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There's nothing quite as relaxing as the sound of chirping birds gently rousing you from your slumber each morning. For many, this well-loved sound brings a calming, tranquil influence to the otherwise chaotic pace of life, but the morning chorus could become quieter due to the ongoing decline in bird numbers in the UK. 

Allinsonis so committed to birds and other wildlife that it has launched a new partnership with Conservation Grade™, the nature friendly farming scheme. This means that from 2011, Conservation Grade™ farmers will be paid a premium to devote at least 10% of their land to specific habitats for UK wildlife, as well as manage their whole farm according to nature friendly principles. 

Allinson believes that each individual can make a difference and wants to get you and your family involved in conserving British wildlife and helping birds thrive. So, from February to April 2011, Allinson will be giving away 8,500 bird feeders in a bid to help bring Britain's birds back to our gardens. All you need to do is buy four loaves ofAllinson Bread, send off the on-pack tokens andyou'll be the proud owner of a brand new bird feeder. 

Be sure to get your kids and grandchildren involved in the action as well. Give them a taste of the countryside in the comfort of your own back garden, and see it come to life with robins, sparrows and blackbirds. 

What to feed birds

Just like us, different species of birds have different tastes, so you can be extremely imaginative with the food that you put into your bird feeder.  Always make sure that you buy seed from a reputable source and any additional food you put out is chopped into small pieces, as large foods can sometimes lodge in a bird's throat.  Providing a good supply of water will also help birds maintain their plumage and keep them hydrated¹. 

The importance of hygiene

Ensure your bird feeder is cleaned out at least once a week. Use a simple washing up liquid based cleaner and allow the feeders to dry thoroughly before adding further food for the birds. Clean all garden bird equipment outdoors, wear rubber or similar gloves and wash your hands thoroughly in hot soapy water afterwards². 

Portion sizes

Like most creatures, birds can be greedy when it comes to eating, so you should only put out enough food to last a couple of days. You should also regularly clear away food so that it doesn't build up in the bird feeder. 

About Allinson Bread

Allinson bread is made with carefully selected quality ingredients and batch baked to create a softer loaf. 

This technique sees the loaves being baked in batches of two in one large tin with their sides touching, allowing the bread to rise at its own pace. Once baked and cooled, the loaves are gently separated, to leave bread which tastes moreish and has a beautifully soft texture.

Allinson Bread is available in Wholemeal - made with 100% wholemeal flour -  and has a wonderfully rich, rounded flavour and smooth texture. A sprinkling of oat bran creates the perfect finish. 

It's also available in Sunflower & Pumpkin - a crunchy, nutty flavoured batch loaf made with a blend of wholemeal and wheat flours, blended with a generous helping of whole sunflower and pumpkin seeds. It's then topped with oatmeal and golden linseed. 

All the recipes are free from artificial flavours and preservatives. 

You can buy the Allinson Bread range at all good supermarkets, RRP £1.35. For more information, visit www.allinsonbread.com.