Helping birds and wildlife during the heatwave
Hi all,With unprecedented heat heading our way, there are lots of things you can do to help birds and other wildlife survive the hot spell.1. Put out a shallow bowl or tray of water for birds to bathe in and animals to drink from. You can also put out smaller trays/saucers with pebbles and water in to allow bees and other insects to drink without drowning. Make sure to top these up morning and evening.2. Put out bird food so birds don't have to expend excess energy looking for food. If you have hedgehogs in your garden you can also put out wet cat food. 3. Create shady places, such as log piles, for mammals and insects to hide in.4. Keep an eye out for animals and birds in trouble. We have lots of swifts in Chiswick and their chicks are very near to fledging, but can't fly yet. In hot weather they can easily fall from the nest when trying to stay cool. If you know where swifts nest please patrol the area and if you find a swift chick on the ground please do the following:- Do not throw it in the air or hold it out of a window! You can try placing it in your palm at shoulder height and see if it takes off.- If it does not fly place it in a shoe box or deep plastic container, with a folded tea towl, and keep it dark and well-ventilated. Do not place it in a cage as this can damage its wings.- Do not feed it, no matter how much it begs. - As a first aid measure you can dampen a cotton bud and gently squeeze water into the sides of its beak, avoiding its nostrils. - Contact swift rescuers ASAP. You can do this by using this Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/swiftsos/ - or finding a local swift carer here https://www.swift-conservation.org/SwiftFirstAid.htm If anyone else has any tips they'd like to share please do so below!
Cara M Atkinson ● 1527d4 Comments