ANIMAL sanctuary bosses say one of the driest springs on record is having a devastating effect on wildlife.
The recent spell of very dry weather conditions has certainly had an effect on slow-worms. Slow-worms are harmless legless lizards that are considered beneficial to gardeners due to their fondness for eating molluscs such as slugs and snail.
Survey and mitigation work undertaken this spring by Calumma Ecological Services has revealed a very noticeable decrease in encounter rates. The very dry conditions at several sites have resulted in animals becoming increasingly inactive as their prey becomes more difficult to find.
Male slow-worm gently holding a female whilst mating