Change to our climate puts North East birds in danger

Mar 27 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

Increasing temperatures can kill the eggs and larvae of cranefly in peatland soils as the surface dries out, resulting in a drop of up to 95% in numbers of adult insects emerging in early summer the next year.

“The situation is likely to persist. We know it is going to get warmer,” said Dr Whittingham.

“ With these But it also points a way forward to how we can attempt to strengthen habitats to help wildlife adapt to our changing climate and prevent such consequences.

As a result of average temperature increasing by 1.9ºC in late summer in the study area over the last 35 years, this has become the most important climatic factor affecting the local golden plover population.

The RSPB’s Dr James Pearce Higgins said: “This is the most worrying development that I have found in my scientific career to date.

“However, by understanding these processes, we have the chance to respond. If we can maintain good quality habitats for cranefly we can help birds too. “

This could include blocking moorland drainage ditches to keep the peatlands damp.

A project in the North Pennines is tackling 6,500 km of drainage ditches which is causing peat bogland to dry out.

More than 200km of grips were blocked last year.