Birds store fat differently to us and did you know that they need eight times more oxygen to take off?

They burn off their energy intake just by existing – they only fly when they need to (find food, flee danger) and they need to keep warm at night. So while you’re sitting in a centrally heated house, spare a thought for the wildlife outside the window.

The easy way to help is to have natural foods in your garden (ivy berries, rosehips, teasels); try not to cut back or deadhead in the autumn. You can also help by putting out feeders; you may even discover the world of garden birdwatching too!

Feeders are often busier in mornings and evenings – birds re-fuel after a cold night and then prepare for the night ahead. Some birds flock together at night – long-tailed tits snuggle up along a branch and more than 50 wrens were once seen in one bird box!

Not all gardens attract all birds. Most will have blue and great tits, robins and blackbirds. House sparrows have seen big declines but are still fairly common, in smaller numbers, in most areas. ‘Greedy’ starlings have seen an 80 per cent decline in the last couple of decades so why not take a second look at their beauty and feel honoured that they’re visiting your garden.

It won’t be long before birds are pairing up and breeding – a helping of fatty foods in your garden won’t go amiss. Imagine the energy needed to feed chicks and you’ll realise why it’s important to feed birds into the summer.

We sell Vine House Farm bird food, mainly grown in the UK, from our HQ at Lower Smite Farm (between Worcester and Droitwich) and through our network of volunteer supporter groups.

For more information, visit worcswildlifetrust.co.uk