Weather putting wildlife at risk

THE RSPB has warned that this winter could be the biggest wildlife killer of the new millennium.

Anthony Bond

THE RSPB has warned that this winter could be the biggest wildlife killer of the new millennium.

The charity has told how the savage winter is pushing Britain's wildlife to the brink of a crisis and has issued a plan to help the most vulnerable species of birds.

This includes organising emergency feeding at locations across the UK while the public are urged not to disturb flocks of wetland birds.

People are also urged to feed garden birds while farmers are asked to put out supplementary food, especially in the form of grain tailings or residues from last year's crops.

Dr Mark Avery, conservation director of the RSPB, said: “The extremely hard winter spanning 1962 and 1963 was arguably the single event that had the greatest impact on Britain's wildlife within living memory. With the icy weather predicted to last at least another week, this winter could be the single greatest wildlife killer of the new millennium.

“It is likely that the legacy of this hard winter will be seen in bird populations for many years to come.”

For more information on feeding garden birds visit www.rspb.org.uk.