There is nothing better than spotting a garden bird hopping across the yard on a summer morning, particularly American robins, filling July and August with their cheerful calls. With their rust-red breasts and familiar chirping presence, they are one of North America's most recognisable birds. Yet, as anyone who has spent time outside during a heatwave knows, soaring temperatures can be just as challenging for songbirds.
Unlike us, American robins cannot retreat indoors or switch on the air conditioning. Instead, they rely on gardens, parks and natural landscapes to provide cool shade, fresh drinking water and reliable sources of food during prolonged periods of hot weather. Unfortunately, long, dry summers can quickly dry up puddles and pools, harden the soil that robins forage in, and leave birds vulnerable to dehydration and heat stress.
