It Was a Very Good Year?

The extremely wet and rather cold UK summer has been predictably beneficial for some species and problematic for others ( http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/aug/25/ruralaffairs ). We have already noted that this 'swings and roundabouts' impact has led to an impressive early abundance of berries (horticulturalists predict that blossom trees next spring may be spectacular). Naturally, animals that thrive under wet conditions (or are prone to dessication) have done rather well. This includes the tiny springtails and earthworms in soil along with slugs, snails, beetles and mosquitoes. The animals that feed on such beasts have also had a bonanza. Fortunate species include frogs, moles, hedgehogs, foxes and badgers (80% of their natural diet are the suddenly more abundant earthworms that are nearer the surface). The impact on hedgehog in particular was picked up by the Western Mail ( http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/tm_method=full%26objectid=19706352%26siteid=50082-name_page.html ). It has been suggested that wild mammals may not need to forage to the same extent in UK towns and cities this winter. It spite of the abundance of delicious mosquitoes, swallows have reportedly had a bad time in the UK summer (flying conditions have not been good). Other species that have had a tough time include most of the moths, butterflies, bumble bees and wasps. I suspect that many bat species have also had a difficult time in terms of prey availability and flying conditions (they would also tend to chill easily).