NATURE lovers are being urged to have a care for their feathered and spiky friends during the winter months.

The feeding of both birds and mammals in freezing cold weather could be vital for some, according to Caroline Gould, founder of Vale Wildlife Rescue at Beckford.

Food can become scarce or hidden by snowfalls and the energy expended in searching for it can severely reduce a creature's chances of survival through to the spring.

Mrs Gould said: "The provision of fresh water is equally important - if not more so - as freezing conditions can make it very difficult for wildlife to find adequate supplies."

She advises scattering sunflower seeds, fruit, kitchen scraps on bird tables and around the garden, but said the tables should be regularly cleaned and disinfected and uneaten food removed.

Mrs Gould said: "Householders will also be doing birds a great favour if they plant shrubs and trees which produce berries in the winter, such as holly and rowan. They will not only brighten up gardens but will also attract many more wild bird visitors.

Mistletoe berries are also a firm favourite, and mealworms and fat balls - especially those with seeds and insects in them. Robins and dunnocks especially love grated cheese.

Mammals also appreciate help in the colder months. Hedgehogs may have difficulty finding their usual slugs, snails and worms so the provision of a regular dish of good quality meaty cat food with a few cat biscuits sprinkled on the top is a real treat. Again fresh water is vital.

Gardeners are also urged to try not to disturb piles of leaves, compost heaps, log piles etc in the winter as these are ideal hibernation sites not only for hedgehogs but for many wildlife species.

Small hedgehogs found wandering about during the daytime indicates a problem, said Mrs Gould. Many do not manage to reach the vital hibernation weight of 500+ grams and therefore spend all their time looking for food to try and gain the extra fat reserves needed. If they do go into hibernation when underweight, they will undoubtedly die during their sleep.

She said large hogs seen out at night in the winter are fine. They wake regularly during the winter months and can often be seen foraging on milder evenings in gardens.

Mrs Gould said: "Although the winter is the quietest time for casualties at Vale Wildlife we

are still kept busy with many young inexperienced birds which haven't quite mastered the art of finding enough food for themselves. Sometimes it is just a question of feeding them up for a while and then releasing them, but some stay with us until the warmer weather and more abundant food supplies arrive.

During the course of a year over 900 hedgehogs are admitted to the hospital

and a large number of these are underweight youngsters, which are kept during the winter and released the following spring.

Anyone who would like further advice about wild animals or birds can contact the charity on 01385 882288.