NATURE-loving Worcestershire residents are being encouraged to create a home for wildlife in their gardens.

This month, national bird charity the RSPB is urging people to think about the different ways they can help wildlife this winter.

The charity is inviting people to sign up to its Homes for Wildlife project, an activity to inspire people to make a real difference for the wildlife that shares the open spaces closest to us.

They will also be holding the Feed the Birds Day on Saturday, October 25, to encourage people to feed our feathered friends.

Since launching the project in October 2007, more than 65,000 people have signed up to and supported Homes for Wildlife, by following free wildlife-gardening advice, helping them transform their homes and gardens into wildlife havens.

According to RSPB research, more than half of us regularly put out tasty treats like bread, peanuts and seeds. These foods are of course helpful and always welcome but there are several other simple activities we can all do that will really benefit the birds.

Richard Bashford, the RSPB’s Homes for Wildlife manager, said: “If everybody does something for wildlife it will make a difference – from putting pot plants on balconies to building a pond, you will encourage insects and provide food for birds. We can all create homes for wildlife where we live, no matter how much space we have.”

The three key elements for helping to home wildlife include leaving patches of long grass to help home insects, providing a mixture of well structured trees, and also providing a mixture of nectar and seed rich flowering plants to attract insects so birds can feed on them.

The RSPB is producing an extensive Homes for Wildlife information pack full of simple advice and recommendations for each and every garden.

Everybody registering to take part in the Homes for Wildlife project will receive one of these packs online or in the post.

Mr Bashford added: “You really don’t need to be an expert to take part in Homes for Wildlife and you can do as little or as much as you have time for. Just providing a little food, water and shelter can really help birds and turn your garden into a wildlife haven for you to enjoy.”

For further information on events and details of how to register to take part in Homes for Wildlife, visit the RSPB website rspb.org.uk/hfw or telephone 0870 240 1001.