Have a garden of feedin'

THIS is the time of year that garden birds really need our help - as the daylight is sparse and food and even water can be hard to access.

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A few simple steps can mean our little featured friends survive the winter and head into a bright spring ready to breed and nest and birth a whole new generation of whirring delights to gladden your heart as they flit about the garden.

We've gone to the experts at Birdwatch Ireland to find out how we can all best help protect and care for the incredible little visitors to our gardens as we weather the current cold snap.

What food is best for feeding and attracting garden birds?

Each different food type has advantages and disadvantages and will attract a different mix of species to your garden.

A diversity of food types will give you a diversity of bird species. The two bird foods Birdwatch tend to recommend are peanuts and sunflower hearts. They're eaten by a variety of species, have high protein and calorie contents, and are readily available in most shops.

What time of year should I put out food for birds?

The time of year that the birds really need you to put out food in your garden is November to March.

The natural food sources of fruit, berries, nuts and seeds have been depleted and there are few invertebrates active and available.