MAY I take this opportunity to bring to your readers' attention one or two seasonal problems we are encountering, all of which result from ignorance, rather than wilful cruelty.

1. We are disappointed that schools/organisations (even charities) are holding balloon races, with possibly no thought for the consequences to the environment, and the wildlife which inadvertently eat them, causing death in some cases to creatures on land and sea.

2. At this time of year, when fledglings are leaving the nest, members of the public innocently pick up baby birds, thinking they are injured. Contrary to the phrase "flying the nest", baby birds do not fly off to independence on leaving the nest, but spend up to a week on the ground being fed by their parents while they are learning to fly.

Fluttering down from a nest is one thing, but taking off again can take quite some time. We appreciate that they are vulnerable to predators at this stage in their lives, but nature can cope better with these babies than we can.

3. We receive calls every summer about dogs being left in cars. Leaving a window open and a bowl of water is not sufficient, even when there is no direct sunlight. Temperatures this week have been in the 80s in the shade -- temperatures in a car have been the equivalent of an oven. Please leave your pets at home. Those whose dogs have died in such circumstances will probably never forgive themselves.

Katherine M Kay (Mrs)

Branch Administrator

RSPCA

Advice Centre

205, St George's Road

Bolton

Tel 01204 521160