This is a great way to report problems such as fly-tipping, potholes and vandalism – just take a photo with your phone, and send it to FixMyStreet.com – which has an interactive map where you can enter your postcode and monitor updates and see when the problem is fixed.
The recent snowy weather provided a welcome change to the daily routine for some, with snowball fights and laughter ringing across the estate after the schools finish for the day, and of course, lots of selfies and snowy snapshots being taken! Spare a thought though, for the birds and wildlife that have to survive out in the cold, while we humans are able to go indoors afterwards to thaw out with a cuppa.
The fluffy feathers of the Robin help to trap warm air, and keep out the cold
While out dutifully feeding the birds in the snow in the garden, I was rewarded with a lovely spell of sunshine, and despite the freezing gusts of wind I was able to get some nice photos of the Robins and Blackbirds in the snowy light. They are ground feeders and find it hard to get worms out of the frozen ground, so they love the mealworms that I put down for them, and over time they have got used to me and my noisy camera.
This female Blackbird perched safely in an Elder bush has snow and dirt on its claws, where it has been trying to dig into the frozen soil to find food
As white bread on its own is not good for birds, it is much better to put out things like seeds, grains and fruit, depending on the type of bird. For example the smaller birds like Finches and Tits love sunflower hearts, while the Magpies and Jays love peanuts in their shells – and even try to steal them from the squirrels!
A favourite of many species is the fat-filled coconut half-shells, which can be hung up in a safe place in view of one of your windows. Watching the birds can be very entertaining and better than many TV programmes, and if lucky, you may even attract a Woodpecker or two!
Don’t forget to provide fresh water daily, and clear up any uneaten food to prevent bacteria and infection. For more information about feeding birds, check out sites like the RSPB:
Mealworms are a good source of proteins for ground feeders like Blackbirds and Robins. Despite the name, a female Blackbird actually has brown feathers.
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