Published: Sunday, 4th January, 2009 11:55am

Plea by RSPB to feed robins scraps of food during winter months

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PEOPLE are being asked to help a favourite bird survive the harsh British winter.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is asking for people to spare a thought for the robin and leave out any kitchen scraps they can.

Hester Phillips, from the organisation, said: "It's incredible that small, fragile creatures such as robins survive at all as it gets really cold - especially as they need to feed themselves more or less all-day-long. A few days of bitter cold and ice-covered ground is enough to kill many birds. Berkshire's garden birds are in a constant battle to find food at this time of year, so by putting food out in your garden you are greatly increasing their chances of survival."

A tiny young robin can eat as much as 14 feet of earthworms a day, an average of two an hour, but with the weather getting colder natural food sources in gardens are in short supply.

Scraps left out in gardens could mean the difference between life and death for many birds who unlike mammals need to eat enough every day to survive harsh winter nights.

The best kind of food to leave out for birds is fat, cheese and cake. For more information visit www.rspb.org.uk/advice