Arctic Cold Grips Wales, Scrambles Migratory & Native Wildlife Patterns

THE Arctic cold gripping Wales has delayed spring and could have a devastating impact on the nation's wildlife, experts have warned.

For the past five years spring has been arriving earlier than usual because of what is widely accepted as the effect of global warming and climate change. But 2006's freezing temperatures have led to a seasonal delay that is already confusing Wales' rich variety of flora and fauna.

Migratory birds have usually arrived from the Sahara by now. So far they have failed to show up. Insects are yet to hatch, and the spring flowers they depend on, including daffodils, primroses and pussy willow, are late to flower. Now conservationists are worried about a lack of food for the nation's wildlife during the breeding season.

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RSPB warden Mike Duckham said the weather forecast this week is for cold easterly winds and more snow on Friday, so he thinks spring will be delayed further. He explained, "We need the weather to swing southerly for the spring migrants to arrive. "The males will want to get here early to secure the best breeding sites but if they come here too early the weather could prove fatal.

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http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/tm_objectid=16814140&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=no-flowers--insects-or--birds--the-cost-of-the-cold-weather----name_page.html