This year’s climate had varying impacts on the country’s environment, as reported by the National Trust. While some parts benefited, others suffered, particularly wildlife.
Let’s examine the winners and losers of the wet and mild weather experienced over the past year.
Winners
Dunwich Heath in Suffolk. Pic: National Trust/PA
Heather at Dunwich Heath in Suffolk, East Anglia, suffered a 60% loss due to extreme heat and drought conditions in 2022. However, a drone survey in June revealed a partial recovery of damaged heathland heather following spring rainfall.
A new waterscape on the Holnicote Estate in Somerset. Pic: James Beck/National Trust/PA
At Holnicote’s river restoration project in Somerset, a thriving population of water voles, along with a boost to kestrels and barn owls, were observed in the new wetlands.
A newborn grey seal pup. Pic: John Miller/National Trust/PA
Grey seals established their first colony in Suffolk, at Orford Ness, demonstrating their ongoing recovery. The remote location and minimal disturbance likely attracted the seals, leading to breeding success.
Crimson Waxcaps. Pic: Steve Hindle/National Trust/PA
The cool, damp autumn weather without frosts supported grassland fungi in several regions, according to the National Trust.
Losers
A Small Tortoiseshell. Pic: Paul Barrow/National Trust/PA
The wet and cool spring negatively impacted insects, with butterfly numbers significantly lower than usual. Some species were completely absent at certain National Trust locations.
Butterflies were scarce at Barrington Court in Somerset until late August, and numbers were below average levels at other sites like the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland and Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire.
A bilberry bumblebee. Pic: David Williams/National Trust/PA
Bees faced challenges in various regions, although a rare bilberry bumblebee sighting in the Shropshire Hills showed positive conservation outcomes in restored meadows.
A Juvenile male common pipistrelle bat. Pic: Hugh Clark/Bat Cons.Trust/National Trust/PA
Some bat populations declined compared to the previous year, with adverse weather impacting their food sources. Wet and cool conditions led to lower insect numbers for feeding.
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An Arctic Tern. Pic: Rachel Bigsby/National Trust/PA
The status of seabirds varied, with some positives like no bird flu detected on the Farne Islands and mixed results for Arctic terns at Long Nanny. Puffins remained stable on the Farnes, but European shag numbers declined due to extreme weather and storms. Terns also experienced significant losses.
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