With hot, dry weather becoming more common across the UK, our local wildlife faces real challenges. Natural water sources dry up, food becomes scarce, and many animals and insects struggle to stay cool. But even a few small actions in your garden, balcony or allotment can make a big difference.
Here are some easy, effective ways to help wildlife thrive during a heatwave:
Provide Water for Drinking, Bathing and Cooling Down
Water is absolutely vital in dry weather. Many natural sources, like puddles and ponds, can dry up quickly, leaving wildlife desperate for a drink.
- – Top up birdbaths with clean, fresh water daily. Birds rely on them for both drinking and bathing, which helps them keep their feathers in good condition.
- – Leave shallow bowls or saucers on the ground for hedgehogs and other mammals. Add pebbles or stones to create landing spots for bees and other insects.
- – If your pond is low, top it up using water from a water butt. If that’s empty, use tap water sparingly, adding a little at a time to help avoid algae build-up and low oxygen levels.
- – Use rocks or ramps in deeper water so small animals can climb out safely.
Help Out with Food
In dry conditions, natural food sources can be hard to find. Worms bury deeper into the soil, plants may wither, and fruits become scarce.
- – Keep bird feeders topped up and scatter extra food like apple chunks, soaked raisins or mealworms for ground feeders.
- – Hang fruits like apples or pears from a string as a treat, or offer scraps such as cooked rice, uncooked porridge oats, grated cheese or boiled potatoes. These are safe and nutritious for birds.
- – Remember to place food high enough to avoid cats and predators.
- – Regularly watered plants are lifelines for bees and butterflies, so keep your garden or pots hydrated.
- – If you grow fruit or veg, let some plants go to seed after harvest. The seed heads provide food for birds and shelter for insects.
Offer Shade and Shelter
Just like us, animals need protection from the blazing sun. Without shelter, many small creatures are at risk of overheating.
- – Leave a corner of your garden wild with long grass, shrubs or a pile of logs. These provide shady hideaways for hedgehogs, frogs, toads and insects.
- – Stone slabs, rockeries and dead wood can give animals a place to cool down or hide from predators.
- – Beetles love to burrow into old logs, while other bugs and amphibians will appreciate cool, damp places to rest.
Sharing is Caring
If you grow fruit or vegetables, leave the plants to go to seed once you’ve harvested what you need.
- – Seed heads provide food for birds and shelter for insects.
- – It’s a simple way to support nature while reducing garden waste.
By offering water, food and shelter, you can help British wildlife survive and even thrive during the summer heat. With a little effort and care, you’ll soon see your garden alive with birdsong, bees and visiting hedgehogs. And with regular visits, they’ll come to rely on the safe haven you’ve created.
