As temperatures continue to climb across Britain and the heatwave tightens its grip, it is not just people who are struggling to cope with the oppressive conditions. Our feathered friends are equally feeling the strain of the soaring heat, and those fortunate enough to have gardens or outdoor spaces are being urged to provide one crucial item for the birds that visit them.
Bird Species at Risk
The RHS has warned that Britain's birds "are in trouble, and they need our help." Data from a 2023 State of Nature report reveals that 43% of all bird species in the UK are at risk of disappearing over the coming decades. Although summer presents bird enthusiasts with wonderful opportunities to observe species such as robins and blackbirds in their gardens, these are also the months when temperatures across the UK tend to peak and heatwaves strike in rapid succession.
Critical Summer Support
Many of us might presume that birds need our support most during the winter months, yet experts have indicated that human intervention is just as critical — if not more so — during summer. The warmer period of the year is when the majority of Britain's bird species tend to rear their chicks, and with temperatures running high, they need our assistance more than ever to maintain their energy levels.
Thankfully, there is a great deal we can do to support our avian companions through the warmer months — and the first step is refreshingly simple. To help garden birds flourish and endure the sweltering conditions, bird specialists at Peckish, a bird food and accessories retailer, have identified one 'urgent and crucial' measure we should implement straight away: providing safe and sheltered refuges for our feathered visitors.
Water: The Most Valuable Commodity
The bird specialists explain: "Water is the most valuable commodity for birds in summer. Be sure to leave shallow trays of water out for birds, particularly during dry spells. Even better are ponds, which won't need to be topped up as often, and will also provide insects for birds to eat."
The experts have also offered advice on how to create your own water source in your garden — including bird baths — alongside recommendations for making it as secure and safe for birds as you possibly can:
- Position the water source two metres away from cover such as trees or shrubs, ensuring they remain visible while providing a safe retreat for birds
- Ensure garden birds have access to ample fresh, clean water for both drinking and bathing
- Regularly clean feeding and drinking areas using a mild disinfectant.
Hygiene and Disease Prevention
Sean McMenemy, Wildlife expert at Ark Wildlife, reinforces this guidance, telling Woman and Home: "With many pathogens, such as E. coli and Salmonella, active in warm weather, it's important to maintain good hygiene for bird health. Warm, stagnant bird baths can become breeding grounds for disease if not regularly cleaned. We recommend rinsing bird baths daily and giving them a full scrub at least once a week."
A reliable water source becomes particularly critical for birds throughout summer, especially now given the heatwave and prolonged spell of hot, arid weather, which renders water increasingly hard to find and causes it to evaporate rapidly, leaving birds parched and at risk.
Additional RHS Advice
The RHS has also offered vital advice on caring for birds in UK gardens during the summer months:
- Avoid using pesticides in your gardens, as insects form a vital (and substantial) portion of a bird's diet.
- Hold off trimming hedges until late August, by which time nesting season will have safely concluded.
- Reduce the use of mains water as it has a knock-on impact on wetland habitats.
What to Feed Birds in Summer
The specialists at Gardeners' World say: "Feeding birds used to be a winter activity, but birds need our help in the summer months too, to ensure they have energy enough to survive leaner times ahead. Just as in winter, high-energy food is the key to summer feeding. Live food is also recommended, to supplement the food they can find in the wild."
In a surprising move, the RSPB has advised against filling bird feeders with peanuts and seeds between May and the end of October. Instead, small amounts of mealworms, or suet and fatballs are recommended. Above all, it is crucial to ensure that food is placed in a thoroughly clean, uncontaminated bird feeder. The RSPB shares: "During summer and autumn, there's a higher risk of disease spreading. But it's also when there are more natural foods available to birds, such as seeds and insects."
