Greeny News

Public invited to help save mammals, birds and insects in habitats and food supplies were under pressure

freezing time is a continuous threat of more of Britain's wild animals, birds and insects from all over the country, experts have warned. The current period of cold - one of the longest on record - particularly affects creatures that are already struggling to survive habitat loss and changes in time

examples are the hedgehog, which has already suffered a devastating loss of numbers in the last three decades and is now severely affected by the cold. Threatened reptiles as the Ringneck and slowworm require sunny conditions and warm when they come out of hibernation. This perspective is still distant, meteorologists say.

Even birds such as tawny owl and problems faced owl. "As owls and barn are based on listening to their prey - mainly voles, shrews and mice -., Since sink across the country, but on snow or hard ground which is very difficult "said Ben Andrew of the RSPB. "As a result, owls hunt during the day, leaving them vulnerable to attack by other birds from collisions with motor vehicles."

wild animals can face the weather, experts agree, but the length of the current cold snap is unprecedented, as forecasters warned that temperatures are unlikely to return to its middle in late April. At that time, much damage has been done to the wildlife of the nation. Frogs have generated only for their ponds are frozen, while many plants and insects come late, which has a ripple effect on species that feed on them.

storms also have an unintended impact. "Seabirds along the east coast of the United Kingdom - especially puffins - fighting for fishing in the current conditions," said Andrew. "They are malnourished and weak and eventually die and drop on the banks by the hundreds. Guillemots, razorbills, cormorants and gulls are also affected. Addition, small birds like goldcrests, long-tailed tits and wrens, which feed mainly on small insects, cold weather are particularly difficult. "

For sea urchins, prolonged cold had a particularly severe impact. "Many animals that have come into hibernation in November or December of last year are still asleep," said Fay Vass, chief executive Hedgehog Preservation Society. "The time is not yet hot enough to wake them up. Normally be exercised to date. "

The problem is that more of a hedgehog lay dormant, it became less and less energy that the animal had to return to the waking state, Vass added . "It depends on the health and well-fed animal, that is when he entered hibernation. But in general, the more cold lasts, the more the number of animals that are not quite awake."

problems faced urchins who had awakened from hibernation and were no better, says Vass. "They are struggling to find food and we are getting an increasing number of reports of animals which appear in the garden during the day desperately for something to eat."
in 1980 was estimated at about 30 million hedgehogs in the UK. Today there are less than a million, thanks to the enormous erosion of animal habitats. The impact of this year's winter and the possibility of further dark conditions only worsens the prospects of this mammal times around the world.
For butterflies the country, the situation is less dangerous, at least for now. However, the freezing weather continues could have serious consequences. "April is the time to stand up for the butterflies," said Richard Fox, Director of Butterfly Conservation surveys. "If they do it when it is still frozen, which could have serious consequences for their ability to feed themselves. Much could starve if these conditions persist." species that will be most affected are the large brown fritillary (
Fabriciana adippe ). This is the most endangered butterfly in Britain, found only in a few scattered locations in southern and western England. "The persistent cold weather will only make things more difficult for the tall brunette," said Fox
Other butterfly species are seriously threatened in the UK and are vulnerable to cold include continued the Duke of Burgundy (

Experts point out that the public can help. The RSPB has urged owners to keep bird feeders regularly stocked high energy, high fat foods and keep the dishes filled with water. Similarly, the Hedgehog Preservation Society recommends leaving abundant supplies of water and food, be it meat or food cat or dog food specialist hedgehog.