With more hot weather forecast for the UK next week, gardeners are being urged to help birds and other wildlife cope with the heat. Birds are particularly vulnerable in heatwaves because they have a naturally high body temperature and cannot sweat, making them prone to dehydration and overheating.
Robins, as ground feeders, struggle when the sun bakes the ground, making it harder for them to find food. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) recommends providing fresh, clean water in a shallow dish with sloping sides, a maximum depth of 10cm, and a minimum width of 30cm. Placing the bath in a shady spot is ideal, and multiple baths at different heights can accommodate various animals.
It is crucial to replace the water daily and give the bath a deep clean once a week to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Bird baths not only help birds like wood pigeons, blackbirds, starlings, and robins but also support other wildlife such as hedgehogs during hot weather.
