Don't forget this weekend is the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch! Many of you I know are already members of the RSPB and will have had your recording kit sent though, in fact I should think some of you might even be sitting there now with a nice warm cuppa watching the birds! Those of you who aren't members who can of course still take part, just click on the logo to the right to take you to the RSPB website for more details.

As mentioned in last months newsletter, Allan is away again. This time he decided to go somewhere a bit different and try the Gambia. Having only been there a dozen or so times, it's still all very new to him so I should think there will be plenty more holidays to come after this one.

Birds of a Feather

January has followed suit with the winter weather trend so far: remaining mild with only 1 or 2 morning frosts. The milder overnight temperatures are a big bonus to birds (that's a lot of b's) but mean no fantastic flurry for feathers (that's a lot of f's). In freezing temperatures birds may eat up to their own body weight in food each day to simply help them survive the frosty nights, in temperatures like those we've recently been experiencing the amount they need to eat drops dramatically, though it's still common for birds to eat half their body weight in a day. As I write this, however, the long term forecast is looking to trend towards below average temperatures so expect an increase in activity!

Though the feeders may have remained quiet, that didn't stop me for adding a new species to our list this month! It's a bird we've in fact long expected to hear (big clue) but chance has stood in the way and only recently could we add it to the list. Shortly after closing last Saturday I wandered over to the hide to check it was shut and to my delight a male Tawny Owl hooted from seemingly very close by. For now it's just gone down on our list as 'heard' but with any luck we may catch a glimpse of this magnificent yet rather elusive bird one day, still 83 none-the-less!

National Nest Box Week

Starting on Valentines Day (February 14th) is National Nest Box Week. Though Allan and I both agree that this is a little bit late (as proved my many birds already inspecting Nest Boxes) we will be offering some super deals in the shop, with 50% OFF our CJ Bowland, Pembroke, Open Fronted and Chapelwood Premium Nest Boxes! As is customary for our newsletter subscribers you can get the deals as from today and ideally the sooner the boxes are up the better!

Birdy Quiz

Here's a chance for you to win yourself a £10 Feathers Voucher! I've merged 4 species together here to make one rather suspect looking bird, all I want to know is who all the body parts belong to! You can reply to this email with your answers, the winner (presuming there will be more than 1 correct answer!) will be picked out of a hat and revealed in next months newsletter!

Don't forget to join our facebook page if you don't already 'Like' us! There are plenty more quizzes to test your birdy knowledge plus you'll be the first to hear all of Allan's magical holiday stories...

Find us at facebook.com/feathersbirdfood

Joe