Overview

• The Met Office predicts temperatures up to 33°C this weekend and has urged households to leave out water dishes for birds and hedgehogs to drink and bathe
• The RSPB recommends using shallow trays or makeshift baths such as upturned bin lids filled with no more than 10 cm of water and keeping them in open, shaded spots for safety
• Kennedy Wild Bird Food experts advise disinfecting water by dropping in copper coins and refreshing the supply daily to limit bacterial contamination
• High-energy foods like sunflower hearts, suet pellets and dried mealworms supply the fats and proteins birds need to sustain energy and hydration in extreme heat
• Specialists warn against placing water dishes near dense shrubbery to reduce predator ambush risk and recommend avoiding noisy tasks like mowing during peak temperatures