UK’s mild winter puts some butterflies and burrowers at risk

Creatures such as hedgehogs waking without sufficient food as abnormal weather disrupts hibernation

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Butterflies, hedgehogs and bats are at risk as the unseasonably mild weather has disrupted hibernation in the UK and is causing spring flowers to bloom in January.

Climate change is disrupting the seasons, and this year the winter has been especially mild, with trees not dropping their autumn leaves and others bursting into fresh leaf and bloom months early. This New Year's Eve is expected to be the mildest on record, with temperatures predicted to hit 15C in some parts of the country - double the average temperature for this time of year.