Whilst we're still trying to hide under the duvet to keep warm this month, blue tits are already scouting out potential nesting sites. They will also be visiting your garden more often in search of an easy meal; the females especially need to maintain their body weight, so that they are in the best condition for breeding. This attractive and active little bird can live up to 21 years! To help them, and the other birds in the city, don't forget to put out some water and keep it topped up if it gets frozen. Remember to clean the bird table and feeders regularly to help prevent the spread of disease that can easily be transmitted among some common garden species.
Although more and more people are feeding and watching birds in their garden, the birds themselves are declining. The RSPB has been monitoring the decline with the Big Garden Birdwatch, where all you need to do is watch your garden birds for an hour on the 27th or 28th January. (See www.rspb.org.uk * for more details.)
The New Year is a good time to start a wildlife diary. It does not need to be an elaborate affair, just a notebook where you can jot down the animals you see in the garden, or when your plants show their first flowers. These records can prove very useful in building up a picture of the health of the city's wildlife and it's great to look back over the year and see just how much variety you can find, even in a small garden.
