Wildlife experts are urging gardeners to do one simple task throughout July to help support birds visiting gardens14:29, 08 Jul 2026Gardeners and bird enthusiasts are being advised by specialists to carry out one straightforward task each day throughout July to help maintain birds' wellbeing during the summer period. It takes just 60 seconds of your time, but it will significantly help keep the birds safe and in good health.‌Without appropriate care and upkeep, birds visiting garden bird baths for refreshment and bathing face the danger of transmitting fatal illnesses, which aren't widely discussed. One of the most prevalent and deadly diseases is called trichomoniasis.‌As summer temperatures remain high, birds will require some assistance to stay properly hydrated. Daily, they will need access to fresh water supplies.‌Lucy Taylor, a wildlife specialist from Vine House Farm, told Ideal Home: "'The most important thing that you can do in July to support birds is to refill bird baths with fresh water daily."The warmer weather we experience in July means that other sources of water relied on by birds may have dried up, and they need to drink to replace the fluids they lose in the heat."‌Nevertheless, you won't need to purchase a bird bath for your garden. A shallow container will be adequate instead, reports Wales Online.If gardeners already possess a bird bath, they must ensure it's emptied and cleaned daily without fail. Following cleaning, permit the bird bath to dry fully before refilling with water.Cleaning is crucial as it helps minimise the danger of disease transmission amongst birds. Trichomoniasis is a highly contagious parasitic illness transmitted through contaminated saliva found in infected baths or pools of water.‌Birds can spread this to one another via drinking or regurgitating water.This deadly disease can cause severe lesions in the throat and upper digestive tract of affected birds. It predominantly targets finches, particularly Greenfinches and Chaffinches, along with pigeons and doves, resulting in difficulty swallowing, lethargy and weight loss.‌When positioning your bird bath or dish of water in the garden, ensure it's situated away from direct sunlight, as this causes water to evaporate more rapidly, encouraging algae to develop faster.You'll also want to ensure it isn't positioned too close to any dense shrubs, to protect birds from predator attacks.Ideal Home recommends placing the bird bath or dish in a cool spot, a few metres away from any shrubbery.‌James Ewens, bird specialist at Green Feathers, told Ideal Home: "Providing water in the month of July is so important for many reasons, the main and most obvious one being the warmer weather."In July, rainfall is limited, and temperatures tend to be higher, making it more difficult for birds to access water to cool down, hydrate and maintain their feathers."You can further prevent the spread of disease by putting out the appropriate food for birds. Refrain from leaving out peanuts and seeds between Friday, May 1, and Saturday, October 31, the RSPB advises. This occurs because trichomonosis transmits during the summer and autumn periods.Article continues belowTo reduce the risk of spreading the illness, the specialists suggest offering birds modest quantities of mealworms, fat balls, or suet throughout the entire year.