'Unprecedented' heatwave wildlife impact - charities

Wildlife charities across the South have said this summer's heatwaves have had an "unprecedented impact" on wild animals.

Earlier this week, the Met Office said 2026 was on course to be the UK's hottest summer since records began almost 200 years ago.

Wildlife rescue charities have reported an increase in calls, compared with seasonal averages, due to the record-breaking weather, with a wide variety of species requiring support.

Anne Brummer, who manages Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue on the Berkshire Surrey border, said the impact to one species could often affect entire ecosystems.

"There can be serious knock-on effects - all the trees are changing, we've got fruits early, and they should be winter food for lots of the birds," she said.

"The knock-on effect on migratory birds, who won't have food around, is huge."

Brummer said dehydration during the warm summer was "one of the worst things we see", with reports "far higher than it's ever been before".

"It's very hard in this heat to stay hydrated, just like it is for humans," she said.

Luke Waclawek, Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue founder, said some animals were struggling with the heat more than others.

"All wildlife is impacted - everything from the smallest of mice to larger animals like deer," he said.

One animal, Waclawek said, seemed to be struggling more than most. "We're seeing a big impact on hedgehogs," he said.

The problem is not just the direct impact of the heat, but also the resulting effect on ground conditions, Waclawek said.

"The ground has gone rock-hard," he said.

"That takes away the hedgehog's vital food source, insects. Anything that requires liquid is gone - it's gone deep underground; way out of the way of the hedgehogs.

"We're seeing a huge number of casualties coming in extremely dehydrated."

Figures from the RSPCA indicate the number of dehydrated and orphaned hedgehogs being cared for has risen by 30% over the same period compared with 2025.

But both Waclawek and Brummer said there were things people could do to help.

Waclawek said: "The things we can start doing are relatively small... they won't cost more than a few minutes of our time.

"One square metre of your garden - let it grow wild and you'll be amazed at what turns up."

He suggested "putting out a small bowl of water, with pebbles in it for the insects, because they're important too".

Brummer agreed with the advice to add pebbles or gravel to the water, explaining that it "stops the water evaporating, or slows it down massively".

"Normally, the water in there will last 24 hours and that becomes a real haven for insects and birds, and especially hedgehogs," she added.