Help wildlife in the hot weather

Lend a helping hand to wildlife in hot weather. Keep your watering stations topped up with water, and let some of your garden grow wild to provide shade for animals.

As hot weather and heatwaves become more frequent due to climate change, there are ways that you can help the wildlife in your garden to cope.

Even a small change can make a big difference, so get involved and let your garden grow for nature.

Provide water for wildlife

Leave out a shallow dish of water for thirsty birds, mammals and insects.

Placing stones in a dish will help any insects that may fall in, and provide useful landing spots for them to have a drink too.

Change the water daily to help keep birds healthy and disease-free.

Hedgehog having a drink (https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/z66LbkggZJA?si=c8Lygk5fLEjlnlHX)

Hedgehog drinking water © Peter Batchelor

Top up the bird bath

Birds need water to bathe to keep their feathers in good condition, so providing a bird bath can really help. Make sure to change the water daily - you can use rain water collected in a water butt.

Remember to clean your bird baths every week to help birds stay free of disease.

Two birds sitting at opposite sides of a bird bath, after clearly having taken a drink

Provide enough cover from the sun

Adding a log pile, rockery and tall grassy areas to your garden will provide cover for frogs, toads and newts seeking shelter from the sun.

A large, v shaped log laying against the ground, surrounded by greenery, providing a habitat for invertebrates

Top up your pond

Ponds that are low can be topped up. The best way to do this is through collecting rain water.

If your water butt or rain barrel is empty, tap water can be used but only use a little at a time. Ideally let the tap water stand for 24 hours before adding it to your pond.

Remember to make sure your pond has easy exit points for wildlife that may fall in, like hedgehogs.

A garden pond in the foreground, with delicate pond plants growing in it, and stones offering easy access out for wildlife. In the background can be seen a house and the rest of the garden

Stay messy

Wilder areas in the garden will provide shade and shelter for a wide range of wildlife, so don't be too tidy.

A bumblebee is feeding on a purple flower - self heal - on a garden lawn left unmown

How to prepare ahead of a heatwave

You don't have to wait until a heatwave hits to prepare your garden for hot weather.

Install water butts

By collecting rainwater all year round, you can be prepared when hot weather hits. This allows you to keep ponds, bird baths and other water sources topped up for wildlife. It also reduces your reliance on tap water to water your plants - very important during droughts.

How to install a water butt