Baking hot weather is returning to the UK this weekend with a flurry of heat health alerts in place from midday today (Friday, June 27) lasting until Tuesday afternoon.
The alerts, issued by the UKHSA, warn people that serious hot weather could cause problems for people, especially those with medical conditions, the very young and the very old, and those who may otherwise struggle with the blistering 36C temperatures the Met Office is forecasting for this coming Monday, June 30.
While the UKHSA understandably focuses on the threat to human health, garden experts are also asking people to consider the impact hot weather has on wildlife too.
In an urgent appeal to the public, Brits are being asked to set out a bowl of water in their gardens or outside their homes whenever the weather is warmer.
During spells of prolonged sun, some have reported seeing dead birds in the street, and endangered hedgehogs can also potentially struggle with the lack of water.
That’s why every household is being urged to leave a source of drinking water outside their house, either in the garden or on your driveway when the warm weather hits the UK, as well as top up bird baths.
The Wildlife Trusts explains: “Water is essential for wildlife to thrive, but it isn’t just for drinking. Amphibians like newts, frogs and toads use water as shelter and breeding grounds. Butterflies get valuable minerals and salts from slightly muddy water, and birds use water to bathe and remove parasites.
“During hot summer weather, it is important to have plenty of water for animals and birds to drink and bathe in. But don’t stop there! It is also important to keep the water topped up during the chilly winter months as sources of water can become frozen and more difficult to find.
“If you install a bird bath, make sure it has gradual edges and is roughly textured. If you want to go the extra mile, hanging a drip jug above your bird bath will attract more birds as they hear the dripping water.