Letter of the week Dove story I ...

Nadia Shaikh seeks good company for a search-and-gorge to get her through the ruthless darkness of the winter months

Ivy flowers have gone over and now berries are starting to form. Avoid cutting these back and allow them to develop as a food source for birds. Ivy berries ripen in late winter and are often not eaten

A seaside garden in East Sussex that opens ...

THIS MONTH Barn owls

The beautiful, soft-voiced turtle dove may be synonymous with Christmas, but as a symbol of courtship and love this endearing bird resonates all year round and must be saved, urges Mark Cocker