Animals in the Rain | Wildlife v Weather | Robert E Fuller #Video

It's been a very wet summer here in the UK and in such prolonged, persistent wet weather wildlife struggles to cope.

Sadly persistent rain can also have serious consequences for some birds - in particular barn owls. This species has particularly soft feathers, designed for silent flight to aide hunting but not so effective when wet. Soggy feathers mean these owls struggle to hunt and even when it's not raining barn owls can get drenched when they dive for prey into long grass.

Young kestrels also are vulnerable. In the month after they fledge the nest, these juveniles are still learning to hunt and fly and can struggle to find enough food in wet conditions.

At this time of year stoats are caring for young and it can be hard to find somewhere dry enough. Of course the rainy weather also means it is colder than normal at night, which can be dangerous for very young stoat kits.
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