WE aren’t the only ones feeling the effects of the “beast from the east”, as the plummeting temperatures are driving wild birds in to people’s lawns, writes Julie McLaughlin.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds are urging people to put out extra food for them this season.

Wild birds usually spend the winter in the British countryside foraging for berries and other fruit, however, at this late point in winter their natural food supply has dwindled.

With the weather temperatures so low at this time of the year these animals are coming to gardens in search of water and food that they can’t find elsewhere.

RSPB's Jamie Wyver commented: "We are getting a lot of phone calls and social media messages from people reporting Fieldfares and Redwings in their gardens.

It’s quite unusual to see this and it shows the harsh weather conditions are really affecting them.”

The RSPB suggest that you can help these visitors by feeding them apples and pears, crumbled cheese or suet, and mealworms.

They also added the importance of ensuring there is unfrozen water available to them during the cold conditions.