or feeders get clogged, so check them regularly and give them a clean when you can.
Top up your birdbath - birds need to drink even in the snow so if your birdbath is frozen empty it and cover the inside with a tough plastic sheet that extends over the edges. Fill it up with water and put a ping-pong ball in to move the surface around to prevent freezing during the day. It may freeze overnight but in the morning you won't have to break the ice as you can just pull it out using the plastic sheet. Replace and refill the next day.
Raid your pantry - put out some food that may be hidden away in your kitchen. Cooked rice, porridge oats, mild grated cheese, dried raisins and sultanas, apples, pears, pastry, mixed nuts (unsalted!) and lard (make your own fatballs!) are all good for birds.
Frozen park lakes - many wildfowl have no choice but to sit the bad weather out on the ice. If you want to help them try offering some green veg leaves, fruit, cooked potato and special duck pellets. Your local lake may also have herons and egrets, and they may appreciate you taking a trip to the fishmonger for some fresh fish treats - sprats are usually available and can be slid out on the ice.
Things not to do! Don't feed anything with high salt levels, desiccated coconut or chocolate, don't put any food out in mesh bags and the only thing going into a bird bath should be water.
- To get involved with sharing your photos which we could use in our newspaper and on our website, join our News Shopper Camera Club on Facebook
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