As the UK experiences an unseasonably dry spell, homeowners are being urged to help garden birds survive the challenging conditions. The mercury rose to 22C in some parts of the country on Saturday, according to the Met Office weather maps, and it looks like being even hotter on Sunday, with highs of 25C.
The lack of rain at this time of year can make it difficult for birds to find the food and materials they need, especially while feeding their young, according to bird expert Lucy Taylor from Vine House Farm Bird Foods. Invertebrates like caterpillars, flying insects, earthworms and snails are a crucial source of moisture and protein for chicks, but many of these creatures retreat or become less active when the ground dries out.
Lucy explained that even common garden birds such as house sparrows, which feed on seeds for much of the year, turn to invertebrates during the breeding season because of the essential nutrients they provide.
But when the soil is hard and cracked from heat, birds like robins and blackbirds struggle to access worms and other prey buried deep underground.
The dry weather also poses another problem – the scarcity of clean drinking and bathing water. Birds in urban areas often rely on puddles, but without rain, even those vanish.
She said: “If you have house martins or Swallows or they’re close-by in a neighbouring property, then you can help their nest-building efforts by providing a tray of wet mud, which is what both species use as their main material.
“Both species tend to breed a little later than many of our resident garden birds, so there’s still time to help them.”
One of the most unusual but important ways homeowners can help is by offering a tray of wet mud. Species like swallows and house martins use mud to construct their nests, and without it, they may struggle to breed successfully.
Because these birds often nest later in the season, there is still time to support them by providing accessible mud near nesting areas.
Lucy also encourages people to think beyond the short term by making their gardens more wildlife-friendly overall.
Shifting to a garden design that supports birds and other creatures year-round can help them cope with increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, whether it’s extended droughts or heavy rains.
With just a few simple steps, like keeping water topped up, soaking dried food before serving, and yes, even setting out a tray of wet mud, gardeners can make a meaningful difference for Britain’s birdlife this weekend and beyond.