Gardeners have been urged to hold off on one crucial task right now to aid Britain's struggling bird population.

Whilst August offers excellent opportunities for garden bird-watching with numerous species on display, this pleasant sight conceals the alarming reality that our feathered friends face genuine peril.

The RHS warns that the UK's birds "are in trouble, and they need our help" whilst a 2023 State of Nature report revealed that 43% of all British bird species risk disappearing within the coming decades.

It's not merely during winter months, when shelter, food and water sources become scarce, that these creatures require human assistance. Summer proves equally vital for beloved garden birds such as robins and blackbirds as they rear their offspring and must maintain their energy levels, reports Wales Online.

Fortunately, there are straightforward and practical measures you can implement to help birds survive and flourish - and one actually requires inaction rather than action.

The RHS recommends postponing any hedge-cutting plans, stating: "Delay hedge cutting until late August when nesting season is safely out of the way. With berrying hedges, try cutting one side this year and the other side next year to ensure there are always berries on offer to birds."

Thick hedgerows offer secure nesting sites and protection for fledgling birds as they mature.

Additional steps you can take include:

• Avoid using pesticides - insects are a crucial food source for birds
• Keep a birdbath topped up - and clean it daily if possible, to kill germs
• Minimise use of mains water - this has a knock-on effect on wetland habitats
• Leave areas of grass on your lawns long - things like dandelion seedheads provide food for goldfinches (though short grass areas allow birds like blackbirds to search for worms and other insects).

Gardeners' World experts have shared their advice on what to feed birds in August, stating: "Feeding birds used to be a winter activity, but birds need our help in the summer months too, to ensure they have energy enough to survive leaner times ahead. Just as in winter, high-energy food is the key to summer feeding. Live food is also recommended, to supplement the food they can find in the wild."

They suggest foods like:

• Sunflower hearts
• Mealworms
• Fruit and other leftover foods like cooked pasta and rice and rind from unsalted meat or cooked veg, which are all high in energy
• Peanuts, though check the pack to make sure the nuts have been tested for aflatoxin, a fungal infection that can be lethal to birds.

Meanwhile, bird specialists at Haiths advise: "August is a great time for birdwatching in our gardens. As summer matures and hints of autumn begin to appear, a diverse array of birds can be observed, each bringing a unique charm and activity to your garden.

"In August, these territorial birds [robins] can often be seen foraging for insects and worms. [Blackbirds] are ground feeders, so keep an eye on the lawn or under shrubs where they search for insects and worms."