Gardeners have been urged to put grated cheese on their lawns this month.

From stormy conditions to cold snaps, it’s been a chilly start to the year so far. 

We’re not the only ones suffering though, with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) reminding people on their website: “When it’s really cold, birds need more energy to stay warm.

“But in winter there’s less daylight to find food and many of their usual sources run low.”

For those who often find themselves with leftover ingredients and kitchen scraps, experts have shared what you can and can’t put out for the birds to eat. 

Grated cheese is a great option for birds in winter, as it can help them stave off hunger over the colder months before spring.

The RSPB recommends sticking to milder cheese varieties, like Cheddar.

Cheese isn’t the only thing the experts advise leaving out for the birds.

“Bruised fruit, cooked rice, unsalted bits of hard fat, roast potatoes and dry porridge oats go down a treat with garden birds,” they continued.

“Or you can make your own full-fat high-energy bird cakes.”

You can’t put just anything out in your garden, however, as some foods can be dangerous for birds.

“Cooking fat from the roast mixes with meat juices during cooking to make a runny, greasy mixture,” they explained.

“This sticks to feathers and stops them from being waterproof. Also avoid dried coconut, cooked porridge oats, milk, and mouldy or salted food.”

Other ways to help include keeping your bird bath topped up with fresh, clean water and cleaning your feeders once a week with a mild detergent solution to reduce the spread of disease.

Unused or mouldy food should always be removed from the feeder.