Rain 'almost apocalyptic' for wildlife
The National Trust has described the UK's recent rainy weather as being "almost apocalyptic" for some wildlife so far this year, with many bees, bats, birds and butterflies struggling to cope.
The breeding season has been particularly bad, with sea birds being blown off cliffs by gales and garden birds unable to find food for their young. Relentless wet weather has devastated puffin colonies on the Farne Islands, managed by the National Trust, with 90% of burrows lost on Brownsman Island.
Bats have been hit by the cold conditions, particularly lesser and greater horseshoe bats, leading to a slow-down of pregnancies and the risk of underweight newborns, and the heavy rain has left butterflies, bees, bumblebees, overflies and moths scarce this summer.
However, it is not all bad news. The National Trust pointed out that slugs, snails and amphibians have all benefited from the wettest April-June on record.
Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.
