Sustainable Living
Incredibly Easy Ways To Help Wildlife During A Heatwave
While many of us love sunbathing, it’s worth remembering that not everyone enjoys the heat! So how can we help wildlife during a heatwave?
LENDING A HAND
There’s much that we can do to help! We like to pride ourselves on being one of the most intelligent species, after all. Hedgehogs and squirrels don’t know to chuck on the sunnies and flee to the shade for a BBQ and some sunshine respite. Though we’re sure it’d be fairly chucklesome if they did.
Firstly, it’s essential to be conscious in day-to-day life. Small things such as keeping sports netting trimmed and even, preferably, choosing wildlife-friendly netting is a good start. Additionally, take care whilst tending to your garden! Be sure to check all paths before trimming your lawn; ensure no critters are hiding in the hedge you’re about to trim and the like. However, there are more specific actions you can take to help wildlife during a heatwave.
CREATE OR BUY A BIRDBATH
Birdbaths are fantastic ways to keep our feathered friends cool and hydrated during a heatwave. Birds often bathe to keep their temperatures regulated and feathers pristine. As the years roll by and temperatures rise: natural water sources are drying up.
At temperatures that are unusually high, such as during this heatwave, even more, natural water sources may become dry. You can help! You can buy an elegant birdbath anywhere, from B&M to Amazon. Either that or you can create your own out of a shallow bowl or dish. If you’re low on resources, leaving out a small bowl of water could be enough. Other mammals, like hedgehogs, will also be grateful for the drink! Sharing is caring as they say.
Be sure that the container is shallow! Critters may fall in and become stuck if the container is too large or deep. Furthermore, avoid leaving out milk, as many animals are intolerant and it can spoil in the heat.
DOUBLE-CHECK BBQS AND BONFIRES
Critters may seek shade in odd places. Ever heard that you should check beneath your car in the heat, just to check if a cat is hiding there? The same rule applies to scenarios with BBQs and bonfires.
Hedgehogs don’t flee when threatened, they curl up defensively and their spikes are a deterrent. Unfortunately, spikes aren’t flame-proof. It’s up to us to protect those vulnerable beasties from that specific threat! The same goes for frogs. Additionally, a bird may have nested in a pile of logs that looks perfect to us for a bonfire.
Just to be safe, always build your own bonfire and then double-check it before lighting. Similarly, ensure no critters are hiding in the coals of your BBQ – don’t forget about the cars and cats rule either! This isn’t just a way you can help wildlife during a heatwave, it’s good to practice this regularly.
GOT SPARE PET FOOD? LEAVE SOME OUT
Hedgehogs suffer in the heat particularly. Food and water can become incredibly difficult to find, so leaving some food or water out during a heatwave can be the difference between life or death for them.
The good news is that hedgehogs aren’t fussy eaters. You won’t see them in a Michelin star restaurant any time soon! Cat or dog food is usually enough for them, just make sure it’s full of meat and protein. They also enjoy crushed cat or dog biscuits!
When placing food and water bowls, don’t place them next to bushes or places where predators can hide. Additionally, put some pebbles in water dishes to save any insects that may fall into the water!
HOW TO HELP A DISTRESSED ANIMAL
A lot of wildlife is equipped to handle the heat. Foxes, deer and badgers struggle but largely make it through without too much grief. Regardless of this, any critter is prone to heatstroke. Here’s what to do if you find wildlife suffering during this heatwave.
- If it is a small mammal or bird, the best bet is to contact your local vet. Vets ordinarily don’t charge for treating wildlife and may well be expecting a number of cases to come in over the next few weeks. Phone ahead to ask the best way to transport the animal first! Try not to handle it without expert advice.
- If the animal is large, such as a deer, don’t call an ambulance! That seems to be the natural reaction but ambulances will only direct you to a vet or to the RSPCA. Skip this by calling the RSPCA directly yourself on 0300 1234 999 and asking for advice on helping the animal in question.
We hope you enjoy the coming sunshine: stay hydrated, keep that sun tan lotion slathered on, and stay on the lookout for wildlife!
Itching to lounge in the sun on different sands? Book an escape with Clooper today.
