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Have you seen them? Did you catch a glimpse of the Black-winged Stilt’s elegant pink legs, or get caught in the red-eyed stare of a Night Heron? The UK’s birdscape is changing. Exotic birds like the Black-winged Stilt, Night Heron, Cattle Egret and Spoonbill have been spotted in record numbers across the country. Now, even more people have a chance of encountering a rare visitor, from finding the Purple Heron’s distinctly svelte outline to marvelling at the shimmering plumage of the luscious Glossy Ibis. But there’s a reason behind the increase in their visits. Unprecedented heatwaves across Europe are causing ongoing, devastating droughts. As their regular pools dry up, wetland birds like Stilts, Herons and Ibis are having to fly further than usual to find suitable feeding areas. When they get here, it’s not much better. In the UK, rising temperatures are turning our lush green habitats brown, reducing reedbeds and marshland to baked mud. And it’s not just affecting birds. When plants are under drought stress, they can’t produce nectar, and drier conditions cause insects’ food plants to desiccate. This all leaves birds with fewer and fewer options for where they will get their next meal. As our climate continues to get hotter, the situation is only going to get worse. That’s why the RSPB is taking action now. We’re working on natural solutions to climate change that can help reduce temperature rises and provide new habitats to help species adapt. On our nature reserves and conservation sites, we’re managing our water levels to ensure we’re prepared for spring and summer droughts. And we’re making our habitats bigger and better connected, so that the wildlife relying on them can withstand any future uncertainties. Take RSPB Wallasea Island – formerly land with little value to wildlife – where we’ve partnered for seven years with Crossrail, Natural England and the Environment Agency, creating a new wetland wonderland. The site now supports thousands of wintering waders and breeding birds like Avocet and Mediterranean Gulls. Our efforts also reach beyond our nature reserves. We work with the government to make sure that policies and funding are in place to support changes that can shape UK nature for years to come. We successfully campaigned for the UK’s East Coast Flyway – part of one of the world’s eight migration superhighways and a vital area for birds – to be nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Status. By preserving and protecting vital habitats now, we can give wildlife a chance to thrive. But we can’t do it alone. By leaving a gift in your Will to the RSPB, you can support our critical interventions to give nature a brighter future. Download your free Gifts in Wills guide today.