Don't forget to leave some food out for our feathered-friends during this harsh weather is the message from the RSPB as January starts to bite.

The vice-president of the RSPB, Kate Humble explains: "January can be one of the harshest months for wildlife. Spring can seem a long way off and even if we don't have snow it will be cold. Sensible creatures will hibernate but birds have to face everything our climate has in store and at the same time get ready for the strenuous breeding period.

"If you've been feeding the birds it's very important to continue and in fact it can be a matter of life and death. Small birds especially will waste vital energy flying to a food source only to find it has gone and they might not have the strength to look elsewhere. High energy foods like peanuts and sunflower hearts really help but grated mild cheese, soaked dried fruit and pastry, raw or cooked, are excellent," she said.

The RSPB warn however: "Much bird food is sold in plastic mesh bags and the RSPB regularly receives reports of birds being trapped in this mesh. Birds can injure claws, legs and even tongues so please remember to remove the mesh and leave the food loose on the bird table.

"If Father Christmas brought you a nestbox try to install it as quickly as you can as birds regularly look for nest sites in the new year. Blue tit boxes can be placed in the open, ideally on a house wall, and open fronted boxes, popular with robins, need to be placed in cover among thick ivy or shrubs.

"Lastly, remember the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch at the end of the month, a chance for you to really do your bit to help protect our garden birds for the future. Try to set aside an hour on the 26th or 27th and record your garden bird visitors. Even if you don't see a soul the RSPB still needs to know! For more information visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch."