As the UK braces for more warm conditions next week, it's crucial to consider ways to assist wildlife in your garden. Birds, especially robins, face particular risks during heatwaves due to their naturally high body temperature and inability to sweat.
Why Robins Struggle in Summer
Robins feed from the ground, and intense sunshine hardens the soil, making it difficult for them to find food. They can quickly become dehydrated and suffer from heat stress during prolonged high temperatures.
Simple Solution: Provide Water
One of the most effective actions you can take is offering birds a means to cool down. While maintaining shrubs and bushes for shelter is sensible, supplying fresh, clean, and cool water is even more beneficial.
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.'
Bird Bath Essentials
If you install a bird bath, maintain water cleanliness by refreshing it daily. Clean the bath thoroughly each week to prevent the spread of contagious illnesses among birds. For an ideal bird bath, the RSPB recommends a shallow basin with gently sloping edges and a maximum depth of 10cm. It should also be at least 30cm wide.
Bird baths can also help other creatures like hedgehogs manage warmer conditions, so position it in a shaded, accessible location. You could even install several baths at varying heights to benefit all wildlife.
