Gardeners are being urged to leave shallow trays of water out for robins and blackbirds as soon as possible, with experts warning that birds need support during the summer months to raise their chicks and maintain energy levels.
August is a wonderful month for garden birdwatching, with a wide variety of species to be spotted. While many assume birds require assistance most during winter, experts say they also need help throughout summer.
Why water is vital for birds now
The bird specialists at Peckish, a bird food and accessories retailer, say water is the most valuable commodity for birds in summer. They advise: "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."
They also offer guidance on making water sources safe for birds, advising placing them two metres from cover like trees or shrubs, ensuring plenty of fresh clean water for drinking and bathing, and cleaning feeding and drinking areas regularly with a mild disinfectant.
A water source is particularly crucial at present due to the prolonged hot and dry weather, which makes water difficult for birds to locate and causes it to evaporate rapidly.
Birds to spot in August
In August, robins, whose distinctive red breasts make them straightforward to identify, can frequently be seen foraging for insects and worms. Blackbirds are also a familiar sight, hunting for insects and worms on the lawn or beneath shrubs. Other common birds to spot include wood pigeons, blue tits and house sparrows.
The RHS states that the UK's birds "are in trouble, and they need our help". A 2023 State of Nature report revealed that 43% of all UK bird species are at risk of disappearing over the coming decades.
What to feed birds in summer
The experts 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."
They recommend foods like sunflower hearts, mealworms, fruit and other leftover foods such as cooked pasta and rice and rind from unsalted meat or cooked veg, and peanuts (checking the pack to ensure the nuts have been tested for aflatoxin, a fungal infection that can be lethal to birds).
The RHS also suggests avoiding pesticides, as insects are a crucial food source for birds, minimising use of mains water, and delaying hedge-cutting until late August when nesting season is safely out of the way.
