Starting with my small garden in Ploufragan, a town with 11 000 inhabitants where it is good to live. On the outskirts of St Brieuc, with one foot in the country where there are numerous parks and valleys which are particularly well maintained. The birds have very quickly inhabited these magic places.

Winter is here. At the start of 2006 it snowed in Brittany, which is unusual. The birds had to adjust to the rigours of the season.

Even our cat Reglisse had difficulty getting about on this white carpet and his pads were frozen.

And so I'm coming back in the warm by the fireplace, in my shoebox. This is no time to put a cat out!

Robin and Blue tit

Let's take advantage and eat! In the winter, birds devote almost the entire day in search of food in order to combat the cold. This is not easy! The energy needed to maintain their body temperature increases at the moment that food resources diminish until it becomes scarce or inaccessible due to snow or ice. In addition, the days are short, which gives them much less time to search for their daily needs. You can easily give them a little helping hand to get through this difficult period by providing them with food. Their comings and goings will liven up your garden and you can easily watch them, learn to recognise them, study their behaviour or just simply enjoy their lively spectacle.

The quickest and easiest way to watch birds is to feed them in winter. At this time food becomes scarce and the birds become largely dependant on the extra supplies put out for them in our gardens. Over 110 different species of bird have been recorded visiting our gardens in winter to feed. Depending on where you live, you will probably only see between 5 to 50!

Place feeding stations in an area which is sheltered from bad weather and above all in a sunny position, out in the open that the birds can watch out for approaching predators (a cat look-out), but close enough to trees where they can perch. Place them in a position where you can easily watch the comings and goings of your guests.

Blue tit and Greenfinches

You can begin at the first frosts (end of October beginning of November depending on the region). When the weather starts to become milder (around the month of March), gradually stop feeding. During the warmer months it is unnecessary to put food out and it could even be harmful to the birds as the warmth can create the presence of disease (salmonella...) which could decimate your garden's birds and at the moment when insects are plentiful.

Robin

Birds consume their food reserves extremely rapidly, transforming them into energy for warmth. Each day in winter, two periods are very difficult for them: the final activity at nightfall when it is necessary to fill up with enough food to last until the morning. Then, at the dawn of the day, they lust find food as quickly as possible as their reserves will have diminished during the night. Make sure that food is always available at these two critical times of the day - if this is difficult for you, the morning feed is certainly the most important.

Coal tit

Don't forget that it is important to clean the feeding stations regularly in order to avoid the spread of disease trough droppings or food remains.

Most birds need to drink in winter as their diet becomes more dependent on seeds and grain. Water is often inaccessible due to ice, therefore don't forget to supply watering stations.

Greenfinches

You will be enchanted by the acrobatic displays from the Tits, by the Greenfinches who adore Sunflower seeds and lay down the law of the feeding station, chasing off the other birds.

Blackbird

Some birds such as Chaffinches, Blackbirds, Thrushes and Starlings prefer to feed on the ground. Don't forget to put food for them!

Great tits and Chaffinches

You can also help them to find insects and spiders by clearing a space on the ground after a fall of snow.

Dunlin

There is no great mystery concerning bird food... certainly leftovers will be well received. However there are a few simple rules. Never give dried coconut, uncooked rice or dry bread as these foods can swell in the bird's stomach.