Water, shade and safe nests: Help Kolkata’s winged residents beat the heat

As temperatures soar and people retreat indoors, Kolkata’s birds continue to battle scorching afternoons in search of water and shade. For them, summer has become a fight for survival. As concrete rapidly replaces green spaces, the city is slowly losing the chirps of sparrows, the flutter of wings, and the tiny nests that once defined its neighbourhoods. Bird enthusiasts warn that the crisis is no longer distant or invisible, and that birds now depend as much on people for survival as they do on nature itself. Here’s how you can lend a hand.

Small acts that save birds

Summers are becoming increasingly harsh for birds in Kolkata. “Although local birds are relatively more adapted to the region’s climate, the prolonged and intense heatwaves are becoming increasingly difficult for them as well,” says Tisha Mukherjee, a wildlife enthusiast. Sudip Ghosh, a bird enthusiast, adds that shrinking greenery and rapid urbanisation are making survival harder. “One of the simplest and most effective ways to help birds during summer is by keeping shallow earthen plates or bowls filled with clean water,” says Tisha, while Sanchita Goswami, a nature enthusiast who also feeds birds regularly, stresses that the water must be changed daily and the vessels cleaned regularly.

Homes lost to urbanisation

Even a few years back, birds nested in ventilators, tiled roofs, balconies, and tree-lined lanes. Today, many of these spaces have vanished. “High-rise buildings have reduced nesting spaces for sparrows,” says Sudip Ghosh, noting that their numbers have dwindled over the years. Habitat destruction, however, remains the larger crisis. “Cutting down trees deprives birds of shelter,” says Tisha. She adds that harsh streetlights and habitat loss in areas such as Rajarhat are worsening the problem. Kalbaishakhi storms have added another layer of uncertainty. “As a solution, people can install small nests in balconies or shaded corners,” says Sanchita. She notes that ants often infest nests during summer, forcing birds to abandon those and rebuild elsewhere.

Feeding with caution

Bird enthusiasts warn that indiscriminate feeding can sometimes do more harm than good. As Sudip points out, “People are often unaware of the specific dietary needs of different species.” Sanistha Basu, another enthusiast, believes people shouldn’t disrupt the natural survival instincts of birds. “Water is important, but irregular human feeding can disrupt their natural habits over time,” she adds.

Tips to take care of birds this summer

• Keep shallow earthen bowls filled with clean water
• Change water daily and clean vessels regularly
• Avoid plastic containers as they heat up quickly
• Install small nests on balcony grills or shaded corners
• Keep larger bowls for birds to bathe during extreme heat
• Plant native, fruit-bearing, and nectaring trees
• Reduce unnecessary outdoor lighting at night
• Avoid cutting old trees that act as nesting spaces