Hedgehogs struggle to find right habitats as cold snap hits Shropshire
Wild animals and birds are being placed at risk across Shropshire by the unseasonable weather, experts warned today.
The cold spell is proving particularly difficult for creatures such as hedgehogs which are already struggling from a loss of habitat.
Starving owls and birds of prey are also proving a concern for animal rescue groups in the county as the birds are finding it hard to find food in the frozen conditions.
Hedgehogs have been badly hit over the past three years with a huge loss of numbers and while they are still hibernating through the cold weather it could prove deadly.
Fay Vass, chief executive of the Hedgehog Preservation Society, based in Dhustone, Ludlow, said: "The weather is not yet warm enough to wake them. Usually they would be up and about by now. Many are still in hibernation but we are concerned about the ones with a low weight when they started their hibernation. For a long period they need more fat reserves to see them though so if bad weather continues they may not have the energy needed to wake."
She said hedgehogs already out of hibernation were already struggling because of a shortage of slugs, snails, beetles and worms.
"They are struggling finding food and water is also frozen so we are asking people to put out fresh water and meaty cat and dog food in their gardens or green space."
Experts are also concerned about the effect the freezing weather is having on owls.
Megan Morris-Jones, spokeswoman for Cuan House Wildlife Rescue, in Barrow Street, Much Wenlock, said: "We are getting a lot of barn owls, tawny owls and buzzards in. They are not being hit by cars but are just not coping with the weather and they are starving.
"Owls tend to have a high mortality rate in their first year and it's tough on them and barn owls are particularly struggling.
"It is not quite so hard for the carrion birds but we have even had buzzards brought in.
