The hot weather brings with it problems for wildlife, including drying up water sources and causing animals to overheat. It can also make food scarcer, including plants, which may die, and worms that bury deep into the soil. The public can help protect wildlife in the heat by following these steps:

1. Provide enough water – Water sources will help many species to drink, bathe and cool down. For example, birds need water to bathe to keep their feathers in good condition, so top up the bird bath regularly with fresh, clean water. You can also put shallow dishes of water on the ground, with stones in for insects like bees to land on.
2. Help out with food- Keep bird feeders topped up and scatter some food, like seeds and apple chunks on the floor for thrushes and other animals. For insects, regularly watered plants are lifelines.
3. Provide enough cover from the sun – Provide logs, stone slabs, rockeries, and tall grass, which provide cover for frogs, toads and newts seeking shelter from the sun.
4. Top up your pond– Ponds that are low can be topped up. If your rain barrel is empty, use tap water - but add little and often. This will help keep the oxygen levels high and reduce the build-up of algae.
5. Stay messy – Wild areas in the garden provide shelter for a wide range of wildlife, so don’t be too tidy.

Darren Tansley, Wilder Rivers & Protected Species Manager at Essex Wildlife Trust, says:

“Lack of water and shelter from heat is a big problem in gardens at this time of year and you don’t need a pond to help out. Birds, pollinators, hedgehogs, and amphibians will appreciate clean water in birdbaths and bowls at ground level. Do pop some large stones in any bowl of water to allow insects to escape if they fall in while drinking. Finally create areas of unmown lawn and piles of logs or rocks to allow amphibians to get out of direct sunlight while they move about in search of food."