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While most people will be thinking about the festivities, I have other things on my mind. I'm finding myself worrying even more than usual about feeding the birds.I was brought up to love wild birds and to try to look after them. This includes

with fresh cranberries and Christmas nuts (unsalted, of course).It all looks rather festive out there. As well as feeding the birds, I leave out bowls of water for them to bathe in and drink. Bird baths are essential for birds at this time of year

the discomfort).But if I'm still cold beneath so many layers, I shudder to think how the poor birds must be faring. Their tiny, almost flesh-free legs must be frozen. I do what I can for them, and my bird table is currently laden with large quantities of crushed

is generally the case with autumn lawn care) looked considerably worse than it did before we started.But at least the disaster zone is now level and the words ' has potential' is uppermost in my mind. I just hope the local bird population is not now feeding

to contain the feeders, enabling the small birds to enter via the mesh holes and feed without the threat of capture. But will the sparrowhawk simply wait nearby and catch them as they leave? Will I still see the sorry sight of a little cloud of tiny feathers

It's been a good year for many crops, but there have been so many critters feeding on the fruit.Most years we lose a fair few apples to the local birds. I never really mind, although it is irritating when they peck small holes in fruits, which

the ground at speed. It is now upright, though it has acquired a worrying wobble. Interestingly, the birds were still feeding from it when it was still flat on the ground. I wonder if they were the usual locals, or were they looters?We also had some

I’ve just been outside picking strawberries. Despite the colder nights my plants are still fruiting away and I hope they’ll have enough energy left to fruit again at the right time next year.None of the fruits have been damaged by birds – perhaps

by the tendency of these little birds to strip yellow flowers, such as crocus, but so what? And don't forget that the adults not only eat weed seeds, but they also feed their young with insects and their larvae. All-in-all, sparrows are a delight and a help

windfalls to collect, so we can make some more juice.I’ll save a few apples for the birds - I’m happy to feed them, but I begrudge the wasps, which hollowed out far too many fruits in this year’s crop.