We all know it’s important to drink water, but you may not know it’s vital to have some in your garden at this time of year – and we’re not referring to watering plants. According to nature lovers, there’s an essential reason why we should all be keeping a bowl of water in the garden – and it could make a bigger difference than you realise.
George Cook, known as georgecuckoo on TikTok, is a wildlife photographer and conservationist, so he knows a thing or two about how we should be looking after the environment. During the summer months, when the weather is hot, he said we should be turning our attention to water and ensuring we have some in our gardens at all times.
When the weather gets warmer, he said we are not the only ones who feel the heat. This is because wildlife and animals can be hit by the consequences of the changing weather too.
In a clip shared online, George said: “Put out water. Make sure you’re topping up your bird baths or put out a bowl of water for hedgehogs.
“You can even put pebbles in there as well, so thirsty little bees can land on to take a drink.”
George also shared some other ways you can work to aid wildlife this summer. He said you can create shade by allowing areas of your garden to grow longer and wilder, as this will help to create shelter for wildlife too.
Another thing you can do is provide food by using things like bird feeders. He said you can even add things in like apples or pears to offer the birds more water too.
If you have a pond, he recommends you top it up, as they are one of the “best” things you can have at home for wildlife. When the weather is super hot, he said it’s really important to keep it full by topping it up little and often.
Once you’ve adopted these habits, he also encouraged people to spread the word. Tell your friends and family what to do, so you can put the knowledge to good use.
He said wildlife needs our help during the summer months, so it’s important we all do our bit to contribute. There are small changes we can implement that could really make a big difference.
The video has been viewed over 1,000 times since it was shared, and people were quick to comment too. Many thanked George for the advice.
One wrote: “I always have food and water for birds and hedgehogs.” Another added: “Thanks for the reminder on putting out water bowls. I’ve let my hedge overgrow while it’s nesting period.”
A third replied: “I did. Thanks for the advice. I’m telling my family – they are thoughtful people.”
Meanwhile, a fourth commented: “I have a lot of water bowls out all over the place.” Someone else also chimed in with: “Thanks for the tips.”
If you didn’t know, leaving a bowl of water outside can be super beneficial to animals and wildlife during the summer months as they can struggle to find water sources. It also provides an area for birds to bathe and for amphibians to breed.