Gardeners are being urged to leave a tray of water out (Image: Alex Evans)
Gardeners are being urged to put a tray of water in their gardens this week in a bid to help out wildlife struggling in the difficult winter weather.
has hit parts of Britain this morning (Monday, February 10) as the freezing cold snap over January and February continues to make life hard for the many birds who stay in the UK over winter rather than migrate.
For many, as well as struggling to find food, it can be hard to find a source of clean water, too, especially when the is cold but largely dry as is the forecast this week for parts of the UK.
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From Wednesday until Saturday, the is forecast to be cold, with temperatures reaching a maximum of 6C, but mostly dry, with no major rain on the way.
Those are tough conditions for wildlife as both food and water will be scarce at the same time.
The RSPB urges to leave a tray of water out in these kind of conditions in order to help feed birds.
It says: “It’s good to provide a regular supply of clean water for birds. It’s particularly important in the winter and in dry weather. Shallow containers, like dustbin lids or plant saucers, work well, but make sure you clean them regularly.
“Many people put food out for birds, but fewer provide a regular supply of clean water. Birds need water for drinking and bathing. Bird baths are particularly important during the winter when natural supplies may be frozen, and in dry conditions that occur mainly during summer.
“In freezing conditions, birds will become more dependent on water provided in gardens, since many natural sources of water are frozen over.”
Of course, you can always go the whole hog and buy a birdbath, but make sure that you clean it every week or so, to avoid helping spread diseases.
It adds: “Make sure you change the water in your bird bath daily and give bird baths a thorough clean once a week to help prevent the spread of disease.”
Whichever you choose, make sure you take steps to avoid the water freezing over.
The charity continues: “A light ball, placed in the water, will be moved by even a gentle breeze and will keep just a small amount of water ice free.
“To make it easier to remove ice from a bird bath, line the bath with a polythene sheet that you can lift out.
“Alternatively, use hot water to melt the ice.
“On no account should any chemical, such as glycerine, anti-freeze or salt, be added to the water, as it could destroy the insulating and waterproofing properties of the feathers and even prove toxic.”