Water

[nightshade]

We are getting almost 100 birds a day ( I'm retired ) in our short rill, taking a bath and drinking, this does not include the two birdbaths in the lawn area
which are cleaned and refilled several times a day.
It just goes to show how important water is in this hot weather (and the rest of the year of course) one blackbird landed beak wide open and gasping it took few precautions just stood in the water gradually immersing itself until it could drink!

[Hedera]

My three birdbaths have been crowded with blackbirds - two tried to get in together! The young ones go to town. They have been flopping on the lawn with beaks open too. Ring doves and a fat pigeon came as well. I only put rainwater in usually, but had to get the hose out today.

[posie]

..It's not only the birds who are finding this hot dry spell difficult, lots of the wildlife need moisture to one degree or another.

[shenk1]

We get loads of birds drinking and bathing in the small bath in the back garden (a few drink from the new pond too at the side) and we live 10m from a canal and stream with plenty of water
As soon as the water is filled or changed they come from nowhere to use it
You can't beat a starling having a bath to put a smile on your face

[dampflippers]

And at night hedgehogs will be very very grateful, and you may save a life!