With natural water sources drying up and high temperatures putting added stress on garden birds, access to clean, shallow water can be vital.
Birds rely on water not only for drinking, but also for bathing, a behaviour essential to keeping their feathers in top condition. Without it, their plumage becomes dirty and matted, which impacts their ability to regulate temperature and escape predators.
RSPB said: “Providing the perfect bird bath can be one of the best things you can do for wildlife in the garden, and one of the most rewarding, too. You can install a bird bath at any time of year, but summer is a particularly critical time when water can be scarce for birds.”
Birds are most vulnerable when they drink and bathe, so the placement of these makeshift baths also matters.
The RSPB recommends keeping the container in a shaded, open space where birds can spot potential threats while still staying cool. Ideally, the water should be no more than 10cm deep, and the wider the dish, the better.
You can also support local birdlife during extreme heat by providing the right kind of food.
Richard Green, bird food specialist at Kennedy Wild Bird Food & Pet Supplies, is encouraging Britons to put out sunflower hearts, also known as sunflower seeds in their gardens, along with other carefully chosen high-energy foods. These, he says, can help birds maintain strength and hydration during heatwaves when their natural food sources may be scarce and energy demands are high.
“Summer can be a challenging time for wild birds,” Green said. “They require more energy to stay cool, forage, and support their young, especially during fledgling season.
“High-energy foods such as sunflower hearts, suet pellets, and dried mealworms offer the fats and proteins they need to cope with these demands.”
Unlike homemade fat balls, which can melt or turn rancid quickly in the heat, sunflower hearts are a safer and more heat-tolerant option. They’re easy to digest, mess-free, and widely favoured by a range of garden birds including finches, robins, and tits.
Green advises avoiding homemade mixtures, which can spoil fast and become harmful, attracting bacteria or mould that can spread disease.
So, while you’re relaxing in the garden this weekend, a small act like scattering sunflower hearts or filling a water dish could provide critical support to your feathered neighbours battling the heat.