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Erratic weather 'harms wildlife' | Erratic weather 'harms wildlife' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
UK wildlife is struggling to cope as erratic and unseasonal weather has taken its toll for a second consecutive year, the National Trust says. | UK wildlife is struggling to cope as erratic and unseasonal weather has taken its toll for a second consecutive year, the National Trust says. |
It says birds, mammals and particularly insects have all suffered from a cold, late spring, a wet summer with little sunshine and a long, dry autumn. | It says birds, mammals and particularly insects have all suffered from a cold, late spring, a wet summer with little sunshine and a long, dry autumn. |
The trust says species under threat include puffins, marsh fritillary butterflies and lesser horseshoe bats. | The trust says species under threat include puffins, marsh fritillary butterflies and lesser horseshoe bats. |
They warned another wet summer in 2009 could be a disaster for insects. | They warned another wet summer in 2009 could be a disaster for insects. |
Studies of the past year by the trust's conservation experts show the impact of the weather and how some wildlife has become out-of-step with the usual seasonal patterns: | Studies of the past year by the trust's conservation experts show the impact of the weather and how some wildlife has become out-of-step with the usual seasonal patterns: |
• Snowdrops and red admiral butterflies were first spotted in January, earlier than normal. | • Snowdrops and red admiral butterflies were first spotted in January, earlier than normal. |
• Bees were hit hard in April by frost and snow | • Bees were hit hard in April by frost and snow |
• Rain in late May caused many birds' nests to fail, including those of the blue and great tits, because of the lack of insect food | • Rain in late May caused many birds' nests to fail, including those of the blue and great tits, because of the lack of insect food |
• It was a poor summer for migrant insects - butterflies, moths, hoverflies, ladybirds and dragonflies - because of the wet and cold June | • It was a poor summer for migrant insects - butterflies, moths, hoverflies, ladybirds and dragonflies - because of the wet and cold June |
• In July, puffin numbers on the Farne Islands were down 35% on what they had been five years earlier | • In July, puffin numbers on the Farne Islands were down 35% on what they had been five years earlier |
• The common autumn cranefly, usually in pest proportions in September, was all but absent | • The common autumn cranefly, usually in pest proportions in September, was all but absent |
Matthew Oates, a conservation adviser for the National Trust, said: "Many iconic species closely associated with the four seasons are having to cope with higher incidents of poor weather as our climate becomes more unpredictable. | Matthew Oates, a conservation adviser for the National Trust, said: "Many iconic species closely associated with the four seasons are having to cope with higher incidents of poor weather as our climate becomes more unpredictable. |
"After two very poor years in a row we desperately need a good summer in 2009 otherwise it's going to look increasingly grim for a wealth of wildlife in the UK. | "After two very poor years in a row we desperately need a good summer in 2009 otherwise it's going to look increasingly grim for a wealth of wildlife in the UK. |
"Climate change is not some future prediction of what might happen, it's happening now and having a serious impact on our countryside every year." | "Climate change is not some future prediction of what might happen, it's happening now and having a serious impact on our countryside every year." |
This year's weather has brought some advantages however. | |
The cold and wet October made it a bumper year for fungi, with 26 species of waxcap spotted. | The cold and wet October made it a bumper year for fungi, with 26 species of waxcap spotted. |
Unseasonal weather also led to a spectacular display of red, yellow and orange autumn leaves. | Unseasonal weather also led to a spectacular display of red, yellow and orange autumn leaves. |
Poor weather in August had its benefits for certain cabbage white butterflies which prospered as their predators were depleted, the trust said. | Poor weather in August had its benefits for certain cabbage white butterflies which prospered as their predators were depleted, the trust said. |
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