Date: 8/17/26 8:39 am From: <jwdavis...> <jwdavis...> Subject: Birds and Water
During this extreme heat bird lovers need to remember to provide water for the birds for drinking and bathing. In our hectic lifestyles, this is one important habitat element that may not come to mind. Birds need water every day of the year for drinking and bathing. In my surveys over multiple states, only one birdbath in 100 had water. Are you the one percent that always has water available? It helps to have water placed in a shady location with perches close by so birds can access and wet birds can escape predators. If such a location in not possible, at least make sure your sources contain water all of the time.
Most of my birds are relatively quiet now. This makes it more difficult for me to know what species are still in my yard. The Carolina Wrens, Tufted Titmouse, Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied, and Pileated Woodpeckers, and Northern Cardinals are still pretty vocal. The calls of the Summer Tanagers, Blue-gray gnatcatchers, Red-eyed Vireo, Great-crested Flycatchers, Yellow-billed Cuckoos and others are now infrequent. My four waters are in the backyard where I can see and monitor the birds and water availability at all times. Birds also come to the sprinkler when I am watering the hummingbird and pollinator flowers. Do your birdbaths have water? It is critical for their survival.
Another reminder, it is not too early to start preparing for Fall and Winter habitat needs. Skip mowing and let the seed heads develop for Fall and Winter feeding. Be working on making sure your brush piles are well developed to protect the birds in winter weather and provide another foraging substrate.
