I’m struggling in the heat, and I know the birds and wildlife in my yard are, too. While I can still hear their joyful chirping in the early morning, they are taking more cover during the day.
Although I can still see movements in my trees and shrubs, where they perch in shady spots away from full sun, it’s only in the evenings that I see them come out of hiding.
It’s at this time that I watch them perching on the edge of my bird bath, or even daring to flap their feathers in the water to cool down. It’s clear that my bird bath is a ‘mini summer sanctuary’ for the birds that visit my yard.
In the warmer months, it’s more challenging for birds and other wildlife to find fresh water, which is why wildlife experts are encouraging gardeners to leave out a fresh supply in July.
Why birds need extra support in July?
With warmer summer weather and with many young birds having fledged the nest, Lucy Taylor, wildlife expert at Vine House Farm, is advising anyone with a garden to leave out a clean supply of water for the birds.
She says, “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 replace the fluids they lose in the heat."
Providing fresh water is particularly important for seed eaters, who don’t get the moisture from insects, although all birds still need to drink.
Change the water daily to keep the birds healthy
However, there’s one big mistake you could be making if you don’t replace the water every day. In high temperatures, water sources dry up quickly — something I notice with my own bird bath.
What’s more, once birds find a water source, they will come back again and again to quench their thirst. If the water has evaporated, they will have to use more energy to find another supply.
But this is not the only issue. Dirty and stale water can harbor diseases that can prove fatal to birds. And for this reason, I empty out my bird bath every day, give it a quick scrub and refill it with fresh water.
It’s now become part of my regular routine that when I water my plants in the early morning, I also empty and then refill my bird bath.
While the birds get rewarded with fresh water to hydrate them during the July heat, I get the pleasure of watching them drop by.
How to support birds in your yard
Apart from supplying fresh water, there are four other ways that you can support birds in your yard.
1. Delay pruning
Taylor suggests holding off on pruning until at least the end of August, to ensure you don’t disturb any birds' nests until nesting season is over.
2. Feed the birds
Wild birds will benefit from supplementary feeding during summer, with Taylor adding that this is especially beneficial when they are feeding their chicks. She suggests offering suet or live mealworms, and if using dried mealworms, soaking them first to make them safe for chicks.
3. Provide shelter
Sheltered areas will allow wildlife to stay cool during hot weather. Taylor says, "Try not to trim back any overgrown hedges or areas, as thicker, unpruned plants can help wildlife stay cool and provide safe resting areas."
4. Let plants go to seed
Stop deadheading your flowers once they have faded. Allowing these plants to go to seed, especially sunflowers, can provide a rich food source for birds.
Bird baths we love
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