The hot weather can be a disaster for birds who don’t have many ways to cool themselves down – so, to protect them from dying, gardeners have been urged to act fast
Not everyone is enjoying the hot weather – gardeners have been urged to make sure they’re filling up their bird baths with water as the heat ramps up. Otherwise, bird populations could suffer.
With summer finally here and the sun on full blast, most of us are donning shorts and sunglasses and pouring ourselves a well-deserved drink. However, it’s also pointing to a concerning trend when it comes to the climate. The UK has just experienced the hottest start to May on record, according to the Met Office.
While we may enjoy sunning ourselves, the unusually warm temperatures can pose an issue for many animals. In particular, bird populations might struggle.
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Most UK bird species aren’t used to high heat. While one or two days of unusually warm weather are manageable, an extended hot spell can leave them dangerously dehydrated.
A major reason for this is that, similar to dogs, birds don’t have sweat glands. They also tend to have higher body temperatures than other animals, which makes the heat very stressful for them.
When birds become too hot, they may start panting. They may also engage in a behaviour called ‘gutter flutter’, which refers to a movement in which they expel excess heat through their throat.
In some cases, birds may even defecate on themselves when they become too hot. This is because their faeces helps cool them down.
If birds aren’t able to effectively cool themselves, they can die. Fortunately, there is a way that garden-owners can help prevent this from happening.
Wildlife experts Green and Blue say that water is one of the best ways to help them cool off. They write: “Birds like to take a dip, shaking water through not only cleans their feathers, but just like us, the water helps to cool them down.”
The best way to do this is by filling up a bird-friendly container, like a bird bath. Green and Blue add: “Consider putting out a water source (birdbath, containers with easy perches) as well as giving them drinking water.”
You should leave drinking water out for birds at different heights if possible. It’s also important to keep refreshing the water as this will help prevent the spread of disease.
Birds also seek shade when they become too warm, as this allows them to cool down faster. You can help them by setting up bird houses in the shaded parts of your garden.