UK wildlife audit shows rollercoaster 2018 due to extreme weather

'Beast from the east' to summer heatwave resulted in record years for some species while others struggled

A year of extreme weather ranging from the snowy bitterness of the "beast from the east" to a baking hot summer has resulted in a rollercoaster year for wildlife, according to an annual audit of the UK's flora and fauna.

The prolonged, harsh end to the winter followed by a mild May and sunny weather in June and July meant some species had record years while others struggled to cope.