Table of Contents 1. 2. Provide plenty of clean water3. Foods which contains liquid 4. Have shaded areas in your garden 5. A wildlife garden is the best longer-term solution

Although the spring and early summer months of 2024 have hardly seen much of the UK basking in warm sunshine, nonetheless – and based on recent years’ experience – a heatwave at some point is inevitable.

Birds and other wildlife in more natural habitats are generally able to cope with heatwaves, but in gardens, and especially in urban areas, it can be a real challenge for them. There are a number of reasons for this, but lack of water and shade are both key factors. Invertebrate food and notably worms can also be difficult or even impossible to find for species like Blackbird when the ground is dry and parched.

So with all this in mind, these are our top tips on helping birds and other wildlife in gardens during a heatwave.

Provide plenty of clean water

Providing clean water for garden birds is important at any time of year, but during a heatwave it can literally be a lifesaver. Birds will both drink and bathe in water, with the latter also helping to keep them cool. Some species, and notably Starlings, will frequently bathe which is likely to leave the water dirty, so change the water regularly and scrub out the bird bath first if necessary.

 

If you don’t have a purpose-made bird bath and the cost of one is prohibitive, then any sort of shallow dish or tray can be used. If you’re placing this directly on the ground or a patio, then make sure it’s far enough away from shrubs or anywhere else a cat could hide and pounce from. Providing clean water at ground level also benefits small mammals and especially Hedgehogs, so make sure the dish or tray is full before it gets dark.

Foods which contains liquid

Although it’s fine to continue feeding birds with dry foods such as sunflower hearts, seed mixes and suet products, a number of species will benefit much more from foods which contain moisture. The best of these is live mealworms, but certain fruits are a good alternative, with these including apples, pears and grapes, plus soft fruit like raspberries. Sultanas are also good and very much liked by Blackbirds, but they must be soaked in water first to partly rehydrate them.  

For Hedgehogs, cat food from tins or pouches is fine, and is probably a better option to dried Hedgehog food during a heatwave, as there’s always a risk the mammals may not find the water you’ve also provided, or it’s already been drunk. Never feed live mealworms to hedgehogs! Whilst they will readily eat them, the high phosphorus and low calcium causes damage to bones, resulting in fractures and losing the ability to walk.

Have shaded areas in your garden

For more established gardens, there will inevitably be shade for birds in the form of trees and shrubs. However, for new gardens and where for practical reasons the owner has decided on little or no vegetation, then shade can be created by using a garden parasol or something similar. In all cases, garden birds will typically seek out shade on very hot days with no cloud cover. 

A wildlife garden is the best longer-term solution

With the likelihood of an ever-increasing chance of heatwaves in the future, a true wildlife garden is the best way to help and protect your birds and other wildlife. We’ve a whole set of blogs which cover this subject, so have a look here and then get planning.