Can anyone tell me why the wildlife of North London seems to have increased?

Question

Every day this week I have seen at least one fox - they used to be a fairly uncommon sight in Harrow. I also heard a hedgehog a few days ago, and in Finchley last night - and for the first time in my life - I saw bats! Can anyone explain this apparent increase in wildlife? Or are there other factors that I haven't taken into consideration?

Answer 1

Possibly another Scottish uprising.

Answer 2

congestion charge?? might be too far out to be affected by that though

Answer 3

more than likely , there habitats have been destroyed, to build more unnecessary housing, and they find it easier to get food from inner cities with the amount of rubbish left lying around . they are slowly moving into more suburban areas in order  to survive.

Answer 4

Doesn't Bill Oddie live in north London? Maybe they've gone to visit.

Answer 5

I suspect it is not an increase, but large scale migrations by whole species.  This is being reported from all over the world.  It is consistent with what is going on with climate change.  We have species adapted to the cold migrating down from Northern latitudes where the ice caps are disappearing.  Those who cannot change to live in a world without ice will perish.  You also have species from Southern latitudes migrating North because it has gotten too hot where they have been living.  I live in Missouri in the USA.  Bears have been migrating up from Arkansas to the South of us.  Bears were once native to Missouri, but haven't existed in the wild for about 80 years.  Within less than 5 years, we now have hundreds, and more all the time.   Over on the Western side of the State where I am, we have Armadillo's in increasing numbers.  Like the Bears, they were once native to Southern Missouri, but weren't seen in the wild until the past decade.  Now their numbers steadily increase, and they are moving into more Northerly latitudes.

I heard a troubling piece on the news this morning.  It said that vinyards in Missouri are facing 100% or near-100% crop failures this year.  It's thought that some of this was due to a late frost we had this year.  Most of it though, has been eaten by birds that are here in unprecedented numbers.  It's thought this may be related to the mild winter we had, and climate changes elsewhere.

Another telltale sign is the sudden reappearance of species thought to be extinct, but turning up outside their traditional habitat.  What I'd suggest is do a little research on where those species have been living in the recent past, and look for climate changes in those areas.  Sometimes it can be the invasion of some other species that has been displaced by changes in another area (so it isn't always straightforward).

Answer 6

well the foxes could be linked to fortnightly rubbish collections?

hedgehogs, no idea

bats - hmmmmmm vampires moved in to your neighbourhood by chance??