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Early spring ‘could spell disaster’ for wildlife
Hedgehogs and other wild animals are starting to emerge from hibernation early.
Met Office predicts cold snap to follow unseasonably warm weather

Unusually warm weather is prompting UK wildlife to come out of hibernation early, which could spell disaster when the weather turns cold again.

This is the stark warning from the RSPB, which has received a number of reports about birds attempting to nest and breed, butterflies emerging, ducklings being born and hedgehogs, reptiles and insects coming out of hibernation.

Even migrant birds such as swallows and house martins are appearing back in the UK, weeks earlier than they would normally be expected.

The Met Office is predicting another week of mild conditions, followed by a return to unsettled, wet and windy weather in March.

Charlotte Ambrose from the RSPB’s wildlife team, said: “Birds rely on environmental cues such as temperature to know when to start making a nest and start breeding. Because of the extremely mild weather, some birds and other wildlife are starting early.

“This is not necessarily a bad thing as it may allow some birds to have an extra brood before the main breeding season starts, but if the weather changes back to more normal conditions, the birds may get caught out and struggle to find enough food for themselves and their young.

“If invertebrates emerge early they will be here when the early nesting birds and their chicks need them, but again a cold snap could mean they don’t survive. Any sudden bad weather can kill-off early flowering plants, which are a source of nectar for insects, meaning they will struggle to find enough food.”

Martin Harper, the charity’s director of global conservation, said that the warmer weather should “ring alarm bells” as these early signs of spring are likely down to climate change.

“As we expect the weather to return to temperatures more traditionally associated with this time of year – as they are forecast to – then there could be a real crisis for our birds, insects and other wildlife,” he added.

Members of the public are being urged to help garden wildlife survive the possible cold snap by providing energy-rich foods including meal worms and fat balls, putting up nest boxes, planting pollen-rich flowers and offering fresh water for drinking and bathing.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.