Wood ear fungus really does resemble a human ear! It is often found on Elder and Beech trees.

1. Ivy berries ripen in the winter, when most other berries have already been eaten. This makes ivy a very important food source, especially for birds. The dry pith contains as many calories as mars bars! It also provides birds with excellent cover and shelter from predators. So try not to cut it back too much! Robins are a traditional symbol of Winter in Britain. They are fiercely territorial. Most birds will only sing in the Spring. Hearing a robin singing in Winter is a good sign. It means the bird has built up enough fat reserves to survive the cold nights and has enough energy left to defend its territory. Feeding the birds in your garden will help them to build up their fat reserves. Don’t forget to provide some water too!

2. Starlings form huge flocks in winter. They may travel many miles from their roost to feed in soft, wet fields. Look out for them along the Downs Link. At dusk they put on amazing aerial displays before returning to their roost. There is a large roost under the west pier at Brighton. Don’t be fooled by these large flocks though, Starling numbers have reduced by over 70% in recent years. Blackthorn is a fantastic winter food source for birds and other animals. As the season progresses, the cold softens the berries and they become more palatable. The rare Brown Hairstreak butterfly lays eggs on Blackthorn twigs at the end of summer and they stay there over winter. The caterpillars will hatch in spring to feed on the new growth.

3. Hedgehogs hibernate for the whole winter (usually November – March). Those seen out late in the year will need extra help to give them a chance to survive. This may just be extra food being put out in the garden. Hedgehogs seen out in daytime may need to be brought inside and over wintered. If you have any doubts or concerns always seek advice from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society Grey squirrels do not hibernate. They build a winter nest called a drey where they will lie up during very cold weather. They store food in the autumn and retrieve it through the winter. Look out for them digging up acorn caches.

4. Kingfishers can sometimes be seen hunting on the Adur River. These stunning birds are vulnerable to hard winters. When their river freezes, they may fly towards the coast to find food. Some may travel huge distances to escape freezing conditions. A new record was set in October 2011 by one kingfisher flying 620miles from Poland to Suffolk. Lapwings can be seen in large numbers around the Adur Estuary. Look out for flocks of them feeding in fields and on mud flats. We have resident Lapwings in Britain but the population swells in winter as extra birds migrate in from Northern Europe.

5. Wood ear fungus really does resemble a human ear! It is often found on Elder and Beech trees. This is one of the few fungi which has the ability to withstand freezing temperatures. It can actually freeze solid, and when thawed out shows no ill effects. Great spotted woodpeckers begin ‘drumming’ on trees in January to advertise their presence. They do this in readiness for the breeding season which starts in April. Listen out for them along the Downs Link, especially near dead trees. Hollow wood makes a louder sound and are a good source of insect food.

6. Fieldfare Redwing Redwings and Fieldfares visit the UK in winter. They begin to arrive around October and some may stay as late as May. They can be seen feeding on the hawthorn berries and other fruits along the Downs Link. They also form large flocks to feed together in open fields and orchards. In very severe weather, they may come into gardens.