There are a lot of threats out there.
I’m all too aware of the fact that these are tough times for many people, in the UK and abroad. There’s a range of inter-linked causes – economic, political, cultural and climate-related. There’s plenty that’s being said and done in the light of it all, for good reasons or bad, with positive outcomes or otherwise. And a website about Caversham isn’t really the forum to add to it all.
Simultaneously, we’d do well to keep in mind that the animal kingdom is under threat too. It’s easy – and wholly understandable – to have humanity as the primary focus as we try to thread our way forwards. And it’s similarly easy and understandable to more-or-less forget about how animals are faring. And, again, this website isn’t the ideal place to discuss the plight of animals the world-over. But, at least on a very simple, local, do-able level, most of us can do something to help.
I’ve said in an earlier item about ‘unseen’ garden wildlife and the picture, below, demonstrates a very easy-to-do deed you might not think happens. It’s field mouse having a drink in my garden at night.
When I first saw it I was pleasantly surprised. I know I have hedgehogs and other animals visiting but this is a new one. But when I thought about it, I realised it’s a perfectly logical thing to be happening. It’s a very long, hot, dry spell we’re going through (I’m writing in July 2026). Where’s a field mouse going to get a drink from?
And, on reflection, I’m aware that the hedgehog and bird food I put out is being consumed at a far higher pace than normal for this time of year. I guess that says something about there being fewer insects and other similar creatures around – their normal food.
I’m telling you all this just by way of illustration. It’s evidence of the challenges being faced by a range of animals at the moment, not just by humans. And all humans will benefit if the animals we’re surrounded by are able to thrive. We can all do something to help.
