The abysmal summer Britain is experiencing is proving ‘almost apocalyptic’ for much of Britain’s wildlife, the National Trust is warning.
Many birds, bats, butterflies, bees, amphibians and wild flowers have been struggling in the cold, wet conditions and the Trust warns that the outlook for some species is very bleak.
In some cases puffins have drowned in their burrows, sea birds have been blown off cliffs by gales and garden birds are struggling to find enough food for their young.
It has become so bad there could also be local extinctions of rare and isolated insect colonies.
‘This is turning out to be an almost apocalyptic summer for most of our much-loved wildlife – birds, butterflies, bees,’ said conservation adviser Matthew Oates.
‘So much so that the prospects for many of these in 2013 are bleak.
‘Our wildlife desperately needs some sustained sunshine which is particularly beneficial to insects.’
Britain has awoken to yet another soggy day this morning, rather ominous news on St Swithin’s Day which, according to folklore, indicates how the weather will be for the next 40 days.