Gardeners are being encouraged to add a simple item to their gardens to help robins and other birds survive the UK's summer heatwaves. With further warm weather expected across the country next week, it is crucial to consider how to support local wildlife as temperatures rise.
Why Birds Are Vulnerable in Heat
Birds are particularly at risk during heatwaves because they have naturally elevated body temperatures and cannot sweat. This makes them susceptible to dehydration and overheating during prolonged periods of high temperatures. Robins face additional challenges as they forage on the ground, and when the sun beats down intensely, it hardens the soil, making it much harder for them to find food.
How to Help: Install a Bird Bath
One of the most beneficial things you can offer garden birds is a means to cool off. Installing shrubbery that provides shade is advisable, but supplying fresh, clean, and cool water is even more effective, according to the Express. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) states: "Many of us like to cool down by taking a dip and birds do too. Whether a bird bath, a puddle or the edges of a pond, look out for birds such as wood pigeons, blackbirds, starlings and robins paddling or splashing about. Shaking the water through their feathers helps to keep them cool and clean, too."
Bird Bath Maintenance Tips
If you decide to install a bird bath, it is essential to maintain water cleanliness by changing it daily. The bird bath also requires a thorough cleaning weekly to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases among birds. For an ideal bird bath, the RSPB recommends a shallow container with gently sloping edges and a maximum depth of 10 cm. It should also be broad, with a minimum recommended width of 30 cm.
Additional Benefits
Bird baths can also help other creatures, such as hedgehogs, manage warmer conditions. It is advisable to position the bath in a pleasant shaded location where other animals can reach it. You can even set up several baths at varying heights so every creature can benefit.
