Top News

Gardeners are being urged to 'be sure' to leave one crucial item out for robins and blackbirds without delay. August presents excellent opportunities for garden bird-watching, with numerous different species on display.

However, whilst you might presume that birds require our assistance most during winter, specialists reveal they need our support throughout summer months as well to rear their offspring and maintain their energy reserves.

Indeed, birds require every bit of help we can provide. The RHS states that Britain's birds "are in trouble, and they need our help", reports Wales Online.

A 2023 State of Nature report revealed that 43% of all UK bird species face the threat of disappearing over the next few decades.

Fortunately, there's plenty you can accomplish to help birds survive and flourish in gardens, which serve as valuable sanctuaries for them.

Bird specialists at Peckish, a bird food and accessories retailer, say there's one action you can take straight away to assist.

They explain: "Water is the most valuable commodity for birds in summer. Be sure to leave shallow trays of water out for birds, particularly during dry spells. Even better are ponds, which won't need to be topped up as often, and will also provide insects for birds to eat."

They also offer guidance on making your water source (like a bird bath) as secure as possible for birds, advising:

• Position it two metres from cover like trees or shrubs so that it is both visible and provides a safe place to retreat
• Ensure garden birds have plenty of fresh clean water for drinking and bathing
• Ensure to regularly clean feeding and drinking areas with a mild disinfectant.

Due to the ongoing heatwave, providing a water source for birds is crucial as it can be challenging for them to find water, which also evaporates quickly in this weather.

Birds to spot in your garden in August

Birdwatchers should keep an eye out for robins, known for their distinctive red breasts, foraging for insects and worms in August. Blackbirds are also commonly seen in our gardens, hunting for insects and worms on the lawn or under shrubs. Other frequent visitors during August include wood pigeons, blue tits and house sparrows.

What to feed birds in August

Gardeners' World experts advise: "Feeding birds used to be a winter activity, but birds need our help in the summer months too, to ensure they have energy enough to survive leaner times ahead. Just as in winter, high-energy food is the key to summer feeding. Live food is also recommended, to supplement the food they can find in the wild."

They suggest foods like:

• Sunflower hearts
• Mealworms
• Fruit and other leftover foods like cooked pasta and rice and rind from unsalted meat or cooked veg, which are all high in energy
• Peanuts, though check the pack to make sure the nuts have been tested for aflatoxin, a fungal infection that can be lethal to birds.

The RHS also provides the following tips for caring for birds in your garden during the summer:

• Avoid using pesticides, as insects are a crucial food source for birds
• Minimise use of mains water, as this has a knock-on effect on wetland habitats
• Delay hedge-cutting, until late August when nesting season is safely out of the way.

---