Gardeners are being urged to scatter chilli powder in their gardens this June for an important reason. It might sound odd, but chilli powder is the perfect aid if leaving food out for hungry birds - so it doesn't get stolen by other animals, especially when summer is getting started but birds are still struggling to find food for themselves.

Birds continue to face challenges finding food, with populations under threat in the UK as food availibility continue to decline. The massive reduction in insect numbers - down as much as 60% in the UK in the last 20 years thanks to habitat loss and - is thought to be having knock-on effects right up the food chain, as birds have far less to eat, which is putting them at risk of starvation, especially in the spring when they need to nest and feed their young too. That's why are being asked to do what they can for birds and leave bird food out.

Bird feed firm Peckish says it's important to make sure birds have access to food in June because it's a 'frantic' time for birds to feed both themselves and their young.

It says: "We are still in the busiest part of the breeding season during June, and while birds won't be feeding their chicks from bird feeders, they may use them to feed themselves during this frantic time. Blue tit and great tit chicks will be the most obvious young birds at this time of year, with their noisy begging from tree tops.

"You may also see dunnocks, robins and blackbirds nesting again, as they will often attempt a second brood. For this they will need plenty of invertebrates for their chicks, leaving lawn unmown and hedges unclipped will help with this by making sure the insects have a place to live."

But one huge problem with leaving bird food out is that other animals - like grey squirrels - will try to steal it.

That's where the chilli powder comes in. If you have a birdbath or bird table, or something which you leave bird food on for the birds (and if you don't have one, consider getting one), then you can leave a mix of chopped peanuts, seeds, mealworms and slices of fruit like apples out for birds to eat.

Bruised apples and pears are really attractive to birds, and household scraps like pastry, cooked rice and breadcrumbs can be used too - although you should avoid using too much of these, say the RSPB.

But or chilli flakes, and the birds will have the food all to themselves. That's because birds aren't at all affected by the spicy taste of chilli, whereas squirrels and foxes hate it. That way, all of the food is left for the hungry birds.

The RSPB says: "When buying bird food, try to get a good mix of peanuts, seeds and live food like mealworms and waxworms.

"Fruit, especially bruised apples and pears, will be popular with thrushes and blackbirds. Household scraps like pastry, cooked rice and breadcrumbs should only be offered in small amounts occasionally.

"Strong chilli powder or pepper sauce (like tabasco) can be shaken onto bird food. Birds aren't bothered by the chilli, but most squirrels can't put up with the burning sensation and will leave the food alone."

The Express put this to the test, too, and