The heating is turned up, the fires are lit and many of us will want to be nestled in the toasty warmth of our duvets until spring arrives. Unfortunately, hibernation isn’t an option for humans and so, each morning, we pull back the curtains to see what kind of world winter has left us.

Some days the soft green grass is sharpened with a crisp rime of ice. On others, thick fat flakes fall from the sky, turning the world into a monochrome scene. Lakes and ponds are encased in ice and small glassy puddles shimmer ready to shatter under the weight of a single footstep.

Feed the birds:

If you can pry yourself away from the warmth of the house for a few minutes, then putting out some food for the birds is a brilliant way to give nature a helping hand.

What do birds eat? Well the best thing you can do is copy their natural diet which means seeds, nuts and (if you can stomach it) live meal worms! Not all birds eat the same things – the greater the variety of food you put out, the greater the variety of birds you will attract to your garden.

Similarly, each type of bird prefers a different way of feeding. Goldfinches, tits and sparrows like hanging feeders. On the other hand blackbirds, collared doves and thrushes prefer to feed on the ground or at a bird table. Some birds like starlings and chaffinches will also go for a mesh peanut feeder.

Remember to regularly clean your feeders and tables to prevent disease spreading amongst your garden visitors.

Break the ice:

It isn’t all about food. Birds need water to drink and to stay clean. There are lots of ways to provide fresh water in your garden. You could introduce a bird bath, dig out a pond or simply just put a bowl out each day.

Much like in summer, water is scarce in winter but for the opposite reason. As water freezes on the surface, it quickly becomes hard to access for most wildlife. You can help by breaking the ice or even filling baths and bowls with lukewarm water that won’t freeze as quickly. On the coldest days, this might even need to be done several times a day.

If you’re looking for new ways to look after the birds in your garden, visit our partners at Vine House Farm. As well as great seasonal advice, they donate 4% of all sales of their products and wildlife-friendly grown seed to local Wildlife Trusts. It’s twice as good for local wildlife. If you’re a new customer, Vine House Farm also donates £10 to us to bring wildlife back.