In celebration of this weekend's RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch and the promised return of snow our brilliant weekend columnist Sparky has penned a piece about both for this week!'

So, read on for this week's essential Sparky's Hitchin View

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The birds of Hitchin in winter

'Birding is our most democratic way to connect with nature'

This week's column is infused with gratitude towards our feathered friends, particularly those who have chosen to make Hitchin their home, wherever they have flown-in from.

And as the esteemed Mr Louv observes, birds give everyone- not just the chosen few- the opportunity to experience the natural world going about its business in close up, on our own doorstep.

Well, last weekend's sudden and dramatic arctic turn by the weather was a timely reminder of quite how disruptive ice and snow can be. Although some wintry fun was had by some, the rapid return to near average late January temperatures by midweek no doubt came as a relief to many.

However, as I write this, the forecast is predicting more heavy snow and sleet showers for the weekend: 'winter drawers on' I reckon, as the joke banned by the BBC in 1940s suggests.

Unsurprisingly, we're not the only ones who can struggle in sub-zero temperatures.

Our dismay at the late arrival of that weather-affected supermarket food delivery is no doubt genuine and sincere but for many birds the effects of snow and the ice can mean much more than mere inconvenience.

Take the wren, for example.

Being one of Britain's smallest birds it is virtually defenceless against the cold and its insatiable appetite for spiders, grubs and insects is poorly served when the ground is as hard as iron.

In prolonged and severe winters the RSPB estimates that up to 80 per cent of our native wren population can be lost.

But thank goodness, we are far from there yet and I'm pleased to report that the local wren population seems to be in rude health at the moment, if what I've been hearing on my recent walks is anything to go by, even in the snow earlier this week.

These little birds- with bodies no heavier than a two pence coin- literally shake with effort as they belt out their territory-staking song from atop a hedge.

And the good news is that you are very likely to hear this life-affirming racket in January, as the wren is one of the few birds being so vocal this early in the year.

And you may also be lucky enough to have a sighting of this, the UK's second smallest bird, as it leaps about in thickets and undergrowth hunting for food, its small tail upright and flicking.

Favoured local locations for a sight and sound concert by these little fellas include Oughton Head Common and the glorious walk to Preston via Tatmore Hills Lane and Wain Wood.

Talking of birds in surviving in winter, I've had a few other sightings of familiar and slightly less-common species trying to go about their business, despite the snow and ice.

I saw a murder of carrion crows standing in a line on a wooden fence near Gosmore last Monday; all were facing the same way, standing unusually quiet and still and staring at the transformed and now strangely unfamiliar paddock. What were they doing?

I like to think that as they had been temporarily denied their usual brunch of worms, seeds and carrion by the fresh blanket of snow, they were now pondering their next move.

It was strange to see these normally animated and chattering birds so still.

Although a little way down the lane I did see two enterprising individuals who had decided to take matters into their own hands - I mean feet- by hopping and scratching around in a small melt zone surrounding a pile of steaming manure: breakfast!

As I walked away, I knew that it wouldn't be long until all of them had cottoned-on as they are, after all, one of our most intelligent birds.

I also saw a flock of seagulls this week too. No, not the band - I saw them at The Regal in 1983 - this was a screech of black headed gulls enjoying parading on the ice at Hitchin outdoor pool, mirrored by another group on the playing fields on the other side of Elmside Walk.

The latter were still sticking their sharp peaks into the frozen ground for food.

These days you no longer need to be at the seaside- hiding your chips- to be in the presence of these arch opportunists, as large colonies are equally likely to be found far inland during the colder months.

With a mixed diet of worms, grass and even rubbish, they have taken to our sports fields, farmland and town rather enthusiastically.

Despite their name they are currently bedecked in winter plumage, which confusingly means their usual dark heads are mainly white.

Talking of winter visitors, there are two inbound winter migrants from Iceland and Scandinavia around Hitchin at the moment, enjoying our comparatively balmy winter weather, and I've been fortunate to see both in the last week.

The fieldfare, a large plump member of the thrush family, can currently be seen in small flocks grazing on pastures and ploughed fields, hence the name.

I was delighted to encounter a group in a sheep field off Wibbly Wobbly Lane last Friday, before the weekend snow arrived.

Eaters of worms, as well as berries, these noisy nomads rarely nest and breed here and by April will have all left for the long journey home.

The good news is that there is a close associate of the fieldfare that you are much more likely to see even closer to home this winter.

The redwing, another member of the thrush family, is a colourful addition to any drab winter garden and my neighbour's large berry-laden holly bush seems to be quite the visitor attraction.

Have a look for yourself in any bush bearing berries, especially when the weather takes a turn for the worse over the weekend.

They are smaller and not dissimilar to our native song thrush but are easily distinguished by their striped head and red-blushed flanks and underwings.

They have been visiting our garden for over twenty winters now and it is still a pleasure to see them.

And on top of all of this, I've seen wagtails walking on the drained bed of the Hiz, a large chattering of starlings in a poplar tree in the grounds of Oughtonhead School, a loan kite circling in the slate grey sky above St Mary's and egrets on Purwell Meadow and have watched a lone female blackcap- a European warbler- using my birdfeeder daily.

And on this last point, please 'feed the birds'- as the old song says.

This kind action has been accredited for saving many species from winter starvation. And it attracts even more birds to your patch.

The man is right: birding really is the most democratic way to connect with nature.

And don't forget the annual RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch this weekend. Spend a blissful hour watching and counting the birds in your own garden or local park and then reporting the findings.

It's fun and you are taking part in a real piece of mass citizen science. Find the details on-line.

Enjoy the birds.

PS And I am also indebted to my two talented birdwatching photographer chums, Flo and Ben, who have provided this week's pictures. Great shots!