It’s as cold as -10C as North shivers
Jan 7 2009 by Sam Wood, The Journal
Don't disturb birds during freeze - experts
WILDLIFE experts last night urged people not to disturb birds struggling to survive freezing temperatures in the North East.
For the first time in over a decade of mild winters, nature conservation bodies called on birdwatchers, walkers, anglers and water sports enthusiasts to minimise disturbance to groups of ducks, geese, swans and wading birds.
On lakes, rivers, wetlands, and coastal areas, the birds will be struggling to cope after enduring seven consecutive days of freezing temperatures. The group making the call includes the RSPB, the British Trust for Ornithology, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and Natural England.
Martin Kerby, the RSPB’s conservation officer for the North East, said: “Even at a time when our climate is warming, we can still expect freezing conditions, but less frequently. Mild winters have allowed some of these international travellers to cut short their journeys, with more remaining on continental Europe or further north. However, wildfowl and wading birds respond to these icy blasts by moving further south and west, including to the North East of England.
“As the natural world responds to the freeze, we can expect the North East coast to play a crucial role in helping these hardy birds survive the winter.
“If the freeze continues, we can expect wetlands such as the Tees estuary, the Northumberland shore and Lindisfarne to be especially important as waterbirds struggle to find enough food to survive. These are amongst the UK’s most important wildlife sites, and protecting them from undue disturbance should be a priority for all of us during this cold weather.”
Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB’s conservation director, said: “During freezing conditions, disturbance forces the birds to squander their precious energy reserves by taking flight when they need to spend as much time as possible feeding.”
Past chills
THE minus 10C recorded in Allenheads, Northumberland, is decidedly chilly but still a long way from the lowest temperatures ever in the UK or even in the North East.
Statistics from the Met Office show that the lowest temperature ever recorded in Britain is -27.2C, which has been reached in the Scottish Highlands three times, in 1895, 1982 and 1995.
In England, Newport in Shropshire holds the record when on January 10, 1982, a temperature of -26.1C was measured.
In the North East, the record lows have been reached in Durham. In January, 1881, the mercury dropped to -17.5C and in the same month in 1982, it plunged to -16.2C.
