Although we're nearing the end of August, summer temperatures are still high and proving challenging for our garden birds. But, it isn't just a case of providing water for them, there are quite a few things these feathered creatures need to get through late summer and prepare for fall.
As well as the obvious ways to help birds in a heatwave, you can also help garden birds in August by allowing some plants go to seed, creating shelter, and keeping your bird bath clean (it can be as simple as using this bird bath copper disc from Amazon to stop a build-up of algae).
Doing just a handful of simple things will keep the birds in your yard safe and make your garden more attractive to them, so you can enjoy more wildlife. Here's where to start.
1. Keep Your Bird Bath Clean
One of the most important things you can do to help garden birds in summer is provide a bird bath. But, it's even more important to ensure it's clean and topped up.
This may sounds obvious, but the ongoing hot temps and intense sunlight in late August can encourage algae. Plus, the water will evaporate more quickly.
With birds seeking a clean and safe water source to drink from and bathe in, it's important to refresh the water daily and clean your bird bath regularly.
This bird bath cleaning solution from Amazon is safe for birds. The copper penny bird bath trick works well, too, as does adding a solar bird bath fountain (like this from Walmart) to create movement in the water.
And if you haven't yet got a bird bath in your yard, explore our collection of stylish bird baths to shop before fall.
2. Leave Seedheads
As summer blooms start to fade, plants for seedheads can provide vital food sources for birds.
So, while it can be tempting to deadhead and removing faded blooms, leaving some seedheads is a good idea. This is especially true for the flowers that won't repeat bloom from deadheading.
In particular, echinacea, rudbeckia, sunflowers, and ornamental grasses are top choices to feed birds into fall and winter.
Not only this, you can also collect seeds from some of the seedheads for planting next year. Use this seed tin and packets kit from Amazon to store them correctly for next spring.
3. Prioritize High-Energy Foods
As natural food sources become more available for birds, you may notice less demand for standard wild bird seed mixes (like this from Walmart). Instead, you can make the most of your bird feeder by prioritizing high-energy foods, which will help birds get through the remaining hot summer weather.
This includes peanut granules, sunflower hearts (like this from Amazon), and mealworms.
Make sure to also place your bird feeder out of direct sun, to stop the food spoiling faster and to provide some shade for birds as they rest in your yard.
4. Provide Shelter
There are a few reasons why birds need shelter in late summer – to escape the heat, roosting, and to safely hide from predators while molting, which rejuvenates their feathers.
You can provide shelter by having lots of dense shrubs and climbing plants, using bird houses (like this from Walmart) for the likes of bluebirds and wrens, and placing food and water sources in shade.
Delaying hedge trimming can also help, by creating more coverage and perching spots for birds out of the sun.
5. Delay Tidying Your Yard
There are lots of benefits to delaying the late-summer garden tidy up and why you shouldn't over-tidy your yard in fall.
Things like fallen leaves and fallen fruit attract lots of insects and invertebrates, providing food sources for birds at this time.
Likewise, there may still be some active nests in trees and shrubs which you shouldn't disturb with pruning. Plant debris in your garden can even provide materials for late-nesting species.
What to Shop
This mix of sunflower hearts and chips is ideal for providing birds with lots of energy from late summer into fall.
This bird feeder is squirrel-proof and durable. It has three feeding ports and perches to support multiple birds at a time.
Use this solar fountain to create movement in your bird bath. This will help keep it clean and provide a gentle mist for hummingbirds.
To make your garden more attractive to birds year-round, consider adding ways to feed birds without a feeder and growing more plants for birds. Likewise, there are a few bird bath mistakes to avoid that could cause harm to wildlife.
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