HOME + GARDEN
THE NATURE OF CHRISTMAS CONT .
Thankfully , the RSPB are on hand to provide top tips on how to attract robins and other wildlife to your garden as part of their popular Big Garden Birdwatch survey , which last year saw over a million people take an hour to count their garden birds in the UK ’ s biggest citizen science survey .
To take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch , which runs Friday 27 January to Sunday 29 January 2023 , visit www . rspb . org . uk / birdwatch or text BIRD to 70030 for your FREE guide , which includes a bird identification chart , top tips for your birdwatch and RSPB shop voucher .
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
While you ’ ve got your eyes peeled for robins , you may notice the holly growing despite the cold weather . Used as decorations as far back as the Roman times , holly branches were used long before pine trees were introduced as an English festive decoration , with the prickly leaves of holly thought to symbolise the crown of thorns Jesus wore .
Linked to ivy through Pagan Winter Solstice traditions , both plants were used to ward off evil spirits and celebrate new growth . According to the RSPB , this new growth is great for wildlife ; the berries provide vital winter food for birds and ivy is a fantastic late season nectar source for insects . To help nature ’ s larder go a little further , why not check out the RSPB ’ s guide ( www . rspb . org . uk / getinvolved / activities / nature-on-your-doorstep ) to helping nature on your doorstep by gardening with wildlife in mind .
A partridge in a pear tree
A popular Christmas song , a partridge in a pear tree is all about the birds . Sadly , the song title is a little misleading , as partridges are ground nesting birds and so the chances of finding them roosting in a pear tree are very slim . In fact , over half of England ’ s most threatened breeding birds nest on or near the ground , and grey partridges are on the RSPB ’ s red list for conservation concern , and so you ’ ll be lucky to spot one . According to the RSPB , one in four birds are now on this ‘ red list ’ and at risk of going extinct - to learn more about how you can help these birds , visit www . rspb . org . uk / join-and-donate / donate / appeals / red-alert .
180