WHILE the cold weather continues to bite, spare a thought for the county’s wildlife, some of which is coming out of hibernation.

Peter Hutchings, marketing officer for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, explained how the bleak weather has had an effect.

He said: “Although it is not unusual to have cold and wet weather in March, it is typically not for such a prolonged period of time.

“Therefore there are concerns as to the potential effect this could have on a number of species, particularly those that should be coming out of hibernation.

“The main concern is for those animals that are still in hibernation but do not have enough fat reserves to last them until warmer weather arrives; or those individuals that wake up to find that the cold weather has delayed plant growth or the availability of insects.

“The cold weather combined with the very wet summer of last year, which is likely to have had a negative effect on populations of a number of species, is obviously of concern, but if the weather improves at the beginning of April it should not be too late for most individuals that are coming out of hibernation."