Drought conditions are putting fish under severe pressure across the Norfolk Broads, while some butterfly species are enjoying warmer weather.
Norfolk's prolonged drought is having a dramatic – and sometimes surprising – impact on wildlife across the Broads.
Rivers and waterways are among the areas suffering most, with exceptionally low flows and warm water reducing the amount of oxygen available to fish and other aquatic species.
Thousands of fish were recently removed from the River Wensum in Norwich following a major incident in which hot weather and low oxygen levels were compounded by contaminants being washed into the river after heavy rainfall.
The Environment Agency says drought-related environmental incidents are increasing nationally, including fish deaths, low river flows and deteriorating water quality. In the Wensum catchment, some water abstraction has already been stopped because flows have become so low.
But the hot, sunny summer is producing some winners too.
Some butterfly species are benefiting from the prolonged warm and dry conditions, which can provide adults with more opportunities to fly, feed and breed. However, prolonged drought can eventually become harmful if the plants needed by caterpillars and adult butterflies begin to disappear.
It means visitors to the Broads may notice contrasting signs of the summer – struggling waterways on one hand, but plenty of butterfly activity in meadows and nature reserves on the other.
With East Anglia remaining in drought, environmental organisations are continuing to monitor wildlife and water levels closely as the exceptionally dry summer continues.
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