WHY DO BIRDS NEED A WATER SOURCE IN THE GARDEN?

Garden birds need a reliable source of clean, fresh water all year round, not just during hot weather. Water is just as important as food for supporting a healthy garden bird population.

Birds use water for two main reasons: drinking and bathing. Drinking replaces water lost through respiration and droppings and supports digestion and normal body functions. Bathing helps birds keep their feathers clean and in good condition. Well-maintained feathers are essential for insulation, waterproofing and efficient flight.

Water can become particularly valuable during hot, dry summers, when natural puddles and shallow pools disappear, and during freezing winter weather, when natural sources may be inaccessible. Although birds obtain some moisture from food, dry foods such as seeds don't provide enough to remove the need for drinking water.

Providing water also makes a garden more attractive to a wider range of species. Some birds that may not regularly visit feeders can still be attracted by a bird bath or shallow water source.

"Food gives birds energy. Water keeps them hydrated, healthy and their feathers in top condition.“

The key advice is to provide shallow, clean water, refresh it regularly, clean the container frequently and keep it topped up throughout the year.