A cold, arctic wind is heading towards us this weekend. So, whilst we can all dust off the winter coats, dig out the scarf and gloves (hopefully finding a matching pair, although if you're anything like me you'll end up with two left handed ones!), what can the birds and wildlife do?
Well, I bet you've seen a pied wagtail? Even if you didn't know what it was (a clue: see the picture!). They do, afterall, live near us humans. Next time you're in the supermarket carpark, take a look, more than likely there'll be one there somewhere. Anyway, I digress.
These little chaps, with their unmistakable 'wagging' tails, have come up with a way of beating the cold. Basically, they seek out some friends and cuddle up! Not a bad idea!
As I got off the bus, returning from work the other night, I happened to glance up. There in the tree above me were 40-odd black and white 'fluffballs'! With a big street lamp spewing out heat to keep them warm, these guys had found the ultimate pied wagtail roost. It was a great spectacle, especially with people walking oblivious underneath.
It's not just wagtails that do this. Something like 45 wrens were once found roosting in a single nestbox to beat the cold. Now that's cosy!
So when you're out next, all wrapped up, complaining it's cold, think of the little birds all huddled up. And maybe put out some extra peanuts for them, just to help them through. It is, afterall, the season of goodwill!
Seen anything that makes you go 'wow' recently? Leave a comment.
For more on our science, check out the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science web pages.