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Give birds a helping hand
Birds need water both to drink and to bathe in to keep their feathers in good condition. Birds do not have sweat glands like us but lose a lot of water through respiration and in their droppings in extreme heat. Most small birds need to drink at least twice a day to replace this lost water, making access to fresh water vital. The hot conditions can leave birds searching high and low for water. As natural water sources dry up around the country and , it’s more important than ever that we lend a helping hand.
There are many ways to provide water in your outdoor space, but the simplest way is a bird bath. Use a shallow sloping bowl or container as a makeshift bird bath, making sure it is light enough to be easily cleaned and refilled regularly. Birds will only use the bath if they feel safe, so make sure there are bushes or trees nearby and clear visibility from the bath. Place feeders in shaded areas during the summer, to keep birds cooler and keep seeds from spoiling as quickly.
Turn your space into a wildlife refuge
Birds aren’t the only creatures that need water during a heatwave. Offering fresh water, as well as pet food, can be a lifesaver for hedgehogs. Frog and toads also benefit from a water source of any kind to keep cool and moist during summer. Creating a mini (or large!) pond can turn any outdoor space into a cool oasis for wildlife. All you need is a container to hold water, some gravel and rocks and some small pond plants. Make sure your pond has a way for small mammals to climb out. Click here for a step by step guide.
As well as water, providing shelter is important. Piles of rocks, logs and leaves can provide creatures with a shady refuge from the hot sun. It also encourages invertebrates that small mammals such as hedgehogs love to eat.
If you find an animal in distress
If you find an animal struggling in the heat it’s hard to know what to do. For most injured birds, place them gently in a box and keep them quiet, dark and cool. Offer up a shallow dish/saucer of water. If the animal is a small bird or mammal, the quickest way to get help is to contact a local vet or rehabilitation centre as they will not usually charge for treating wildlife. If the animal is larger than a rabbit, call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.
Check out Nature on Your Doorstep for tips to help you turn your outdoor space into a wildlife haven. Click here for more ideas of activities and tasks to keep you busy in the garden. It doesn’t matter how much space you have; it all helps to give our wildlife a home!
Images:
Bird- Ray Kennedy (rspb-images.com)
Woodpile- Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)