UK households urged to leave bowl of water on driveway

It's been a glorious week of warmer weather, with the hottest day of the year baking the UK in 30C heat andseversl days in a row with bright, warm weather and clear skies.

While the heat may have cooled slightly this Bank Holiday weekend, we're still due several more days of largely clear skies without much rain. And with drier and/or hotter comes the need to protect endangered wildlife, which are being urged to do through any dry and warm period in the coming spring and summer months.

In an urgent appeal to the public, Brits are being asked to set out a bowl of water in their or outside their homes whenever the weather is warmer.

During spells of prolonged sun, some have reported seeing dead birds in the street, and endangered hedgehogs can also potentially struggle with the lack of water.

That's why every household is being urged to leave a source of drinking water outside their house, either in the garden or on your driveway when the warm weather hits the UK.

The Wildlife Trusts explains: "Water is essential for wildlife to thrive, but it isn't just for drinking. Amphibians like newts, frogs and toads use water as shelter and breeding grounds. Butterflies get valuable minerals and salts from slightly muddy water, and birds use water to bathe and remove parasites.

"During hot summer , it is important to have plenty of water for animals and birds to drink and bathe in. But don't stop there! It is also important to keep the water topped up during the chilly winter months as sources of water can become frozen and more difficult to find.

"If you install a bird bath, make sure it has gradual edges and is roughly textured. If you want to go the extra mile, hanging a drip jug above your bird bath will attract more birds as they hear the dripping water.

The Trusts added:

• Put water where you can watch the activity as you're not going to want to miss anything!
• Use a specially made bird bath, or just a bowl on the floor - you'll attract different creatures to different settings.
• Place water for birds near a shrub or tree as they like to approach from a place of safety.
• Watch for predators such as cats.
• Leave water where you can easily access it for cleaning and filling.
• Introduce a small, shallow or running water feature and provide water for birds, as well as butterflies and other insects. Even an old sink can be turned into a water feature!
• Dig a pond and attract even more wildlife into your garden, from frogs and toads, to dragonflies and herons! Remember to provide shallow edges so anything that falls in can get back out again.
• Set up a water butt so that you can easily top up water sources with rainwater - a great way to conserve water!