Wildlife charities are urging gardeners in Wales to take a simple daily action to help protect hedgehogs and other garden creatures during the ongoing hot weather. The key task is cleaning water containers daily and drying them before refilling, according to the RSPCA.
This practice minimises the risk of transmitting disease among small animals. While providing fresh water is widely recognised as beneficial, the cleaning step is vital to ensure safety.
Water a Lifeline for Hedgehogs
Water is equally crucial for smaller mammals such as hedgehogs. The British Hedgehog Preservation Society said fresh water can prove life-saving for hedgehogs and their hoglets.
Fay Vass, CEO of the society, said: "Water and food are scarce for hedgehogs when it's hot and dry, making water available can literally save a life! Pop a few pebbles in to make sure insects can escape and if you can, offer visiting hedgehogs some meaty cat or dog food too."
Birds Also Need Water
Chris Calow, a wildlife advisor for the RSPB, said: "While we sit back and relax in the outside with an ice-cold drink, generally revelling in an unusually sunny weather, our garden birds might not be having such a good time."
Calow added: "Turning your outside space into a home for nature by doing simple things like topping up your bird bath, creating a make-shift pond from a washing-up bowl, or putting down a saucer filled with water could offer a vital lifeline to some of our much-loved garden birds that are already fighting against declines." Birds require water for bathing to maintain their feathers in proper condition, and as natural water sources disappear this can become difficult.
Safety Tips for Garden Water Sources
It is recommended that water bowls should be shallow, and that garden ponds have escape routes for hedgehogs should they tumble in. The RSPCA also requests that gardeners avoid positioning water dishes too near to bushes and trees, to reduce birds and animals being hunted by cats or other predators.
Water should be kept separate from the bird table and other feeding spots to prevent contamination. Gardeners should also refill ponds and be cautious when cutting lawns or starting bonfires to avoid burning or injuring any animals that may be sheltering.
