Pernature with Isaac

The heatwave As you know (unless you've been living in a freezer) this May has been a scorching one. Rivers are drying, the ground cracking, and rainfall is limited. However, how is this affecting wildlife, you may ask? For some, it's a negative story - like fish and tadpoles, whose water sources are drying up. Heat-sensitive species, such as small mammals and grouse, are also not doing well, affecting predators like eagles, harriers and owls. However, it's not doom and gloom for all animals - as we'll discuss today. Especially Mediterranean birds, who - on the warm South winds - are pushing to colonise new areas. And in the heatwave? Britain is one of those areas. If they'll stay for the season is unknown - but if they do set up a colony here, they'll surely migrate South in Winter. So, what tropical birds are coming to the UK, where are they and could they colonise here once and for all? One of the best Mediterranean influxes in years, this year has been a bri...

How do amphibians migrate?🐸 the pool frog, a semi-aquatic frog released into Norfolk In the UK, we have seven species of native amphibians: the common toad, natterjack toad, common frog, pool frog, smooth newt, great-crested newt and the palmate newt. However, the pool frog wasn't considered native here until recently, and soon after the discovery they were reintroduced to Norfolk. Additionally, three other species - the moor frog, agile frog and European tree frog - were found to be native, yet none have been reintroduced formally. All three went extinct on the mainland, though a small population of agile frogs remained in critical condition on Guernsey, where recent conservation measures have saved them. However, the general amphibians you see - the widespread, not habitat-fussy species - are most likely common frogs, common toads, and smooth newts. These are the generalist species - the ones you might see in your garden pond, under pile of rotting logs or crossing the road on a...