GETTYGreat tits and blue tits making use of a well-stocked garden feeder
Home or abroad, any season and virtually every hour of the day, there is always an opportunity to enjoy birds in all their dazzling colours and amazing forms.
What better entertainers are there than our blue, great, coal and long-tailed tits with their incredible acrobatics? Can any singers match the sweet refrains of a robin, blackbird or dunnock?
At this time of year when we think about giving, why not bring the joy of birdwatching to those who find the festive season the loneliest time of the year, especially when the nights seem never-ending and those without close family feel excluded?
The simple act of setting up a birdfeeder in an elderly person's garden will not only provide the joy of being able to watch birds at close quarters but allow you to keep a discrete, watchful eye to ensure that person is safe and not feeling lonely at Christmas.
Levels of loneliness in our country are high. An estimated 800,000 are dubbed "chronically lonely" and see a neighbour, friend or family member only once a month. Last year Age UK said 450,000 spent Christmas without seeing anyone. We can help battle this national shame.
By asking someone if they would like a birdfeeder close to a window is not only an act of public spiritedness but also another lifeline for nature in the harshest season of the year.
Putting out food is crucial for the survival of huge numbers of birds when sustenance dwindles and weather conditions worsen.
The cost of a feeder and food is small compared to the pleasure the birds they attract will provide
Martin George
Besides helping wildlife survival rates, a garden birder can go on to become a fully fledged citizen scientist, engaging in both the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch and the British Trust for Ornithology's Garden BirdWatch scheme.
The BTO say observations collected by its army of Garden BirdWatchers (note capital W) when analysed by its scientists have charted the decline of the house sparrow, the rise of the woodpigeon, discovered that urban birds get up later than their rural counterparts and have alerted conservationists to the impact of an emerging disease in greenfinches.
Martin George, CJ Wildlife Ornithologist, told me: "The cost of a feeder and good quality food is small compared to the pleasure and interest the birds they attract will provide.
"A feeding station needn't be expensive and if you use good quality food you can encourage wonderful wildlife. It's not unknown for people to spend more time watching the birds and ignore the TV."
Once you have made an offer to set up a feeder in a neighbour's garden it is a double commitment. Both the human and birds will expect regular visits and regular supplies of bird food but at this time of goodwill, it's satisfying knowing you are making a difference.
The Silver Line is the only free confidential helpline giving information, friendship and advice to older people, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Call 0800 4 70 80 90
For details of how to care for wild birds visit the CJ WildBird Foods website at birdfood.co.uk/SE or you can call 0800 731 2820 for a free Catalogue Of Garden Wildlife.
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