INFOGRAPHIC: Top tips for looking after birds this winter

Birdwatching experts are appealing to homeowners to look after their small feathered friends in the coming months by leaving out a selection of seeds, nuts and scraps for them.

During winter the ground becomes harder, making it difficult for birds to dig for worms and other insects. Berries, grain, fruit and seeds are also hard to come by. Gardens become invaluable havens — a large number rely on food sourced from bird tables and feeders.

“It’s very important to feed the birds all year round, but especially in winter. They’re so small that they need to burn a lot of fat to constantly generate heat which means they could lose a third of their bodyweight overnight. They really need to feed from daylight to dawn to survive and to go into breeding season in good health,” said Oran O’Sullivan, chief operating officer at Birdwatch Ireland.