June this year was officially the hottest on record for the UK, and the heat isn’t going anywhere just yet.
While long, hot summers can be great for us humans, as we can chill on our rattan garden furniture and sip cold drinks, it can be a lot tougher on birds. This blog will show you how to help them.
What makes the heat so hard for birds?
The biggest problem for birds is the fact that they do not sweat. Our bodies use that as a way of cooling off. Birds have to rely on alternatives like holding their wings out from their bodies, finding shady areas and panting. These can be inadequate at times when it is very hot though.
They also have the option of cooling themselves by drinking water, but natural sources often dry up during heatwaves. Among the common British garden birds that find hot weather hard to cope with are blue tits, starlings, sparrows and robins. It is especially hard for chicks.
What can you do?
Put fresh water out
Providing birds with a source of fresh water is the best thing you can do. Set up a bird bath in your garden and change the water every day. The bath should also be kept clean so that it does not transmit disease.
Create shady spots
Try to create some shady spots in your garden where birds can shelter. Trees, bushes and shrubs will all serve that purpose.
Birds need to keep cool in the heat as much as we do, and you can help them by following these tips.
