Sellers of bird feeders, bird tables bird seed, bird cake and nuts do a roaring trade at this time of year which shows how many are feeding the birds. I have noticed however that it tends to be the over thirties which is worrying because if younger people don’t get into this habit then eventually birds will really suffer in winter.

It would be good if schools had a bird table and children fed the birds in winter. They could watch and identify them through the window - what a great lesson in nature and responsibility and kindness. It would teach more than having a class hamster. Feeding something you own is on your terms, you benefit by being able to watch it, play with it and pet it, but when you feed wildlife whether they even take your food and whether you see them is on theirs.

I’m not saying class pets don’t teach something, only that feeding wildlife teaches an unconditional kindness and I hope that if children grow up feeding the birds it will never die out.