RICH PICKINGS

With fewer natural food sources available, garden birds appreciate a Christmas feast too. Some leftovers from the table can be shared, but cooked turkey fat from roasting tins can become rancid or stick to feathers, both of which are dangerous to birds and should be avoided. Cold roast potatoes, cut bruised fruit, crumbs from Christmas cake, mince pies or biscuits, and both cooked and uncooked pastry, however, will help birds to stay healthy at this lean time of year.