Coming climate change presses ever more in on us, but more it seems, right now for some wildlife. One Wildlife Trust has reported that Mountain Hares and Stoats are having a confusing time with their winter coats. The stoat (Mustela erminea) changes its brown coat to a winter white (ermine) so that it can merge into its snowy surroundings and hunt – and avoid being hunted – more effectively. The Mountain Hare has a similar wardrobe change. But, alas, there is less snow now. According to the Trust in question, the traditional adaptation is now more a hindrance than a help, and reports that some of the animals are retaining their summer colours. 'A snow-free hillside is no place for a brilliant white hare' it points out, and wonders whether there will be a permanent change in survival techniques.

Of course, the National Wildlife Trust's president, David Bellamy, has some rather controversial views on global warming which have not warmed him to many environmentalists. Professor Bellamy has made his position plain: 'I believe in climate change – when John Ray was alive 300 years ago there was a “mini-Ice Age”. I am sceptical about man-made global warming being the major part of the current climate change. Some of the change may be the natural recovery from the “Little Ice Age”. Carbon dioxide is a fertiliser, as it increases so does plant biomass. I'm worried about natural climate change, for we can't stop that.'