Bingalau

I'm not a twitter but it sound like a Great spotted woodpecker Click here

Bingalau I reckon you had had too many dark'n'stormies and what you saw was this click here

AitchBEE, surely it would be better to use old Bird's Custard tins? ;o}

"All of these bird's die when it gets very cold."

No they don't. Birds are well equipped to survive the cold. What kills them is a lack of water and food.

Feeding birds in cold weather can certainly help them to survive, but it is equally important to provide a source of ice-free water. I see lots of birds visiting my pond in winter - far more than in the summer months. They're there for the water.

If you feed the birds make sure you never give them any fat from cooking, or any vegetable oils. Don't give them anything that has salt added either, and never offer milk; birds can't digest it and they may die. Cheese is OK, in fact your favourite Robins will love it.

Make sure you clear up any bird food that goes mouldy - Salmonella can breed on it, and birds can get food poisoning, or even die if they eat it.