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The jackdaw is one of nature's most intelligent birds, as well as being an incredibly sociable creature. This lively little bird can recognise individual humans - a rare skill in the animal kingdom, attributed only to magpies, pigeons and chimpanzees.

One of the most evocative poems about the changing seasons, January Brings the Snow, was written almost 200 years ago by English poet Sara Coleridge.

Author Emily Bronte is best known for her only novel, Wuthering Heights, about the doomed romance between brooding anti-hero Heathcliff and his childhood friend, Catherine Earnshaw.

Holly is a beautiful, vivid, native evergreen that has flourished in the UK's woodlands for centuries. An important winter food for wildlife, it is often found in historic gardens, native woodland and ancient deer parks.

The coal tit is a frequent visitor to gardens across the UK and can often be spotted feasting at bird-feeders, not only in winter, but all year round. In conservation terms, the species is classified as being of "least concern", as there are an estimated 760,000 coal tits across Britain.

Seeing the treasure trove of wildlife in your own winter garden is a treat - in fact, it's one of the bright spots of the season. Apart from the many different species of birds wintering in the UK, you're also likely to spot animals, including hedgehogs and squirrels.

One of the most popular songs of the 20th century has just celebrated its 50th anniversary. It's ironic to think that when Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head was written for the 1969 movie, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, the 20th Century Fox studio hated it!

Winter seems to arrive out of nowhere, with the weather changing almost overnight from late autumnal sunshine to crisp, cold mornings and freezing nights...