A wonderful thing just happened and I want to share it.

After walking the dogs I checked the bird food in the tree before our house. The sunflower seeds and fat balls were up, and as I walked towards the tree a coal tit flew into the tree directly before me and started to dance and chatter away to me. It was impossible to miss it.

That little bird had obviously made the connection that I feed the birds, the food was almost up, and he was clearly communicating to me that there was a need for more food.

It made me question a few assumptions about intelligence, as apart from frightening that bird away, my ability to communicate with it is pretty limited really!

A communication moment between a person and another animal sort, is a special thing when it happens. When it happens with a wild animal it is extra special. Simple things like that can give real pleasure.

Which is why today I am talking about the simple action of giving nature a helping hand by feeding the birds. Its not rocket science and this simple act can itself bring many benefits.

For many years now our small ornamental cherry tree in the front garden has become a valuable feeding station for the birds in the colder months. I use a mixture of fat balls, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and other seed mixes which are all commonly available.

It is an inexpensive hobby and it can be supplemented with bread crumbs and suitable scraps from the kitchen, pieces of fruit, such as apples, or even a half a coconut. A small bird bath will also help attract them if placed in a safe place.

We also have a special peanut butter holder fixed to our wall in which a jar securely fits. That's a big success with the birds. Where possible I use bird friendly peanut butter, which is commonly available.

I do not put too much food out, replacing one item with another as necessary, and the reason I picked this particular tree is that it is clearly visible from the living room, and, the garden there is open and the ability for cats to hide in wait is limited.

Finding a safe place to feed the birds is most important. If your struggling to think of one you can even buy ready made feeding stations that you can fix to your windows, which may be ideal for anyone with a small or no garden.

This simple action will bring the natural world to you, and can be adapted to your local conditions wherever you are in the world. In the middle of the winter it gives a warm feeling to look outside at a garden full of life, and to know that you are giving a helping hand.

Simple, but very rewarding, especially if you have children, for I recently saw how children can find great pleasure in looking outside on a cold day, and seeing the birds in action.

As they are the future of our planet, this act of fostering appreciation and understanding for the natural world can be immensely valuable.

It is also a great way to find out about some of the species in your area, and that can lead you to other ways of giving a helping hand.

I will close on the theme of communication. For I also saw in the inter-reaction between these children and our dogs, that there is a lot to be gained from our contact with our pets. In a way, they are also a contact point between us and the natural world.

Developing an empathy, with all sorts of living things, whatever form they take, can only be of value to us.

Most people who have a pet of their own will recognise this, and I am sure will also be able to relate to what I say about the communication process between animals and humans.

We can learn a great deal from our pets, but having one, brings with it a great responsibility, which should always be honoured. In that process, we can also learn.