Bird tables are haven for wildlife
BIRD tables are going to be busy in the coming weeks, particularly for our smallest birds trying to survive the cold.
Of course that means you will get plenty of opportunities to spot a wide variety of our feathered friends as the temperatures drop.
Blue tits and great tits are some of the most numerous garden visitors after starlings and sparrows. Your hanging bird feeders will be popular with these lovely little ones.
Blue tits are striking, with strong blues and yellows dominating their feathers.
They have a blue cap and a black eye mask as they cheekily grab food in between other birds.
Great tits are the largest of the tits, with green and yellow bodies and white cheeks on their black heads. Listen out for the loud ‘teacher, teacher’ song.
Coal tits will often show up too. Some people say they are less colourful but they are lovely birds with a black cap and a grey back. Look out for the white patch on the back of their neck.
You may also be lucky to have marsh and willow tits if you live close to the countryside. You need to get a good view to tell the difference as both have black caps and white and ochre chests.
Crested tits and bearded tits are not likely to be seen in North West gardens, although I know that as soon as I say this someone will write in and tell me they have seen them. Let’s just point out that you may mistake a blue tit with its head feathers blowing in the wind as a crested tit.
It isn’t. I took some pictures a couple of years ago of a blue tit looking completely windswept as it clung onto a bird feeder in a gale.
Of course most birds will take cover in the heavy rain and winds, but they must still feed almost constantly during cold days to survive the winter. And when there is snow on the ground, bird tables and feeders are a vital lifeline.
At this time of year, you are also most likely to spot long-tailed tits, with their white and pink fluffy bodies and long tails.
They tend to hang around in gangs in the winter, so you will see them flocking into trees and bushes.
Again I have to stress that you must keep those bird tables and feeders stocked now. The birds will benefit but so will you, having your own wildlife show every day.
To become a member of the Trust go to the website at www. lancswt.org.uk or call 01772 324129. For more information about Cheshire Wildlife Trust call 01948 820728 or go to cheshirewildlifetrust. org.uk.