RSPB Concern as Cold Spell Causing Havoc for UK Birds
The recent cold spell that we have been enduring (which feels like a century!), is causing real problems for birds across the country as they struggle to find food to survive. As I’m sure we are all to aware, this has been the coldest Spring in a century, and with the big freeze brings a lack of nutrition that birds, including many rare ones, need to cope with the extreme weather.
Birds such as the Stone Curlew, one of Britain’s most endangered species, have been found in fields across the country as they return from their winter in hotter climates like Africa and Spain. There is as few as 400 pairs left in the UK, and many of the birds have been found weighing 50% less than usual as the cold climate depletes food stocks across the UK.
Hundreds of puffins were found dead off the coast of Scotland as the big freeze hit the North of England, as stormy seas made catching food near impossible. A number of owls were also found as the minus temperatures effected more than just us humans.
RSPB conservation director Martin Harper said –
I can’t remember a spring like this – nature has really been tested by a prolonged period of very cold weather. We should be hearing the sound of chiffchaffs calling from the trees – a classic sign that spring is here – but that isn’t the case. Some may have stalled on their migration route, while for others the severe lack of insect food available means they are conserving what little energy they have. We are still getting calls from members of the public about strange sights in their gardens as birds like yellowhammers and reed buntings struggle to find enough food in the countryside. But we are also hearing about a steady trickle of swallows making their way up through the country and with temperatures on the rise the situation could start to look different in the coming days. As the global temperature continues to rise to this is another reminder that we must ensure our landscapes are in the best state possible to help wildlife cope with the increasingly unpredictable weather it will bring.
The strange weather has also seen many birds behaving like it’s still winter, with waxwings, fieldfares and redwings still here instead of flocking North. Here’s hoping that the weather picks up and offers a bit more heat so that no more birds will be starving due to the freak conditions. If you thing we’ve got it bad, imagine how they have got it.
If you would like to learn more about the work of RSPB, or would even like to sponsor a puffin, check out out designated page for this amazing charity. Here you can find out more about their history, and how you can help them protect the beautiful birds that inhabit the UK.