As the brutal heat of summer continues, gardeners are struggling to keep their back yards fresh and full of life. Instead of bright and vibrant greens, many gardens are turning brown and grey, with the wildlife that would usually feed off our plants struggling more than ever.
However, while we can move inside and take a break from the heat whenever we like, the birds that provide the backing track to the outdoors don’t have such a luxury, so we must do what we can to take care of them. Many people may set up a birdbath, but there are a few other simple things you can do to keep your local robins and blackbirds alive and thriving, and what’s better, it may even save you a job. In the heat, many gardeners may instinctively keep their lawns well clipped short, but experts say now is the moment to put the mower away- because skipping the task of cutting your grass could give Britain’s songbirds a vital lifeline.
Lawns left to grow naturally retain much more moisture, creating a cooler and more stable habitat for insects such as beetles, caterpillars, crickets, and worms to thrive.
These creepy crawlies offer the perfect lunch for British birds, such as blackbirds, robins, starlings and many other songbirds that may be struggling for food during hotter months.
When lawns are kept short, the soil dries out more quickly, reducing both insect numbers and the overall availability of food for our feathered friends.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and other wildlife groups have long encouraged gardeners to leave at least part of their lawn unmown through summer. Just a few weeks of growth allow grasses to flower, attract pollinators, and create shelter for smaller creatures.
For gardeners concerned about appearances, experts suggest leaving certain areas to grow while maintaining shorter patches elsewhere for access and neatness. Even a corner or strip left to grow can make a meaningful difference.
Experts at Ark Wildlife suggest that even the smallest gardens can be a huge help for birds struggling in the heat. They wrote: “Scorching sun, parched ground, and disappearing water sources can turn daily survival into a struggle.
“But a single garden, like yours, no matter the size, can become a refuge. By offering simple support like shade, food, and fresh water, you can make a life-saving difference.
“Helping birds cope with extreme weather doesn’t require grand gestures. It’s the small, thoughtful things, a shaded spot, a fresh bowl of water, a moment of awareness, that carry real weight.”
While No-Mo May has gained increasing popularity, rewilding parts of your garden all year round can create a small wildlife sanctuary, and actually may help your garden as a whole.
