5 ways you can help wild birds in hot weather
Everyone loves summer, right? The hot weather may be good news for us, but it can be a bit of a struggle for the wild birds that visit the garden. Warm, dry conditions mean less water for our feathery friends, and the harder ground makes it tricky for them to catch their food.
So, if you fancy being a wildlife hero this summer, there are 5 things you can do to help wild birds in hot weather. To the garden!
1. Make sure birds have fresh water
Birds love fresh water in summer. Not only does it give them something cool and refreshing to drink, but they also love treating themselves to a bath – this cools them down, cleans their feathers, and is very entertaining to watch!
Having a bird bath in your garden that wild birds can use will keep them cool when the weather heats up, but make sure you keep it clean. Empty and replace the water at least once a day in summer to keep them happy and reduce the risk of diseases.
It’s a good idea to keep your bird bath in the shade and not directly underneath your bird feeder, or it’ll get dirty very quickly.
If you don’t have a bird bath, you can pop a small dish of water out for them to use. Plant pot saucers work really well as an alternative!
2. Keep their food topped up
Wild birds should be fed all year round. Around this time of year, many birds are in ‘fledgling season’ and raising their young; this is hungry work at the best of times, and dry weather can make it tricky to find their natural food sources.
You can keep both adult & baby birds well-fed and healthy with a good variety of wild bird food. Some of their favourites are:
Don’t be put off by their appearance – birds go wild for mealworms! Especially loved by robins & blackbirds, they’re a tasty meal for wild birds
These are packed with energy to keep busy parents going (bird parents, that is – they’re not made for humans)
Tasty, nutritious, and small enough to be enjoyed by birds of all ages – ideal for fledgling season
A great all-rounder, but only good for adult birds unless you buy smaller kibbled peanuts
For loads more information on feeding the birds in your garden, fly on over to our blog on how to feed wild birds!
3. Keep feeders clean
Your birds love visiting the feeders in your garden – unfortunately, so does bacteria. It thrives in hot weather, and your bird feeders are particularly irresistible at this time of year. Clear out any old or wet food regularly (once a week when it’s hot), and keep them as clean as possible.
Using a cleaning brush and a mild disinfectant, give your bird feeders a good scrub and leave to dry in the sun before refilling. Be sure to clean both inside and out to keep your wild birds safe for harm. Many wild birds are pretty clued-up and won’t visit feeders if they’re dirty, so it’s in everyone’s best interests to keep them spick & span!
Keep bird feeders in a shaded spot, away from easy reach of predators like the local cats. If shade is hard to come by, using a bird table will help the wild birds munch in the shade.
4. Don't be afraid of dirt!
Summer isn’t all doom-and-gloom for your wild birds. They love to use areas of dry, dusty soil to give themselves dirt baths! This may not make much sense for humans, but a dust bath helps birds remove excess oils from their feathers – think of it like a wild bird exfoliator! So, next time you see a songbird flapping around in the flowerbed, it’s just taking a dust bath.
Migratory birds such as house martins use mud to build their nests, so this is also a great time to get your hands dirty and make some mud in your garden. This is a great activity for the kids! Simply pick a patch of flowerbed and soak with water to create a muddy oasis for birds, or mix soil and water in a container. The birds will be ever so thankful.
5. Give them a cool place to nest
Bird houses can keep wild birds safe and protected, especially when they have young ones. Keep yours in a quiet, shaded and sheltered spot if possible, which will keep it safe from excess sunlight as well as rain. We all know how difficult it is to sleep when the house is baking, and it’s the same for our wild birds!
Wild birds also love a bit of foliage. Having trees & shrubs in your garden means they have plenty of places to rummage around and take shelter from the sun or rain. Robins in particular love hopping about in the undergrowth, so don’t be scared of leaving a little chaos in your garden!
Make sure to shop our wild bird range for everything from feeders to seed and everything in between! If you’ve got any pictures of birds enjoying the weather in your garden, we’d love to hear from you on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok & X.