Bird has years in channel (5)
I believe the answer is:
gully
'channel' is the definition.
(gully is a kind of channel)
'bird has years' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'bird' could be 'gull' (gull is a kind of bird) and 'gull' is found within the answer.
'years' could be 'y' (abbreviation) and 'y' is present in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for gully that I've seen before include "Cricket position; ravine" , "Gutter, drain" , "Narrow channel - fieldsman" , "one in the field" , "Water channel; fielding position" .)