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| Naturalists urge British public to help wildlife survive the hot weather | Naturalists urge British public to help wildlife survive the hot weather |
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| While many of us are enjoying the heatwave, naturalists have urged the British public to help wildlife struggling to survive as water and food supplies have dwindled in the heat. | While many of us are enjoying the heatwave, naturalists have urged the British public to help wildlife struggling to survive as water and food supplies have dwindled in the heat. |
| After six consecutive days of 30C-plus temperatures and with rainfall at only around 15% of average monthly totals so far, wardens at The Lodge in Sandy, an RSPB nature reserve in Bedfordshire, are working to keep their animals, insects, pondlife and trees well hydrated. | After six consecutive days of 30C-plus temperatures and with rainfall at only around 15% of average monthly totals so far, wardens at The Lodge in Sandy, an RSPB nature reserve in Bedfordshire, are working to keep their animals, insects, pondlife and trees well hydrated. |
| Richard James, wildlife adviser for the RSPB at The Lodge reserve said ponds need to be constantly topped up, otherwise species such as natterjack toads will leave the water before they're fully developed. | Richard James, wildlife adviser for the RSPB at The Lodge reserve said ponds need to be constantly topped up, otherwise species such as natterjack toads will leave the water before they're fully developed. |
| All flora and fauna, from bumblebees to bats, need water to stay alive, but some species are finding the heat more difficult than others. For example, house sparrows – who tend not to venture far from their nests – require a source of water nearby. /> />Conservationists suggest putting out a plate of water in the garden or balcony and filling up ponds. However water straight from the tap contains organic concentrates which can be toxic to certain animals, James said. Water left to stand for a day in a bucket is ideal. | |
| Like humans, birds and animals need to keep their body temperature below lethal temperatures and most do so by panting. At high temperatures, they can rapidly become dehydrated and can die within a matter of hours. | Like humans, birds and animals need to keep their body temperature below lethal temperatures and most do so by panting. At high temperatures, they can rapidly become dehydrated and can die within a matter of hours. |
| .@RSPB London @lbc973 @standardnews Heat exhaustion killed a chaffinch at Rainham today, poss many others unseen; put water out for wildlife | .@RSPB London @lbc973 @standardnews Heat exhaustion killed a chaffinch at Rainham today, poss many others unseen; put water out for wildlife |
| Staff at a nature reserve in Kent this week even witnessed a chaffinch drop dead in front of them. Tim Webb from the RSPB said that although it was rare to witness birds dying from the heat, large numbers will have perished. "Most birds will die hidden in thick shrubbery so it's very unusual to see a chaffinch collapse like that outside the shop. But this bird was one of hundreds, if not thousands, that won't have made it through the heatwave." | Staff at a nature reserve in Kent this week even witnessed a chaffinch drop dead in front of them. Tim Webb from the RSPB said that although it was rare to witness birds dying from the heat, large numbers will have perished. "Most birds will die hidden in thick shrubbery so it's very unusual to see a chaffinch collapse like that outside the shop. But this bird was one of hundreds, if not thousands, that won't have made it through the heatwave." |
| "There are lots of watery-related issues this summer," says David Bullock, head of nature conservation at the National Trust. "Garden ponds are shrinking in size because of evaporation rates being so high." | "There are lots of watery-related issues this summer," says David Bullock, head of nature conservation at the National Trust. "Garden ponds are shrinking in size because of evaporation rates being so high." |
| James suggests gardeners with ponds that have steep sides provide a "hedgehog ladder, or a shallow bank" to allow wildlife to get in and out of the water safely. | James suggests gardeners with ponds that have steep sides provide a "hedgehog ladder, or a shallow bank" to allow wildlife to get in and out of the water safely. |
| Finding food is also a challenge as berries have shrivelled and the earth dried out. Insects such as worms tunnel right down into the soil, out of reach of those who usually feast on them, such as blackbirds, robins, hedgehogs and frogs. | Finding food is also a challenge as berries have shrivelled and the earth dried out. Insects such as worms tunnel right down into the soil, out of reach of those who usually feast on them, such as blackbirds, robins, hedgehogs and frogs. |
| The Sussex Wildlife Trust says hedgehogs need particular help in a heatwave, as their usual prey of slugs, snails and worms are often unavailable. | The Sussex Wildlife Trust says hedgehogs need particular help in a heatwave, as their usual prey of slugs, snails and worms are often unavailable. |
| Leaving out a juicy snack, such as mealworms or canned dog food, can help hedgehogs. | Leaving out a juicy snack, such as mealworms or canned dog food, can help hedgehogs. |
| Algae that thrives on the surface of ponds in warm weather can lead to pondlife suffocating as the water is deoxygenated. Nature reserve wardens recommend keeping pond water moving by installing a fountain or pump. /> />But some species, such as moths, have been thriving in the hot weather. Nutritious sources of food for many birds and bats, an increase in moths means some birds and bats may rely less on standing water supplies. | |
| With more nettles and wildflower varieties around this summer, butterflies are also doing well, and reptiles, such as lizards, slow-worms and grass snakes happily bask in the sun. | With more nettles and wildflower varieties around this summer, butterflies are also doing well, and reptiles, such as lizards, slow-worms and grass snakes happily bask in the sun. |
| The high temperatures have enabled bluetits to have a second chance at breeding – something of a relief as many of them died during the cold, wet spring. | The high temperatures have enabled bluetits to have a second chance at breeding – something of a relief as many of them died during the cold, wet spring. |
| However, it will not be clear until the end of the summer at the earliest how well the different species fared in the heat, warned James. | However, it will not be clear until the end of the summer at the earliest how well the different species fared in the heat, warned James. |
| A bad year can have a knock-on effect on future seasons and years, affecting the delicate balance of the ecosystem. | A bad year can have a knock-on effect on future seasons and years, affecting the delicate balance of the ecosystem. |
| The Met Office has warned there is an "elevated risk" of fires in the countryside. A spokesman said: "The advice given to our governmental partners is that there is an elevated risk of fires in the next couple of days." | The Met Office has warned there is an "elevated risk" of fires in the countryside. A spokesman said: "The advice given to our governmental partners is that there is an elevated risk of fires in the next couple of days." |
| On Thursday, a blaze burned through grass and gorse in Mitcham, south London, before it was brought under control. | On Thursday, a blaze burned through grass and gorse in Mitcham, south London, before it was brought under control. |