Instinctively, we know this is true, but how often do we consider how wildlife survives in winter when water can be hard to access?
Wildlife needs water all year round. Finding water can be a real challenge when temperatures plummet and ice seals away that precious resource.
Our bird life is severely under threat. Wild bird numbers have shown a catastrophic decline since the 1970s, estimates say around 73 million birds have gone since that time…due to loss of habitat, reduction in the numbers of insects, climate change and pesticide use. 1 in 6 species of bird are threatened with extinction, and new government data shows that 48% of bird species have further declined in the 5 years up to 2020.
They really need our help; gardens can be their safe haven, and providing water is one huge help for these creatures. Having to fly some distance to find essential water takes energy. Energy is needed to keep the body warm, so far more is needed in winter. Energy depends on finding food, which is far harder in winter.
If a bird finds water easily in our gardens, little energy is lost in the search, so this will help it to survive. Yes, they need food, but never forget they also need water. Birds need water to both drink and bathe…yes, bathe, even in winter! Bathing helps with preening, a vital self-care activity to ensure the health of the bird.
For birds, preening is a crucial grooming behaviour. They “preen” their feathers using their beak or sometimes claws. A bird will spend 20%-30% of their day in this essential activity. They will use water to moisten and remove any dirt or parasites first, then water helps in spreading a special oil from the preen gland along the feathers. In this way, feathers are kept supple and perfectly aligned to maintain good aerodynamics, insulation, and waterproofing.
Birds may need to drink several times a day, depending on size and species. A small bird can become dehydrated very quickly; they have a high metabolic rate and lose water faster than larger birds. Berry and insect eaters will get a fair bit of their water needs from their food, but seed eaters will get less.
Use a shallow container with low sides, and top this up daily with fresh water. A plant pot saucer is an ideal choice; terracotta will provide a particularly stable base. Such containers will allow birds to bathe and drink. Place a few stones in the dish so a bird can stand on them and remain dry.
Always remember that water bowls should be regularly scrubbed and cleaned to reduce any disease risk. Do not use chemicals in cleaning…many will be toxic to birds. Use gloves and always wash your hands after cleaning out the bowl.
Place an array of water sources around the garden in quiet spots, well away from predators!
Ease the winter struggle for our birds…provide an absolute basic…water.
