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2025 has seen a drought across much of Britain and while we have finally had some rain, it may not be enough yet to reverse the effects that this has caused. We have heard reports over recent years of increasingly hot summers, longer dry spells and perhaps wetter but not colder winters, and we are well aware that climate change can no longer be ignored. But what are the impacts of summer droughts on our bird life, and is there anything we can do to help?

First and foremost, the habitats that birds live in and around will be affected. Whether that’s a wetland that starts to dry up, leaving dwindling foraging and nesting spots for waders, or an arable field cracking in the heat, the soil becoming impenetrable to ground foraging insectivores that rely on earthworms and other invertebrates, which have in turn been driven deeper underground.

On a smaller scale, the plants within that habitat will be affected too. Some birds will rely on these for food directly – grazers such as geese and swans – but will likely be among the last to suffer as a result of drought since they can also eat other foods, and the plants they graze, grasses, are among the most resilient. Others need the seeds from the plants and while many plants are hard-wired to produce seed in times of stress in order to ensure their survival, that seed may often be smaller, fewer in number and less nutritious. Other birds feed on caterpillars and other invertebrates which in turn eat those plants, and if the plants are struggling, these prey items do too.

Of course, the birds themselves can be directly affected by the heat too and are at risk of heat stress and dehydration just as much as any other wildlife. Breeding success is reduced and in extreme cases, birds have been documented resorting to cannibalism on their own young to survive or leave a habitat entirely to try their luck elsewhere.

Drought also has a knock-on effect in increasing the incidence of wildfires, especially in upland areas, destroying entire habitats. A further knock-on effect which is sometimes overlooked, is the way in which soil becomes less permeable after a dry period and so any heavy rain which does fall has a higher tendency to lead to flash flooding.

So, in light of this rather sombre but seemingly increasingly common situation, how can we help? The most simple way to assist is to make sure that the birds in our gardens, and those passing through, can have access to water. You might have a smart bird bath which you can regularly refill (making sure it is cleaned weekly too, to stop the spread of disease), but if not, all you need is a shallow container on the ground – a large plant saucer works perfectly but even clean Tupperware will do. Put a good-sized stone in the middle for smaller birds to perch on without falling in and this will have the added benefit of allowing insects to use the water too.

Offering supplementary food is also helpful. Moisture-rich foods like cut up fruit or sultanas soaked in water or live mealworms for ground-feeding birds. Continuing to put out seed and other foods is also key if you already do so, don’t suddenly stop providing that source of food that they may have come to rely on in the middle of the season.

Longer term, think about planting for wildlife in your garden. Look for flowers and shrubs that attract insects and provide natural seeds and fruit for birds. Dig a pond to provide a more natural source of water. Make a compost heap to encourage insects, slugs and worms to feed the wildlife and help your garden. These are all things that can be done in advance over the winter months ready for next year. If the cycle of weather is highly probable to happen again, we should perhaps start planning for it now.