Wildlife experts have revealed the one job you should be doing every day in July to support birds and other garden wildlife – and it will only take up a minute of your time.
If you have a wildlife garden or love attracting birds to your outside space, it’s paramount that your garden has everything our feathered friends would need to stay happy and healthy. This is often the big three: water, food and shelter.
In summer, hot weather and drought conditions can mean fresh water is hard to come by for birds. This is why wildlife experts are urging gardeners to leave out a fresh source of water for birds every day in July.
How to support birds in July
To help birds in hot weather, water is one of the most important things you can provide. Birds can’t sweat like humans, so water is one method they use to cool down. As a result, it’s a good idea to provide a bird bath (like this traditional-style £14.50 bird bath at B&Q) so birds can drink, bathe and play as they please.
‘The most important thing that you can do in July to support birds is to refill bird baths with fresh water daily. The warmer weather we experience in July means that other sources of water relied on by birds may have dried up, and they need to drink to replace the fluids they lose in the heat,’ says Lucy Taylor, a wildlife expert from Vine House Farm.
‘You do not necessarily need a bird bath to give birds water, as a shallow dish will work just as well. Any bird baths or water dishes should be emptied and cleaned daily, then allowed to dry before filling, as this will reduce the spread of disease.
You’ll want to consider where to put a bird bath, as when in direct sunlight, water can evaporate and algae growth can be accelerated, while being too close to dense shrubs puts birds at greater risk of predators. The sweet spot is somewhere that stays relatively cool, and birds can spot danger – a couple of meters away from your hedgerow.
You also should think about purchasing a copper disk (£7.99, Amazon) or adding a penny to your bird bath, as copper can help reduce the growth of algae in your bird bath, improving its hygiene.
‘Providing water in the month of July is so important for many reasons, the main and most obvious one being the warmer weather. In July, rainfall is limited, and temperatures tend to be higher, making it more difficult for birds to access water to cool down, hydrate and maintain their feathers,’ adds James Ewens, bird specialist at Green Feathers.
‘Leaving out a shallow bowl of water takes away that extra stress for birds, ensuring they have a safe place to hydrate in the hot weather. It’s important to replenish this, especially in a heatwave.
‘Bathing also helps to prevent diseases by allowing birds to physically dislodge debris and mites. Birds need to be able to distribute their natural oils that naturally repel bacteria and deter feather-eating parasites.’
Bird baths
B&Q
Terrastyle Glazed Bird Bath (h)48cm
Dunelm
Fallen Fruits Ceramic Bird Bath
Amazon
Peckish 60051230 Secret Garden Bird Bath, Green, 10 X 40 X 60 Cm
Refreshing a bird bath or bowl of water in your garden is a quick and easy job that you can commit to every day. And if you do, your birds and other garden wildlife will thank you for it.
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