The relentless summer heat is upon us, and its effects are evident everywhere.

From garden plants curling their leaves to pets avoiding scorching sidewalks, this season challenges our domesticated flora and fauna alike. But it's equally difficult for our native species.

While your pet dog pants and we sweat, birds have their unique ways of coping with the heat, and it involves their bill. This conspicuous behaviour is known as gaping, where birds open their mouths to release excess body heat. Some species, like cormorants and owls, take it a step further by actively shaking their neck muscles to cool down even more.

Recent studies on Saltmarsh Sparrows in Florida reveal fascinating insights into this adaptive behaviour. These sparrows have developed larger bills in marshes with higher summer temperatures compared to those in cooler areas. This evolutionary adaptation underscores the importance of a bird鈥檚 beak, not only for foraging and self-defense but also for temperature regulation.

So, what can we do to help our native fauna during these dry and warm times? First, providing a bird bath can be a simple yet effective way to help birds stay cool. Birds especially appreciate a bubbling bird bath that is cleaned regularly with a light vinegar solution and refilled daily. Make sure your bird bath is in a safe place where neighbourhood cats cannot catch an unsuspecting songbird. Not just birds, but many critters enjoy fresh water. Placing a shallow bowl with small rocks in your garden can create a pollinator bath, offering a safe bathing surface for various insects.

If you have a hummingbird feeder, it鈥檚 crucial to clean and change the water at least twice a week in these temperatures to prevent bacterial growth - likewise with bird feeders.

Creating a more hospitable environment for small animals can also make a big difference. Keeping a part of your yard overgrown and wild provides shade and cover. If your yard is mostly open, consider assembling a small brush pile with sticks, leaves, and flower stalks; this not only offers safety to small creatures but also attracts insects, benefiting the entire ecosystem.

By taking these steps, we can help our native species thrive despite the challenging summer heat, ensuring a more resilient and vibrant local environment.