Birds stressed by cold weather

Important feeding areas have been frozen over since Christmas

Wintering birds on the Somerset Levels are under stress due to the prolonged cold weather and the public are being asked not to disturb them.

Natural England is asking people to stay away from lakes and riverbanks so that the birds can conserve their energy and are not forced into flight.

Birds such as ducks, swans and waders have been unable to feed and roost due to the frozen ground.

Voluntary restraint on licensed shooting has also been requested.

'Vulnerable'

Stephen Parker, from Natural England's Taunton office, said: "Because of the long period of cold weather many wetland birds - such as widgeon, teal and snipe - are suffering stress because they can't feed.

"This makes them much more vulnerable to disturbance. If, for the next few days, the public could keep away from the shorelines and water bodies and lakes such as Westhay Moor or Shapwick Heath, that would allow the birds time to feed."

Wading birds such as snipe would normally feed under the cover of darkness and hide during the day as this makes them less vulnerable to predators - they have been observed trying to feed in the middle of the day.

Important feeding areas such as the lakes on Westhay Moor, West Hay Heath and Ham Wall have been frozen over since Christmas. Water courses including the King's Sedge Moor and South Drains are also iced over.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the British Association for Shooting and Conservation have made similar requests for the public to take care.