Wildlife Trust urges people to help animals during drought across the Thames Valley
Experts say birds, hedgehogs and insects are already feeling the effects of the dry weather
People across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire are being urged to provide wildlife with fresh water in their gardens after the Thames Valley was officially declared to be in drought.
The Environment Agency confirmed the declaration on Wednesday, following months of exceptionally dry conditions.
The Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust says the effects are already being seen across the area, with concerns growing for birds, hedgehogs, badgers, butterflies and other animals.
Colin Williams, Senior Ecologist at Trust, said the drought declaration came as no surprise.
"I'm out in the countryside every day and I have been seeing the impact of the lack of rain in the countryside for many, many weeks."
Colin oversees wildlife monitoring across 83 nature reserves, with the help of around 145 volunteers who collect wildlife data.
He says it's still too early to see the full impact of the drought, but some species are already showing signs of being affected.
While volunteers have recorded high numbers of butterflies in the high temperatures -including a count of 210 rare chalk hill blue butterflies on one reserve - Colin warned that does not tell the full story.
"Butterflies love warm and dry weather," he said. "But what's critical is to remember they're only butterflies for a short period of time. For a long period of time they're caterpillars, and caterpillars need to feed on plants."
He explained that many of the plants caterpillars rely on are now drying out.
"Those food plants are starting to die off, so there's no food for the caterpillars. The knock-on effect will be that next year we'll probably see far fewer butterflies."
The dry ground is also making it difficult for mammals and birds to find food.
"Badgers and hedgehogs that feed on worms are unable to dig into the hard-baked ground to get to them. And the worms are going deep into the ground where it's cooler and more moist."
He said birds face similar challenges.
"We see a lot of birds digging into the ground for worms - blackbirds on our lawns pulling worms out. Those worms are just not there for them to reach."
Although wildlife has adapted to periods of dry weather in the past, Colin warned that the changing climate could make it harder for species to recover.
"These extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and more severe. They can cope with one long drought, but if we get a drought every year, then that will be a big problem."
The Trust is working to make its reserves more resilient by holding water on site for longer, using measures including sluices and 'leaky dams' to help wetlands, ponds and reed beds stay wetter throughout the summer.
Colin is also encouraging people to do one simple thing to help wildlife at home.
"Put a bird bath out at home - a fresh water supply every day. A lot of animals are dehydrating in this weather. We're all very used to putting out bird food, but far fewer people put out water. Water is just as critical."