Storms spark wildlife concern in Dorset
Wildlife charity has concerns over effects of severe weather
As severe weather batters the coastline, Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) has voiced concern over the impact on wildlife.
In recent weeks the charity says distressed and exhausted seabirds, including razorbills, fulmar and shag, have been found stranded on Chesil beach and at Kimmeridge.
Julie Hatcher, DWT's marine awareness officer, said: "The weather conditions will make it hard for birds that live and feed around the coast, and there’s a risk they could become weak from not being able to feed properly.
"The biggest concern is that seabirds will become dehydrated, as their intake of water comes from the food they eat. We are encouraging members of the public who come across an injured bird to phone the RSPCA for assistance."
The charity also has concerns that the storms are washing a significant amount of litter onto beaches and will therefore be running beach clean events to combat the issue.
Marc Smith, officer of the Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, said: "Litter such as plastic bags, drinks cans and glass can be deadly to wildlife.
"The waves have been coming over the top of the pebble bank at Chesil Beach, and whilst some of the litter churned up will go back into the sea, Chesil Beach is 18 miles long, which is potentially a lot of litter! Our main concern is for animals getting entangled in plastic or ingesting litter."
Co-ordinator of the charity's Dorset Wild Rivers Project, Sarah Williams, said persistent rain has caused rivers to burst their banks, which is expected to have mixed effects on wildlife.
She explained: "High flowing rivers will allow migratory species such as salmon to swim further up the river to breed, which will be good news for breeding numbers, as long as their nests do not get damaged by the flows. Wildfowl and wading birds will also enjoy feeding on larger wetland areas, where they will find fish and invertebrates near the surface.
"Wildlife needs space to move away from the flood and natural floodplains do provide some relief but it is particularly important for water voles to be able to move away from the main flood water. The population of water voles this year will indicate how badly this flooding has affected them."
As severe weather batters the coastline, Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) has voiced concern over the impact on wildlife.
In recent weeks the charity says distressed and exhausted seabirds, including razorbills, fulmar and shag, have been found stranded on Chesil beach and at Kimmeridge.
Julie Hatcher, DWT's marine awareness officer, said: "The weather conditions will make it hard for birds that live and feed around the coast, and there’s a risk they could become weak from not being able to feed properly.
"The biggest concern is that seabirds will become dehydrated, as their intake of water comes from the food they eat. We are encouraging members of the public who come across an injured bird to phone the RSPCA for assistance."
The charity also has concerns that the storms are washing a significant amount of litter onto beaches and will therefore be running beach clean events to combat the issue.
Marc Smith, officer of the Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, said: "Litter such as plastic bags, drinks cans and glass can be deadly to wildlife.
"The waves have been coming over the top of the pebble bank at Chesil Beach, and whilst some of the litter churned up will go back into the sea, Chesil Beach is 18 miles long, which is potentially a lot of litter! Our main concern is for animals getting entangled in plastic or ingesting litter."
Co-ordinator of the charity's Dorset Wild Rivers Project, Sarah Williams, said persistent rain has caused rivers to burst their banks, which is expected to have mixed effects on wildlife.
She explained: "High flowing rivers will allow migratory species such as salmon to swim further up the river to breed, which will be good news for breeding numbers, as long as their nests do not get damaged by the flows. Wildfowl and wading birds will also enjoy feeding on larger wetland areas, where they will find fish and invertebrates near the surface.
"Wildlife needs space to move away from the flood and natural floodplains do provide some relief but it is particularly important for water voles to be able to move away from the main flood water. The population of water voles this year will indicate how badly this flooding has affected them."
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