North West England drought hitting wildlife

Wildlife is suffering in one of the toughest dry spells in North West England for more than 80 years, say conservationists.

RSPB wetland reserves near the River Dee and the Ribble are suffering from parched conditions and there are warnings that the wildlife they support could suffer unless substantial rain comes soon. As well as thousands of wading birds, ducks and geese, these sites are home to a wide range of amphibians, fish and insects.

Also in the North West the reservoir at the new RSPB/United Utilities site at Dove Stone near Manchester is just two thirds full and its now tinder-dry bog land offers little in the way of food for young wading birds and grouse. However a recently launched project by United Utilities, supported by the RSPB, offers hope for a future more resistant to drought. This ‘Sustainable Catchment Management Programme’ will see the water company, farmers and conservationists working together to restore wetlands and re-wet peat bogs, plant new woodlands and restrict grazing in sensitive areas. “Wildlife relies on water just as we do, from brown trout and dragonflies to wetland birds such as snipe and lapwing,” said RSPB water policy officer Phil Burston. “Droughts like this one can have a real impact. “But this exciting project should make our precious uplands more resistant to the impacts of drought through reversing centuries of destructive drainage. Keeping our fells wet will protect the quality of our drinking water, stop the huge loss of peat, and be a great boost to birds and other wildlife.”

The current drought should also put paid to the misleading myth that there are regions of the UK that have an abundance of water that could easily ‘bail out’ more water scarce areas. Mr Burston added: “Many people in the droughts of 2005/6 that hit the South East of England lobbied hard for a National Water Grid that at vast expense and huge damage to the environment would pipe water from the water rich north and west. “This drought should bury this ridiculous multi billion pound, energy hungry project for good and help us to concentrate our minds on tackling waste and taking better care of the water we have.”

Photo: Lapwing – Simon Booth Photography